 | Property News in a Nutshell - Aug
How Bad is Bad for the property market? The Sunday Times on 31 Aug reported that many experts says there is no panic selling. In fact, Savills had a recent analysis that says many make profits of $400k on the average. That's fantastic returns. Except for the fact that many would have made much more ... 31 Aug 2008 - Read Details
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| Property News in a nutshell - July
URA & HDB both announced Price Index up by 0.2% & 4.5% for Q2Amidst the subprime and inflation woes, the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s price index showed increases as follows:- Private residential at 0.2%- Offices at 0.7% - Shop at 0.7% - Industrial at 4.1%
P ... 30 Jul 2008 - Read Details
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| Property News in a nutshell - June
Even the Office property sector is cooling off...Office rental prices have been flat. The average office occupancy rate in the second quarter dipped to 96.9%. Many tenants have relocated to cheaper venue. Companies are now more cautious about expansion and unconditional renewal. However, outer ... 30 Jun 2008 - Read Details
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| Property News in a nutshell - May
Cash over Valuation dropping or Valuation going up?
The actual question is - how do valuers go about deciding a figure tagged to a home that may make both buyer & seller happy?
Valuers used the latest selling prices within the same vicinity, type, make, renovations to decide on ... 27 Apr 2008 - Read Details
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| Property News in a nutshell - April
Can anyone expect the number of transactions to drop like a bombshell since its peak in June 2007?
In June 2007, there were more than 4336 private transactions, inclusive of new, sub-sales, resale, landed and apartments. Not including the thousands of option-trading happening across all sectors.
U ... 20 Apr 2008 - Read Details
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| Property Investment Made Simple - Newsletter
It's been a wild ride for the past month or so. Property asking prices in HDB and some private homes are still high. But majority of sub-sales are asking much lower than last year. The number of transactions had plummeted almost 88% since the peak in June 2007! Not forgetting all the option-tradings ... 19 Apr 2008 - Read Details
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| Millionaire Agents - Newsletter-style
It's been a wild ride for the past month or so. Property asking prices in HDB and some private homes are still high. But majority of sub-sales are asking much lower than last year.
The number of transactions had plummeted almost 88% since the peak in June 2007! Not forgetting all the option-trading ... 19 Apr 2008 - Read Details
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| Millionaire Agent - Part 2
The most agonising first step to a millionaire agent's work style - how to start right?
1] Don't just follow what everybody does. Copy the successful ones only.
Destroy all previous actions, thoughts, knowledge you learn or picked up that don't work. If you do the same things the same way as ... 28 Mar 2008 - Read Details
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| Property Investment Made Simple - Part 3
Sorry for the long delay. But I hope the wait is worth it. This week, we cover a great opportunity we may see this year - Foreclosures.
Foreclosures are properties repossessed by banks. Normally, they are sold at a slight discount after an auction. However, for unwanted properties, they may not eve ... 26 Feb 2008 - Read Details
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| Millionaire Agent - Part 1
Happy Lunar New Year! Do you believe in sayings of the 12 chinese horoscope? Let me be very upfront with you. Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Jerry Yang(Yahoo), Larry Page(Google) and you name them, from the western world will never know what holds for them under the 12 chinese horoscope. To t ... 8 Feb 2008 - Read Details
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| Property Investment Made Simple - Part 2
Happy Lunar New Year!
I know, I owe you a detailed explanation of the tips I gave in Part 1. Let's refresh our memory a bit. I mentioned that I'm open to any interesting deals that you may have but I can't be "there" with you to analyse the property. You must fill me in as much as you can. The more ... 4 Feb 2008 - Read Details
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| Want to be a Millionaire Agent?
4 Hurdles of a Millionaire Real Estate Agent.How you can rake in $500k year after year!
Someone once asked me if he should switch from a comfortable job of $4k per month to be a Real Estate Agent. Many of his friends and family members asked him "Why?". I asked "Why not?"
I entered the real estat ... 21 Jan 2008 - Read Details
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| Property Investment Made Simple - Part 1
Who says you can't invest with little or no money down(nMd) in Singapore? 99.999% of the investing population would say so, I think.
