Finally
in Singapore, an easy, one-stop property search website.
PropertyGuru
officially launched
www.propertyguru.com.sg
to help consumers find properties easier and faster. With 20,000
Singapore properties to choose from and powerful tools, PropertyGuru
takes the frustration out of property search.
For
the first time in Singapore a property website takes the pain out of
searching multiple sites and puts the power in the hands of the
consumer.
-
PropertyGuru's
unrivaled database has access to 20,000 properties in one place. It
is the easiest way to find new projects, private condos, landed
property and HDB units available for rent or sale.
-
PropertyGuru's
"Ask Guru" tool allows consumers unique online to get questions
answered online by Singapore's real estate experts.
-
PropertyGuru's
instant property valuation tool lets owners find the latest market
rate and historic trend for their home or property investments.
-
PropertyGuru's
automatic alerts via SMS and email notify consumers about properties
that match their own personal criteria.
-
PropertyGuru
has powerful map tool and colour photos make it easier to find the
right available properties in specific areas and satellite images
show the surrounding region.
-
PropertyGuru
offers prizes including an iPod Touch and tickets to Singapore's
first every Formula 1 Grand Prix race later this year
PropertyGuru
designed its new service exclusively for Singapore real estate. This
"vertical" approach means a better service, more information and
features for consumers and real estate professionals.
In
a recent study by e-consult, 53% of media and internet professionals
said that "faster access to desired information" and "more
relevant" were a major benefit of this approach.
Many
of Singapore's premier property developers, and agents from top
real estate agencies (including C & H Group, Dennis Wee Group,
DTZ, ERA, HSR International and Propnex) have already signed-up to
promote their properties via PropertyGuru.
"
Dennis
Wee Group believes in the power of the Internet for property
advertising, and supports initiatives such as PropertyGuru in
Singapore"
stated Dr Dennis Wee, Chairman of Dennis Wee Group.
Deborah
Law, General Manager of Expat Rentals
said "As Expat Rentals visibly sees results from online advertising
we are enthusiastic about new portals being opened by such companies
as PropertyGuru".
PropertyGuru
also provides advertisers with the unique ability to pinpoint a
highly-targeted audience that is focused on Singapore's real estate
market, and with many consumers close to making a property decision.
Santa Fe, one of Asia's leading relocation and moving experts was
the first such advertiser to take this opportunity.
"Santa
Fe selected PropertyGuru to advertise its services, due to
PropertyGuru's sole focus on Singapore's property market and fit with
our target audience"
stated Richard Hooker, Relocation Manager for Santa Fe Relocation
Services.
PropertyGuru
enables searching for property simply at the click of a mouse, saving
consumers hours of searching time.
"
The
response to PropertyGuru by Singapore's real estate developers,
agents and advertisers has completely exceeded our expectations. We
look forward to an exciting year for PropertyGuru and Singapore's
property sector"
said Jani Rautiainen and Steve Melhuish, co-directors of PropertyGuru Group and PropertyGuru's creators.
Online
real estate portals transformed the property search process in
Europe, US and Australia during 2005 and 2006. In the UK, ‘Right
Move' became the market leader, IPO-ed and is now valued in excess
of S$1.5 billion. Right Move estimates that 75% of successful home
movers in UK use the Internet to search for property.
The
same is now set to happen in Singapore - underpinned by:
-
Robust
economy - The Monetary Authority of Singapore economists expect
GDP growth to be at 6.3 percent for 2008 (source: MAS)
-
Buoyant
real estate market - Private residential property grew 31 per cent
last year (source: Urban Land Authority Singapore) and 15 to 20
percent increases are expected in 2008 (source: Propnex)
-
Increasing
consumer Internet adoption - Broadband household penetration grew to
77% last year (source: IDA Singapore), with a growing number of
consumers turning to the Internet for banking, shopping and job
search.
- Property
marketing moving online - Frost & Sullivan forecasts Internet
property advertising to double year on year from 1 per cent in 2006
to 8 per cent of total property advertising by 2010.
