Friday, April 20, 2012

Singapore home sales to foreigners dive 78pc, says paper

SINGAPORE, April 20 — Sales of Singapore residential properties to foreign buyers tumbled 78 per cent in the first quarter after a government decision in late 2011 to apply a higher stamp duty to prevent the market from overheating, a newspaper reported today.
There were only 293 transactions in the first three months of 2012 compared with 1,358 in the previous quarter, according to a Straits Times report that cited analysts at property broker Dennis Wee Group.
The figure does not include sales to permanent residents, or Singaporean citizens.
Transactions by permanent residents slipped 7.5 per cent while purchases by Singaporeans fell 12 per cent.
New private home sales in Singapore eased in March from February but remained high compared with historical data, indicating continued strong demand for apartments in the city-state despite market-cooling measures.
Singapore home prices fell 0.1 per cent in January-March from the preceding quarter — the first drop in nearly three years — following government measures to discourage speculative demand. — Reuters

槟政府保护本地人利益 提高外国人购房产价格


(槟城19日讯)槟州首席部长林冠英宣布,槟州政府提议,把外国人在槟岛购买房产的最低价格,从现有的50万令吉,增加至100万令吉,而有地房产的最低价格则为200万令吉,至于永久居民的房产购买价维持在最低50万令吉。
他说,槟州是全马首个提出这项建议的州属,即计划把外国人在槟岛购买房产的最低价格,从现有的50万令吉,增加至100万令吉及有地房产的最低价格则为200万令吉。
他说,作为保护本地人利益的措施,州政府作出这项提议。
“在2010年及2011年,分别有774及890槟州的房产买卖涉及外国人。这些买卖占了总房产交易的2.98%及2.26%。 不过,为了保护本地人的利益,让他们可以购买不那么昂贵的房产,这项限制能够提供公平竞争机会,因为外国人往往能从高价值的货币中得益。”
他希望各方提呈建议,州政府希望在2012年6月1日或最迟在2012年7月1日执行这项计划。
交通拥挤住宅安全人人有屋  3居住问题有待解决
首长林冠英说,在槟州有3项居住问题需要可持续发展的都市问题解决方案,第一为交通拥挤。第二人类居住地的保护需要严厉执法及限制山坡发展、第三为提供可负担房屋。
他是于周四在合您广场的人类居住地纪录片“城市化”放映会上,致词中如此指出。
他说,在交通拥挤问题上,不幸的是,这是过去18年来政策失败及领袖漠视的结果,不是一朝一夕可以解决的。
他透露,州政府通过槟岛市政局和威省市政局采取了一些措施,短期措施为强制性锁车轮及移走阻碍交通的交通工具、让交通灯同步、重新规划交通流向,中期措施为加宽道路及建筑物的避车道,把道路与交通连接起来,以及长期措施:为进行四项基础建设,以提供四条通道的高速公路,连接严重塞车地方,包括连接关仔角和北海海底隧道。
公共交通 最有效改善阻塞
他指出,槟州民联政府也资助了320万令吉的槟州交通大蓝图。虽然已有交通顾问提呈了两份计划书,一些不负责任的人士却责怪州政府不理会交通大蓝图、或说民联政府没有发展公共交通。
他强调,州政府认同公共交通是最明显、最有效地改善交通阻塞问题的方式,这个原则就是“移动人,而不是移动交通工具”,但不幸的是,州政府没有公共交通控制权,那是联邦政府的权限,州政府完全没有权力,不能制订的士的计费表、就连州政府自掏腰包要巴士公司提供免费服务的权力也没有。
