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Aspiring foreign investors must familiarize themselves with the rules and limitations surrounding property ownership in Singapore. Unlike landed properties, purchasing condos is generally less restrictive for foreigners. However, they are still subject to the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) which currently stands at 20% for their initial property acquisition. Despite the added expenses, the steady growth and potential of the Singapore real estate market continue to entice foreign investments. In addition to this, the recent New Condo Launches have also piqued the interest of foreign buyers in the country.

A rare opportunity has arisen for investors with the listing of …

Investors are showing a strong interest in deploying capital into real estate markets in the Asia Pacific region that offer high levels of liquidity, according to Hamish MacDonald, head and chief investment officer of APAC Real Estate at BlackRock. He states that the property sectors most likely to benefit from positive economic conditions this year include accommodation, logistics, and alternative assets. MacDonald also reveals that countries such as Australia, Japan, Singapore, and Auckland in New Zealand are experiencing high levels of liquidity, making them a top priority for BlackRock in 2021.

In contrast to the pessimism of 2022 and 2023, …

If you’ve visited a show flat in recent years, you may have noticed that the unit sizes seem to have gotten smaller. This is no surprise, as our perception of size is relative to what we’re used to. The homes we grew up in, whether HDBs or condos, were generally larger in the 1990s and 2000s. In 1995, the average size of a new condo was 1,272 square feet, which increased to 1,286 square feet in 2005, but then decreased to 858 square feet in 2015. By 2024, the average size had increased to 929 square feet.

This decrease in …

The Ministry of National Development (MND) has recently announced enhancements to the Silver Housing Bonus (SHB) and the Fresh Start Housing Scheme (Fresh Start) during this year’s Committee of Supply debate. These changes are part of the government’s continuous efforts to support senior citizens in downsizing and to improve public housing accessibility for lower-income households living in HDB rental flats.

The SHB aims to encourage senior citizens to better prepare for retirement by reallocating the value locked in their residential assets into their CPF Retirement Account (RA). Currently, eligibility for the SHB requires applicants to be aged 55 and above, …

The Ministry of National Development (MND) has recently announced revisions to the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) regime for licensed housing developers, which will come into effect on March 6. In addition, the ABSD remission timeline for developers undertaking complex projects will be extended from six to 12 months. This revision aims to encourage developers to take on urban transformation developments, optimize land use through intensification or integration, rejuvenate older estates, or adopt new construction technologies.

The extension will apply to projects that fall under four different categories. The first category is en bloc redevelopments that will yield at least …

The Land Transport Authority is currently conducting feasibility studies for two new MRT lines that are expected to be completed in the 2040s. These new lines have the potential to serve more than 400,000 households.

One of these proposed lines, called the Seletar Line, is planned to serve areas such as Woodlands, Sembawang, Sengkang West, Serangoon North, Whampoa, Kallang, and the Greater Southern Waterfront. The second line, tentatively named the Tengah Line, is intended to enhance the transport network in the west and northwest regions by serving areas such as Tengah, Bukit Batok, Queensway, and Bukit Merah.

According to Transport …

Elias Green, a 99-year leasehold condominium located in Pasir Ris, is set to be launched for collective sale by public tender on March 6, as announced by ERA Realty Network, the appointed marketing agent. With a guide price of $928 million, this property holds immense potential for interested buyers.

When contemplating an investment in a condo, it is crucial to also evaluate its potential rental yield. This refers to the annual rental income as a percentage of the property’s purchase price. In Singapore, the rental yield for condos can greatly vary, depending on factors like location, property condition, and market …

The recent tender for the Government Land Sale (GLS) site Media Circle (Parcel A) located in the one-north area closed on March 4. The top bid of $315 million for the 99-year leasehold site was submitted by a consortium comprising Qingjian Realty, Forsea Holdings and minority investor Hoovasun Holding. The site, which is zoned for residential use with commercial space on the first storey, measures 82,125 sq ft and has a land rate of $1,037 psf per plot ratio (ppr). It is estimated to yield about 325 housing units with a maximum gross floor area of 303,865 sq ft.

In …

HPL, a leading property player and hotelier, is making strides in expanding its global presence. The group recently announced its plans to acquire InterContinental Auckland for NZ$180 million ($138.5 million), marking its first asset in New Zealand and second InterContinental hotel acquisition following InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort.

The off-market deal, advised by JLL’s Asia Pacific Hotels & Hospitality Group, is the largest single hotel asset sale ever in New Zealand. It was sold by Precinct Properties, one of New Zealand’s top property developers.

HPL’s latest purchase is in line with their strategy to grow their luxury hospitality portfolio in key …

The Asia Pacific (Apac) real estate market continues to defy expectations, with institutional investments totaling US$83.2 billion ($112 billion) in the second half of 2024. This marks a 6% year-on-year increase, according to research by Colliers. With full-year investments reaching US$155.9 billion, a 12% year-on-year rise, the region’s top nine markets – Australia, Mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand and Taiwan – have displayed remarkable resilience amidst global uncertainties.

Choosing the right location is crucial when investing in real estate in Singapore. It greatly impacts the value of a property and should be carefully considered. …