Agents targeted by email scammers
By Andrew Batt:Real estate agents in Thailand are the latest target of email scammers seeking to defraud them of money.The suspicious emails appear to come from someone seeking friendship and assistance to buy a property and relocate.Enquiries made by PropertyGuru revealed the emails originate...
Continue Reading • 13 Feb 2013
EcoHouse attracts S$30m in two days
By Andrew Batt: EcoHouse Group attracted more than S$30 million of property investments in just two days at recent events in Singapore.Some 550 existing investors pledged the additional investments at events to mark the opening of EcoHouse’s new Singapore offices at Suntec City earlier this...
Continue Reading • 13 Feb 2013
Island properties gaining popularity
By Shabnam Muzammil: Island destinations in Asia are seeing a significant increase in tourism and are providing resort investors with opportunities for long-term returns on vacation homes. The recent sale of the last four-bedroom villa at The Estates Samui, an exclusive collection of...
Continue Reading • 6 Feb 2013
More cooling measures in HK a possibility
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Hong Kong may roll out more property cooling measures given the risks from property price gains and elevated household debt, said its monetary chief Norman Chan.He said debt is now “near historic high levels”, citing ratios of 58 to 59 percent of GDP in Q3...
Continue Reading • 6 Feb 2013
Sydney homes for sale fall 13%
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: With interest rate cuts boosting property purchases, Sydney home sale listings fell 13 percent in January from last year to its lowest level in three years, according to independent property advisory SQM Research.Homes in Sydney that were offered for sale online dropped...
Continue Reading • 5 Feb 2013
The Haven's Acacia tower in Ipoh completed
By Farah Wahida: Malaysian developer The Haven Sdn Bhd has announced the completion of Tower Acacia at The Haven Lakeside Residences in Ipoh, together with supporting amenities like a swimming pool, clubhouse and jogging track.Launched in 2011, The Haven not only promoted itself but also the...
Continue Reading • 5 Feb 2013
A letter from London: The importance of SEA buyers in the UK capital
By Prime Resi: Demand for London residential new-build property is sky high and rising. CBRE revealed last week that the volume of such sales above £1,000 per sq ft leapt by a whopping 240 percent over the last year, and it’s been well-documented that Southeast Asian buyers have...
Continue Reading • 4 Feb 2013
Chelsea Creek to launch new phase in Singapore
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: The Tower and Countess House, the latest phase of the exclusive Chelsea Creek development (pictured) in London, will be launching in Singapore from tomorrow till Sunday (1 - 3 February) from 11am to 7pm at the St Regis Hotel. The exhibition is targeted at Singaporeans...
Continue Reading • 31 Jan 2013
Boom time for Philippines property industry
By Nikki De Guzman: The property landscape of the Philippines has experienced robust growth over the last 20 years. Experts see healthy demand for residential and commercial properties in the country, attributed mainly to strong macroeconomic fundamentals, record-low interest rates and confidence...
Continue Reading • 30 Jan 2013
Conversion of derelict garage into modern London homes
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: A once derelict garage in Westbourne Grove, West London is set to be converted into ultra-modern living spaces, as property developer Oakvest plans to build two luxury homes on the compact site.At 4,500 sq ft each, both properties will comprise four floors with four...
Continue Reading • 30 Jan 2013
Almost 50% of London units sold unbuilt
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Off-plan property sales in London rose 48 percent in 2012 on the back of record demand for new developments, revealed research by CBRE. Sales of properties valued at over £1,000 psf (S$1,944 psf) jumped 240 percent compared to 2011. The strong showing is...
Continue Reading • 30 Jan 2013
Living life in the dog house
By Andrew Batt:One Bangkok developer has taken the adage ‘dogs are a man’s best friend’ to a new level by tailoring condominium units in their latest development especially for pampered pooches.The second phase of Happy Condo in Ladprao 101 is being marketed as a condominium for...
Continue Reading • 29 Jan 2013
Japan property gaining attention
By Andrew Batt: Singaporeans are being attracted to Japanese property investments in ever increasing numbers.Last weekend saw what is believed to be only the second Japanese property exhibition to take place in Singapore when Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) showcased Branz Roppongi, a project from Tokyu...
Continue Reading • 29 Jan 2013
Singapore's latest measures good for UK developers
By Andrew Batt: London properties continued to sell well in Singapore last weekend, with the number of individual developments showcasing their investment opportunities during January hitting double digits.Perennial Singapore exhibitor Berkeley Homes attracted strong interest for its prestigious...
Continue Reading • 29 Jan 2013
Soaring house rents in Dubai
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Average rents of villas and apartments in Dubai rose 17 percent in 2012 due to the influx of people escaping the Eurozone debt crisis and the Arab Spring, according to Asteco Property Management. “Mid to high budget enquiries have increased and stock in popular...
Continue Reading • 28 Jan 2013
2nd most expensive US home sold
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: A northern Californian estate could be the second most expensive property sold in the US. Public records revealed that its previous owner, financier Tully Friedman, sold the US$117.5 million (S$145.22 million) property on 27 November 2012, according to media...
Continue Reading • 28 Jan 2013
UK developer secures Battersea sites
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Banda Property has planning consent to build residential and commercial units on two sites in Battersea, South West London. The UK firm will develop 40,000 sq ft of residences in 14 lateral apartments and over 8,150 sq ft of commercial space.Over at 40 Parkgate Road, the...
Continue Reading • 28 Jan 2013
Spotlight on London devt
By Andrew Batt:London property investment opportunities will again be in the spotlight this weekend when Land Securities, Europe's largest commercial property developer, holds the Singapore launch of its Kings Gate project (pictured).Located in the prime district of Victoria in central London,...
Continue Reading • 24 Jan 2013
Avoid London for buy-to-let returns
By Andrew Batt: Areas of London have been highlighted as some of the worst performing buy-to-let locations in the UK, according to new research published today.A report from Home.co.uk, a leading property search engine, identified the best and worst locations in terms of typical gross rental...
Continue Reading • 24 Jan 2013
'Kimye' splurge on S$13.5m mansion
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:To make way for their upcoming baby, celebrity couple Kanye West and Kim Kardashian reportedly bought a stunning Italian-style villa (pictured) in Los Angeles, California for S$13.5 million.Despite the lavish appearance of the 9,000 sq ft villa, the pair has plans to...
Continue Reading • 24 Jan 2013