Nationwide Building Society offers new loans for the UK
Nationwide Building Society (NBS) has announced that it will offer a new range of large home loans to UK borrowers, starting 30 March 2011.The lender has revealed that it will raise its maximum loan range from £1 million to £2 million, in a bid to target the £1 million-plus...
Continue Reading • 29 Mar 2011
Singapore's architectural works to feature at Berlin gallery
Some of Singapore’s architectural works will be showcased at the architectural and urban design Aedes Gallery in Berlin, Germany from 28 March to 12 May this year.The works comprise projects by 20 architects aged below 45, including reputable names like Chan Sau Yan Associates, WOHA...
Continue Reading • 29 Mar 2011
Influx of Tokyo expats drive up HK rents
Following the massive Japan disasters, home rental prices in Hong Kong have risen, as foreign employees in the financial sector move to the city from Tokyo.The occupancy rate of rental homes has climbed since the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear threats occurred.“We have been receiving more...
Continue Reading • 29 Mar 2011
Koh Brothers wins S$63.15m contract
Koh Brothers Group Limited (Koh Brothers) announced that it won a contract worth S$63.15 million from Phileap Pte Ltd, for the construction of Lincoln Suites at Khiang Guan Avenue, off Newton Road, in District 11.“We are pleased to be awarded the construction contract for Lincoln Suites for...
Continue Reading • 29 Mar 2011
Singapore, Beijing sign green building pact
More green building interiors are expected in Beijing, now that authorities from that city and Singapore have decided to cooperate.The Beijing Construction Decoration Association (BCDA) and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) of Singapore said that they have signed the Green Building...
Continue Reading • 29 Mar 2011
Residential property market rationalised by cooling measures
Between 3,200 and 3,400 private homes were sold in Q1, down 20 to 25 percent from the 4,241 units sold in Q4 last year, according to CB Richard Ellis (CBRE).The commercial property services firm said that home prices in the first quarter remained stable, as the cooling measures implemented on 13...
Continue Reading • 29 Mar 2011
Cooling measures cause decline in average home prices
The average prices of private apartments and condominiums have dropped slightly, a sign of the impact of the government’s cooling measures.“The January 13 cooling measures are certainly working,” said Tan Tiong Cheng, Chairman of Knight Frank. “The lower loan-to-value...
Continue Reading • 29 Mar 2011
Everitt Edge now 50% sold
Property developer Orange Tee revealed that 18 of its 36 Everitt Edge residential units were sold in less than two weeks, since its launch on 19 March.Roy Chang, Senior Group Associate Director at Orange Tee said the “overwhelming” response was driven primarily by a low interest rate...
Continue Reading • 29 Mar 2011
Singapore's housing issues may not affect upcoming election
Singapore’s housing market has been considered a major issue in the country’s upcoming election but a survey reveals otherwise.Conducted by the TODAY newspaper, the survey showed that 58.4 percent of the respondents said that the housing issues in the country would not influence their...
Continue Reading • 29 Mar 2011
Soaring property prices a negative sign for ruling party
With the upcoming general election in Singapore, increasing property prices pose an economic and political risk that could erode citizens’ support of the country’s ruling party.Private property prices climbed 17.6 percent in 2010 despite the government’s cooling measures, while...
Continue Reading • 28 Mar 2011
Hong Kong sees more new loans approved in February
The value of Hong Kong’s new approved housing loans in February surged to HK$30.3 billion, up 8.2 percent from last month, according to data released by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).The report added that new housing loans drawn down in Hong Kong dropped 15.9 percent from January,...
Continue Reading • 28 Mar 2011
Lower prices fuel home sales revival in Hong Kong
Residential transactions gradually resumed force in the Hong Kong property market last week, after several home owners amended their asking price.The transactions within 10 benchmark housing projects climbed to 25 from 23 in the previous week. Meanwhile, no transactions were recorded at Whampoa...
Continue Reading • 28 Mar 2011
Legoland Malaysia to display iconic buildings
Legoland Malaysia in Nusajaya will display 15,000 miniature replicas of iconic buildings in the country, including the Petronas Twin Towers, Holy Light Church in Johor Baru and Putrajaya Mosque.“In creating a miniature building, we have to be sure that it is 90 percent to 95 percent like...
Continue Reading • 28 Mar 2011
HSBC: Singapore's economic growth set to slow in 2011
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will remain in tightening mode, according to HSBC, adding that the series is unstable and follows a big leap in January.Much of the boost in production in anticipation of the Lunar New Year would have occurred in January.Last year, when the Lunar New Year...
Continue Reading • 28 Mar 2011
Bungalow developer confident of robust demand
In Singapore, a Good Class Bungalow (GCBs) is uncommon but even less ordinary is the story of Mr. George Lim, who has become a prime developer of these high-class homes.Since 2006, Mr. Lim, 59, has redeveloped and sold seven bungalows, worth a total of S$145 million.Recently, he made the...
Continue Reading • 28 Mar 2011
Property investment sales remain strong in Q1
Hotels and en bloc sales comprised the top property investment sales in the first quarter despite overall investment sales having dropped at the start of the year, according to reports from Savills Singapore and CB Richard Ellis (CBRE).Savills said that property investment sales plunged 43...
Continue Reading • 28 Mar 2011
Singapore to see increase in greener properties
Property developers in Singapore are preparing to include more green features in their new projects.This is in line with the new green building initiatives announced by Senior Minister of State for National Development, Grace Fu. She stated that more funding will be given to developers who...
Continue Reading • 25 Mar 2011
Australia's mortgage exit fees officially banned
A new regulation prohibiting mortgage exit fees may prompt Australians to start comparing mortgages.The ban will apply to all new mortgages issued from 1 July onwards. The regulation is meant to raise competition in the market, according to Treasurer Wayne Swan.Mr. Swan noted that previously, the...
Continue Reading • 25 Mar 2011
Frasers Hospitality launches Frasers Residence Orchard
Frasers Hospitality, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fraser and Neave (F&N), has launched the 72-unit Frasers Residence Orchard, its fourth property in Singapore.This property brings the company’s portfolio to nearly 6,000 service apartments — a step closer to its goal of over 10,600...
Continue Reading • 25 Mar 2011
HDB launches 1,527 new BTO flats
The Housing Development Board (HDB) has launched two new Built-to-Order (BTO) projects — Boon Lay Fields in Jurong West and Compassvale Ancilla in Sengkang.The two projects offer a total of 1,527 flats, comprising 244 studio apartments, as well as 233 three-bedroom, 666 four-bedroom and 404...
Continue Reading • 25 Mar 2011