Tag Archives: Singapore Property

Good demand for residential and industrial property

Industrial and residential projects with affordable prices continue to attract demand.

MCL Land has marketed 150 of the 200 units it has launched at its 414-unit Terrasse condo in Hougang.

“Before we began sales last Saturday (May 21), we had intended to release only 120 units initially. But because demand was strong, we released another 80,” said Koh Teck Chuan, MCL Chief Executive.

The units in the 99-year leasehold, five-storey project are offered at an average price of S$950 psf, with the cheapest unit, a 506 sq ft one-bedroom condo on the second floor, priced at around S$580,000 (S$1,146 psf).

The development also includes two- to four-bedroom units and nine five-bedroom penthouses of approximately 2,217 sq ft, with an indicative price of up to S$1.85 million (S$834 psf) each.

“At most recent launches in the market, enquiries tend to be concentrated on the smallest units but for Terrasse, we’ve seen strong response across the board, including our four-bedders and five-bedroom penthouses,” noted Mr. Koh.

The project’s design provides excellent views of either a water feature or swimming pool, for approximately 80 percent of the units. It will also include a tennis court, a multi-purpose court and three clubhouses.

Meanwhile, NTUC Choice Homes and CEL Development have obtained 520 e-applications for Belysa, their executive condominium (EC) project at Pasir Ris Drive 1 / Elias Road.

The 315-unit, 99-year leasehold project has an average price of S$670 psf and comprises three- and four-bedroom units. The indicative price ranges from S$574,000 for an 829 sq ft three-bedroom unit to S$882,000 for a 1,335 sq ft four-bedroom unit.

In the industrial real estate market, quick sales have been witnessed during the preview of the 60-year leasehold North Spring BizHub at Yishun Industrial Street 1.

According to The Business Times, approximately a third of the 454 units in the seven-storey light and general industrial development were committed or sold.

The robust demand is attributed to the affordable lump sum transaction size. For instance, a 1,539 sq ft unit is offered at a starting price of S$478,000 (approximately S$311 psf). The attractive specifications of the project, including high ceilings and direct vehicular access for up to 40-foot containers for every level, also attracted buyers.

Marketed by Colliers International, the development has smaller units, mostly about 1,500 sq ft to 1,600 sq ft and is priced from S$311 psf upwards. There are also approximately two dozen or so large units (of about 11,000 sq ft to 36,000 sq ft), with prices of approximately S$210 psf upwards.

Source PropertyGuru – 24 May 2011

Property analysts expect shift in housing policy

Property analysts are expecting policy shifts on HDB flats and mass market private homes, with the appointment of Mr Khaw Boon Wan as the new National Development Minister.

They say Mr Khaw is known to be an effective game changer.

With housing affordability as a hot-button topic during the elections, the analysts foresee Mr Khaw as being forceful on this issue, at least early on.

Terence Wong, research co-head at DMG & Partners Securities said he would not be surprised if Mr Khaw shows determination to make housing more affordable for the young.

Colin Tan, research and consultancy director at Chesterton Suntec International, said Mr Khaw has his ‘work cut out for him’.

‘PM Lee did say that the changes will allow for a fresh slate that will look at everything from scratch, so it’s possible that Mr Khaw will look towards reshaping and rethinking policies,’ he added.

The Government may overhaul other policies – including its immigration policy – to prevent a further run-up in prices and to cater to the increasingly squeezed middle class, analysts say.

The aim will be to ensure prices rise – or fall – in line with general economic growth, with a focus on the HDB and mass market segments to ensure affordability, they add.

The Government had already pledged to review the $8,000 income ceiling for buying HDB flats – unchanged for the past 17 years for first-timers.

Nicholas Mak, SLP International research head  said that the Government is unlikely to introduce sweeping measures that would cause a price slump as this would unfairly penalise sellers in the resale market.

However, it might look to bring down prices of new build-to-order HDB flats so as to draw demand away from the resale market and stem further price gains.

Last year, private home prices rocketed 17.6 per cent, while HDB resale prices surged 14.1 per cent, upsetting first-time home owners priced out of the market.

Chesterton’s Mr Tan added that policies focused on helping the middle-income group satisfy their housing aspirations are also likely as the middle class represents ‘mainstream Singapore’.