Daily Archives: 19 Aug 2009

Super-cheap home loans

Two foreign banks offer new low rates in bid to entice mortgage market

TWO foreign banks operating in Singapore have just unveiled rock-bottom home loan deals in a bid to secure a bigger slice of the fast-growing mortgage market amid record private home sales.

Market observers say it is too soon to say if a full-blown mortgage rates war will erupt – but the latest rates are sure to get the attention of home hunters.

One key factor allowing super-cheap mortgages is the fact that a key interbank rate, which influences consumer loan and deposit rates, is tipped to stay at depressed levels well into next year.

The rate – the three-month Singapore interbank offered rate (Sibor) – is hovering at 0.68 per cent, near the all-time low of 0.56 per cent back in June 2003. Continue reading

Sales at an all time high

A STRONG revival in property sentiment has propelled real estate investment sales in Singapore to surge in the second quarter to hit a total of $1.35 billion, according to latest statistics in a report by Colliers International.

This was the highest level achieved since the third quarter of last year, said the property consultancy firm yesterday.

The residential sector made up the bulk of the activity, chalking up some $887.13 million, or 65.8 per cent of the pie.

Besides the flurry of individual transactions in properties such as bungalows and luxury apartments, Colliers attributed the strong showing to the resurgence of en bloc commercial deals.

In particular, the sale of Anson House, Parakou Building and VTB Building has chalked up total sales of $237.38 million during the quarter.

The buildings are bought respectively by a group of high net worth individuals, a Cathay Organisation unit and a joint venture between Yi Kai Continue reading