Those expecting the US real estate market to recover in 2010 may be in for a long wait with the latest report from analysts indicating that there will be no increase in values in the first six months of the year.

According to HSH Associates, a New Jersey based financial publishing house, the outlook for the first half of 2010 is flat. 'Rebuilding equity is going to be a long time coming even in a reasonable interest rate environment, even with reasonable appreciation,' said HSH Vice President Keith Gumbinger.

Foreign investors in real estate are committed to the US as their preferred property investment opportunity, it is claimed in a new survey.

The sentiment is underscored by a dramatic increase in the number of respondents identifying the US as best for capital appreciation. Over half, some 51%, said so in the 18th annual survey from the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate (AFIRE). This is up from 37% in 2008, 26% in 2007 and 23% in 2006.