Then again, why not? If we didn't try, how can we derive the impossibility of a human's ingenuity? Honestly, I've yet to see a successful deal myself, though I've hea ... 16 Jan 2008 - Read Details
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| Property Investment Made Simple - Introductory
Is it too late to learn about property investment? All the action seems to happen in the first half of 2007. Let me assure you it's not. However, if your intention is to make a quick fortune, that's speculating, not investing. And it's over.
Property investment is a long term hobby that can eventua ... 5 Jan 2008 - Read Details
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| If you're selling or buying, be precise, be prepared.
The report book for 2007 is out - private residential prices in Singapore rose 31%.
As of the 3rd quarter, URA reports that there were 65,400 private residential units under construction, 41,600 expected to be completed between 2008 and 2010. Of the current supply, there are still 38 ... 4 Jan 2008 - Read Details
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| Happy New Year yet again - How happy?
It's a sad occassion for many, in fact. Firstly, for every owner who managed to sell beyond expectations, there were at least 7 who failed to sell at all. From Oct - Dec, transactions had dampened so much, many veteran Agents ponder if it's the sub-prime that spooked the buyers even after the ghost ... 1 Jan 2008 - Read Details
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| Merry X'mas & a joyous New Year!
Seasons greetings to all! What a year we had in 2007!
It's been a long time since I wrote and it's gooood to be back! Interestingly enough, I should end this chapter in 2007 and begin a new series for 2008.
2007 had been both an exciting yet challenging year for the real estate industry. The ... 31 Dec 2007 - Read Details
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| How do you define "Trading" in property investment?
Recently, the High Court accept a "Fengshui" appeal but reject the "Tenant" problem situation for taxing a couple's property investment. This is a public awareness drive by the Taxman to 'highlight" the many property speculators, option traders that "trading" properties for profit IS taxable, ... 12 Sep 2007 - Read Details
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| Property sales & enquiries seem to slow more than expected
Buyers seem to be grinning the days. With the Sub-prime fears tailing off, the unwelcome news of the mammoth increase in Development Charges or the new rules for en bloc sales, the frenzy has literally disappeared. Thanks to the massive exodus of speculators & option-traders.
Though buyers ... 3 Sep 2007 - Read Details
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| Where have the buyers gone?
It's really mystifying. In the first week of July, a 3cm display ad in ST Classifieds would get hordes of enquiries. In fact, we recorded more than 50 calls for 8 projects we placed out. You can feel the adrenlain flowing. If you're a seller or an agent, you'll feel esctatic. You may change your min ... 15 Aug 2007 - Read Details
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| Is the sub-prime financial breakdown in US giving us a warning?
Stocks bore the brunt of it all, banks, especially. In US & Europe, fears of the sub-prime markets sent sirens the world over. Asia, at its strongest growth was not spared. Miraculously, Singapore escaped the massacre. No doubt it fall by almost 4% in a day, confidence in our economy regain some ... 12 Aug 2007 - Read Details
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| Can the Government's hike on Development Charge stem the rise of En Bloc sales?
Property stocks got hit by a 2% drop. I say you should buy them. Seriously, what the Government did by introducing a back to normal DC is basically a gear shift. It will not impact any big developers as they can easily pass the buck, about an increase of 2-3% of the cost to the end buyers. ... 20 Jul 2007 - Read Details
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| Do you know the current supplies of properties?
We know about caveats(property sold & price) but who knows the supplies, really? The government will always supply back-dated figures of new project sales, office vacancy but not the number of residential properties on the market. Is that important? If so, why is there no such mechanism in place ... 13 Jul 2007 - Read Details
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| Speculators, take heed. The Government is monitoring closely.
The last time the Government is a "little bit" concern, anti-speculation was introduced within 5 months in 1996. Though illy-timed, the market make a very sudden correction and history was made. Will it happen again? Unlikely. The last correction wipe off billions of dollars worth of assets of ... 3 Jul 2007 - Read Details
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| Singapore property news in a nutshell
Dreadful envy for Horizon Towers if Grangeford goes for $592m!Still unclear on who the final winner is over Horizon Tower surely make some people loses sleep the last 2 weeks. OUE, controlled by Lippo, went for a put-and-call option to acquire The Grangeford for $592 million or $1,810psf. The breake ... 26 Jun 2007 - Read Details
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| Singapore property news in a nutshell
Dark clouds over Horizon Towers deal for HPL or Owners?Horizon Towers condominium $500m deal could be off if the objectors have it their way. However, the Strata Titles Board brought the hearing forward after an appeal to stop the delay. The date for the tribunal to hear the objectors to the sale wa ... 21 Jun 2007 - Read Details
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| Why 90% of us failed to Succeed?