他续透露,交通大蓝图顾问意识到州政府的权力有限,所以他们提出两项建议,第一项建议为130亿令吉的平衡公共交通计划,这假定获得联邦政府的全面支持和协助,第二项建议为125亿高速公路作为应对计划,兴建7条高速公路,包括州政府的四项基础建设,而这是联邦政府如果不合作、不帮忙的情况下的应对计划。
他说,到目前为止,联邦政府还没有兑现他们在2008年大选的承诺,兴建轻快铁或交替公路。
“换句话说,交通顾问建议增加7条高速公路,比州政府建议的还多。”
州政府有权力 限定州内房地产价格
槟州首席部长林冠英强调,在限定州内房地产价格方面,是属于州政府的权力,连联邦政府在这方面也需要征求州政府的批准。
他说,这是因为房地产涉及土地的问题,联邦政府实施任何有关的条例,也需要州政府给予批准。
他透露,在这之前,联邦政府把外国人购买房地产最低价格从25万令吉提高至50万令吉,州政府也给予批准,而如果联邦政府不同意槟州政府建议把有关最低价从50万令吉提高至100万令吉,州政府也愿意聆听有关的反对意见。
他续强调,槟州是全马首个州属把外国人购买房地产价格从底价50万令吉提高至100万令吉,即在槟岛,外国购买非有地房地产,最低的价格为100万令吉,有地房地产的价格,槟岛为200万令吉,威省则保持为100万令吉。
他不认为槟州政府有关的建议将影响大马我的第二家园计划,因为在此计划下,槟州政府将考虑一些特别的例子,不过它是以个案作出考虑。
他说,只要参与这项计划者提出上诉,州政府将会考虑,然后作出决定。
他指出,有关的建议除了为了阻止房地产投机活动外,也是为本地人民提供优先购买房地产的机会。
他继透露,槟州政府全面的房屋计划,除了峇都加湾外,也将在州内其它地区,包括槟岛实行,而州政府将会作出公布。
他是于周四在槟城合您广场GSC戏院举行的人类居住地纪录片“城市化”放映会过后,在一项新闻发布会上,受记者询问时,如此指出。
他说,虽然槟州房屋局已成立,但目前却在实行上面对问题,因为公共服务局不至今仍未给予批准。
他指出,公共服务局已实行冻结的指令,但在实际上,该房屋局职员的薪酬将由州政府支付,并非联邦政府,因为槟州政府在财务上已取得盈馀。
他称,由于公共服务局的冻结,所以槟州政府在实行州房屋局计划上,至今不能取得任何的进展,
在槟州交通问题上,林冠英强调,槟州政府需要联邦政府的批准及赋予权力,在很多时候,槟州政府是有苦说不出口,但虽然如此,它也不会什么也不做,因为它不是一个什么都不做的政府。
他透露,因此,槟州交通大蓝图的顾问提出两项建议,而槟州政府将实行的模式,将比公共交通系统的耗资较少。
Image Farm纪录片影片节获4奖
槟州影片制作公司Image Farm在去年国家电影发展局的纪录片影片节上嬴获4项奖项,槟州首席部长林冠英于周四在人类居住地纪录片“城市化”放映会上,颁发500令吉奖金及奖状予有关的影片制作公司。
在有关的影片节中,Image Farm是分别赢得最佳纪录片银奖,最佳导演奖,最佳历史奖及评判特别奖。
赢得最佳导演奖的是该公司的陈湘菁,而摄影指导则是陈建鸿。
林冠英希望该公司在大马获奖后,未来也能在国际中赢奖,为槟州争取更大的光荣。
严格限制监督 民联未批准山坡发展
“在人类居住地的保护需要严厉执法及限制山坡发展方面,民联政府在任期间,从未批准任何山坡发展,并要求地方政府严格遵守,两个地方政府告诉我,现有的山坡发展计划,都是前朝政府批准的。”
他补充,不幸的这些前朝政府批准的计划,在法律上依然有效,通常我们不能停止已批准工程的程序。做为一个法治政府,现任政府必须遵守法律、尊重已批准的事项,即使那是前朝政府批准的。
他认为,因此,那些想到责怪州政府进行山坡发展计划的人士,必须首先解释为何他们当初批准这些计划。
政府私人界联手 为民供可负担房屋
首长指出,在提供可负担房屋方面,槟州民联政府会继续规划全盘计划来为槟州人民提供可负担房屋,不只是政府,私人界也将涉及。
他透露,过去4年,州政府一直在筹集资金,以及已经获得一笔5亿令吉的初始基金,并在峇都加湾卫星市分配地段兴建1万2000个单位,但槟州政府也将建议更多类似的计划,包括槟岛。
护民利益兼房屋市场 陈福星满意州政府提议
对于槟州政府提议调高外国人在槟岛置产底价,从现有的50万提高至100万令吉;有地房屋则提高至200万令吉,马来西亚房地产发展商公会槟州分会主席拿督陈福星表示,州政府的这项提议是为了槟岛人民利益及保护槟岛的房屋市场。
另外,他指出,不是每项发展工程都获外国人青睐,许多外国人愿意到槟城投资是因为对本地房地产市场有信心,大家都认为槟岛是个适合居住的地方。
“近年来,许多飞往槟城的航班不断的增加,而且旅客也不断的涌入槟城旅游,这证明了大家对槟城有信心。在大节日的时候槟城的各大酒店都出现爆满现象。”
他表示,如果一个州属拥有良好经济前景,那么州内的房地产价将会随着提升。
倪传鹏冀房地产更正面发展
著名产业估价师倪传鹏说,对于州政府的这项提议,他感到非常惊喜,因为槟州是第一个州属作出这项提议。他也希望一旦落实调高外国人在槟岛置业底价,能使到槟城房地产有更正面的发展走势。-光华

