New rules not likely to affect developer margins
Developers may see increased costs in the short term as they turn to productive technology for some Government Land Sale (GLS) sites, but their margins would still be protected, media reports said quoting analysts.Regina Lim, Head of Singapore Equity Research and ASEAN Property Research at...
Continue Reading • 12 Mar 2014
Letter from MIPIM: Day One
Brett Alegre-Wood reports for PropertyGuru from the opening day of MIPIM, the annual conference for the world's property industry.Day one of of the event in Cannes, France, saw the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, counter recent negative rhetoric about overseas investors in London.In his speech,...
Continue Reading • 12 Mar 2014
S'poreans less worried about housing?
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong noted how the Ministry of National Development (MND) had fewer cuts (items raised by MPs for discussion) in this year’s Committee of Supply debate compared to previous years, “which hopefully shows that people are less worried about housing!”In a...
Continue Reading • 12 Mar 2014
Motorcyclists using HDB, URA carparks to be charged per minute
The Ministry of National Development (MND) will revise the Electronic Parking System (EPS) rates for motorcyclists using HDB and URA carparks to a per-minute basis.An enhanced Season Parking Ticket (E-SPT) will also be introduced to allow motorcyclists to park in all HDB and URA carparks for a...
Continue Reading • 11 Mar 2014
New productive technology rules may cost developers
In order to improve their efficiency on a global scale, Singapore developers will be required to adopt productive technologies for selected Government Land Sale (GLS) sites by 2H2014, said the Ministry of National Development (MND) and reported in the media.These include the use of...
Continue Reading • 11 Mar 2014
Govt looking into reverse mortgage to help seniors
The elderly population in Singapore are adjusting their housing needs as they enter their retirement age.Since 2011, 5,600 elderly households have booked studio apartments while 70 received their Silver Housing Bonus (SHB) of up to $20,000 in cash. Another 390 took up the Enhanced Lease Buyback...
Continue Reading • 11 Mar 2014
More help for the vulnerable to buy flats
The Ministry of National Development (MND) has revealed that 1,860 first-timer low-income families bought a new HDB flat over the last three years, with help from the Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG) and Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG). Last year, 60 divorcees or widowed persons with children...
Continue Reading • 11 Mar 2014
S'pore investors urged to look beyond central London
London property continues to be popular among foreign investors, with Singaporeans playing a huge part in the whopping £37 billion (S$78 billion) overseas investment that has poured in over the last seven years, according to IP Global.While the focus has been mainly on prime central London,...
Continue Reading • 11 Mar 2014
Khaw warns of risks in buying overseas property
The Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) will launch an online consumer guide comprising tips and information on buying overseas properties. It will advise potential buyers on key considerations, such as understanding the rules and laws governing the sale and purchase of such properties, taxes...
Continue Reading • 11 Mar 2014
Russians still searching for Thai property
Property buyers and investors from Russia are searching for homes in Thailand in ever increasing numbers, according to the latest research from Russia’s fastest growing international property portal.During February 2014, Idinaidi.ru saw a 26 percent increase in searches for property in...
Continue Reading • 11 Mar 2014
Bukit Timah residential site for sale
A freehold redevelopment site comprising three adjoining properties along Queen's Road and Duke's Road has been launched for sale by tender, said marketing agent Knight Frank. The site is located in a mainly residential area at Bukit Timah and is within walking distance to the Botanic...
Continue Reading • 10 Mar 2014
CDL, Hong Leong top holders of land bank in S'pore
City Developments (CDL) and its parent company Hong Leong Holdings own the largest land bank among developers in Singapore, according to a DTZ study reported in the media.Starting the year with around 4,215 units in their combined land bank, CDL and Hong Leong retained their top spot from the...
Continue Reading • 10 Mar 2014
London buyers spoilt for choice
This weekend sees another round of overseas property exhibitions in Singapore featuring five prominent developments from London.Stratford Riverside (pictured), a new flagship mixed-use development by Weston Homes, is close to Canary Wharf and the City of London, the capital’s two financial...
Continue Reading • 7 Mar 2014
Ultra-wealthy prefer residential property as investment
Property remains the favoured asset class among Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs), with almost a quarter of their investment portfolio accounted for by property, according to Knight Frank’s Wealth Report. In its UHNWI Attitudes survey which was jointly launched with the Bank of...
Continue Reading • 7 Mar 2014
UK property prices up in Feb
Average property prices in Britain climbed by over £16,000 (S$33,840) in the past year, according to the UK's largest mortgage provider, Halifax.Its latest index also showed that prices increased by 2.4 percent month-on-month in February. This is the highest monthly increase since May...
Continue Reading • 7 Mar 2014
S'pore is 3rd most expensive in Asia to rent
Josephine Woolley 12.00 Singapore is in 7th position among the top 10 most expensive rental locations in the world, according to an accommodation report from human resources consultancy ECA International. This is up from last year’s 8th position and the 9th...
Continue Reading • 7 Mar 2014
Forbes: Singapore's richest in 2014
This year’s Forbes list of the world’s billionaires includes 16 entries from Singapore with property players topping the list yet again. Far East Organizations’ Philip Ng and his brother Robert Ng (pictured) retain the top spot in Singapore (#106 globally), with an increased net...
Continue Reading • 6 Mar 2014
Tuan Sing launches Cluny Park Residence
Luxury condominium Cluny Park Residence will launch this Saturday, said its developer Tuan Sing Holdings. The 52-unit freehold project in Bukit Timah comprises two- to four-bedroom apartments including eight penthouses. Prices start from $2.3 million and go up to $8 million, and a good number of...
Continue Reading • 6 Mar 2014
AU$660,000 starting price for Viking by Crown
Crown Group’s new Viking by Crown development in Sydney is expected to be completed in the middle of this year.One, two and three-bedroom apartments at the 110-unit project are now available for sale with prices starting from AU$660,000 (S$754,300). Facilities are a 25-metre pool,...
Continue Reading • 6 Mar 2014
Expat focused surveys not reflective of costs for locals: Tharman
While the findings of the latest Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report serves as a useful tool for HR managers and corporate HQs, it does not necessarily reflect the cost of living for an ordinary local in Singapore, said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam. The...
Continue Reading • 6 Mar 2014