Fancy Aguilera’s home? Price: US$8m
ANN BRENOFF provides the lowdown on hot celebrity properties on sale in the Los Angeles area THERE’S nothing like new motherhood to get you thinking about the nest, which may explain why singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera, whose son was born in January, has listed her Hollywood Hills home for US$7,995,000. Or maybe it’s just time to … Read more
The radiant face of Singapore
From the Republic’s early days, the buildings that define its skyline reflect a nation that is increasingly vibrant IF a country had a face, it would be the skyline of its city. Like a portrait on a sky-blue canvas, it is the profile of a nation – as visually unique as the individuals who inhabit … Read more
World property markets frozen: Mack
Bid-ask price gaps are too wide, many are sitting on the sidelines Global real estate markets are frozen because buyers and sellers remain far apart on price and aren’t ready to concede values won’t return to levels achieved in 2007, Apollo Real Estate Advisors LP senior partner William Mack said. ‘The markets are kind of … Read more
Waterfront cluster with high-end appeal
New Fullerton Heritage zone has luxury retail and dining outlets to draw the well-heeled RAFFLES Place may be best known as the arena where high-flying bankers and corporate executives slog away for handsome salaries. But a small patch of it is set to become a luxury retail haven where they can spend their hard-earned cash … Read more
Renovation costs to get tax relief
BUSINESSES can now claim new deductions on capital spending, thanks to a new tax incentive introduced by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) after it was approached by the Pro-Enterprise Panel (PEP). Just about all businesses spend on fixtures and fittings, either to refurbish the premises for a fresher look or when starting operations. … Read more
Causeway din vexes Marsiling residents
RESIDENTS of Marsiling Causeway View estate near the Causeway are being driven up the wall by the incessant blaring of horns and revving of motorcycle engines. They say the noise, which starts at 4am and goes on till midnight, became worse after terrorist Mas Selamat Kastari escaped from detention on Feb27, and the stepped-up security … Read more
Home rates going back to 2003 levels? Not quite
Falling interbank rates won’t automatically mean a throwback to the past SINGAPORE interbank rates – the prices banks charge each other for short-term funds – are threatening to fall back to record lows. The benchmark three- month rates are now nearing one per cent, down from around 3.5 per cent a year ago and threatening … Read more
Kwok family woes now tabloid fodder
A FAMILY feud at Sun Hung Kai Properties, one of Hong Kong’s biggest developers, is shaping up to become a feisty legal battle for boardroom control. The woes of the Kwok family have taken a dramatic twist after the chairman of Sun Hung Kai Properties, who took leave of absence in February, filed a writ … Read more
US recession may end by next quarter: economists
Growth to pick up to 2.1% in 2nd half: NABE poll THE US economy will probably exit from a recession by the end of the next quarter as credit markets improve after a year of turmoil, according to a survey of economists. The worst of the US credit crunch and housing slump is about over, … Read more
Offering defaulters a way out
Distressed mortgage buyers play a role in easing the US out of its worst housing slump since the 1930s, writes BOB IVRY THE way out of the worst US housing slump since the 1930s goes through Angel Gutierrez. Mr Gutierrez buys bad mortgages a dozen at a time for a fraction of their face value … Read more
