Woodlands residential site draws $216m top bid
By Shabnam Muzammil:An executive condominium (EC) site at the junction of Woodlands Avenue 5 and 6 received a total of seven bids when HDB closed its tender yesterday.The 99-year leasehold plot attracted a top offer of S$216 million or S$341.21 psf ppr from Qingjian Realty (South Pacific) Group....
Continue Reading • 10 May 2013
New property launches in May
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: To take advantage of the private housing market rebound in March, developers are launching a slew of new projects set to come on to the market this month.Launches include The Siena, Ferra, Hallmark Residences, The Flow@East Coast, Cluny Park Residence, KAP & KAP...
Continue Reading • 10 May 2013
Homeowners do matter in policy changes
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Singaporeans who are already homeowners must also be considered when changes to housing policies are made, said Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman (pictured), Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development.Speaking at a recent dialogue session on housing, Dr Maliki said:...
Continue Reading • 10 May 2013
Agent seminar next week
By Nikki De Guzman:PropertyGuru, Asia’s leading property portal, will be organising its Agent Seminar 2013 next Tuesday (14 May) at the HDB Auditorium, B1. The seminar will bring together top property experts to provide insights on the market and opportunities awaiting Singaporeans in the...
Continue Reading • 10 May 2013
More housing concepts sought, says expert
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Professionals, managers, engineers and technicians (PMETs) in Singapore expect more private housing options, said Dr Chua Yang Liang, Research Head at Jones Lang LaSalle in a recent workshop.This group of buyers are “more well-read, well-travelled and more...
Continue Reading • 9 May 2013
Handbook on improving building standards launched
By Shabnam Muzammil:In a bid to improve industry standards, a new handbook with examples of best practices from various industrial sectors within the Specialist Trade Alliance of Singapore was launched yesterday at the inaugural International Facility Management Expo 2013, reported The Straits...
Continue Reading • 9 May 2013
European hotspots attracting savvy home buyers
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:While most European property markets are still recovering from the last housing crash, some are performing much better than their counterparts.For instance, Sardinia is expected to do well this year. In fact, property prices on the Mediterranean island’s Romazzino...
Continue Reading • 9 May 2013
Husband wins right to $20m bungalow
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: A retired businessman has won the right to keep an S$20 million bungalow in Chancery Lane after the High Court made its decision on the case. Justice Choo Han Teck ruled that See Fong Mun, 86, who paid for the property purchased in 1983 is the rightful owner, even though...
Continue Reading • 9 May 2013
Ex-MP joins Knight Frank in Singapore
By Shabnam Muzammil:Former Aljunied MP Cynthia Phua (pictured) has been appointed Executive Director of Retail Services at Knight Frank Singapore.She will help build up the firm’s retail services team and also be involved in consultancy, leasing and business development.Commenting on her...
Continue Reading • 9 May 2013
S'pore buildings awarded for creative design
By Shabnam Muzammil:26 properties in Singapore were awarded the first Universal Design Mark Award by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) for integrating features that improve accessibility for people of all ages and abilities.“Through the awards, we want to encourage architects...
Continue Reading • 9 May 2013
Changi Airport set to get a 5th terminal
By Nikki De Guzman:Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew revealed yesterday that the government is looking to develop a fifth airport terminal in the country, in order to handle rising demand in the aviation sector.Speaking at the Changi Airline Awards, he said that 2012 was a record-breaking...
Continue Reading • 8 May 2013
Freehold residential site up for en bloc sale
By Nikki De Guzman:A residential site at Tampines Road is up for collective sale with an indicative selling price of S$132 million to S$135 million, according to marketing agent ERA Realty Network. The freehold Yi Mei Garden (pictured) comprises a land area of 78,030.38 sq ft and gross plot ratio...
Continue Reading • 8 May 2013
Philippine properties draw strong interest in Gulf
By Nikki De Guzman:Top developers from the Philippines recorded more than AED100 million (S$33.5 million) worth of sales at the recently concluded Pinoy Property Show in Dubai. The three-day exhibition held at the Dusit Thani hotel attracted over 3,000 visitors.According to Gulf News, the...
Continue Reading • 8 May 2013
CapitaLand's ex-CEO goes into teaching
By Shabnam Muzammil:Liew Mun Leong, the former head of CapitaLand Group, has been appointed Provost’s Chair Professor (Practice) in both the Business School and Faculty of Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS).He will teach undergraduate and postgraduate classes on...
Continue Reading • 8 May 2013
Foreigners fueling luxury home sales in London
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Overseas buyers have overtaken Britons when it comes to purchasing London properties valued at over £2 million (S$3.8 million) in the past year, according to Knight Frank.This group of buyers including the Chinese, Russians, Emiratis, Americans and Indians accounted...
Continue Reading • 7 May 2013
Resale HDB flat prices to drop?
By Nikki De Guzman:Prices of resale flats could change in the coming months as 50,000 newly-built flats are handed over to their owners, said National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan.At a recent dialogue session, he noted that the government has indirect influence on home prices even if buyers...
Continue Reading • 7 May 2013
Plans underway for new MRT line
By Shabnam Muzammil:Planning for the 50km Cross Island Line (CRL) will commence at the end of this year, well ahead of construction work, as contractors will have to dig deeper underground for this project, The Straits Times reported.To be completed in 2030, the MRT line will run from Tampines to...
Continue Reading • 7 May 2013
Far East previews SOHO project
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Property developer Far East Organization has launched the preview for The Siena (pictured), a new SOHO development comprising 54 apartments that range from one- to three-bedroom units.The Business Times reported that the majority are two-bedder apartments catering to...
Continue Reading • 7 May 2013
Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Beach Road opens
By Nikki De Guzman:The 180-unit Pan Pacific Serviced Suites (pictured) along Beach Road opens its doors today. Located close to Arab Street and the CBD, the S$100 million development offers four types of suites ranging from a one-bedroom deluxe suite to the two-bedroom premium suite. All...
Continue Reading • 7 May 2013
Taxman collects $1.03 billion in ABSD
By Shabnam Muzammil:Singapore recorded a significant hike in tax revenue due to the additional buyer’s stamp duty (ABSD) introduced in January, reported The Straits Times.The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) stated that the government collected around S$158 million in ABSD from...
Continue Reading • 6 May 2013