Woodlands EC site awarded for S$150m
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: The public tender for a land parcel at Woodlands Avenue 6/Woodlands Drive 16 slated for executive condominium (EC) development, has been awarded to Opal Star and Binjai Holdings, said the Housing and Development Board (HDB). The tie-up offered the highest bid of S$150.18...
Continue Reading • 17 Oct 2012
URA awards Jalan Sultan tender at S$331m
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Forward Land has been awarded the tender for a hotel or commercial and residential site (with a minimum hotel component) at Victoria Street/Jalan Sultan by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).The 8,423.2 sq m site (pictured) received a top bid of S$331.34 million from...
Continue Reading • 17 Oct 2012
Huge property on sale for S$82m
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: An old two-storey bungalow built on a large site measuring 4,100 sq m is up for sale at an eye-popping price tag of S$82 million, according to The New Paper. Comprising two land parcels of 1,764 and 2,430 sq m, the property at No. 4 Jalan Asuhan could set a new record...
Continue Reading • 16 Oct 2012
Peter Ow to step down from SLP International
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Property consultancy SLP International has appointed Tricia Teo (pictured) as Deputy Managing Director, following the resignation of Managing Director Peter Ow. Ow, who joined the company in November 2011, said he was “elated to see the tremendous growth over the...
Continue Reading • 16 Oct 2012
Property cooling measures working: Khaw
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: There are clear indications that the government’s property cooling measures have met with some success, according to National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan.Responding to queries from MPs in Parliament yesterday, Mr Khaw said that the government will continue...
Continue Reading • 16 Oct 2012
Singapore home sales surge to 3-year high
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: A record 2,621 new private homes in Singapore, excluding executive condominiums (ECs), were sold by developers in September, pushing the nine-month total this year to 17,927 units, which is 12.7 percent more than the 2011 full-year total of 15,904 units, according to...
Continue Reading • 16 Oct 2012
Home loan practices under scrutiny
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:To keep lenders in check, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is currently reviewing home loan lending practices of local and foreign banks, sources have revealed. Experts feel that the move is a reminder to banks that the authorities are keeping a close eye on...
Continue Reading • 16 Oct 2012
PropertyGuru wins big at OPP Awards
By Andrew Batt: PropertyGuru picked up three coveted awards - Best Innovation – Gold, Best Media – Silver and Best Online Service – Bronze – at last week’s OPP Awards for Excellence in London.The gala event saw more than 350 representatives from global property...
Continue Reading • 16 Oct 2012
Govt to release 5 residential sites
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: In line with efforts to ramp up housing supply, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) are releasing three residential and two executive condominium (EC) sites this month, which are expected to yield another 2,880 more units. The...
Continue Reading • 16 Oct 2012
Private home sales surge in September
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Rebounding from a slump due to the Hungry Ghost Festival, new private home sales shot up last month with 2,621 units sold, 84 percent higher than the 1,421 recorded in August, according to data from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). The sales volume is also 61...
Continue Reading • 15 Oct 2012
GuocoLand posts strong profit recovery
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Recovering from a S$12 million loss in Q3 last year, property developer GuocoLand has reported S$9 million in net profit for Q3 2012, thanks to its Singapore projects, according to The Straits Times.Revenue during the period jumped 67 percent to S$181.6 million, on the...
Continue Reading • 15 Oct 2012
UK sees dip in mortgage lending
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Mortgage lending in the UK fell seven percent in September compared to the same month in 2011, registering the third worst record for September since 1993, according to the latest Mortgage Monitor Report from e.surv Chartered Surveyors. Despite improved credit...
Continue Reading • 15 Oct 2012
Housing prices, other issues to be discussed in Parliament
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: The pressing issue of sky-high housing prices will likely be among major topics tabled in Parliament today, reported The Straits Times. Several MPs have already expressed their concerns on the matter. Zaqy Mohamad (Chua Chu Kang GRC) believes that the record HDB Resale...
Continue Reading • 15 Oct 2012
Redhill the next big thing?
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: New life is being breathed into Redhill (pictured) as more condominium projects are set to be developed in the city-fringe neighbourhood, according to The Straits Times. Approximately 1,000 condo units have already been delivered at four projects in the area with three...
Continue Reading • 15 Oct 2012
CapitaLand celebrates topping out ceremony
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Property developer CapitaLand has welcomed a new milestone with the structural completion of Mulberry Lane (pictured), its first residential development in Hanoi, Vietnam that’s jointly developed with Hoang Thanh Investment and Infrastructure Development Joint...
Continue Reading • 12 Oct 2012
Final Release of Premium Units in Verticas Residensi
Verticas Residensi (pictured) comprises three magnificent towers, rising above 43 levels. Designed by Guida Moseley Brown Architects (GMB), who was responsible for designing the famous Parliament House in Canberra Australia, the exclusive property is developed by Wing Tai Malaysia Berhad, part of...
Continue Reading • 12 Oct 2012
Own a piece of seaside luxury
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Australian property developer Walker Corporation has unveiled the first phase of luxury apartments within the Senibong Cove project in Iskandar Malaysia. Located on eight acres of prime waterfront land, The WaterEdge Apartments (pictured) offer panoramic views of the...
Continue Reading • 12 Oct 2012
Fiji island on the market for US$10 million
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:A luxury freehold private island (pictured) approximately one kilometre off the northern coast of Viti Levu Fiji is on the market for US$10 million (around S$12.21 million), according to marketing agent Knight Frank.Called Nananu-i-cake (Nananu-e-thake), the island is...
Continue Reading • 12 Oct 2012
The Milton once again showcasing in Singapore
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Following keen interest from buyers and investors at its launch in Singapore last year, The Milton (pictured) by Australian property developer FKP will be showcased here again this weekend, according to CBRE. Located in Brisbane, Australia, the 30-storey development...
Continue Reading • 12 Oct 2012
Myanmar opens its gates
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: After decades of isolation from the rest of the world, Myanmar is now open to welcome fresh opportunities from overseas, following new political reforms implemented by the government.A change in the political climate means a more positive outlook for businesses as well...
Continue Reading • 12 Oct 2012