If you are interested in the US market you need to take action now, Jim Fetgatter, chief executive of the Association of Foreign Investment in Real Estate (AFIRE), said at Expo Real yesterday.

Speaking to Property Week Global editor Lucy Scott at the event's America Afternoon yesterday, Fetgatter, who is in charge of the not-for-profit cross border investment organisation, said that sentiment had picked up amongst AFIRE's members.

Susan Wallace, chief executive of private equity firm USAA, added: "For most Americans we feel the recession is reaching the bottom and we are seeing green shoots of little positive aspects."

View the America Afternoon video here.