By Joanne Poh (via moneysmart.sg)
Singapore — 80 per cent of Singaporeans live in HDB flats, and many of us grew up playing with the stray cats in the void deck and trying to imagine the lives of the people in the blocks opposite.
HDB living is part and parcel of life in Singapore and, for most young couples these days, the only remotely affordable way to become a home owner. But it does come with a bunch of trade-offs. Here are five things that aren’t allowed in HDB flats.
By Chen Jingwen, via asiaone.com
Here’s a warning for buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants.
Don’t get sucked in by the tricks of unscrupulous property agents which have become rife in an overly competitive trade following the cooling of the market in recent years.
According to an ABC report, Macro Realty Developments Pte Ltd is controlled by Australian Veronica Macpherson (picture) and received over A$110 million (S$119 million), mostly from Singaporean and Malaysian investors. (via asiaone.com)
PETALING JAYA – Singaporean police are investigating a property company believed to be involved in a ponzi scheme that conned hundreds of Malaysians investors out of millions.
According to an ABC report, the company is controlled by Australian Veronica Macpherson and received over A$110 million (S$119 million), mostly from Singaporean and Malaysian investors.
SINGAPORE — The protracted downtrend in Singapore’s property market is poised to end next year, with home prices set to double by 2030, Morgan Stanley said in a Wednesday note. “Property market bears expect slower population growth, an ageing population, and a structural growth slowdown to weigh on the long-term property market outlook,” the note said. “We disagree and believe home prices will double by 2030.”
That implies a 5 to 6 per cent increase per annum and would mark a reversal from a long downtrend in home prices.
SINGAPORE — Singapore’s premier three-generation (3Gen) flats launched in 2013 to 2015, to help multi-generation households live under one roof, has seen an average take-up rate of 83 per cent – or 651 of 786 units being booked. The 115 sq m flats come with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, two of which are en-suite, to give their occupants more privacy and comfort.
Singapore will continue to participate in other free trade initiatives even as the major trade pact known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) hits a snag with the US’ withdrawal. – asiaone.com
Singapore is the 7th least corrupt country in the world, according to Transparency International’s latest annual review. The island city-state moved up one spot from 8th in 2015 to 7th this year in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2016. However, it’s score of 84 points was one lower than last year, according to Transparency International’s report, which draws on a mix of business and government sources for its rankings.
Singapore was also the only Asian state to make the top ten of least corrupt countries.
SINGAPORE — An ultra-luxury apartment with a sea view at Sentosa Cove has made the largest loss in the property market so far this year.
Originally bought for $11 million in 2011, the condominium unit at Seascape was sold for $6.35 million in October at a loss of $4.65 million.
