S'pore among most expensive for foreign home buyers
The purchase costs of new-build prime homes sold to foreign buyers in Singapore were ranked second-highest in the world, according to a Knight Frank study. The Global Development Insights Q2 2013 report compares the fees and costs of buying new prime residential properties across global...
Continue Reading • 15 Jul 2013
More affordable UK homes exhibiting this weekend
UK-based developer Telford Homes’ latest residential tower in London will make its debut at the St. Regis Singapore (The Senator Room) this weekend. Called Lime Quay (pictured), the 12-storey building comprises one- to three-bedroom apartments that come with a balcony or terrace. The...
Continue Reading • 12 Jul 2013
Singapore's economy looking up
Singapore's economic growth accelerated in Q2 after a slow first quarter, outstripping its performance during the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI).MTI estimated that Singapore's economy grew 3.7 percent in Q2 from the previous year, up from the small...
Continue Reading • 12 Jul 2013
UOL to co-sponsor SEA Property Awards
Singapore-based UOL Group will be a co-sponsor for the prestigious South East Asia Property Awards.Now in its third year, the awards show will be held at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore on 9 October. It gives recognition to the most competitive residential property, construction, and design companies...
Continue Reading • 12 Jul 2013
Malaysia Property Show this weekend
Asia's leading property portal, PropertyGuru will hold its 5th Malaysia Property Show (MPS) at Marina Bay Sands over the weekend (13 to 14 July).The event will serve as a platform for Singapore property buyers and investors to gain insights on latest trends in Malaysia's real estate market...
Continue Reading • 12 Jul 2013
Indonesia eyeing property curbs
In a bid to ease inflation and strengthen the weakening rupiah, Indonesia's central bank plans to implement new measures to address rising home prices and tackle a shortage of US dollars.According to Bank Indonesia Governor Agus Martowardojo, inflation is nearing the upper end of its forecasted...
Continue Reading • 12 Jul 2013
Sun Hung Kai named Asia's best property company
Beating out other property players in the region, Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) has been named Asia’s Best Real Estate Company for the 9th year at the 2013 Asia's Best Companies Poll conducted by FinanceAsia. The developer also won the top award for Best Corporate Governance and Best...
Continue Reading • 12 Jul 2013
Sengkang EC to open for e-application
The 380-unit Lush Acres executive condominium (EC) along Fernvale Close will open for e-applications from 13 to 21 July.Developed by City Developments Limited (CDL), the project comprises three- to five-bedroom apartments, with suite and premium options for some units. Spread across four...
Continue Reading • 12 Jul 2013
Johor may tweak housing act
To provide citizens with more chances to own their homes, Johor is considering amending its Housing Enactment by increasing the current quota of affordably priced units in developments. “We want to ensure more people in Johor can afford to own houses,” said Housing and Local...
Continue Reading • 11 Jul 2013
New regulations lead to fewer choices for home buyers
The new housing loan rules introduced by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will severely limit the choices among second-time buyers, according to a Citibank report. Since the curbs took effect, buyers looking to purchase a second property can only afford a home that is 30 percent more...
Continue Reading • 11 Jul 2013
Buyers shift to smaller homes: DBS
The latest changes to the Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will see home buyers turning to smaller units to offset price hikes. The move is also expected to affect volume demand, particularly coming from buyers with higher incomes, according to...
Continue Reading • 11 Jul 2013
Calls to protect Queenstown's historical sites
Queenstown residents have gathered to save close to 20 sites from future demolition, according to media reports.About 1,000 people signed a petition to preserve locations in Singapore's oldest estate including the former Archipelago Brewery, Queenstown Polyclinic and Queenstown Sports...
Continue Reading • 11 Jul 2013
Agent exam review still in early stages
The Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) is reportedly reviewing the current Real Estate Salesperson (RES) examination, but details on the revision and its implementation are yet to be finalised. Speaking to PropertyGuru, Eunice Lim, Executive Director of Real Centre Network, said the changes...
Continue Reading • 11 Jul 2013
Wave of capital inflows into Asian property
Although the region is only recovering at a gradual pace, major buyer groups remain confident about acquiring properties in the Asian market, noted a report from LaSalle Investment Management. “There is a broad spectrum of capital targeting Asian real estate, with an ongoing structural...
Continue Reading • 11 Jul 2013
New Pasir Ris devt to be launched
Buyers looking for a seafront property will be heading east this weekend for the launch of Vue 8 Residence at Pasir Ris.The 463-unit condominium development, on Pasir Ris Drive 3, is expected to fetch prices between S$900 and S$1,200 psf.SLP International has been appointed the sole marketing...
Continue Reading • 11 Jul 2013
Singapore property curbs to stay for now
Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister has indicated the cooling measures are likely to remain in place despite signs the property market could be stabilising.Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam said the measures were intended to stabilise the market and possibly lead to some...
Continue Reading • 11 Jul 2013
S'pore developer ventures into KL
Property developer Roxy-Pacific Holdings has made its first foray into Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with the acquisition of a 47 percent stake in Macly Equity (Macly) for RM470,000 (S$186,805), according to OCBC Investment Research.Macly owns a 70,000 sq ft site with a gross floor area (GFA) of 686,000...
Continue Reading • 11 Jul 2013
US mortgage rates remain volatile
Mortgage rates in the US have reached their highest level in two years after jumping more than 20 points last week, according to data from US real estate portal Zillow.The data showed 30-year fixed mortgages in the US increased from 4.17 to 4.41 percent, the highest since July 2011.The figures...
Continue Reading • 10 Jul 2013
Australian market shows signs of recovery
AUSTRALIA'S property market is showing signs of recovery after recording a slight increase in new home sales in May.New home sales climbed 1.6 percent for the month, with detached house sales up 0.9 percent, according to the Housing Industry Association (HIA).But the market is still faced with...
Continue Reading • 10 Jul 2013
Pulau Ubin to remain undeveloped
The Government has confirmed that Pulau Ubin will remain undeveloped for as long as possible.The news came in response to a suggestion to build a retirement village on the north-eastern island made by Non-Constituency MP Lina Chiam in Parliament yesterday.Senior Parliamentary Secretary for...
Continue Reading • 10 Jul 2013