Property News - Property Launches & Investments

Singapore remains world's 2nd priciest private property market

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Friday, 12 April 2019 in Property News

SINGAPORE remains the world's second-most expensive housing market after Hong Kong, according to an annual CBRE report which compares private residential property markets across 35 cities. But average price growth was significantly slower, at just 1.1 per cent.

Hong Kong kept its top position with an average residential property costing US$1.235 million or US$2,091 per square foot (psf). Singapore came a distant second at US$874,372 or US$1,063 psf, with Shanghai third at US$872,555 or US$714 psf. CBRE noted that these top three cities have all introduced cooling measures to keep prices under control.

New Incentive Schemes launched to encourage mixed-use developments in CBD

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Tuesday, 09 April 2019 in Property News

SINGAPORE: An incentive scheme will be rolled out to encourage building owners to convert existing office developments in the Central Business District (CBD) to mixed-use developments, as part of plans to rejuvenate the city centre.

The CBD Incentive Scheme was announced on Wednesday (Mar 27) at the launch of the URA Draft Master Plan 2019 exhibition. It applies to areas around Anson Road, Cecil Street, Shenton Way, Robinson Road and Tanjong Pagar.

Singapore private property market set to face demand tests in 2019

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Tuesday, 09 April 2019 in Property News

Close to 50 new launches can be expected, some of them mega-projects, amid cautious demand and tighter financing. Analysts generally expect prices to be flat or rise slightly in 2019. Displaced en bloc owners are likely to contribute to demand, while prices of new launches are likely to take into account the high prices locked in by developers when they acquired those sites

Singapore THE private residential property market here could face some demand tests ahead as higher interest rates and heftier duties from the authorities' cooling measures weigh on buyers' wallets.

As it is, property curbs unleashed in July have already sent the private property market on roller-coaster year in 2018.

Who is buying private property after last year's cooling measures?

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Sunday, 07 April 2019 in Property News

SINGAPORE: Since the last property cooling measures rolled out in July 2018, market sentiments have remained subdued.

The new measures have led to higher acquisition costs for buyers and curbed their ability to take out larger loans to purchase private property, so from a theoretical standpoint, one would expect demand to decline together with prices.

Freehold vs leasehold condos – Which is the better choice?

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Monday, 01 April 2019 in Property News

99 years, 999 years, and Freehold: Defining the terms

A freehold property can be held by the owner indefinitely. A 99 year leasehold property reverts back to the state, upon the expiry of its lease.

A holdover from the Colonial era are properties with 999 year leases. This is, for all intents and purposes, similar to freehold.

Singapore braces for tougher times as China slows down and the trade war heats up

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Monday, 01 April 2019 in Property News

Singapore, a country with a population of just about 5.6 million, is one of Asia’ top financial centers and a global trading hub.

It has for decades been one of the world’s most impressive growth stories. The Southeast Asian nation is among the top 10 countries in the world with the highest GDP per capita, according to World Bank statistics.

However, the country’s central bank warned late last year that its export-driven economy would likely be hurt in the coming months by the ongoing U.S.-Chinatariff fight.

Guoco Midtown in Beach Road to complete by 2022

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Monday, 01 April 2019 in Property News

The project, which is set to be completed by early 2022, comprises 770,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, as well as 30,000 sq ft of retail and entertainment area and more than 200 residential units.

The former Beach Road Police Station, a conserved building, is a part of the development as well.

Guoco Midtown full concept and design will be unveiled in the first half of 2019.

URA Draft Mastwer Plan: Going underground to free up space on the surface

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Thursday, 28 March 2019 in Property News

SINGAPORE: The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is using special 3D technology to study the underground as a strategic resource, it said on Wednesday (Mar 27) at the launch of its Draft Master Plan 2019.

The master plan is a blueprint that guides Singapore's development over the next 10 to 15 years and is reviewed every five years.

URA said it has rolled out 3D underground maps for Marina Bay, Jurong Innovation District and Punggol Digital District, and plans to expand the pilot to include more areas.

URA Draft Master Plan: More housing planned for CBD, Marina Bay area

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Wednesday, 27 March 2019 in Property News

SINGAPORE: More homes will be built in the central business district (CBD) and Marina Bay area, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said on Wednesday (Mar 27).

Under its Draft Master Plan 2019, which includes plans to rejuvenate the central area, URA said it will increase housing in sites such as Downtown, Marina South and Rochor so that more people can live closer to their workplaces and other amenities.

The plan for a larger live-in population in the office-dominated CBD and Marina Bay area is part of a move by URA to bring more life to the area after office hours.

CDL sells 20 units of Boulevard 88 luxury Freehold condo units at over $4m to $10m each

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Tuesday, 26 March 2019 in Property News

SINGAPORE - Freehold luxury development Boulevard 88 in prime district 10 has sold 20 residential units at an average selling price of $3,550 per square foot, of the 25 units released to date.

City Developments Limited (CDL) and its joint venture partners, Hong Leong Holdings and Lea Investments, launched exclusive private previews of Boulevard 88 - which are by appointment only - on March 8. In total, sales of over $160 million have been achieved so far, said CDL in a media release on Wednesday (March 20).

Amber Gardens versus Meyer Road: A District 15 Freehold Condo showdown

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Sunday, 24 March 2019 in Property News

For more affluent property buyers who are looking to buy a freehold condo in the East, they typically come to decide between two mid-to-upscale residential areas of District 15: Amber Road and Meyer Road.

