In a recent iProperty.com Singapore online survey, 63.1% of 1,000 participants said that they primarily search for properties on the Internet. This compares strongly with the surprisingly low 22.3% of participants who still opt to look for properties in the local newspaper classifieds first. Even fewer participants or 7.3% of them start with their real estate agent first when it comes to buying a...
General
Aspen Heights may be 11 years old, but the massive 606-unit condominium located along River Valley Road has been enjoying a resurgence of interest from homebuyers, riding on strong sales of new developments nearby. After only 15 transactions hovering at the $1,000 psf level in the first half of 2009, more than 30 units have changed hands in 2H2009, with prices surging past $1,400 psf. For the period Dec 23...
The opening of the second phase of the Circle Line MRT in April is definitely something to look forward to for residents living nearby. But those looking to sell or rent their homes are set to benefit as well. Property agents said the opening of the 11 new stations along the Circle Line is likely to push property prices up. Agents MediaCorp spoke to estimate home prices will increase by 10 per cent while...
The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is reviewing its rules to curb speculation and illegal subletting in the public housing market. National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said the move is to ensure prices are not being artificially inflated. The review comes amid fresh concerns over the affordability of public housing sparked off by HDB's latest data that showed resale flat prices continued to...
An office site at Mohamed Sultan Road has been put up for sale by public tender. The Urban Redevelopment Authority said it has accepted an application from a developer to put up the site for sale. Since October 2008, the land parcel was made available for sale through the Reserve List System. Under the system, a site would be released for sale only if a bid with an acceptable minimum price is...
Catalist-listed lifestyle and wellness service provider Mary Chia is expanding into the hotel business. It said it has entered into a joint venture agreement with businessman Lee Boon Leng to set up a firm called Hotel Culture. Hotel Culture's primary business is to operate a hotel, a lifestyle and wellness centre, food and beverage and other hotel-related activities. For a start, Hotel Culture has...
Plans are underway to turn Punggol into Singapore's first eco-town as part of the sustainable development blueprint. The aim is that over the next five years, energy consumption in public areas will go down by up to 30 percent while energy use in households is targeted to decrease by 10 percent. HDB said that as a new town, Punggol is perfect as a test bed for green technologies. These include facilities...
Rising tall from the edge of the Singapore River is Centennia Suites - an iconic landmark with a signature address that makes a bold statement. Not just about the developer and the architect; but also about the people with the means and discernment to call this home. Inspired by the intricate patterns of flowing water, the brilliantly simple and uncluttered contoured architechtural facade conjures up a...
Singapore's National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said public housing in the 21st century must evolve to meet changing needs. But the core mission of the HDB remains unchanged - that of providing Singaporeans with affordable quality homes and building cohesive communities. Speaking at the International Housing Conference in Singapore, Mr Mah noted the HDB will face increasing challenges due to...
The Housing & Development Board (HDB) is considering imposing a quota on Permanent Residents buying resale HDB flats. This could be done in the same way that racial quotas are imposed to prevent ethnic enclaves. The issue came up in a dialogue session on public housing with Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew where questions on affordability and aspirations were brought up. Public housing has come a long...