** Real estate firms rise 1.1% to hit their highest since Dec. 10, 2024
** Bell Potter says sector has progressed in terms of handling headwinds, with policy easing by major central banks and elevated Risk-Free Rates being supportive
** Points out three advantages for real estate trusts: low valuation levels, low borrowing costs and active mergers and acquisitions across sector
** Goodman Group , Australia's listed top property developer by market value, leaps as much as 2.6% to A$38.840 - a 1-1/2-month high
** Dexus and Lifestyle Communities up 4% each
** Sub-index rose as much as 1.5% earlier in the day, highest gain since Dec. 5, 2024
** AXRE gained 12.4% last year, outperforming ASX 200 index's 7.5% gain
(Reporting by Kumar Tanishk in Bengaluru)
((Tanishk.Kumar@thomsonreuters.com;))