www.propertyguru.com.sg | 30 Aug 2013

Singapore's household debt during the first quarter was relatively high compared to other Asian countries at 77.2 percent of its GDP, revealed a report from Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

It then comes as no surprise that the government has implemented measures to ensure that Singaporean households do not over-borrow, and also cool the HDB resale market, the report added.  

www.propertyguru.com.sg | 28 Aug 2013

Buyers are being drawn to more affordable and smaller units following the government's latest property cooling measures and stricter loan rules, according to a report from DTZ.

During the second quarter, 2,571 buyers (38 percent) opted to buy homes below S$1 million, higher than the 1,835 buyers (31 percent) in the previous quarter. Purchases between S$1 million to S$1.5 million also increased to 33 percent or 2,265 units in Q2.

Channel News Asia | 27 Aug 2013

SINGAPORE: The government has introduced further measures to stabilise the HDB resale market.

The maximum tenure for HDB housing loans will be reduced from 30 years to 25 years.

It's aimed at ensuring financial prudence in the purchase of public housing and discourage over-consumption.

www.propertyguru.com.sg | 26 Aug 2013

Smaller developers are teaming up as consortiums to leverage on each other's resources when bidding for sites amid stiff market competition, said media reports.According to Donald Han, Managing Director at property consultancy Chestern Singapore, smaller players need to raise more funds "unlike bigger listed developers who have access to a myriad of financing facilities and sources of funds". 

For instance, the recent tender for an executive condominium (EC) site in Yuan Ching Road recorded a top bid of S$418 psf ppr, submitted by a consortium comprising Evia Real Estate, CNH Investment, BBR Development and OKP Land. In 

www.propertyguru.com.sg | 23 Aug 2013

OSIM founder Ron Sim is reportedly selling his good class bungalow (GCB) at Bin Tong Park for S$117 million, which translates to a psf price of around S$2,500. This would set a new record psf price, media reports stated.

The property has an area of about 22,000 sq ft and is located on a hillside slope. The site comprises two plots of freehold land that totals 46,842 sq ft. It features a 25m swimming pool, spa, home theatre, tennis court, private lift, wine cellar and a basement garage for 15 cars. 

Channel News Asia | 22 Aug 2013

SINGAPORE: 74 per cent of Singapore home buyers are delaying their property purchases, and 59 per cent of the respondents surveyed are confident prices will not decline.

According to a recent survey conducted by property website iProperty Group, 60 per cent of the Singapore respondents have called for additional cooling measures. This compares to 27 per cent who do not want further cooling measures.

CNBC | 22 Aug 2013

Singapore's property market is unlikely to be hit too hard by the concerns about an unwinding in U.S. monetary stimulus which are giving Asian asset prices a drubbing, analysts say.

Expectations that the cheap liquidity which has helped boost Asian real estate markets will come to an end with the U.S. Federal Reserve likely to start winding down its monetary stimulus soon have hit Asian risk assets hard. The sell-off in emerging markets this week has been particularly pronounced.

www.propertyguru.com.sg | 21 Aug 2013

With stricter loan requirements set for private property, many buyers are now finding cheaper alternatives in the executive condominium (EC) market, media reports said.  The shift is mainly due to the introduction of the Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) framework, which covers a borrower's total debt repayment including mortgages. Banks now need to ensure that borrowers' total monthly debt repayments do not exceed 60 percent of their gross monthly income.This buying trend became evident when two recent launches reportedly saw bullish sales.

The 495-unit Sea Horizon EC in Pasir Ris was three times oversubscribed

www.propertyguru.com.sg | 20 Aug 2013

The 380-unit Lush Acres executive condominium (EC) project in Sengkang has sold 289 of its units, or 76 percent over the weekend after bookings opened on Saturday.  Developed by City Developments Limited (CDL), the EC comprises four 25-storey towers featuring three- to five-bedroom apartments, with suite and premium options available. Units are going at an average price of S$785 psf or from S$704,000 to S$1.275 million.

Reuters | 20 August 2013

The Singapore government unveiled a master plan yesterday to double capacity at Southeast Asia's busiest airport, build a new waterfront city, move its massive port and relocate a military airbase to free up land for development.

The plan announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (pic)follows mounting discontent in one of the world's wealthiest nations over an influx of foreign workers and expatriates blamed for a range of problems - from strained infrastructure to among the highest living costs in Asia.