Former Miss Thailand named brand ambassador for Tulip Group
By Andrew Batt:A former Miss Thailand has become Brand Ambassador for leading Pattaya property development company Tulip Group.Khun Pannada Wongphudee (nicknamed Boom), who was crowned Miss Thailand in 2002, has assumed her role with immediate effect and will be fronting a new marketing campaign...
Continue Reading • 17 Jul 2012
Opportunities abound in Philippines residential market
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:The residential market in Manila, capital of the Philippines is expected to grow in the coming months, according to Sigrid Zialcita (pictured), Managing Director for Research, Asia Pacific at Cushman & Wakefield. Speaking at the recent inaugural Philippines Property...
Continue Reading • 17 Jul 2012
Phuket property sales on the rise
By Andrew Batt:Property sales in apartments, condominiums and villas in Phuket continued to improve generally during Q1 2012 according to new research from CBRE Thailand, although the new wave of Asian travellers have yet to become significant property buyers on the island.David Simister,...
Continue Reading • 16 Jul 2012
Bahamas project a hit with Singapore buyers
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Baha Mar (pictured), a mega resort development in the Bahamas, saw strong interest among buyers and investors at its recent launch in Singapore. “We are very satisfied by the level of interest at the reception and launch recognising Baha Mar’s luxurious...
Continue Reading • 16 Jul 2012
Keppel Land to jointly develop S$70m condo in Colombo
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Keppel Land and Sri Lanka-based developer CT Properties will jointly develop around 260 luxury condominium units on a 1.25-acre site in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.With a total development cost of S$70 million, the project will mainly target wealthy buyers and is...
Continue Reading • 16 Jul 2012
Outlook positive for Vietnam property market
The Vietnam real estate market is witnessing positive signs for residential apartments in the low to medium range. Since interest rates fell to 11 percent, positive changes have been seen in the market. According to recent research from the market research division of Batdongsan.com.vn, interest...
Continue Reading • 13 Jul 2012
Global launch of Damai 88 this weekend
By Andrew Batt: Malaysian luxury freehold property Damai 88 (pictured) will receive its global launch in Singapore this weekend, thanks to the continuing strong interest among Singaporeans in overseas properties, buoyed by Singaporeans’ continuing strong interest in foreign...
Continue Reading • 13 Jul 2012
Selling The Charm of Phuket
By Andrew Batt: The Charm Residence (pictured) is launching Phase D of its project to property buyers and investors in Singapore this weekend, after what agency Trillion Property described as “pretty encouraging” sales which has seen sell-outs of Blocks A and B, and 80 percent sales...
Continue Reading • 13 Jul 2012
Japan apartment could be world's priciest one-bedder
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Sotheby’s Japan has listed an apartment worth a staggering 1.8 billion yen (S$27.6 million), possibly the most expensive one-bedroom condo in the world. The unit is located at “The House Minami Azabu”, one of the most luxurious condo complexes in the...
Continue Reading • 12 Jul 2012
Mabuhay: Philippines Property Show this weekend
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:PropertyGuru’s first ever Philippines Property Show (PPS) 2012 will take place this weekend, 14 to 15 July at the Orchard Hotel Singapore. PPS will be an avenue for developers from the Philippines to showcase their latest projects, many of which offer high...
Continue Reading • 12 Jul 2012
More Singaporeans buying Johor homes despite crime threat
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: A growing number of Singaporeans are buying homes in Johor despite news of them being victims of crimes in the area. According to the Johor-Singapore Community Care Association (JSCA), about 5,000 Singaporeans own homes in Johor. “I see more Singaporeans buying...
Continue Reading • 12 Jul 2012
Buy an island for S$6.4m
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Red Rock Island, a 2.4ha mass of rock located at the northern part of San Francisco Bay, is up for sale at a reduced price of US$5 million (S$6.4 million).The island offers a secluded beach, fishing activity and a view of the San Francisco skyline. According to realtor...
Continue Reading • 11 Jul 2012
Uptick predicted for Vietnam
By Andrew Batt: Improving macroeconomic fundamentals have seen residential property buyers exploring the Vietnamese market for opportunity, although a wide-scale increase in transaction volumes is still someway off, according to new research from CBRE Vietnam.Vietnam’s slow economic...
Continue Reading • 10 Jul 2012
London could face housing crunch
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: London could see a supply shortfall of at least 37,000 homes over the next five years, or a high of 50,000 if the number of new affordable housing projects are not increased, according to a Savills Research report. The shortfall is due to possible limitations which could...
Continue Reading • 10 Jul 2012
Stunning Singapore sales for The Crest
By Andrew Batt:EXCLUSIVE: Thai-listed developer SC Asset sold an incredible 52 units at The Crest Sukhumvit 34 (pictured) during its global launch in Singapore last weekend, underlining the substantial interest in Thailand properties among Singaporean buyers.The 28-storey freehold condominium,...
Continue Reading • 10 Jul 2012
China's property cooling measures a long-term policy
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Following a move by China's central bank to cut interest rates which triggered a rise in property stocks, Premier Wen Jiabao reckons that the country must continue its property tightening measures and prevent prices from rebounding. Controlling property investment and...
Continue Reading • 9 Jul 2012
Property expo picks Phuket
By Andrew Batt: One of Asia’s leading and most successful property exhibition brands will be holding its first event in Thailand later this year.Since 2004, more than 20 SMART International Property and Investment exhibitions (pictured) have been held in Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala...
Continue Reading • 6 Jul 2012
Modern living in a French cave
By Andrew Batt: For an alternative to modern living, this three-bedroom cave home (pictured) in France might be the answer, although don’t expect to have to skimp on the necessities of comfortable living.This well-designed troglodyte home offers stunning views over the Loire Valley that are...
Continue Reading • 2 Jul 2012
Draconian land laws proposed in Thailand
By Andrew Batt: Thailand’s Ombudsman and Auditor-General Siracha Charoenpanij has revealed he is drafting new laws aimed at protecting the Kingdom from illegal foreign nominee ownership of land, with harsh penalties for offenders including deportation for any foreigners found guilty of...
Continue Reading • 29 Jun 2012
London's Providence Tower launches in Singapore
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: UK developer Ballymore Group unveiled its newest London waterfront project – Providence Tower (pictured) in Singapore yesterday, which is expected to provide good investment opportunities for overseas buyers. Designed by Skidmore, Merrill and Owings,...
Continue Reading • 29 Jun 2012