The property market is hot yet there are still many who don't seem to make more than they could. In this kind of market, making $2-3k pm is considered way below par. If you are one of those who don't seem to cut it, did you ask yourself why?
Some men have thousands of reasons why they can't do what ... 19 Jun 2007 - Read Details
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| Back with a Vengence! Agents are raking in fast & furious!
Just 2 years back, agents are complaining about everything. From cost to economy and government. Now, they don't complain - no time to, that is. Instead of only having top 5% earning 5 figure incomes, now 20% hits that figure, at least 2 to 3 times over the last 6 months!
So, when will all these gl ... 18 Jun 2007 - Read Details
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| Singapore property news in a nutshell.
Supplies pouring in from GovernmentGovernment Land Sales (GLS) programme confirmed list of site to sustain building pace in Bay area. Marina view, to be open for tender in July, could provide more than 900,000 sqft of commercial space and the government is hoping this would ease the supply for prime ... 18 Jun 2007 - Read Details
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| Singapore property news in a nutshell
$885.5m foreign investments in just 6 months!Compared to $651.84m in 2006! That's 20% more at half time. That's what drives the prices of enbloc in all areas. Just a peep into the crystal ball will tell us that 2007 will be the greatest enbloc sales ever to occur in Singapore! With such massive ... 14 Jun 2007 - Read Details
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| Co-broking? What for?
That's what I heard from 70% of the agents I come into contact with! That's incredible. These agents will advertise either as "Already Co-broke" for the courteous ones or "No Agents pls" for the blunt brush off. Will co-broking help you make more money? Think again. Fiduciary duty can cost you more! ... 12 Jun 2007 - Read Details
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| Singapore property news in a nutshell.
$160m for Trendale Tower enbloc?Trendale Tower; a freehold development with a plot of 21,709sft at Cairnhill Road. With a current plot ratio of 2.8, no DC(Development Charge) will be levied should the suitor build within 60,000sft. Bidders are expected to cough out at least $160 ... 19 May 2007 - Read Details
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| Singapore property prices still low compared to others?
Just a couple of days back, I was hanging out with a group of property investors. As we chatted, I casually mentioned that Singapore property prices are still relatively low compared to prices in HongKong, London, New York or Tokyo.
"That's absurd!" retorted a property investor, who ... 16 May 2007 - Read Details
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| The F1 saga & how it will affect property prices
One thing's for sure, it is a boost to the tourism industry. So, how can it affect the property prices if the circuit doesn't run through your estate? That's seems to be a ridiculous suggestion, isn't it?
Think again. The F1 is watched by more than 150million audiences worldwide, particularly in Eu ... 14 May 2007 - Read Details
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| Where are the property prices heading?
I supposed that's on every potential buyer's & seller's mind.
If you look at what the experts said, the rise will continue probably for the next 3 years, all the way to 2010. Supplies will catch up by then. However, if demand did not maintain at this current level, I'm certain a correction is i ... 7 May 2007 - Read Details
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| News week in a nutshell
Crazy or plain greed?Subject: Eliz Hgts. Asking: $2100ppr!When 66-year leasehold Grangeford Apartments ask for $660 million(including an estimated $97.8 million top up lease to 99yrs) and at $2,016 psf ppr, Grangeford’s asking price was the incredible until Elizabeth Heights shares th ... 27 Apr 2007 - Read Details
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| What happens when someone refuses to leave in an Enbloc Sale?
That's exactly what happened in Lincolnsvale. One sole family refused to leave after 1 year when the enbloc sale process was concluded.
What happened? Where were they when the vote was polled? That's on everybody's mind when they read the news.
