Syed Shayan Real Estate Archive is a curated record of how land, property, cities, and ownership systems have evolved over time. It documents key moments when laws were enacted, territories changed hands, markets were created or dismantled, and infrastructure decisions reshaped the value and use of land.

Syed Shayan Real Estate Archive is founded on the understanding that real estate history is not separate from political or economic history but is deeply embedded within it.
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It should also be noted that this archive has been formally named the Syed Shahan Real Estate Archive with a clear long term vision. The intention is to develop it into a recognised reference over time, similar in spirit to major global knowledge repositories and encyclopaedic archives that are consulted for accuracy, continuity, and authority. By maintaining consistency, editorial discipline, and historical rigour, the archive aspires to become a dependable point of reference for real estate history across generations.

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This archive is developed and maintained as a research archive within the Syed Shayan Institute for Real Estate Research, researched, written, and edited under the direct supervision of Syed Shayan, real estate historian and analyst. It is an ongoing body of work, designed to evolve through continuous research, verification, and documentation over time.

From Real Estate History

16 October

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1 News Found for 16 October

16 October 2008

Lehman Brothers Bankruptcy Triggers Global Property Crash

On October 16, 2008, the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers triggered a historic collapse in global real estate markets. The bank’s failure, caused by excessive exposure to subprime mortgages, led property prices to drop by 30–50% across major cities worldwide. Mortgage lending froze, construction projects halted, and millions of homeowners faced foreclosure. Developers and investors suffered massive financial losses as confidence in property-backed investments evaporated. The crisis revealed deep flaws in global lending systems and forced governments to implement strict financial reforms to prevent future collapses. Central banks lowered interest rates, and real estate financing models were redesigned to emphasize risk management, transparency, and sustainable growth. The event forever changed how banks and investors approach property investment worldwide.

▪ Reference(s):

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Federal Reserve Archives, Global Real Estate Market Reports