Rumah Untuk Dijual / beli di Pulau Pinang

* Sesiapa yang berminat untuk menjual dan membeli rumah di Pulau Pinang dialu-alukan untuk menghubungi saya dengan secepat mungkin. Dijamin perkhidmatan profesional akan diberikan. Terima Kasih.

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Tanah Dikehendaki Di Pulau Pinang

* Sesiapa yang berminat untuk menjual dan membeli tanah di Pulau Pinang dialu-alukan untuk menghubungi saya dengan secepat mungkin. Dijamin perkhidmatan profesional akan diberikan. Terima Kasih.

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Prices climbing even higher


Despite talk that the condo market on Penang island may experience slowing demand due to new supply and unsold units of previous launches, we highlight five developments that seem to prove otherwise.
RECENTLY the vivacious director of a public-listed company remarked that almost everyone she meets on the social circuit these days, is a “property developer”.
“It seems that everyone I bump into at a social event is calling themselves a developer,” said the immaculately-dressed boss of a property group, referring to those in the manufacturing sector and in the service industry.
Seemingly, anyone of any financial standing is jumping on the property bandwagon and coming up with boutique developments regardless of their experience or track record.
Her remark struck me as being profoundly true and indicative of another promising trend for the ambitious. But at the back of my mind, was the spectre of abandoned projects.
Right in town: The Icon Residence has four condo towers between 24 and 30 storeys.
When I mentioned this remark to the CEO of an international property agency, he sheepishly admitted that he too, has a small share in a property venture.
His reckoning is that, with the pooling of resources with like-minded talent and with the right piece of land and concept, one really can’t go wrong. And looking at his project’s location, architectural concept and selling price, he may be on the right track.
Batu Ferringhi
And speaking of trends, Penang island continues to attract property buyers despite escalating prices, and consequently, more developments. Despite the fact that the Tanjung Tokong-Tanjung Bungah-Batu Ferringhi stretch of road is always congested with traffic during festive seasons, the north-eastern part of the island continues to attract holiday-makers and property investors.
In fact, the most expensive condo development on the island is on Batu Ferringhi beach, next to Hard Rock Hotel.
The By The Sea luxury development comprising 138 suites undertaken by SDB Properties (a subsidiary of Selangor Dredging Bhd) is commanding over RM1,400 psf for the sea-facing units. This residential development is SDB’s maiden project in Penang.
A lower-level unit which spans 107sq m (1,160sq ft) is available at RM1,723,000 or RM1,485 psf. But executive suites of 282 sq m (3,038sq ft) each, are available for RM3,489,000 or under RM1,200 psf.
The project is a commercial development and involves 1.9ha of freehold land.
Farquhar Road
Luxurious: The RM250mil Rice Miller development in Weld Quay is AGB’s maiden project.
The high price level of By The Sea may yet be topped by YTL Land & Development Bhd’s Shorefront condominium project. Soon to be launched, the latest word is that the premium units will top RM1,500 psf. This is also YTL’s first property development in Penang.
Sited next to the E&O Hotel along Farquhar Road in George Town, the initial proposal of 75 duplex units on six storeys, is being revised right now.
Originally, the plan was to have low-rise condominium units of between 345sq m and 380sq m (3,720sq ft to 4,100sq ft) — with only two units on each floor.
Word has it that some of the 380sq m units will likely be halved to become smaller units. But overall, the total number of units will stay below 100 to maintain exclusivity.
At present, the indicative selling price is between RM1,200 and RM1,500 psf. What’s most attractive about this development is the location. The 1.2ha of freehold land next to the sea is one of the best spots in the city.
Weld Quay
Also, located in George Town is another interesting high-priced development that capitalises on Penang’s colonial architecture. While the larger residential units are selling about RM1,250 psf, the smallest units surprisingly even exceed RM1,400 psf.
Located in Weld Quay, within the Unesco World Heritage site in George Town, the RM250mil Rice Miller mixed-development project offers another luxury living option. This development — in the old harbour area — is said to be modelled after other waterfront developments such as in Boston, New York, Baltimore, London and Sydney.
Undertaken by Asian Global Business Sdn Bhd (AGB), the development is sited on four adjoining parcels of freehold land totalling 1.2ha.
Spearheaded by AGB chairman Kate Lim and managing director Dr Noraini Abdullah, this maiden property development includes a serviced-residence component plus a boutique hotel with 48 suites, two office buildings, retail space as well as food and beverage outlets. The concept is colonial architecture with modern amenities.
