Daily Archives: 27 Sep 2009

‘We are creating our own housing bubble.’

WEDNESDAY’S editorial, ‘Watching HDB price behaviour, sensibly’, suggested that the sudden spurt in private property prices since July has boosted HDB values.

That may be true but may not the reverse also be true, that is, that HDB values have also boosted private property prices?

In some HDB estates, the prices of four- and five-room flats have risen by $100,000 or more over the past six years. How

will this not affect property prices in general?

The HDB says its flats are highly subsidised, which I understand to be more a case of discount on commercial prices.

However, as there is no developer of public housing except the HDB, from where are such commercial prices drawn?

The editorial made another excellent point, urging buyers to exercise their democratic right not to pay a premium by considering non-prime townships.

Perhaps the democratic right would be better exercised by demanding that the HDB build more smaller flats so buyers are not saddled with a lifetime of debt. Continue reading

No such thing as ’standard’ commission in property deals

I REFER to yesterday’s Forum Online letter by Ms Medalina Barber, ‘Property rules should protect not just clients but agents too’.

We take this opportunity to clarify that there are no standard commission guidelines for estate agency services in Singapore. Commission fees payable to estate agents are a matter for private negotiation between them and their clients.

Often, what the agent means by ’standard’ is that the commonly collected commission from the seller is 2 per cent, for example. While some latitude may be given to the estate agent’s use of the expression ’standard’, it should not be represented that 2 per cent is what a seller should pay for an estate agency’s services. There is no prescribed scale of fees.

It is recommended that consumers enter into a written contract with an estate agent only after agreeing on the commission fee payable for a specified scope of services.

Dr Tan Tee Khoon
Chief Executive Officer
Singapore Accredited Estate Agencies

Source : Straits Times – 26 Sep 2009