UK trumps Australia for cross-border investments
By Shabnam Muzammil:The UK is still the most popular destination for cross-border investments despite having a less favourable economy than Australia, according to Savills.The latter has a forecasted GDP of three percent this year compared to the UK’s 0.6 percent. But London’s...
Continue Reading • 14 May 2013
Posh NYC apartments luring Singapore's wealthy
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:The US housing market, especially high-end condominiums in Manhattan, New York are attracting strong interest from wealthy buyers in Singapore.According to realtors, new projects with expansive views, top-of-the-line finishes and hotel-like services are a big draw with...
Continue Reading • 13 May 2013
European hotspots attracting savvy home buyers
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:While most European property markets are still recovering from the last housing crash, some are performing much better than their counterparts.For instance, Sardinia is expected to do well this year. In fact, property prices on the Mediterranean island’s Romazzino...
Continue Reading • 9 May 2013
Philippine properties draw strong interest in Gulf
By Nikki De Guzman:Top developers from the Philippines recorded more than AED100 million (S$33.5 million) worth of sales at the recently concluded Pinoy Property Show in Dubai. The three-day exhibition held at the Dusit Thani hotel attracted over 3,000 visitors.According to Gulf News, the...
Continue Reading • 8 May 2013
Foreigners fueling luxury home sales in London
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Overseas buyers have overtaken Britons when it comes to purchasing London properties valued at over £2 million (S$3.8 million) in the past year, according to Knight Frank.This group of buyers including the Chinese, Russians, Emiratis, Americans and Indians accounted...
Continue Reading • 7 May 2013
Mixed views on outlook for Vietnam property
By Shabnam Muzammil:Liquidity in Vietnam’s property market is expected to rise in the third quarter, but will recover in the last three months of 2013, according to Dr. Le Xuan Nghia, Vice-President of the National Financial Supervisory Committee.Speaking at a recent conference held in Ho...
Continue Reading • 6 May 2013
Italy set to abolish property tax
By Andrew Batt:The newly elected Italian government is widely expected to abolish the country’s property tax.Eurozone nations, together with second homeowners in Italy, are cautiously welcoming the appointment of new prime minister Enrico Letta. They’re also hoping for a period of...
Continue Reading • 30 Apr 2013
Bangkok prime property prices rise second fastest globally
By Andrew Batt: Prices of prime luxury property in Bangkok rose 26.1 percent in the first quarter of the year - the second highest rise of the 29 cities tracked in Knight Frank’s Prime Global Cities Index report.Jakarta – with a 38.1 percent rise – led the world with Miami...
Continue Reading • 29 Apr 2013
Strong interest in Thai property from Singapore buyers and investors
By Andrew Batt:Thailand was attracting strong interest from Singaporeans at property exhibitions in the city-state last weekend.“Bangkok is booming,” said Edwin Soon, Sales and Marketing Director for ECG whose agency was marketing developments from Fragrant Group, including Circle 11...
Continue Reading • 29 Apr 2013
Call for action against illegal Bali agents
By Andrew Batt:The real estate industry on the Indonesian island of Bali is calling for stern action to be taken against the growing number of unregistered sales agents – many from Singapore and Malaysia – who are flocking to the island to sell property.According to several local...
Continue Reading • 26 Apr 2013
Thailand shows to tempt buyers
By Andrew Batt:Singapore property buyers and investors looking at opportunities in the Land of Smiles will get two opportunities to explore the latest properties for sale from Bangkok at dedicated property exhibitions in Singapore this weekend.Thailand property developer Raimon Land, together...
Continue Reading • 26 Apr 2013
S'pore buyers splash cash on student property
By Andrew Batt: Singapore property buyers and investors were continuing to snap up student property investments at the latest property exhibition marketing this particular investment last weekend. Vita Student, a developer of high-end student properties in the north west of England, saw...
Continue Reading • 22 Apr 2013
No drop in overseas property interest
By Andrew Batt: Last weekend saw a record number of property exhibitions in Singapore, with more than 20 individual events showcasing overseas opportunities to local buyers. Property developments from Canada to the Philippines, and from Bangkok to Sydney, were exhibited at numerous events...
Continue Reading • 22 Apr 2013
Canada project to exhibit in Singapore
By Andrew Batt: Fresh from the successful launch of its Chestermere Manor townhouses in Calgary, Canada where 95 percent of the units were sold, Vision International Properties is in Singapore this weekend for the launch of Stony Plain Manor in Edmonton, Canada. The freehold three-storey...
Continue Reading • 19 Apr 2013
London property demand heats up
By Andrew Batt: The number of London properties being sold to Singaporean buyers and investors shows no signs of stopping as four more developments are set to be showcased in the city state this weekend.Putney Plaza (pictured) in the capital’s southwest is being exhibited by Knight Frank on...
Continue Reading • 19 Apr 2013
London home price gains unsustainable
By Shabnam Muzammil:The price increase of luxury residential properties in London over the last few years seems unsustainable according to Grosvenor Group, which owns most of the city’s upscale Mayfair and Belgravia districts.As investors look for refuge against the Eurozone debt crisis and...
Continue Reading • 18 Apr 2013
Gold Coast buyers urged to act fast
By Andrew Batt:Property buyers who are looking to acquire new premium apartments on Australia’s Gold Coast are being urged to act fast as the current supply may be entirely sold within the next two years.Tony Holland, Residential Director of Project Marketing for Colliers International,...
Continue Reading • 18 Apr 2013
British buyers out in force
By Andrew Batt:British overseas property investors were out in force last weekend at the A Place in the Sun property exhibition in London, although just one exhibitor from Southeast Asia was present to take advantage of the growing interest in overseas property from UK buyers. More than...
Continue Reading • 18 Apr 2013
Ascott to see 15% boost in Philippine revenue
By Nikki De Guzman:The Ascott Limited (Ascott) expects its serviced residence business in the Philippines to grow 15 percent to PHP1.15 billion (S$34.31 million) this year, as occupancy rates are expected to hit as high as 90 percent.“This industry is very market driven,” said...
Continue Reading • 18 Apr 2013
Property sentiment up in Vietnam
By Shabnam Muzammil:Vietnam’s property market has shown signs of optimism in the first quarter of 2013 as its state bank continues monetary easing efforts, noted CBRE.Moreover, property stocks performed better as an investment option in Q1, with the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange...
Continue Reading • 18 Apr 2013