Cooling measures fail to dampen bids for Jurong West site
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: The public tender for a residential site (pictured) at Jurong West Street 41 (Parcel A) closed today after attracting 12 bids, according to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Launched for sale on 15 November 2012, the 99-year leasehold site has a land area of...
Continue Reading • 29 Jan 2013
2012 a record investment year for Singapore
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Singapore attracted S$16 billion worth of fixed asset investments in 2012, up 16 percent from the previous year, attributed mainly to strong investor interest and confidence in Asia, according to the Economic Development Board (EDB).In a statement, the government agency...
Continue Reading • 29 Jan 2013
Living life in the dog house
By Andrew Batt:One Bangkok developer has taken the adage ‘dogs are a man’s best friend’ to a new level by tailoring condominium units in their latest development especially for pampered pooches.The second phase of Happy Condo in Ladprao 101 is being marketed as a condominium for...
Continue Reading • 29 Jan 2013
Japan property gaining attention
By Andrew Batt: Singaporeans are being attracted to Japanese property investments in ever increasing numbers.Last weekend saw what is believed to be only the second Japanese property exhibition to take place in Singapore when Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) showcased Branz Roppongi, a project from Tokyu...
Continue Reading • 29 Jan 2013
Singapore's latest measures good for UK developers
By Andrew Batt: London properties continued to sell well in Singapore last weekend, with the number of individual developments showcasing their investment opportunities during January hitting double digits.Perennial Singapore exhibitor Berkeley Homes attracted strong interest for its prestigious...
Continue Reading • 29 Jan 2013
High demand for mixed-use projects
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Projects offering a good mix of residential and retail components are sought-after by home buyers, particularly couples and young professionals, said Chia Boon Kuah, Chief Operating Officer for property sales at Far East Organization in a report by The Business Times.He...
Continue Reading • 28 Jan 2013
Soaring house rents in Dubai
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Average rents of villas and apartments in Dubai rose 17 percent in 2012 due to the influx of people escaping the Eurozone debt crisis and the Arab Spring, according to Asteco Property Management. “Mid to high budget enquiries have increased and stock in popular...
Continue Reading • 28 Jan 2013
2nd most expensive US home sold
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: A northern Californian estate could be the second most expensive property sold in the US. Public records revealed that its previous owner, financier Tully Friedman, sold the US$117.5 million (S$145.22 million) property on 27 November 2012, according to media...
Continue Reading • 28 Jan 2013
Big shift to commercial & overseas property: expert
By Cheryl Tay: The recent introduction of market cooling measures is unlikely to have much impact on commercial and overseas real estate investor sentiment, according to some analysts. Last week’s launch of Alexandra Central (pictured) next to Ikea saw nearly all of its strata retail...
Continue Reading • 28 Jan 2013
UK developer secures Battersea sites
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Banda Property has planning consent to build residential and commercial units on two sites in Battersea, South West London. The UK firm will develop 40,000 sq ft of residences in 14 lateral apartments and over 8,150 sq ft of commercial space.Over at 40 Parkgate Road, the...
Continue Reading • 28 Jan 2013
Is Singapore considered artificial?
By Shabnam Muzammil:The Urban Land Institute (ULI) and Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) has launched a new publication which promotes the idea that urban density does not have to compromise liveability and sustainability, if development policies that emphasize a “people-first” focus...
Continue Reading • 25 Jan 2013
Private home sales & price growth fall in 2012
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Prices of private homes in Singapore increased by 1.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to just 0.6 percent in Q3 2012. For the entire year, private home prices grew by 2.8 percent, compared with an uptick of 5.9 percent in 2011. These latest figures were...
Continue Reading • 25 Jan 2013
Yishun mixed-use site attracts 13 bids
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:A mixed commercial and residential site (pictured) at Yishun Ring Road/Yishun Avenue 9 attracted a total of 13 bids when its public tender closed today, said the Housing and Development Board (HDB).Launched for sale on 27 November 2012, the 99-year leasehold site has a...
Continue Reading • 24 Jan 2013
Injection of 200,000 homes unlikely to cause price crash
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: The government recently announced a steady supply of residential units in the next four years that will provide more housing options for Singaporeans.In his blog post last week, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said around 200,000 new homes comprising HDB...
Continue Reading • 24 Jan 2013
2013 a challenging year for Keppel Land?
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Private home prices in Singapore climbed 2.8 percent year-on-year in 2012, down from 5.9 percent in 2011, according to flash estimates from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). At the same time, over 22,000 residential units were sold last year breaking the previous...
Continue Reading • 24 Jan 2013
Mount Sophia generating buzz
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: The Mount Sophia/Wilkie Road enclave is fast becoming a new property hotspot, mainly due to its central location and availability of city amenities. At the same time, more developers are purchasing land parcels in the area for redevelopment purposes. Recently,...
Continue Reading • 24 Jan 2013
Spotlight on London devt
By Andrew Batt:London property investment opportunities will again be in the spotlight this weekend when Land Securities, Europe's largest commercial property developer, holds the Singapore launch of its Kings Gate project (pictured).Located in the prime district of Victoria in central London,...
Continue Reading • 24 Jan 2013
Avoid London for buy-to-let returns
By Andrew Batt: Areas of London have been highlighted as some of the worst performing buy-to-let locations in the UK, according to new research published today.A report from Home.co.uk, a leading property search engine, identified the best and worst locations in terms of typical gross rental...
Continue Reading • 24 Jan 2013
'Kimye' splurge on S$13.5m mansion
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:To make way for their upcoming baby, celebrity couple Kanye West and Kim Kardashian reportedly bought a stunning Italian-style villa (pictured) in Los Angeles, California for S$13.5 million.Despite the lavish appearance of the 9,000 sq ft villa, the pair has plans to...
Continue Reading • 24 Jan 2013
Malaysian property: Two sides of the coin
By Farah Wahida: The recent property cooling measures implemented in Singapore may benefit Malaysia in the short-term, but they could also push up home prices in Johor which could lead the Malaysian government to impose similar curbs, said analysts. Lee Teng, Keat, Director of International...
Continue Reading • 24 Jan 2013