Lim is the great-granddaughter of Lim Choo Guan (1884-1901), who is better known as Phuah Hin Leong, a pioneering and wealthy rice miller in Penang. Puah was also the grandfather of former ambassador and illustrious lawyer Tan Sri P.G. Lim.
Touted as low-density, the Rice Miller City Residences will comprise 99 serviced residences within two residential blocks of five-storey height.
With 16 layout designs, the units range from studio homes to one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units as well as duplexes. The built-up areas range between 71sq m and 322sq m (766sq ft and 3,472sq ft). The units are priced between RM1.13mil and RM3.7mil.
When opened, the Rice Miller Hotel will reportedly charge RM1,000 a night for its luxury suites of 51sq m (550sq ft).
Tanjong Tokong
Meanwhile, Eastern & Oriental Bhd (E&O) has been in the news quite a bit recently. Property-wise, the company has just launched its Andaman at Quayside condominium project in Seri Tanjung Pinang, Tanjong Tokong, at an average price of RM1,200 psf.
However, only Tower 1F of the three residential tower blocks is open for sale. There will be a second launch in July. Other phases will eventually include four more residential towers.
Located within the 8.5ha Quayside resort development, Andaman at Quayside takes up 2.6ha of the freehold land and is near a marina at Straits Quay. The architectural firm for the project is GDP Architects.
Among the unique attractions at the Quayside development is a 1.8ha private waterpark designed by Seattle-based landscape architects at Geyer Coburn Hutchins.
From the how units, its seems that the,two-bedroom Type D (190sq m / 2,046sq ft) layout offers a more luxurious feel, especially with the two equally spacious bathrooms. And the extra large balcony is a bonus.
The other layout options include two types of one-bedroom suites (85sq m and 105sq m / 914sq ft and 1,127sq ft) and another one-plus-one bedroom unit as well as two types of three-bedroom suites (258sq m and 262sq m / 2,776sq ft and 2,824sq ft).
Batu Maung
For more affordable condos, we have to look further afield. On another part of the island, in Batu Maung, is Mah Sing’s Southbay Development. The site spans 35.6 ha (88 acres) of freehold land and comprises three main components:
Southbay City (on 14ha, the commercial and tourism component will include residential suites, mall, Grade A office units, hotel and resort);
Legenda @ Southbay (on 11.2ha, there will be 76 resort bungalow units of three- and four-storey height. Built-ups are from 600sq m or 6,460sq ft); and
Residence @ Southbay (on 10.4ha, a total of 284 super-linked houses of three-storey height have been built and sold. Built-up is from 290sq m or 3,130sq ft).
Within Southbay City, the Southbay Plaza project is one of the eight parcels of development and comprises retail outlets and residential suites, which have yet to be launched. It is now open for preview for early birds. The residential suites offer a total of 206 units, while the retail outlets number 47 units. The average cost is RM568 psf.
38 projects
Of late, Mah Sing has been phenomenally active. To date, the Mah Sing Group is involved in 38 property developments. It has completed six projects and is currently selling 16 projects while working on launching 11 more. Five more projects are in the planning stages.
Besides, the Southbay projects mentioned earlier, its Penang developments include Icon Residence and Ferringhi Residence. The latter involves low-rise condo villas and high-rise resort condominiums. The Ferringhi site is accessed via Jalan Sungai 1 (opposite the Parkroyal Hotel) off Jalan Batu Ferringhi.
Located at Pykett Avenue in George Town, Icon Residence involves 1.3ha and offers waterfront living. There are four condo towers between 24 and 30 storeys. There are six layout options ranging from 120sq m to 325sq m (1,300sq ft to 3,500sq ft) at an average cost of RM700 psf.
But it is in the Klang Valley, where Mah Sing has been most visible. Its latest projects include:
M City, Jalan Ampang, KL (Phase 1, 401 SoHo units at RM919 psf have sold out. Phase 2, 546 serviced apartments at RM1,080 psf have sold 40%);
Icon City, PJ (The Icon Residence will be launched in May. The 249 units of the residential tower will have an average price of RM830 psf. And the Central Park and Gourmet Street shops totalling 20 units will sell for RM1,200 psf this weekend);
Ambrosia @ Kinrara Residence, Puchong (a new launch of 79 executive bungalows of 521sq m [5,608sq ft]. Prices from RM2.93mil with an average of RM486 psf);
M Residence, Rawang (a new launch of 6.7m by 23m [22ft x 80ft] double-storey, linked houses with a built-up of 221sq m [2,380sq ft]. Total of 165 units with 75% sold. Average cost is RM241 psf);
Icon Residence, Mont’ Kiara, KL (residential tower with 260 serviced apartments costing between RM1,200 and RM1,300 psf. Some 40% has been sold); and
Aman Square 2 @ Aman Perdana, Klang (two- and three-storey shops and office suites).
So, if you are keen on the property industry and looking for new job opportunities, Mah Sing is one company that is definitely going somewhere — fast. - The Star
Visit www.starproperty.my for updates on the prime projects mentioned in the article. 

