Calls for more investment in Asia: report
By Shabnam Muzammil:Investors should maintain their investments but also look at other options in the region, noted a report from Pacific Star Group.It highlighted factors that are likely to boost interest in Asia, including the rapid development of gaming tourism, the rise of Iskandar Malaysia...
Continue Reading • 27 Mar 2013
Agents' anger at 'we don't pay GST' claim
By Andrew Batt: A growing number of Singapore property agents are being forced to absorb the GST on their rental fees because an increasing number of landlords are refusing to pay. One agent who spoke to PropertyGuru said: “I'm sick of being ripped off by these people who refuse to pay...
Continue Reading • 27 Mar 2013
Asian interest in Portugal property
By Andrew Batt: The introduction of a ‘golden visa’ with Portuguese property purchases of €500,000 has been attracting interest from Asian buyers and investors.The scheme permits visas to be granted to any non-European Union citizen who invests minimum capital of at least €1...
Continue Reading • 27 Mar 2013
Iskandar to get six more theme parks
By Farah Wahida:On top of Legoland Malaysia (pictured) and Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park, Iskandar Malaysia is looking to accommodate up to six international theme parks in the next three years, said Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA). “We are currently in talks with several...
Continue Reading • 26 Mar 2013
Govt looking to regulate shoebox shops
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:To ensure Singaporeans continue to have an enjoyable shopping experience, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has come up with a set of guidelines which regulates the minimum size of retail units in shopping malls and minimum corridor width of all new projects with...
Continue Reading • 26 Mar 2013
Lian Beng wins $220m condo contract
By Shabnam Muzammil:Construction company Lian Beng Group has secured a S$220 million contract to build Bartley Ridge (pictured). “The successful tender for a project at a value of S$220 million boosted our order book to a robust S$884 million as at 25 March 2013,” said its Chairman...
Continue Reading • 26 Mar 2013
BCA to scrap using British building code
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Beginning April 2015, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) will require industry professionals to submit their structural layout plans using the modern Eurocodes instead of the British standards. Until then, BCA will allow submissions through both codes....
Continue Reading • 26 Mar 2013
330 units sold in 10 days at Urban Vista condo
By Nikki De Guzman:Just 10 days after its launch, over 82 percent or 330 of the 400 units released at Urban Vista condominium (pictured) have been sold. Jointly developed by Fragrance Group and World Class Land, prices during the VVIP preview ranged from S$588,000 for a one-bedroom unit to about...
Continue Reading • 26 Mar 2013
Kismis Lodge sold collectively for $84.2m
By Shabnam Muzammil:The freehold Kismis Lodge (pictured) along Lorong Kismis has been sold in a collective sale for S$84.18 million to Newfort Alliance (Cairnhill). Brokered by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), this is the third en bloc deal this year. Over 80 percent of owners consented to the selling...
Continue Reading • 26 Mar 2013
PropertyGuru wins big at Mob-Ex Awards
By Nikki De Guzman:PropertyGuru, Asia’s leading property portal, won awards for Best Mobile App by Media Owner and Best Informative Use of Mobile at Marketing Magazine’s first Mob-Ex Awards in Singapore last Thursday. The website also was runner-up for Best Mobile Advertising...
Continue Reading • 26 Mar 2013
Renewed interest in France homes
By Andrew Batt: The onset of spring has seen renewed interest in property investments in France, with international buyers reappearing and looking for bargains.Trevor Leggett, Chief Executive of French estate agency Leggett Immobilier, said: "Our agents are reporting increased activity right...
Continue Reading • 26 Mar 2013
Balestier a new haven for property hunters
By Shabnam Muzammil:The Balestier area (pictured) is shedding its image as a red-light district and is attracting home buyers with several upcoming launches, reported The Straits Times.Notable enhancements include the revamp of Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall and the launch of an integrated project...
Continue Reading • 25 Mar 2013
4 new launches coming to market soon
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Four new private housing developments will be launching over the next two weeks, providing prospective buyers with a variety of housing options in much sought-after locations. Oxley Mosaic will unveil its 50-unit Oxley Edge at 308 River Valley Road this Thursday (28...
Continue Reading • 25 Mar 2013
Ascott launches Citadines Suites Louvre Paris
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:The Ascott Limited (Ascott) has opened its first boutique-style residence in France. The Citadines Suites Louvre Paris is also the serviced residence operator’s first property under the Suites brand. Following a nine-month revamp, the building now...
Continue Reading • 25 Mar 2013
$30m for penthouse in former box factory
By Nikki De Guzman:A clock tower near Manhattan Bridge Overpass in Brooklyn, New York may seem like another old building, but a luxury penthouse (pictured) can be found on top that's worth an eye-popping US$23.5 million (S$29.4 million).Mostly hidden from public view, the unit has drawn much...
Continue Reading • 25 Mar 2013
JB progressing but problems prevail
By Farah Wahida: The growing metropolis of Johor Bahru is undoubtedly emerging from the shadows thanks to the creation of the Iskandar economic growth corridor in 2006.Founded in 1855 as a tiny fishing village called Tanjung Puteri, the city today is a far cry from what it was before. There...
Continue Reading • 22 Mar 2013
Australia's housing cheapest since 2009
By Shabnam Muzammil:A new report has revealed that housing in Australia is now at its most affordable level since the 2009 global financial crisis, reported The Age.The HIA-CBA Housing Affordability Index monitors the link between home prices, mortgage costs and household income. It showed that...
Continue Reading • 22 Mar 2013
125 units sold at Hillion Residences
By Nikki De Guzman:Hillion Residences (pictured) has sold 50 percent of the 250 units released for sale since its preview began on Monday, according to its developer Sim Lian JV (BP).The sale preview for the condo in Bukit Panjang was opened to business associates and buyers who registered their...
Continue Reading • 22 Mar 2013
Demand high for super-prime NYC homes
By Shabnam Muzammil:More than a third of units at the upcoming 432 Park (pictured) - the tallest residential tower in Manhattan, New York, have been committed two years before its completion, reported The Wall Street Journal. Once ready, the US$1.2 billion (S$1.49 billion) development will stand...
Continue Reading • 22 Mar 2013
World landmarks will go dark to honour earth hour
By Nikki De Guzman:Major landmarks and iconic buildings in over 150 countries and territories around the world will turn off their lights for Earth Hour 2013. Organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the event will take place this Saturday (23 March) at 8:30pm. This year's...
Continue Reading • 21 Mar 2013