Dutch offices converted into student accommodation
By Nikki De Guzman:Dutch investors have found a way to address office oversupply and student housing shortage by converting vacant office buildings into student accommodation, according to a Savills report. In the town of Diemen, five former office buildings of Snippe BV will be redeveloped...
Continue Reading • 7 Jun 2013
Philippine shines as more foreigners buy up property
By Nikki De Guzman:With the property cooling measures starting to bite in Singapore and Hong Kong, more foreign buyers are buying residential properties in the Philippines, according to CBRE Philippines Chairman Rick Santos. “New restrictive property tax laws in Hong Kong and...
Continue Reading • 6 Jun 2013
Over 1500 applications for Afiniti Residences in Johor
By Nikki De Guzman:Afiniti Residences (pictured), the residential component of the Afiniti Medini mixed wellness development in Medini, Iskandar Malaysia, has received a total of 1,570 applications with Malaysians accounting for about 60 percent. The rest comprise of foreigners from Singapore,...
Continue Reading • 6 Jun 2013
NYC luxury housing in full swing
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:New York’s luxury housing market is seeing robust demand as buyers snap up properties ahead of completion, according to media reports.“The luxury market in New York City has rebounded to even higher prices than the last peak market. The stability of the New...
Continue Reading • 6 Jun 2013
Angry Birds theme park to open in Johor
By Farah Wahida:Johor Corporation (JCorp) has unveiled the Masterplan for its RM1.5 billion (S$607.4 million) redevelopment of the Tun Abdul Razak Complex (KOMTAR) in Johor Baru, including the project’s new logo and design of its mall, expected to open in May 2014.To be renamed...
Continue Reading • 5 Jun 2013
Business as usual for S'poreans investing in Johor
By Shabnam Muzammil:Despite the recent announcement of higher taxes for foreign property owners in Johor, interest among Singaporeans for real estate in the state will likely remain as prices there are significantly more attractive, The Business Times reported.“It’s business as usual...
Continue Reading • 5 Jun 2013
India approves new real estate law
By Andrew Batt:India’s government yesterday approved the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill 2013 with the aim of providing greater transparency in the sector.Developers who publish misleading property advertisements could face jail. Project launches can now only take place once...
Continue Reading • 5 Jun 2013
Johor tax hike draws mixed views
By Farah Wahida:The Johor government’s plan to impose a higher property tax on foreigners drew mixed reactions as details of the proposal are still under discussion, reported The Star.According to Chief Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, approximately 130,000 foreigners owning properties in...
Continue Reading • 4 Jun 2013
Asian buyers ahead of the curve
By Andrew Batt: Property buyers and investors from Asia are benefitting from new-build residential investment in London, according to new research published today.The paper, produced by Cluttons - a leading UK property consultancy and chartered surveyors, notes the trend looks set to gain further...
Continue Reading • 4 Jun 2013
Eye on Iskandar - One investor's story
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:After years of investing in Singapore property, Germaine Ng set her sights on Iskandar Malaysia because of a client who introduced her to the possibilities offered in the region, reported The Straits Times.“He pointed out to me that Singapore homes are expensive and...
Continue Reading • 4 Jun 2013
More buyers find dream home in Iskandar
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:One couple has given up on finding a bigger house in Singapore and invested in a villa at Iskandar Malaysia instead, reported The Straits Times.Five years ago, Jonathan Ward and wife Tina visited their friends in Iskandar and were encouraged to buy a villa in Ledang...
Continue Reading • 3 Jun 2013
Foreigners to pay higher tax for Johor property
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Approximately 130,000 foreigners who own properties in Johor will have to pay a new tax rate which varies from that for locals, reported Bernama.It is believed that more than 90 percent of these owners are from Singapore.The move aims to boost the earnings of local...
Continue Reading • 3 Jun 2013
Overseas buyers look further afield
By Andrew Batt:Singapore will see property exhibitions featuring more unusual and off-the-radar projects in the coming weeks and months.Property developments from France, Switzerland and Hong Kong will be showcased to local buyers and investors here during the next five weeks. Developers from...
Continue Reading • 3 Jun 2013
Iskandar devt offers foreigners unique investment opportunity
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Strong demand is expected for d’Pristine (pictured) – the newest integrated development in Medini Iskandar Malaysia, as it is the only property in Johor which foreigners can purchase for under RM500,000 (S$205,767).Developed by MCT Land, the project includes...
Continue Reading • 30 May 2013
Bruce Willis selling Beverly Hills home
By Shabnam Muzammil:Hollywood action star Bruce Willis is selling his 10,000 sq ft home (pictured) in posh Beverly Hills for US$22 million (S$27.89 million), according to media reports.He bought the property back in 2004 from film executive Alan Ladd Jr. for US$6.3 million (S$7.96 million). Built...
Continue Reading • 30 May 2013
Johor properties cheaper than KL, Penang
By Farah Wahida:Despite the spill-over effect from the booming Iskandar region, property prices in Johor are still more affordable compared to those in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, reported The Star.“The price of new housing projects in the state is quite affordable, with prices ranging from...
Continue Reading • 30 May 2013
Bangkok condo prices continue to rise
By Andrew Batt:Bangkok condominium prices are expected to continue their upward trend after new research revealed a 7.1 percent jump in average prices in the CBD during the first three months of this year.Knight Frank Thailand, in its latest report, noted that average condominium prices in the...
Continue Reading • 29 May 2013
Jennifer Lopez buys $10m Hamptons home
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Superstar Jennifer Lopez recently bought a new mansion in the luxurious enclave of the Hamptons in Long Island, New York. The eight-bedroom property was purchased for US$10 million (S$12.56 million), according to media reports. Built in 2004, the home has a floor area of...
Continue Reading • 29 May 2013
NYC's tallest building hits $1 billion in sales
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Set to become the tallest building in New York City, 432 Park Avenue, a 1,396 ft apartment tower, has achieved almost US$1 billion (S$1.27 billion) in sales since its launch in March.Developed by CIM Group and Macklowe Properties, the property will be 96-storeys high and...
Continue Reading • 29 May 2013
UEM Land looking to tap Singapore demand
By Nikki De Guzman:Leveraging on the closer ties between both countries, Malaysian property developer UEM Land Holdings is targeting Singaporean buyers for its upcoming residential and commercial projects valued at RM4 billion (S$1.67 billion).According to its Chief Executive Oficer Wan Abdullah...
Continue Reading • 27 May 2013