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Maica Court - Big Apartment, Small Budget

* 1,800sf
* Very near to Gurney Plaza
* Low density
* Fully furnished
* 5 air conditioners
* 3 + 1 rooms
* Priced to rent
* View to appreciate


Concerns over floor price hike for residential properties


PETALING JAYA: Some property consultants are not in favour of a potential move to increase the floor price of residential property for foreign buyers from RM500,000 to RM1mil.
They said such a move would not affect the increasing prices of ordinary homes, and might deter foreigners from investing or working in Malaysia.
Property consultancy Rahim & Co executive chairman Datuk Abdul Rahim Rahman said Malaysia needed foreigners to be part of its work force as the country progresses to become a high-income nation by 2020.
“Such a move would reduce the number of residential property purchases by foreigners. Personally, I do not think that foreign purchases have contributed very much to the rise in prices of ordinary homes although it did affect the prices of luxury homes or apartments in the KLCC area, initially,” he said on the sidelines of the 22nd National Real Estate Convention.
The convention is jointly organised by the Association of Valuers, Property Managers, Estate Agents and Property Consultants in the Private Sector Malaysia (PEPS) and The Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia.
PEPS president Choy Yue Kwong was of the opinion that even at the present RM500,000 floor price, many foreign residents did not find it easy to buy homes. “The focus seemed to be on the upper-income bracket (foreign residents). But people forget that many foreigners are just ordinary professionals and workers.”
The 2011 property market report, compiled by the Finance Ministry's Valuation and Property Services Department, had noted that the demand for units priced above RM500,000 had increased nationwide, with 21,905 transactions last year (compared with 16,782 in 2010). “This could be attributed to the increase in affordability level and supported by the ease in borrowing as well as attractive loan packages offered by the financial institutions,” it said.
On residential property values, Abdul Rahim said overall prices should stabilise this year due to credit-tightening measures by banks.
HwangDBS Vickers Research said there would be minimal impact to the property sector from the potential move, as “foreigners usually buy high-end properties (Johor is more vulnerable, given its lower property prices and higher dependence on Singaporeans).”
The research unit noted in a report that recently, developers had been holding back or scaling down launches and setting more reasonable selling prices, after 10% to 20% hikes in 2010 and the first half of 2011. “Although mortgage approvals and applications rebounded in February this year, after the sharp drop in January (partly due to festive holidays), they are 27% and 18% off 2011's peak respectively.” - The Star