With
its innovative new features, consumer benefits and Singapore's
property market and Internet growth trends, PropertyGuru is in prime
position to become the leading property portal in Singapore.
About
PropertyGuru:
PropertyGuru
aims to make it easier and faster for Singaporeans to find the
property they want. PropertyGuru is designed purely for real estate
and will work to continually enhance the service, boost marketing and
bolster its solid real estate industry relationships. PropertyGuru
helps leading property developers and agents (including
representatives from C & H Group, Dennis Wee, DTZ, ERA, HSR
International and Propnex today) to promote their properties, brand,
websites and agents online to a wider audience in Singapore and
outside.
The
PropertyGuru service was created, and is managed, by PropertyGuru Group Pte. PropertyGuru International (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. is headquartered in Singapore
and was founded by 2 entrepreneurs - Jani Rautiainen and Steve
Melhuish. Together they jointly have 36 years combined experience of
building Internet and IT businesses in Europe and Asia. They have
recruited an experienced team of real estate, Internet, media &
marketing professionals to help them build PropertyGuru into the
leading property portal in Singapore.
For
more details, please contact:
Or
visit
www.propertyguru.com.sg
NOTE:
Image files for the PropertyGuru.com.sg logo and website screen-shots
can be provided on request.
About
Dennis Wee Group:
Dennis
Wee Group was first set up in January 1993 with the formation of the
pioneer company Dennis Wee Realty Pte Ltd in a humble office with
just 10 sales associates. The founder and president Dr Dennis Wee is
a prominent figure in the real estate agency business with more than
20 years experience and has sold millions of dollars worth of
properties.
Today
Dennis Wee Group has grown into one of the leading local real estate
agencies in Singapore with over 2,500 sales associates. Located in a
prestigious 10,000 square feet office in Park Mall at the fringe of
Orchard Road shopping belt with another branch office in Toa Payoh
and 2 franchise offices in Lavender, the Group is set to expand
further in the near future.
For
more details, please contact Stephanie Tan on (+65) 6887 6829 or
stephanietan@denniswee.com;
or visit
www.denniswee.com
About
Expat Rentals:
Expat
Rentals has been serving expatriate-clients' in Singapore in their
short and long term residential requirements since 2003. We
understand the specific needs of our clients first hand as our group
of specialists are all expatriates themselves. We are able to provide
a level of service unmatched by other companies - best advice and
service for Expats by Expats.
Service
levels within the Singapore home rental business vary dramatically.
We see our time together with our clients as a partnership, allowing
us to provide the highest level of commitment and service in the
industry, all at no cost to the client. At Expat Rentals, as Expats
ourselves, we understand the needs of Expats looking for a home.
For
more details, please contact Deborah Law (+65) 9171 3392, email
deborah@expatrentals.net
or visit
www.expatrentals.net.
About
Santa Fe Relocation Services:
Santa
Fe is a leading relocation company operating throughout Asia,
providing high quality relocation services to individual and
corporate clients. It was established in Hong Kong in 1980, based on
an international household goods moving concept. Quickly, Santa Fe
became the largest company of its type in Hong Kong and in 1988 was
acquired by the East Asiatic Company Ltd. A/S(EAC)
www.eac.dk.
This provided additional financial strength and development leading
to offices in Singapore, Thailand and China. At the end of 2000,
Santa Fe acquired the Asian operations of Global Silverhawk,
providing it with a solid presence in Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia and
the Philippines. Today, Santa Fe offers a full range of relocation
services in 23 cities throughout Asia.
As
a full-scale relocation services provider, Santa Fe provides
household goods moving, home and school search, familiarisation
programmes, settling-in assistance, cross-cultural training, maid &
handyman services, visa & immigration services, furniture rental,
and many other related services. Each year, Santa Fe handles in
excess of 20,000 relocations throughout the world and it is proud to
be a major player in the global relocations industry.
For
more details, please contact Grace Swallow (+65) 6398 8530 or
grace.swallow@santafe.com.sg;
or visit
www.santaferelo.com