High-end student accommodation developer opens S'pore office
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:A high-end student accommodation developer from the UK recently opened its Singapore office at Suntec Tower One in the Marina Bay Business District, catering to the growing number of international students from Singapore and other parts of Asia studying in the country....
Continue Reading • 11 Oct 2012
Scottish properties in Singapore exhibition
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Scotland’s prime property prices have slid 0.6 percent in Q3, leading to an annual decline of three percent, according to Knight Frank. Additionally, the Q3 price index also reflects strong buyer interest as new buyer registrations increased 38 percent over the same...
Continue Reading • 10 Oct 2012
China adds support for public housing
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: China’s Finance Ministry has allocated an additional five billion yuan (S$973.6 million) for the construction of public housing and to upgrade shanty towns, said Reuters. The move signifies that Beijing is ramping up efforts to use fiscal spending to support...
Continue Reading • 9 Oct 2012
Investors fear the worst for New Zealand development
By Andrew Batt: Property investors from Singapore, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur are said to be “in the dark” about the progress of a New Zealand housing development which was showcased in Southeast Asia during 2011.The National Business Review (NBR) has reported that progress on the...
Continue Reading • 9 Oct 2012
The Russians are coming
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: With major markets around the world facing economic challenges, the Russians have emerged as major players in the overseas property investment sector. China is now experiencing a slowdown while investors in the US are focusing on the upcoming elections. At the same time,...
Continue Reading • 4 Oct 2012
Four Seasons Place, Shanghai set for Singapore launch
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Four Seasons Place (pictured), a luxury branded residence and hotel development in Pudong, Shanghai, will launch in Singapore this weekend, according to marketing agent Savills Singapore. Developed by Shui On Group, Four Seasons Place is located in the heart of the...
Continue Reading • 3 Oct 2012
Bangkok show cancelled after Singapore sell-out success
By Andrew Batt: EXCLUSIVE: Popular London property developer Ballymore has postponed a planned property showcase in Bangkok because of better-than-expected sales in Singapore.A total of 28 units at the Embassy Gardens project (pictured) were snapped up by property buyers and investors in the...
Continue Reading • 3 Oct 2012
Wealthy keep London property in their sights
By Andrew Batt:More than 57 percent of overseas high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) named London real estate as their top target investment class, according to Cluttons International Private Capital Survey 2012 which has been published today in association with VPC Asia Pacific.Local HNWI investors...
Continue Reading • 2 Oct 2012
Sansiri sells 546 units in 90 minutes
By Andrew Batt:Property developer Sansiri has reported selling all 546 units at its latest project within just 90 minutes.The company revealed how it has generated THB 960 million (S$38.1 million) from sales at its dCondo Campus Resort project in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai during just...
Continue Reading • 25 Sep 2012
London luxury home prices see big jump
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Prices of high-end central London homes grew at their fastest rate in three months for September, driven by strong demand for properties exempted from a new and higher rate of sales tax, Knight Frank said. Starting in April, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne...
Continue Reading • 25 Sep 2012
China's housing policies to stay despite high prices
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Amid rising housing prices, China’s property measures will stay in place, reported the People’s Daily. At the same time, local authorities have been advised to increase housing supply and implement policies restricting home purchases. “With more...
Continue Reading • 24 Sep 2012
British buyers prefer new property
By Andrew Batt:More than three-quarters of British house hunters prefer to buy a brand new home rather than renting or buying a second-hand property.A survey by Barratt Homes, the U.K.'s leading homebuilder, revealed that 79 percent of house hunters would prefer to buy new – a 27 percent...
Continue Reading • 21 Sep 2012
British developers still luring Singapore buyers
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Overseas developers especially from the UK are continuing to attract buyers and investors from Singapore with good investment deals. Next week (28 – 30 September), Ballymore Group will hold the Singapore launch of the latest phase of its 2,000-unit...
Continue Reading • 20 Sep 2012
China home prices up a tiny bit
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:China’s home prices rose 0.1 percent in August continuing two months of moderate growth that signalled a gradual recovery in the property market as the government looks to improve the economy. China’s real estate market directly affects 40 other business...
Continue Reading • 19 Sep 2012
Student accommodation buyers urged to do their homework
By Andrew Batt:EXCLUSIVE: They’ve been selling like hot cakes in Singapore this year, but concerns are now being raised about the long-term viability of U.K. student accommodation property investments.No official records exist for the number of Singaporeans who are buying overseas property,...
Continue Reading • 19 Sep 2012
Property in Dubai is back
By Andrew Batt: Before the global market crash in 2008, Dubai’s property market was booming. Lavish launch parties, celebrity guests and limitless marketing budgets were the norm; allowing real estate companies to reap the rewards and live the high life in one of the largest expat...
Continue Reading • 19 Sep 2012
Growing interest in Malaysian property
By Andrew Batt: EXCLUSIVE: Interest in Malaysian property among overseas property buyers and investors grew slightly in August according to the latest Top of the Props report by TheMoveChannel.com, a leading overseas property website.Malaysia reached 40th place in the most-searched countries in...
Continue Reading • 19 Sep 2012
Brits hot for Spanish property
By Andrew Batt: British property buyers were snapping up Spanish property last month according to real estate agents and developers, with Russian and Chinese buyers being targeted for future sales.A study by Spanish real estate agency Inmoaction revealed that 56 percent of British buyers...
Continue Reading • 19 Sep 2012
S'poreans and expats look to India
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Indian property has become more attractive for Singaporeans and Indian expats living in Singapore given the high property prices in the city-state, according to The Hindu. In addition, “the appreciation of the Singapore dollar, the Comprehensive Economic...
Continue Reading • 19 Sep 2012
Legoland opens in Malaysia
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Thousands of visitors flooded through the gates of Legoland Malaysia (pictured) on its opening day this past Saturday. According to an AsiaOne report, some 10,000 people attended the launch of the 76-acre theme park in Johor, the first of its kind in Asia. They were...
Continue Reading • 19 Sep 2012