The first thing that came to my mind was the bl ... 22 Apr 2007 - Read Details
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| News in a nutshell
Can Malaysia catch the booming property market?Recent moves by the Malaysian PM cuts red tape by a whopping 80% in time processing. But will it work? Is it too late to cut the queue?
"Shortening the timeframe will have a positive impact on the construction industry, investors and business people, w ... 16 Apr 2007 - Read Details
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| The 3 Signs of an emerging Bubble.
Mad rush; is the Property Rush coming back?Sign #1 - Balloting - used by HDB when demand outstripped supplies by a huge margin!
Subject: Thomson V: 300 confirmed buyers vs 95 units for sale. One conclusion: Balloting rules the day!
Experts says it's unlikely to be repeated. And why should it be? D ... 10 Apr 2007 - Read Details
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| The Exodus begins!
The first sign of Exodus begins.
Standard Chartered Bank is said to have taken a lease of 500,000 sqft at the Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC).
So, what will happen to the 130,000 sqft at 6 Battery Road? Standard Chartered still has a lease up to 2020 at Battery Road. So, how does this work ... 10 Apr 2007 - Read Details
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| 1st Qtr up 4.6%. Is that a good sign?
What does it mean when URA says that the 1st Qtr flash estimate is a 4.6% compared with previous Qtr?
It's a modest estimate. In reality, the prime properties in Orchard & Marina/Shenton area has skyrocketed past 12% in just 3 months! This astromonical price spike is heaving its effect now. The ... 3 Apr 2007 - Read Details
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| Weekly News in a nutshell
Invasion of Foreign Talents?Trillium, the 231-unit condo opposite the Great World City was invaded by foreign buyers who scooped up more than 50% of what were offered. How could Singapore withstand these onslaught of foreigners stashed with cash?
In come a patriotic Singaporean, Mr Thio, from Lippo ... 28 Mar 2007 - Read Details
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| How high is high actually?
Some analysts would compare the prices of Singapore's high-end with other developed cities.
In London, reputed to have one of the most expensive property averages S$7000psf! In Hongkong, prices went through the roof when the Peak really hits the peak at S$7000psf! So, what can be made out of t ... 23 Mar 2007 - Read Details
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| Orchard hits $4000psf!
Incredible! Capitaland has outdone herself again. Orchard Turn Residences strike at $4000psf!
Compared to St Regis, which took the market by storm when it passes $2900psf, Orchard Turn's location seems irresistibly powerful. Branding aside, buyers seem to be willing to plough in deeper in thei ... 22 Mar 2007 - Read Details
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| Will US housing blues affect S'pore property boom?
That's on every anaylsts' minds. In fact, some developers will be trying out the market treshold again.
Capitaland will push out The Seafront@Meyer at $1,800psf. That's a competitive price considering the neighbouring The View@Meyer by Guocoland.
I bet the sentiments from US markets may ... 18 Mar 2007 - Read Details
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| The Stock is down again?
US stocks are down, heavily. Worries over their housing is - worrying. Singapore Property & Banking stocks take a heavy beating today.
Will the poor performance of the stock market drag the sentiments of our property market?
Previously, many would have ignore such drops as ... 15 Mar 2007 - Read Details
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| News in a nutshell
Business-oriented Statutory BoardsSince the changes brought by HDB-URA Home Office Scheme in 2003, there are more than 20,000 home users of the scheme.
SLA is also hoping to encourage more innovative land use under their ‘ideas tender’ concept introduced in 2005. The scheme allows i ... 13 Mar 2007 - Read Details
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| Top Billionaires are in Real Estate industry!
The results are out. Forbes rank Mr Ng Teng Fong(Far East Org) as the richest billionaire in Singapore at US$6.7b while Mr Kwek Leng Beng(CDL) stands at US$4.3b. And new entrant Mr Yong from Yanlord makes his presence felt at US$1.7b. In case, you still didn't realise, they made thei ... 11 Mar 2007 - Read Details
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| The Buying Spree continues...
A new record was set for the 99-years Seaview Collection at Sentosa Cove. Ho Bee Investment & Malaysia’s IOI Properties group bidded for $459.8m, about $1,360psf per plot ratio, which can be develop for 200 units. To get a 20% margin, it'll be likely price about $3.2m - $3.5m each. Ambiti ... 9 Mar 2007 - Read Details
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| Earthquake shook properties!