Location-wise, these two prime city fringe neighbourhoods are just right next to each other, but visit both of them and you’ll realise that they actually have very different qualities. To make things easier for homebuyers and investors, here’s our in-depth analysis of the Amber and Meyer Road residential areas in D15, and how the freehold condos there stack up against one another.

Should you buy a 99-year leasehold over a freehold condo?

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Saturday, 09 March 2019 in Property News

Before we answer this question, some context is needed. In the property boom in Singapore over the past two years, the buyer appetite for the 99-year leasehold condo has been appreciably greater than that for a freehold condo. Focus on the volume of transactions in the chart below, which pretty much says it all:

Far East to double size of Holland Village

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Friday, 08 March 2019 in Property News

If there’s one complaint about Holland Village, it would be that it’s too small. But that’s about to change as a Far East Organization-led consortium has won the bid to more than double the size of the existing lifestyle enclave.

More Holland Village homes in the pipeline

The Holland Village extension site, which sits on land previously occupied by HDB flats, will accommodate up to 13,500 square metres (sq m) of retail space, 400-plus private apartments and 100-plus serviced residences over a maximum gross floor area of 59,715 sq m. Far East’s winning bid, which passed a “concept round” of assessment by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), will also include dual-use office-residential units. One Holland Village

New Upcoming Condos in Luxury segment District 9 and 10 set to draw interest

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Saturday, 23 February 2019 in Property News

CCR comprises of Districts 9, 10 and 11, plus the Downtown Core Planning Area, and Sentosa.

New Futura, a rare freehold development in district 9, by developer City Developments Limited is one of the value buys in CCR with its state of the art design and great location and sizes of units. Martin Modern by Guocoland Limited, located at the corner of Martin Place and River Valley Close, would appeal to buyers due to its central location, whilst 8 Hullet by Hullet Development Pte Ltd which sits over Orchard Road would be a great buy due to its low quantum for central prime district area.

Singapore property market still a picture of stability

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Saturday, 23 February 2019 in Property News

It’s a tired trope throughout Asia to say Singapore lacks soul. Clean, walkable streets. Efficient traffic. Effective public transport. Well-organized family fun. Innovative bars and restaurants. Shiny modern towers and lush planned parklands. Ugh. Who wants that?

Well, if we’re talking about players in the luxury property market, lots of people.

“Singapore is known as a safe haven in Southeast Asia, with a stable currency and transparent housing regulations,” says Christine Li, senior director and head of research for Cushman & Wakefield Singapore. “Risk involving property development is virtually non-existent for retail investors,” adds Li. After 15 consecutive quarters of price declines—which, experts say, signalled not softer innate demand, rather a wait-and-see attitude with regards to government policies—prices began rising mid-2017 and jumped 9.1 percent by the halfway point this 2018.

Biggest Condominium Launches To Look Out For In Singapore

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Sunday, 17 February 2019 in Property News

The en-bloc fever might have come to an end, but developers are already planning sales launches from their accumulated land banks, giving Singaporean property-hunters plenty of choices in 2019.

If you’re thinking of buying a private property for rental income or investment purposes, it is worth noting that the rental market is still not very strong. In the near-term, you should not expect super attractive yields from your properties. With rising interest rates, it might be prudent to also be conservative when counting on rental income to service any debt obligations.

Singapore economy slows to 3.2% growth in 2018 as Q4 growth falls to 1.9%; more easing seen for 2019

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Saturday, 16 February 2019 in Property News

SINGAPORE - The Singapore economy expanded by 3.2 per cent in the whole of last year, official data released on Friday (Feb 15) showed, slowing from 2017’s 3.9 per cent growth and rounding off a year marked by growing protectionist tensions around the world.

Maintaining its 2019 growth forecast at 1.5 to 3.5 per cent, with growth expected to come in slightly below the mid-point of the forecast range, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said these same tensions have increased since the last quarter, with the added threat of a sharper-than-expected China slowdown and a worsening of its trade conflict with the United States dragging down the Singapore economy.

Launch of Florence Residences will likely set tone for others

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Thursday, 14 February 2019 in Property News

The upcoming launch of Florence Residences - a mega project with more than 1,000 units - will likely set the tone for other developments heading to the market this year, some analysts have said.

Between 400 and 500 units are expected to be released on March 2, depending on interest at the preview this weekend, said Mr Chng Chee Beow, executive director of Logan Property (Singapore).

"We are targeting an average selling price of $1,450 per square foot."

5 things you must know about Singapore property in 2019

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Saturday, 09 February 2019 in Property News

The property market went for a rollercoaster ride last year. What impact did last year’s cooling measures have and how should we prep for this year?

Here are the key issues to look out for in 2019:

Do not expect Singapore's private home prices to match growth of 2018

Posted by Property Launch Invest on Wednesday, 06 February 2019 in Property News

SINGAPORE: Private home prices may have risen by close to 8 per cent last year according to flash estimates from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), but analysts say that this increase will not be sustained in 2019.

Private home prices in Singapore rose 7.9 per cent in 2018, said the URA on Wednesday (Jan 2), a 6.8 percentage point increase from the year before.

PROPERTY LAUNCHES & INVESTMENTS

Property Launches & Investments

99 years, 999 years, and Freehold: Defining the terms

More Holland Village homes in the pipeline