Australia's budget a ‘missed opportunity'
by Andrew BattThe Housing Industry Association, the voice of Australia’s residential building industry, has expressed its disappointment that yesterday’s Federal Budget represents a missed opportunity to reinvigorate new home building activity and alleviate the nation's housing...
Continue Reading • 9 May 2012
Indonesia property gains in popularity
by Andrew BattIndonesian property is gaining in popularity with overseas buyers, according to data from one of the U.K.’s leading property portals.The April ‘Top of the Props’ report released by The Move Channel revealed the country is ranked as the 22nd most popular based on...
Continue Reading • 9 May 2012
From a garage to a French chateau
by Andrew BattOur story last week about a London garage which is being sold for a whopping £525,000 (S$1.05 million) made front page news around the world.But at the other end of the scale, what kind of properties can you get for the same amount of money?Trevor Leggett, Managing Director of...
Continue Reading • 9 May 2012
Beijing officials reject 14000 housing applications
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:In line with efforts to tighten the property market, Beijing’s authorities have turned down applications of more than 14,000 families who looked to buy apartments last year.Local officials said the rejections were necessary to curb out-of-control housing prices. The...
Continue Reading • 8 May 2012
China to boost construction of green buildings
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Green buildings will account for 30 percent of China’s new construction projects by 2020, according to an official statement. Jointly released by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the Ministry of Finance, this marks the first time that the...
Continue Reading • 7 May 2012
Architecture award for Phuket's Bluepoint condo
By Andrew Batt: Thailand’s Bluepoint condo development on the island of Phuket, and already a winner at the Asia-Pacific Property Awards has revealed it has won another accolade - this time from Canada.Paul Raff Studio, the architects for Bluepoint, have won an Ontario Association of...
Continue Reading • 3 May 2012
JLL appointed sole agent for Prima Wongamat II
By Andrew Batt:Jones Lang LaSalle has been named the sole sales agent for Prima Wongamat Phase II, a prime resort condominium project in Pattaya by Petch Pattaya Development Co., Ltd. The development is claimed to offer the best value for money for buyers of beachfront condominiums in Pattaya -...
Continue Reading • 3 May 2012
3500 new homes coming into HK market
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Four big projects will supply up to 3,500 new homes in the Hong Kong residential market this month. The launch of the new flats which range from 500 sq ft to 3,000 sq ft is more than last month’s 1,000 new homes. Cheung Kong Holdings will unveil the 850-unit...
Continue Reading • 2 May 2012
Lofty price tag for London garage
By Andrew Batt: A garage in the heart of central London is on sale for a whopping £525,000 (S$1.05 million) - three times the national average house price in the United Kingdom.The freehold double garage, which is located close to Harrods on Rysbrack Street, measures 6.4 metres wide by 4.75...
Continue Reading • 2 May 2012
Time for Singapore investors to consider Vietnam
By Romesh Navaratnarajah: Vietnam’s low interest rates and falling inflation have led to renewed interest from many Singaporean investors, according to a report by Savills. Positive foreign direct investment and well-balanced trade have also helped to strengthen the Vietnamese dong against...
Continue Reading • 30 Apr 2012
Half-price schooling for Phuket condo buyers
By Andrew Batt:Royal Phuket Marina has come up with a nifty marketing ploy to help sell its new family-style condominium development – a 50 percent subsidy on tuition fees for two consecutive years at the nearby British International School.The special offer halves the standard school fees,...
Continue Reading • 26 Apr 2012
Research to examine British buying habits
By Andrew Batt:Manchester Metropolitan University has teamed up with A Place in the Sun to conduct extensive research into the overseas property buying habits of Brits. The first phase of the project saw researchers from the University interview visitors and around 70 exhibitors at the 2012...
Continue Reading • 26 Apr 2012
Speculators blamed for "Phuket sinking" rumour
By Andrew Batt: Real estate speculators have been blamed for spreading rumours that the Thai island of Phuket will sink into the Andaman Sea on April 28.The Director of Thailand’s Environmental Geology Bureau spoke yesterday to quash the rumours. Lertsin Raksasakulwong said: "Phuket...
Continue Reading • 24 Apr 2012
Developers race to build KL's first condo with beach pool
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:With strong competition in the market, three condo developments in Kuala Lumpur are in the race to be the first project offering a beach pool. Bukit Kiara Properties (BKP) has previously promoted its facility as the Versilica Sky Beach (pictured) because the beach pool is...
Continue Reading • 24 Apr 2012
Sales of luxury property in Beijing down 78%
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Beijing’s luxury property market recorded a weaker showing in the first quarter of this year, with some developers presenting poorer financial conditions while others were forced to issue debt notes.According to Colliers International, total sales volume for luxury...
Continue Reading • 24 Apr 2012
Samui sales marks the return of branded residences
By Andrew Batt: While other markets have seen the rapid emergence of branded residences as a fresh growth segment, the Thai island of Koh Samui has been a bit slower to react. But that has changed with the recent sale of one of the most exclusive villas on the island.Minor Property Group, which...
Continue Reading • 23 Apr 2012
Phuket Quake: Property owners advised to do inspections
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Property consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) has advised property owners in Phuket to carefully inspect their properties, following the 4.3-magnitude earthquake that hit on Monday. Most of the luxury resorts and residential properties on the island are following safety...
Continue Reading • 20 Apr 2012
Asians look to UK student property investments
By Andrew Batt: Recent research from CBRE has revealed that more than £246 million (S$510 million) of student housing investment deals were transacted in the United Kingdom during Q1 2012, and this is on the back of a more than 50 percent rise in investments in this property asset class...
Continue Reading • 18 Apr 2012
Thai luxury villa sold for undisclosed price
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Minor Property Group, a Thai developer, has announced the sale of one of its most coveted properties - an exclusive villa at The Estates, Samui (pictured). The two-bedroom Estate Tawan was sold to a Thai national for an undisclosed price. Designed by the renowned...
Continue Reading • 17 Apr 2012
No additional curbs for HK property
By Romesh Navaratnarajah:Despite worries over a looming asset bubble, the Hong Kong government will not likely impose further measures to curb the property market in the near-term.Justin Chiu Kwok-hung, Executive Director at Cheung Kong (Holdings) said the remarks by Financial Secretary John...
Continue Reading • 17 Apr 2012