Sales flourish for Thai developer
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Minor International has achieved strong sales of THB1.15 billion (S$45.58 million) in Q1 2012, helped by its portfolio of residences across key locations in Thailand. Ideally located on the higher floors of the St. Regis Hotel in Bangkok, the St. Regis Residences...
Continue Reading • 13 Sep 2012
Green light for UK's tallest tower
By Andrew Batt: The U.K. government has given the green light to One Nine Elms (pictured) which, at 200-metres will be the tallest residential tower in Western Europe.In what is the first demonstration of the government's new hands-off approach to planning and housing delivery, ministers have...
Continue Reading • 13 Sep 2012
OPINION: Inhuman or a new city living trend: you decide
By Andrew Batt: In some parts of Southeast Asia, they’ve been described as “almost inhuman”, yet elsewhere they’re being marketed as “a new trend for city living”. Shoebox units, micro units, - however you know them – smaller-sized condominium units are...
Continue Reading • 12 Sep 2012
Legoland Malaysia set for weekend opening
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: The much-awaited RM750 million (S$300 million) Legoland Malaysia (pictured) is now undergoing final touches before its grand opening on Saturday, 15 September.The 31-ha theme park boasts about 15,000 Lego models built from 40 million Lego bricks, as well as 40 different...
Continue Reading • 11 Sep 2012
British buyers take a look at SE Asia
By Andrew Batt: Properties from Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Cambodia will be flying the flag for Southeast Asia at a major British overseas property exhibition later this month.A Place in the Sun Live is the largest overseas property exhibition in the U.K. It takes place in the...
Continue Reading • 10 Sep 2012
The Garden Residences - The icon of Skudai's horizon
Residential property developer Scientex Skudai introduces another flagship development with The Garden Residences (pictured), an addition to the group's green and nature living concept.The developer's The Garden Residences project comprises 259 units in each tower that are ideal for newlyweds,...
Continue Reading • 7 Sep 2012
A unique approach to property marketing
By Andrew Batt:One real estate company has come up with a unique way to overcome the enormous challenges all agents face in grabbing the attentions of prospective property purchasers.SpotBlue, a U.K. agent that specialises in Turkish real estate, has commissioned a poem to promote one of its...
Continue Reading • 6 Sep 2012
London property still looks hot
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:With London’s growing appeal as an investment destination, more buyers are on the lookout for good property deals, with buying interest rising 23 percent in the three months to July, according to Knight Frank’s July 2012 Prime Central London Index. One of the...
Continue Reading • 6 Sep 2012
China home prices rise for third month in August
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Prices of new homes across major Chinese cities continued to climb last month signifying a warming property sector, according to figures released by the China Index Academy (CIA). In August, the average price of new units in 100 surveyed cities rose for the third...
Continue Reading • 4 Sep 2012
Raffles City Chengdu officially launched
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: CapitaLand has officially unveiled Raffles City Chengdu (pictured), an integrated development in the city’s central business district (CBD). Sprawled over 30,000 sq m, Raffles City Chengdu features a shopping mall, international Grade A offices, hotel and serviced...
Continue Reading • 4 Sep 2012
Hong Kong set to limit property hunters from China
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Hong Kong has announced measures that will prioritise locals in the housing market.This comes after years of price hikes in the city due to the surge of wealthy buyers from mainland China. Under the “Hong Kong land for Hong Kong people” policy, some properties...
Continue Reading • 31 Aug 2012
Iskandar Malaysia properties to see 5% price hike
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Prices of homes in Iskandar Malaysia will increase in the next six to 12 months, according to Koh Moo Hing, Branch Chairman at the Johor Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (REHDA). “Our members have not much choice but to pass the cost to consumers and...
Continue Reading • 30 Aug 2012
Thailand property sales to overseas buyers on the rise
By Andrew Batt: EXCLUSIVE: Increasing sales of property in Thailand have contributed to a record-breaking month for global property investment firm Knight Knox International.The U.K.-based company sold 120 units during the month – a 20 percent increase on its previous record-breaking month...
Continue Reading • 30 Aug 2012
How Spanish investors are cashing in
By Andrew Batt: Rating agency Fitch issued a warning earlier this month about Spain's €100 billion (S$157.48 billion) bank rescue fund not being enough, yet Spanish banks are still handing out 100 percent finance on certain property developments to help encourage property investors and...
Continue Reading • 29 Aug 2012
Florida dominates US overseas property investments
By Andrew Batt: Florida is the first choice for overseas property investors, TheMoveChannel.com’s latest At a Glance report shows. The infographic (pictured), which depicts the activity on the portal over the past 12 months, confirms that Florida is the international property hotspot of...
Continue Reading • 28 Aug 2012
Asia's priciest condo sold for record S$76m
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:A high-end apartment located in the upmarket Peak residential area in Hong Kong has been sold for a record HK$470 million (S$76 million).Hong Kong media reported that an unidentified buyer paid a psf price of HK$75,806 (S$12,227) for the 6,200 sq ft unit that takes up the...
Continue Reading • 27 Aug 2012
London agents looking for positive post-Olympic activity
By Andrew Batt: Activity in the UK housing market has slowed after a much healthier first half to the year in comparison to the last, leaving agents hoping that the end of a string of special events, including the Queen's Jubilee and the Olympics, will see enthusiasm for those wishing to move or...
Continue Reading • 21 Aug 2012
US buyers and sellers more dissatisfied
By Andrew Batt: A new study in the US shows that home-buyer satisfaction is at an all-time low, and that home-seller satisfaction is also declining. The Home Buyer/Seller Satisfaction Study, published by J.D. Power and Associates, found that overall satisfaction among buyers is at its lowest...
Continue Reading • 21 Aug 2012
S'poreans ranked among top luxury home buyers abroad
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Three Asian nationalities led by Singapore have made it to the top 10 list of luxury home buyers abroad, according to the Wealth Report 2012 by Knight Frank and Citibank. Singaporeans, along with buyers from China and Hong Kong were listed as the top purchasers of luxury...
Continue Reading • 17 Aug 2012
CapitaLand to jointly develop Tokyo property
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Property developer CapitaLand has negotiated a joint venture (JV) agreement with Mitsubishi Jisho Residence Co., Ltd. (MJR) and SECOM Home Life Co., Ltd (SECOM) to develop The Parkhouse Nishi-Azabu Residence (pictured) in Tokyo, Japan.MJR is a wholly-owned unit of...
Continue Reading • 13 Aug 2012