Yesterday was a traumatic experience for many. Earthquake jots hit Singapore and with thousands were affected, at least 100 casualties and counting. No, not in Singapore, but in Indonesia, Padang.
In Singapore, it was merely a wake up call. More than 200 buildings were affected. Som ... 7 Mar 2007 - Read Details
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| How can one be fair to ALL owners in an enbloc sale?
The recent implementation by the Ministry of Law is a good thing. But nevertheless, it will never be “fair” to all.
How could it be? In an enbloc sales, the ones who benefit the least will be a disgruntled party. Sentimental reasons aside, monetary value is always the prime issue.
Out of every suc ... 5 Mar 2007 - Read Details
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| How to find if the property is hot!
Needless to say, if you see a beeline, join them. That's the unique Singaporean mentality. It happened when Mac issued Kitties. It worked for Waterside and many years later, the Marina Bay Residences, followed by One Shenton. And how can we miss the hilarious HDB queue-for-nothing ... 2 Mar 2007 - Read Details
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| Will Stock market crashes affect Property markets?
Dow Jones had its biggest loss since Sept 11 - a whopping 3% in just one day!Shanghai followed suit, with a 9% drop that knock out many faint-hearted players!Will such drastic drops affect the sensitive property markets?
"Unlikely." says one analyst confidently. He will still be looking for a ... 1 Mar 2007 - Read Details
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| Is there anything we can learn from Capitaland?
CapitaLand posts record profit of S$1.018 billion for FY2006 and got the record for being the very first listed Singapore Developer to cross the $1billion mark! Congrats, Capitaland, you made us proud.
So, is there any lessons or wisdom we can learn from the leading developer?Many of us ... 26 Feb 2007 - Read Details
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| Land Parcel B at Handy Road
The Urban Redevelopment Authorities has launched the sale of Land Parcel B at Handy road. Land Parcel B at Handy Road was previously transferred from the Reserve list to the Confirmed list of the Government Land sales Programmed. This was officially announced on the 21 of December last year. This la ... 5 Feb 2007 - Read Details
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| 2007 – the Year of Ochard!
The property scene in Singapore is going to enjoy a good year (2007), this is reflected by Mr Liew Mun Leong, Chief Executive of CapitaLand Ltd on his recent visit to KL.
Analysts estimated that the high-end properties which have attracted foreign investors as well as expatriate executives may se ... 15 Jan 2007 - Read Details
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| Bubble or Boom? You decide.
Ever since the 1st parcel was put up for tender at the Marina Bay area, the sizzle never stopped. With a staggering price of S$1.2b and an estimated S$5b to be pumped in by Sands, the entire Marina Bay was brought to life in one swoop! Thanks to the indigenous master planner from URA, a new era was ... 6 Jan 2007 - Read Details
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| Tender Closing for Hotel Site at Bencoolen Street
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) closed the tender for the hotel site at Bencoolen Street today.
The site at Bencoolen Street was launched for public tender on 28 September 2006 on a 99-year lease.
The highest tender was submitted by Lasalle Lao S’pore for $73m, with Park Plaza at $60.8m i ... 4 Dec 2006 - Read Details
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| Is Enbloc Sales dying?
No doubt 2006 is a hot year for Enblocs, but the deals come fast & furious. What will happen in 2007? How many more Enbloc Sales can the private developers absorb? With many owners revising their prices, will developers just sit out?
Mr Dillon Loi, a Principal Consultant for Real Estate Academy, w ... 4 Dec 2006 - Read Details
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| Good Property take up reflects Strong Economic Fundamentals
Mr Mah: "Looking at the overall situation, I know that there are launches which have not done well. If taken in totality, you will realise that the situation is nowhere near what it was in the mid-90s when speculation was rife."
There is no cause for concern at this point in time as the government ... 4 Dec 2006 - Read Details
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| Cause for Concern on recent sub-sales?
The recent number of increased listings for sub-sale has brought back memories when the Government stepped in to curb speculation. A simple check with PowerSearch will reveal the more “popular” projects.
Is there any cause for concern on such increase of activity? Will the government step in again? ... 4 Dec 2006 - Read Details
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