7 signs of a property slowdown
Buyers seem to be gaining ground again in the private homes market but consultants say it’s far from crashing yet After rocketing to dizzying heights last year, the private homes market has stalled because of the global credit crunch – an external factor that took the market by surprise. The withdrawal of the deferred payment … Read more
On the market: New launches
In this new weekly column, we bring you a sampling of properties up for sale around the island. In the spotlight this week and next: New project launches. Whitley Villas freehold 115 Whitley Road Units: Six semi-detached houses and two cluster bungalows Prices: $3.5 million for a semi-detached house, $4.5 million for each bungalow Launch … Read more
The civil servant turned CEO
CapitaLand’s Liew Mun Leong talks to VIKRAM KHANNA about his journey to the corporate world and the new dynamics of S’pore’s property market ‘I SPENT 22 years in the civil service, but people never believed I was a civil servant,’ says CapitaLand’s CEO, Liew Mun Leong, winner of the outstanding CEO award at the 2006 … Read more
How to beat inflation
With the rising cost of living and lower bank deposit rates, risk-averse Singaporeans are seeing their savings eroded by inflation. Lorna Tan looks at 10 ways to tackle increasing prices. It is ironic. Singaporeans who are uncomfortable with taking financial risks and who prefer to leave their cash untouched in savings deposits are in fact … Read more
10 ways to overcome the shrinking dollar
It takes discipline and a sound investment strategy to combat the corrosive effects of inflation, say financial experts. 1 Cut down spending, live within your means IPP Financial Advisers investment director Albert Lam’s advice is to review your lifestyle and consumption patterns. For instance, you can substitute a branded item with a no-frills one, or … Read more
What is SIBOR
It stands for the Singapore Interbank Offered Rate Where do you see this? In bank statements explaining how your mortgage rates are determined. What does it mean? It refers, more or less, to repayments on your loans, because Sibor affects the mortgage rate. Sibor is the rate at which banks lend to one another. When … Read more
Mum dead for two years, but no sign of probate yet
Q I am the executor and trustee for the estate of my mother, who died in April 2006. Her estate is worth less than $600,000, and I have a certified true copy of her will. Soon after my mother’s death, my father and I engaged her lawyer to prepare and file duty returns. However, it … Read more
Panel set up to help developers incorporate waterways into projects
Singapore’s water agency, PUB, has formed an ABC Waters Review Panel to help developers incorporate water bodies into their projects. It was set up late last year together with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Law Ministry. The panel also has several high-profile local architects as members. Environment and Water Resources Minister, Dr Yaacob … Read more
