Iskandar housing demand can't match KL yet: report
By Farah Wahida:Despite higher sales in Johor since 2009, property demand in Iskandar Malaysia will take a longer time to match Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, according to PublicInvest Research. “But the bulk of property sales, especially for the properties valued at RM500,000 (S$200,449) and...
Continue Reading • 3 Apr 2013
London property set for more good times
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:London’s prime residential market has enjoyed record-breaking growth in the last two-and-a-half years, according to the latest Savills report. Over the past ten quarters, the city’s residential property index soared to a level not seen since the index was...
Continue Reading • 3 Apr 2013
Asia to get tallest building
By Shabnam Muzammil:Asia is set to replace the Middle East as home to the world's tallest building after UAE-based property developer Emaar announced plans to build a new tower on the continent that will soar above 1km.Emaar's Chairman Mohamed Alabbar noted that the site for the project had been...
Continue Reading • 2 Apr 2013
Buying rush pushes up China home prices
By Nikki De Guzman:Home prices across 100 major Chinese cities rose in March, according to an independent survey by the China Index Academy.New home prices grew 3.9 percent year-on-year to average CNY9,998 (S$1,994) psm. In February, it moved up 2.48 percent.The increase was attributed to buyers...
Continue Reading • 2 Apr 2013
Sizzling demand for Sabah real estate
By Farah Wahida:Despite the Sabah stand-off, Kota Kinabalu’s property market remains robust with prices on level with Penang and Kuala Lumpur, according to HwangDBS Vickers Research.“New condominium launches in town are hitting RM600 psf to RM900 psf (S$240 – S$360 psf) with...
Continue Reading • 1 Apr 2013
Malaysia Property Show back in town
By Nikki De Guzman:PropertyGuru, Asia’s leading property portal, will hold its Malaysia Property Show (MPS) for the fourth time in Singapore, taking place at Orchard Hotel this weekend (30 - 31 March) from 10am to 7pm daily. The event will showcase the latest properties from several major...
Continue Reading • 28 Mar 2013
REDAS explores opportunities in Indonesia
By Nikki De Guzman:The Real Estate Developers Association of Singapore (REDAS) is looking to invest in Indonesia's booming property market, The Jakarta Post reported.During a recent visit to the Singapore branch of Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), REDAS president Chia Boon Kuah...
Continue Reading • 28 Mar 2013
Malaysia bans 1261 developers
By Farah Wahida: To protect home buyers from abandoned projects, Malaysia’s Housing and Local Government Ministry will bar 1,261 blacklisted residential developers from participating in any new projects starting in 2015, reported Bernama.This as the government implements a new law on the...
Continue Reading • 28 Mar 2013
The rise of 'Farmscrapers' in China
By Nikki De Guzman:With the aim of tackling China’s growing population and pollution problems, French firm Vincent Callebaut Architects has unveiled six 111-storey ‘farmscrapers’ (pictured), reported New York Daily News.The skyscrapers, fitted with eco-friendly features such as...
Continue Reading • 27 Mar 2013
2-year-old gets $6.5m apartment
By Shabnam Muzammil:A Chinese woman has reportedly purchased a US$6.5 million (around S$8 million) apartment in New York City's uber posh One57 development (pictured) for her two-year old daughter. The property’s broker revealed that the mother bought the unit for her toddler, “who...
Continue Reading • 27 Mar 2013
Asian interest in Portugal property
By Andrew Batt: The introduction of a ‘golden visa’ with Portuguese property purchases of €500,000 has been attracting interest from Asian buyers and investors.The scheme permits visas to be granted to any non-European Union citizen who invests minimum capital of at least €1...
Continue Reading • 27 Mar 2013
Iskandar to get six more theme parks
By Farah Wahida:On top of Legoland Malaysia (pictured) and Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park, Iskandar Malaysia is looking to accommodate up to six international theme parks in the next three years, said Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA). “We are currently in talks with several...
Continue Reading • 26 Mar 2013
Renewed interest in France homes
By Andrew Batt: The onset of spring has seen renewed interest in property investments in France, with international buyers reappearing and looking for bargains.Trevor Leggett, Chief Executive of French estate agency Leggett Immobilier, said: "Our agents are reporting increased activity right...
Continue Reading • 26 Mar 2013
Ascott launches Citadines Suites Louvre Paris
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:The Ascott Limited (Ascott) has opened its first boutique-style residence in France. The Citadines Suites Louvre Paris is also the serviced residence operator’s first property under the Suites brand. Following a nine-month revamp, the building now...
Continue Reading • 25 Mar 2013
$30m for penthouse in former box factory
By Nikki De Guzman:A clock tower near Manhattan Bridge Overpass in Brooklyn, New York may seem like another old building, but a luxury penthouse (pictured) can be found on top that's worth an eye-popping US$23.5 million (S$29.4 million).Mostly hidden from public view, the unit has drawn much...
Continue Reading • 25 Mar 2013
JB progressing but problems prevail
By Farah Wahida: The growing metropolis of Johor Bahru is undoubtedly emerging from the shadows thanks to the creation of the Iskandar economic growth corridor in 2006.Founded in 1855 as a tiny fishing village called Tanjung Puteri, the city today is a far cry from what it was before. There...
Continue Reading • 22 Mar 2013
Australia's housing cheapest since 2009
By Shabnam Muzammil:A new report has revealed that housing in Australia is now at its most affordable level since the 2009 global financial crisis, reported The Age.The HIA-CBA Housing Affordability Index monitors the link between home prices, mortgage costs and household income. It showed that...
Continue Reading • 22 Mar 2013
Demand high for super-prime NYC homes
By Shabnam Muzammil:More than a third of units at the upcoming 432 Park (pictured) - the tallest residential tower in Manhattan, New York, have been committed two years before its completion, reported The Wall Street Journal. Once ready, the US$1.2 billion (S$1.49 billion) development will stand...
Continue Reading • 22 Mar 2013
Sarawak land graft exposed
By Farah Wahida:A short film released by international NGO Global Witness has documented shady land deals in Sarawak involving the state’s Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (pictured) and his relatives.Posing as potential plantation buyers, the investigative team revealed how...
Continue Reading • 21 Mar 2013
UK Budget: Measures welcomed
By Andrew Batt: Yesterday’s UK budget statement, and its measures to boost the property sector, has been warmly welcomed by many in the industry.Chancellor George Osbourne (pictured) announced a £130 billion plan to guarantee low cost mortgages through a scheme that will start at the...
Continue Reading • 21 Mar 2013