Increase in expat demand for HK homes likely
While Japan’s nuclear crisis has caused foreign financial institutions to evacuate, Hong Kong has become a favourable location for the same group of expatriates.“Rental costs, especially in popular districts for (the) Japanese like Kornhill, Tai Koo Shing and Hung Hom, will shoot...
Continue Reading • 21 Mar 2011
Low-interest mortgages for first-time home buyers in Australia
Low-interest mortgages for first-time home buyers in Australia could be in demand, after it was revealed that Australian home prices are expected to decrease this year.Mortgage brokers have informed the East Torrens Messenger that individuals who were unable to purchase homes last year may now...
Continue Reading • 21 Mar 2011
China's smaller cities lead home price growth
Smaller cities in China led the increases in the country’s home prices last month, as Shanghai, Beijing and other larger metropolitan areas implemented the central government’s local housing measures.Prices of new homes in the city of Yueyang climbed the most, among 70 cities tracked...
Continue Reading • 21 Mar 2011
Jones Lang LaSalle donates US$1.25m to Japan
Global real estate services firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) announced that it has donated 100 million yen (about US$1.25 million) to the Japanese Red Cross to provide aid and relief to the victims of the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan. “Our donation is meant as an earnest statement...
Continue Reading • 21 Mar 2011
Singapore is most enterprising Asian economy
Well-known for the multinational companies (MNCs) that rule the country’s economy, Singapore lags behind other Asian economies such as Taiwan and Hong Kong when it comes to entrepreneurship, as shown by previous studies and surveys.However, recent research has proven otherwise. A study...
Continue Reading • 21 Mar 2011
Cooling expected for 2011 Asian property market
Real estate firm Savills expects the Asian property market to cool down this year, due to the Japan disasters and anti-speculation measures being issued by Asian governments.“In the near term, it is unclear how markets will react to the recent catastrophic events in Japan, particularly at a...
Continue Reading • 21 Mar 2011
Sengkang Square site awarded to Keppel Land
A land parcel at the junction of Sengkang Square and Compassvale Road has been awarded to Keppel Land Limited (Keppel Land) after it emerged the highest bidder in a public tender that closed on 15 March.Keppel Land’s highest bid of S$286.8 million for the 99-year leasehold site comes after...
Continue Reading • 21 Mar 2011
Property developers accelerate new launches
Property developers in Singapore are racing to launch as many as 15 new projects over the next few weeks.The launches scheduled for release range from smaller developments, such as the 36-unit Everitt Edge in Everitt Road, to larger developments like the 360-unit Sky Suites @ Anson in Tanjong...
Continue Reading • 21 Mar 2011
Developers gradually raising property prices
New launches in Singapore have hit a decent take-up rate and developers are taking the opportunity to raise prices, albeit at a slower pace.DBS said that recent news about the property measures suggest that home buyers remain optimistic.CDL sold 150 of the 200 units released at the 521-unit H20...
Continue Reading • 18 Mar 2011
Japan crisis sees US mortgage rates fall
Mortgage rates in the US fell this week, as many investors jittery about the crisis in Japan rushed to purchase US Treasury bonds, according to Freddie Mac.“With the crisis in Japan, investors rushed to buy the security of US Treasury bonds, which lowered its yields and other interest rates...
Continue Reading • 18 Mar 2011
Metro Residences' final tower to be released ahead of schedule
The tallest tower at Metro Residences Chatswood will be released to the market ahead of schedule.This comes after the 290 units released at the first two towers were snapped up over the weekend.Metro Grand features a 46-storey tower comprising 261 apartments. It will provide some of the best...
Continue Reading • 18 Mar 2011
Three sites in Hung Hom, Kowloon to be sold
The Hong Kong government is planning to sell three sites in Hung Hom over the next three months, which could provide nearly 400 housing units.The first site, located at Ko Shan Road, has an area of 20,470 sq ft and a gross floor area (GFA) of between 92,107 and 153,515 sq ft.Alvin Lam Tsz-pun,...
Continue Reading • 18 Mar 2011
Japanese investors may reduce UK property holdings
Japanese investors may reduce their assets in the UK property market, especially in real estate investment trusts (REITs), as they focus on rebuilding their country after recent devastation.“There must be the risk of a general repatriation of overseas assets by Japanese investors as...
Continue Reading • 18 Mar 2011
220 residential projects expected in Dubai this year
The emirate of Dubai is preparing to develop 220 residential projects this year, according to a source based there.“We have 220 projects (that are) going on,” said Marwan bin Ghalaita, Chief Executive of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). “We have evaluated projects...
Continue Reading • 18 Mar 2011
Strong Sing dollar boosts foreign property investment
Wealthy Singaporeans are always on the lookout for ways to expand their real estate investment portfolios in the West, taking advantage of the strong Singapore dollar, according to the TODAY newspaper.The Singapore dollar has significantly increased since Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy in...
Continue Reading • 18 Mar 2011
CB Richard Ellis among Fortune's most admired companies
CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. (CBRE) has been included in the annual list of the most admired companies in the United States real estate industry.Compiled by Fortune magazine, the survey is one of most definitive report cards on corporate reputations that cover 57 industries, with CBRE topping the...
Continue Reading • 17 Mar 2011
Slow growth for Malaysian prime property values
Real estate values in Klang Valley, Penang and Johor will likely grow at a slower pace this year, due to increased supply and speculation activities, according to a real property services company.Foo Gee Jen, Managing Director of CH Williams Tahir & Wong, said around 10 to 15 percent growth...
Continue Reading • 17 Mar 2011
MGallery opens two unique hotels in Thailand
MGallery has announced the addition of two unique resorts to its collection of distinctive hotels in Thailand — the Veranda High Resort in Chiang Mai and Veranda Resort & Spa in Hua Hin-Cha Am.“We are delighted to add these two properties to the MGallery Collection,” said...
Continue Reading • 17 Mar 2011
China property prices fall as cooling measures bite
Real estate developers in China have been forced to reduce the asking prices of new housing projects, as the government continues to implement cooling measures intended to restrain demand and price growth in the mainland’s real estate market, a trend that indicates the realisation of...
Continue Reading • 17 Mar 2011
OCBC's London housing loans a hit
Increasing interest in the London residential property market has buoyed demand for OCBC Bank’s new loan package, which gives hopeful home owners an opportunity to borrow in either British pounds or Singapore dollars.OCBC introduced the scheme in August last year and the volume of received...
Continue Reading • 17 Mar 2011