Daily Archives: 18 Oct 2009

Make a bid for your dream home

Property auctions are another avenue house-hunters can explore

An auction is another marketplace home buyers can check out if they want to widen their property search.

Auctioneer Mary Sai from Knight Frank said the auction method is fast, neat and transparent.

While there may not be as many mortgagee sales – when a bank sells a property it has repossessed because the borrower cannot pay his mortgage – as expected earlier, there are more owners willing to sell via auction.

If you are interested in taking this route you can start by contacting the auction houses to get an idea of the properties on offer.

The main auction houses in Singapore – Colliers International, DTZ, Jones Lang LaSalle and Knight Frank – post their auction dates, venues and available properties online. They usually hold their auctions at Amara Hotel.

Apart from the big boys, there is also CKS, a smaller but long-time player. Recently, new entrants such as Credo Real Estate have also joined the market. Continue reading

Common Defects when Purchasing a Property from a Developer

Common Defects and Remedies when Purchasing a Property from a Developer

Floorplan+key

Interest in private properties has been on the rise in recent years. More and more Singaporeans now aspire to own one. Consumer expectations have also risen, resulting in developers introducing more new design concepts, lifestyle features and materials in order to capture homebuyers’ interest.

As with all things new, there is a keen desire to ensure that no defects are present. However, this is sometimes not so and when it occurs, many are unsure what can be done to get such defects rectified.

The information here is aimed at first-time private-home buyers. It advises them on the possible ways to settle disputes relating to defects when purchasing a property from a developer. The roles and areas of responsibility of the various government agencies are also briefly described, together with those of utility suppliers. Continue reading