Tag Archives: Ho Bee

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

Credit Suisse says bid spread shows developers wary

SHARP differences in bid prices offered by developers in the latest Urban Redevelopment Authority tender for a residential-commercial site at Yio Chu Kang suggest that the Government’s recent measures to cool the housing market are starting to take effect, said financial services firm Credit Suisse.

The tender closed on Thursday, drawing a total of 12 bids – one short of the 13 bids for two previous sites on the Reserve List of the Government Land Sales programme.

Credit Suisse notes that other than Far East Organization, which submitted the top bid of $119.08 million or $376 per sq ft per plot ratio (psf/ppr), other developers were more subdued, putting in bids at $154-278 psf/ppr.

Far East’s bid was 35 per cent above the second highest bid of $278 psf/ppr put in by Centurion RE.

“Hence, we believe the Government’s measures to cool the residential market announced on Monday did have an impact: Developers are more wary and selective, given there would be more supply,” Credit Suisse said in a research note.

Other bidders include Frasers Centrepoint, Ho Bee, Sim Lian Land and Soilbuild.

Although Credit Suisse believes that developers will continued to bank land for mass market residential sites as the end demand remains strong, “potential Government supply may cap prices” as sites on the Confirmed List will be released in the first half of next year.

Source : Today Online – 19 Sep 2009