China to limit home loans for foreign buyers
China will limit mortgages for home purchases by foreigners to curb overseas investment, as part of its continued efforts to lower property prices.According to the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s planning agency will not approve medium- and long-term foreign debt quotas...
Continue Reading • 6 Feb 2012
S'pore ranks 3rd for ideal home among expats
Singapore has been ranked the third most ideal place to live in due to its quality of life and career opportunities, according to HSBC’s Expat Explorer survey.More than 3,000 expatriates from over 100 countries rated locations on a range of criteria, from food to accommodation, healthcare,...
Continue Reading • 3 Feb 2012
Residential site at Jervois Road draws 17 bids
A residential site at Jervois Road has attracted a total of 17 bids, with S.L. Development Ltd offering the highest bid of S$118.9 million in a public tender that closed yesterday.“The site attracted a very good response of 17 bids because of its strong location attributes and the lower...
Continue Reading • 3 Feb 2012
Warning sounded over London Olympic property rentals
One London real estate agent has issued a warning to property owners who are expecting to reap the benefits of increased rental returns during this year’s Olympic Games, which run from July 27 until August 12.Lucy Morton, Senior Partner and Head of Lettings at prime central London estate...
Continue Reading • 3 Feb 2012
The Tampines Trilliant oversubscribed
The application period (27 - 31 January) for Sim Lian Group’s latest EC project, The Tampines Trilliant, closed yesterday evening, with approximately 1,000 applications submitted.Approximately 60 percent of the applicants reside in Tampines as well as other estates in the eastern region,...
Continue Reading • 3 Feb 2012
Seletar Garden goes en bloc
Seletar Garden, a freehold mixed-use project off Yio Chu Kang Road, has been launched for tender with an indicative price of between S$80 million and S$85 million.Marketing agent Credo Real Estate said more than 80 percent of the owners have already signed the en-bloc sale agreement to sell the...
Continue Reading • 3 Feb 2012
Luxury homes at The Residences at W Retreat Koh Samui sold out
All beachfront homes at The Residences at W Retreat Koh Samui have been sold out, reflecting the strong interest for units there. “The demand for The Residences at the W Retreat Koh Samui has greatly exceeded expectations with the sale of all the Beachfront Residences,” said Sunny...
Continue Reading • 3 Feb 2012
More new launches amid worries over ABSD
A slew of new projects are set to be launched by property developers even as they mull over the best action to take in response to the additional buyer's stamp duty (ABSD) set by the government.Frasers Centrepoint, for instance, will launch its 99-year leasehold Twin Waterfalls executive...
Continue Reading • 3 Feb 2012
US mortgage applications fall 2.9%
Mortgage applications in the US declined last week despite the easing of interest rates, according to the latest Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) survey, which covers more than 75 percent of the country’s retail residential mortgage applications.MBA’s index of mortgage application...
Continue Reading • 3 Feb 2012
Calls made to increase ABSD to 20%
With the robust property sales seen in January, some netizens have proposed that the 10 percent additional buyer’s stamp duty (ABSD) be increased. Over at the Parc Rosewood condo development, more than 165 of the 236 units released were snapped up and there’s also been strong take-up...
Continue Reading • 3 Feb 2012
Tuan Sing disappoints with lower profits
Mainboard-listed Tuan Sing Holdings has announced that full year revenue and net profit for 2011 hit S$239.7 million and S$40.3 million respectively, compared to the restated revenue and net profit of S$344.5 million and S$87.8 million a year earlier.Its property division recorded total revenue...
Continue Reading • 3 Feb 2012
High prices don't stop EC buyers
Property developer Sim Lian’s latest executive condo (EC), The Tampines Trilliant, has seen strong interest with approximately 1,000 applications received for its 670 units when the application period closed on 31 January. The news has come as a surprise to some, considering that prices for...
Continue Reading • 2 Feb 2012
M'sian developer to preview two residences in Singapore
Property developer OSK Property Holdings Berhad (OSKPH) will preview two of its Malaysian residential developments: the Mirage Residence and Mirage by the Lake (pictured) on 4 and 5 February 2012, between 10am – 6pm at Hilton Hotel Singapore.Located in bustling Cyberjaya, Mirage by the Lake...
Continue Reading • 2 Feb 2012
Foreigners snap up fewer homes
Fewer non-PR foreigners picked up private homes in January, as opposed to December when it had spiked, according to preliminary figures. A DTZ Research caveat analysis revealed that foreign buyers’ share grew from 16 percent in November to 23 percent in December. However, January’s...
Continue Reading • 2 Feb 2012
Watertown leads robust home sales for January
January’s private home sales may have improved from the mere 632 units sold in December, as developers could have sold about 1,700 to 1,800 private homes, not including executive condominiums (ECs).Sales dropped 53 percent year-on-year and 63 percent month-on-month in December, down from...
Continue Reading • 2 Feb 2012
HK mortgage rates set to rise
Average mortgage rates in Hong Kong are expected to rise by as much as four percent this year, from the current 2.38 percent, said Sharmaine Lau, Chief Economist at mReferral Mortgage Brokerage Services. “Hong Kong banks are very reluctant about raising mortgage rates further because of...
Continue Reading • 2 Feb 2012
Asia Pacific's luxury property market cooling off
Average capital values of eight luxury residential markets in the Asia Pacific region rose by only 0.2 percent in the fourth quarter, according to the latest Asia Pacific Residential Index released by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL).The property consultancy said Bangkok, Beijing, Mumbai and Jakarta...
Continue Reading • 2 Feb 2012
Crystal Tower up for collective sale again
Crystal Tower, a 28-unit residential development off Bukit Timah Road, has been re-launched for collective sale at S$150 million.“Indicative pricing for Crystal Tower is S$150 million, which works out to S$1,458 psf ppr. A development charge of approximately S$5.22 million is payable up to...
Continue Reading • 2 Feb 2012
Property investors move in on Aussie town
Investors from all over the world continue to snap up properties at the mining town of Moranbah in Central Queensland, Australia, with the town setting records for home prices.According to Marie Plahn, a real estate agent, the demand for investment properties has grown dramatically to...
Continue Reading • 1 Feb 2012
Selling Nassim Hill units is hard work for BBR
The Nassim Hill condominium, located in an exclusive neighbourhood close to the Orchard Road shopping belt, features 16 luxury triplex apartments that boast private rooftop pools and gardens.In contrast to the strong demand expected for luxury homes, developer BBR Holdings Ltd is struggling with...
Continue Reading • 1 Feb 2012