CapitaLand unveils Bishan condo, launch expected by Q1
CapitaLand Residential Singapore and Mitsubishi Estate Asia Ltd jointly unveiled their upcoming project at Bishan Central, comprising approximately 500 apartment units across two 38-storey towers.“The condominium at Bishan Central marks our first collaboration with CapitaLand to jointly...
Continue Reading • 16 Sept 2011
Private homes, EC sales slide 16%
Sales of private homes slipped to 1,638 units in August, down 16 percent from a month earlier. Excluding executive condominiums (ECs), the total number of homes transacted in August totalled 1,348, a decrease of three percent from 1,386 in July.The decline in sales volumes was primarily...
Continue Reading • 16 Sept 2011
Cheung Kong launches promotions for new buyers of Thomson Grand
Following the successful launch of Phase One of Thomson Grand, Hong Kong developer Cheung Kong (Holdings) has unveiled its Fabulous “8” promotions. As such, reserved units with number “8” at Thomson Grand are now available in limited supply.Aside from this, the developer...
Continue Reading • 16 Sept 2011
Stricter loans may affect property prices in China
Property prices in China could slide within the next 12 to 18 months, as banks cut back on loans to real estate firms, which could possibly slow development, said Hong Kong property developer Vincent Lo.The government has urged banks to lessen loans to property firms in its attempts to rein in...
Continue Reading • 16 Sept 2011
HDB, URA launch 4 residential sites for sale
Singapore’s public housing and urban planning authorities launched four residential land parcels for sale through public tender yesterday, which could potentially produce 1,955 dwelling units.Of the three residential sites released by the Housing & Development Board (HDB), two were...
Continue Reading • 16 Sept 2011
English exam a hurdle for property agents
With a slew of new agent regulations in place this year, existing real estate agents stand to lose their licenses if they don’t pass the Real Estate Salesperson exam within a year.The new ruling was implemented nine months ago and those who are trying to overcome the language hurdle have...
Continue Reading • 16 Sept 2011
Private home sales hold up despite gloom
Despite the global economic recession, sales of private homes by property developers held up, while the secondary market became remarkably sluggish.This could be attributed to the slowdown of investment demand and January’s tightening measures hitting speculative activity.Excluding...
Continue Reading • 15 Sept 2011
Revised income ceiling policy to apply to all EC projects
Following last month’s announcement by the Ministry of National Development (MND) regarding the revised income ceiling for executive condominiums (ECs), the ministry has received numerous appeals to apply the new policy to all EC projects, regardless of their launch date for public...
Continue Reading • 15 Sept 2011
Mixed-use developments gaining foothold in Asia
Projects that deliver the 'live, work and play' concept have become increasingly popular in Asia, especially in India and China, according to several industry players.“People are looking for developments that offer a live, work and play environment, where employees will not have to drive...
Continue Reading • 15 Sept 2011
US mortgage applications surge as rates decline
A recent survey revealed that US mortgage applications surged as borrowing rates dipped to a record low.The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage average fell to 4.17 percent from 4.23 percent, surpassing the previous low set in October 2010 at 4.21...
Continue Reading • 15 Sept 2011
LaSalle buys 49% stake in Chengdu land site
LaSalle Investment Management, the world’s leading real estate investment manager, through the LaSalle Asia Opportunity III fund, has successfully acquired a 49 percent stake in a land site in Chengdu, China from Shui On Construction and Materials Ltd, for RMB 440 million.“We are...
Continue Reading • 15 Sept 2011
BCA announces new energy retrofit pilot loan programme
Starting 1 October, a pilot programme launched by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) will enable building owners and energy service companies to secure loans from select banks to retrofit their buildings to higher environmental standards.According to Tan Chuan-Jin,...
Continue Reading • 15 Sept 2011
Ceylon Flats up for en bloc
Ceylon Flats, a 21-unit walk-up residential development at 22-28C Ceylon Road, has been launched for en bloc sale through a public tender.The three-storey property has a total area of 23,168 sq ft and a 999999-year leasehold tenure. It is zoned for residential use under the Master Plan 2008 with...
Continue Reading • 15 Sept 2011
Italian-inspired luxury condo being built in Manila
Century Properties, one of the largest real estate companies in Asia, has started building The Milano Residences, a high-class residential project in Manila.Designed by Broadway Malyan, Asia’s first fashion condo will feature 340 flexible one- to three-bedroom units, with prime units...
Continue Reading • 14 Sept 2011
UK home loan purchases in slight rise, says council
The number of home loan purchases in the UK rose in July, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).Around 48,400 mortgages were advanced for home purchases in July, up by 1,000 from the previous month but nearly 7,000 lower than in July 2010, said the CML.Paul Smee, Director General at...
Continue Reading • 14 Sept 2011
Malaysian property developers find golden opportunities in S'pore
With Singapore’s ongoing economic success, political stability and healthy real estate market, many Malaysian property developers are finding golden opportunities in the Singapore property market.Singapore has a liberal policy when it comes to bringing in foreign expertise, regardless of...
Continue Reading • 14 Sept 2011
Housing prices expected to drop, say analysts
Home prices in Singapore are expected to drop between eight and 10 percent over the next year, as government measures work their way into the property market despite a worsening global economy, said brokerage firm UOB Kay Hian.It pinpointed the weakening macroeconomic environment and the huge...
Continue Reading • 14 Sept 2011
JLL receives top accolades at Euromoney Real Estate Awards 2011
Global property consultancy firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) has been voted the number one Global Real Estate Advisor and Consultant for the third time at the prestigious annual Euromoney Real Estate Awards.“Jones Lang LaSalle’s recognition as the top global adviser and consultant...
Continue Reading • 14 Sept 2011
Housing demand to remain stable, says Jones Lang
Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), a global property consultancy firm, has expressed a different view from most analysts who have said that Singapore will face a housing glut between 2013 and 2015.“Demand for housing is likely to remain fairly stable and support the injection of new stock over the...
Continue Reading • 14 Sept 2011
Govt should actively regulate housing market, says IP Global CEO
The Singapore government should actively participate in regulating the property market, or a potential for oversupply and uncontrolled speculation might occur, said Tim Murphy, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of IP Global.“If you have no regulation in the property market, you see things...
Continue Reading • 13 Sept 2011