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Property continues climb


The price of homes expected to advance 5% to 10% this year
PETALING JAYA: Overall price appreciation for residential properties is expected to range between 5% and 10% this year, according to CIMBResearch.
In a report, the research unit said residential properties' price appreciation could be even higher but it believed that the Government would continue to remain vigilant on “runaway” property prices.
CIMB Research said in terms of house price appreciation, despite the slower real GDP (gross domestic product) growth projection of 3.8% compared with 5.1% in 2011, it believed that 2012 would be another good year due to several factors.
“Buying momentum continued to be strong, driven by inflationary fears.
“Supply growth should remain depressed as developers have only just started to focus more on affordable homes costing not more than RM500,000 in the Klang Valley.
“Major infrastructure improvements in the Klang Valley such as the MRT (My Rapid Transit), River Rehabilitation and covered walkway projects will help boost property prices.”
CIMB Research said although the residential property market would continue to set new records in 2012, it was expected that there would be a slowdown in the increase in overall transaction values in 2012 after two years of high growth that averaged around 30%.
“In view of credit-tightening measures by the central bank, we believe that the growth in transaction value should slow to 10% to 12% this year.”
CIMB Research noted that in 2011, the growth of residential property supply in Malaysia fell to 1.5%, which was the lowest on record.
The slowdown in supply growth was most pronounced in the big three markets (Johor, Penang and Klang Valley), which recorded an average growth of 1.2%.
The only states to buck the slowing trend were Terengganu, Kelantan and Perlis.
“If supply growth continues to lag behind population growth, house prices can only head in one direction.”
It was noted that major developers such as SP Setia BhdUEM Land Holdings BhdMah Sing Group Bhd and UOA Development Bhd were all gunning for sales records this year and growth rates ranging from 10% to 35%.
It was also pointed out that the risks to CIMB Research's volume and price projections for 2012 included the global economic outlook and the local stock market performance.
However, CIMB Research is not optimistic about the commercial property market in the Klang Valley as oversupply will plague the sector for many years to come.
It noted that occupancy rates for the office and retail sector had started to drop.
Meanwhile, future supply of hotel rooms (under construction) in the Klang Valley is likely to depress occupancy rates in the coming years.
According to CIMB Research, UOA Development would be the biggest winner in a Klang Valley property boom as the company has no exposure elsewhere.
The research unit is also optimistic about the prospects for Johor, particularly Nusajaya, as 2012 would see the completion of various catalyst projects.
“The biggest beneficiaries of a property boom in Johor would be UEM Land due to its vast holdings in Nusajaya and SP Setia which is the dominant developer in the state.”
CIMB Research maintained its “trading buy” call on the property sector, but pointed out that property stocks could be sold down heavily in the event of an unfavourable general election outcome. - The Star

Monday, April 16, 2012

Seri Tanjung Pinang Courtyard Terrace - Put a Smile on Your Face

* Located at Tanjung Tokong, near Tesco Hypermarket
* Near all amenities
* Land Area: 24 x 80 feet
* Guarded
* Quiet & peacefully environment
* One of the most sought after property in Penang
* Near Strait Quay, new happening place in Penang
* Tastefully renovated & furnished
* Priced to rent : RM4,500 per month



Putra Place - A Place Calls Home

* Near Queensbay Mall & Bayan Lepas Industrial Estate
* Built-up: Abt 1,000 square feet
* Easy to rent out in addition of good rental
* Full condo facilities
* Furnished
* 2 covered car parks
* Priced to sell : RM450K
* Priced to rent : RM1,600