TDSR encourages prudent borrowing: MAS
There have been improvements to the risk profile of borrowers thanks to the Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) framework, according to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in media reports.Notably, more people are forking out a down payment of at least 30 percent, resulting in a lower debt...
Continue Reading • 2 Jul 2014
MND says no to relaxing property cooling measures
The Ministry of National Development (MND) said it is too early to relax the property cooling measures, according to media reports. The cooling measures include extra stamp duties to rein in speculative buying as well as the total debt servicing ratio (TDSR) framework which was rolled out last...
Continue Reading • 2 Jul 2014
Crowdfunding expo comes to SG
Real estate crowdfunding, although still in its infancy, will take centre stage in Singapore next month with the EPIC event, being held in conjunction with Wealth Migrate, the Global Wealth Group and CoAssets .Joseph Barisonzi, widely known as the ‘Mark Zuckerberg’ of crowd funding,...
Continue Reading • 2 Jul 2014
DTZ appoints new Head of Global Occupier Services in APAC
David Jones is DTZ’s Head of Global Occupier Services (GOS), Asia Pacific, effective today.Jones was previously DTZ’s International Director, Global Corporate Services across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). As Head of GOS in Asia Pacific, Jones will work to grow DTZ’s...
Continue Reading • 1 Jul 2014
Singapore bank lending up 1.1% in May
Singapore’s total bank lending inched up by 1.1 percent in May from the previous month, preliminary data from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) revealed today (30 June). This was higher than the 0.6 increase recorded in April.According to the central bank, the city-state’s...
Continue Reading • 30 Jun 2014
SLA opens three sites for public use
The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) will open more green fields for public use, with three sites identified so far.The first, which is already available for use, is located at the former Manjusri Secondary School at 149 Sims Drive. Measuring 9,084 sq m, the field is slightly bigger than a soccer...
Continue Reading • 26 Jun 2014
Seniors to share thoughts on housing policies
After hearing from courting and married couples, the government is now seeking views from seniors with children above 21 years old. The Ministry of National Development (MND)’s third Housing Conversations session on 19 June will gather feedback on how it can encourage parents to live in...
Continue Reading • 23 Jun 2014
JLL eyes residential sector in Southeast Asia
To tap on the growing wealth and demand for real estate investments, JLL aims to expand its residential services in the Southeast Asian region,said media reports.“At the moment, Asian investors in the global residential market are concentrated in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Taiwan,...
Continue Reading • 23 Jun 2014
DTZ to be sold to private equity consortium
Sydney-based UGL has sold its global property consultancy business, DTZ, to a consortium for AU$1.2 billion (S$1.42 billion).The consortium consists of TPG Capital (TPG), PAG Asia Capital (PAG) and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP).The transaction is expected to be completed by...
Continue Reading • 19 Jun 2014
CapitaLand's Group Deputy CEO resigns
Olivier Lim has resigned as Group Deputy CEO of CapitaLand effective from 15 September 2014. He plans to take a personal sabbatical and spend some time with his family, according to a statement. Lim is responsible for the Group’s regional investments (including Vietnam, Japan, India, United...
Continue Reading • 18 Jun 2014
Singapore still best country for business
Singapore looks set to remain as the world’s most investor-friendly location from 2014 to 2018, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)’s latest Business Environment Rankings (BER). The city-state also ranked first from 2009 to 2013. Source: Economist...
Continue Reading • 17 Jun 2014
New benchmark for DBS mortgages
In order to provide borrowers with a more simple and easy-to-understand mortgage package, DBS Bank has established a new yardstick for calculating the interest rates of their housing loans according to media reports.Dubbed as the fixed deposit home rate (FHR), it is derived from the simple...
Continue Reading • 17 Jun 2014
Cushman & Wakefield expands into Malaysia
Cushman & Wakefield has opened its 35th Asia Pacific office in Malaysia today. “This move is in line with our five year strategic plan, which contains an aggressive expansion plan for our business in Asia Pacific,” Sanjay Verma, Cushman & Wakefield’s CEO for Asia Pacific...
Continue Reading • 16 Jun 2014
IMF launches portal on global housing markets
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has launched Global Housing Watch, a webpage (pictured) featuring its analysis on housing markets across the world. The page will provide access to its Global House Price Index and other data on housing indicators. As a compilation of average housing prices...
Continue Reading • 12 Jun 2014
Govt seeks married couples' opinions
The Ministry of National Development (MND) will hold a discussion session for married couples with young or no children on 14 June. They are invited to share their views to help shape housing policies. Conducted in a small group setting, the government would like to know how it can help families...
Continue Reading • 11 Jun 2014
10,200 new homes expected
The H2 2014 Government Land Sales (GLS) Programme will comprise nine Confirmed List sites and 14 sites on the Reserve List. These sites can yield up to 10,200 private home units, including 1,500 Executive Condominium (EC) units. The Confirmed List contains six private residential sites (including...
Continue Reading • 10 Jun 2014
JLL to boost Malaysian presence
JLL has acquired 49 percent ownership in YY Property Solutions Sdn Bhd today.Founded in 1995 by YY Lau, YY Property Solutions provides clients with real estate agency and investment services across all the office, retail, industrial and residential sectors in Malaysia. YY Property Solutions will...
Continue Reading • 9 Jun 2014
CDL appoints new Chief Marketing Officer
Formerly from Far East Organization, Mark Yip (pictured) joins City Developments Limited (CDL) as its Chief Marketing Officer with effect from today. He will chart and lead CDL’s strategy and initiatives for marketing, sales and leasing. Yip spent about seven years at Far East...
Continue Reading • 9 Jun 2014
Singapore market overpriced
Singapore and Hong Kong are both witnessing overpriced property markets, and this has resulted in one investment management firm steering clear of property investments in both Asian cities.In an interview with Asia Investor Mark Gabbay, co-Chief Executive for Asia-Pacific at LaSalle Investment...
Continue Reading • 7 Jun 2014
Be responsible for your windows: authorities
There were 27 cases of fallen windows from January to May 2014, according to Building and Construction Authority’s (BCA) records. Last year, there were 43 cases, while 2012 recorded a high of 71 cases. The number of cases since 2000 are usually double-digit figures but over 100...
Continue Reading • 6 Jun 2014