As we start the second half of 2020, stock markets have already recovered to near pre-pandemic levels even as massive unemployment persist and economies continue to struggle.

With the month of June coming to an end, everyone is eagerly awaiting the second quarter's earnings and market reports. The retail business is anticipated to suffer one of the worst performing quarters as many countries were at near standstill in the last few months.

Despite concerns of a second virus wave as governments gradually loosen lockdown measures, market confidence has begun to turn the corner in certain cities.

After months of lockdown, several countries have begun to ease movement restrictions, allowing people to head outdoors for more than just essentials. Some businesses are permitted to reopen, breathing new life to the greatly deprived economy.

Deal consummations had been significantly hampered by social distancing measures as well as the wide big-ask spreads between buyers and sellers. Yet even as volumes have pulled back, a stirring of eager capital sitting on the sidelines have not gone unnoticed.

As countries begin to re-open their economies, more news and data points emerge to give a glimpse of the impact of the pandemic on the real estate market so far.

As more countries lift distancing restrictions and move towards re-opening their economies, some early data points provide an idea of how real estate investment has been impacted by the virus outbreak.

Over a third of the world’s population is now living under some form of lockdown due to coronavirus.

While the number of COVID-19 cases around the world continues to climb, it is encouraging to learn that several countries have turned the corner and are restarting their economies.

The world continues to struggle with containing the spread of COVID-19, with many countries extending their lockdown period to hunker down and ride out the storm.