Category Archives: Developers

Developers seek more affordable sites

DEVELOPERS are in talks with the Government, seeking an increase in the supply of affordable sites across the island for mass- to mid-market projects.

Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore (Redas) president Simon Cheong said yesterday that a good spread of such sites would lead to less aggressive bidding, which would in turn mean greater affordability for home buyers.

Recent bidding for some land, including far-flung sites, has been more aggressive than usual with sites seeing a dozen or more bids from developers amid booming demand.

This tends to drive up the price of the land, which then filters down to higher unit prices when the condo goes on sale.

Redas is in discussions with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) for the release of a wider spread of sites under its Government Land Sales Programme.

This means not just suburban sites near MRT stations, but also those further afield, so that developers have a variety of sites to bid for.

The programme’s confirmed list of sale sites, which was suspended late last year when the market was in the doldrums, will resume next year – a government move to increase the supply of new sites and cool rising prices. Continue reading

Developers ready to launch, but may hold their fire

Many looking at market conditions, competition before deciding launch date

DEVELOPERS are busy getting projects launch ready. However, whether they release them by this year’s end or next year will depend on market conditions, ‘ground feedback’ from potential buyers and the segment of the market the projects are in.

Far East Organization began previewing its Alba condo at Cairnhill Rise this week. The property giant is believed to have released 18 units up to the seventh floor of the 18-storey freehold condo, which has a total 50 units. The 18 units range from 1,862 to 2,250 sq ft.

Under the project’s ‘white plan’, Far East can customise apartment layouts to suit buyers’ preferences. The developer told BT that prices start from $2,400 psf. Alba comprises a single Y-shaped tower; most floors will have three units per floor although there are two levels in the development with just one unit per floor.

Oxley Land also began previewing Suites@Guillemard at Lim Ah Woo Road yesterday. The five-storey freehold project comprises 72 units, of which 45 are smallish one-bedders of 258-527 sq ft. The smallest unit is said to have been snapped up at about $400,000. As of 6pm yesterday, more than 50 units in the project were said to have been sold. The average price is believed to be about $1,000 psf. No interest absorption scheme (IAS) was offered. Continue reading