Opportunistic investors recoil from Asia property
They see more scope for picking up cheaper properties in US, Europe; loans in Japan tougher Opportunistic investors are pulling back from Asian property because they see more scope for picking up distressed assets in the United States and Europe, and loans are harder to get in Japan, one of their favourite markets. Hedge funds … Read more
Investors eye real estate after tough 2007
Asian property and niche sectors are attracting assets Many investors in alternative assets plan to invest more in real estate after poor returns from the sector in 2007, a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) survey showed yesterday. John Forbes, UK real estate leader at PwC, said some investors had been lured back to UK property after prices fell … Read more
Investments push Singapore growth again
But the biggest problem facing policy-makers is inflation; if it doesn’t stabilise, we may see more drastic steps SINGAPORE has enjoyed exceptionally strong and stable gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the last few years. For many years after 1997, Singapore’s economy had suffered volatile growth even as it was buffeted by a series of … Read more
All eyes on government land tenders this month
$500m site above Serangoon MRT, 3 suburban housing plots on offer. AMID the current quiet market, all eyes will be on four 99-year leasehold suburban Government Land Sale site tenders that close this month. They comprise three private residential sites including one for landed housing, and a ‘white’ site above the Serangoon Circle Line MRT … Read more
Interest absorption scheme: New form of deferred payment – but with a catch
Property developers and banks revive old scheme that involves interest absorption. IN A bid to tempt home buyers back into the cooling property market, banks are teaming up with developers to bring back deferred payment – or something like it. They are resurrecting an older scheme known as interest absorption, which also allows buyers to … Read more
Kuwait fund pulls out of bulk purchase of high-end homes
It allows options for 97 condo units at Goodwood Residence to lapse. A KUWAIT bank fund that agreed in December to buy 97 units at posh Goodwood Residence for $818.4 million has let the purchase option lapse. Kuwait Finance House has given no reason for the move, which could result in the firm having to … Read more
MPs seek steps to prevent ‘magic dollars’ flat scam
Greater flexibility in HDB loan rules for downgraders may help, say some. THE emergence of a new scam by HDB flat sellers has prompted calls by some MPs for a review of loan rules for flat downgrading. Housing agents say sellers who resort to the so-called ‘magic dollars’ scam often face financial difficulties and may … Read more
URA to market Ophir-Rochor site at global property fair
SINGAPORE’S urban planner is going international to market the Ophir-Rochor district – touted as the nation’s next development hot spot. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said yesterday that it will market a major site in this ‘new growth area’ at a renowned annual global property event in Cannes, from today till Friday. The 2.74ha site … Read more
URA to market first sale site at Ophir Rochor district in June
The Ophir Rochor area is undergoing a revamp. And a landmark development has been planned for this new office district. The Ophir Rochor district has been slated to be a new growth extension from the Marina Bay area. An artist’s impression of Ophir Rochor district. The first plot next to Parkview Square will be released … Read more
URA says bonjour to major developers
New Ophir-Rochor land parcel marketed at premier property event in Cannes. A PRIME land parcel enveloping Parkview Square in Bugis may soon draw more top developers to Singapore, just as the Beach Road and Marina View parcels did last year. The 2.74 ha site, along Rochor and Ophir Roads, will comprise office and hotel space, … Read more
