1. Art and Diseño

29th Jan (Thu)
Real Estate
Daily News
2015
Daily News & Views
Singapore Economy
Sibor rises as MAS eases monetary policy
Some mortgage repayments will hurt a little more after a benchmark interest rate here rose yesterday, as
the central bank made a surprise move to tweak its exchange rate policy. The three-month Singapore
Interbank Offered Rate (Sibor) is used to set many floating-rate home loans here. Banks add their margin to
Sibor for these loans.
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/top-the-news/story/sibor-rises-mas-eases-monetary-policy20150129#sthash.pZLoYePl.dpuf
Singapore Real Estate
Completed condo prices down 1.2% in Dec: NUS index
Prices of completed non-landed private homes in Singapore fell 1.2 per cent in December from November,
based on flash estimates from the National University of Singapore (NUS) for its Overall Singapore
Residential Price Index (SRPI). R'ST Research director Ong Kah Seng said this was within expectations, given
the slow festive year-end coupled with the continued loan curbs under the total debt servicing ratio (TDSR)
framework.
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/completed-condo-prices-down-12-in-dec-nus-index
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/resale-prices-of-private/1620658.html
Gloomy outlook for shoebox units as their numbers rise
The resale prices of shoebox flats rose 0.5 per cent last month after dipping 2 per cent in November but
they were still well down over the course of the year, according to a new report yesterday. Shoebox units defined as up to 506 sq ft in size - fell in value by about 4 per cent last year but that was still the smallest
decline in the four segments of completed non-landed private homes covered in an index complied by the
National University of Singapore.
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/money/story/gloomy-outlook-shoebox-units-their-numbers-rise20150129#sthash.BCsDZnSa.dpuf
Buying S'pore or HK property? Watch Fed moves
Investors seeking to buy property in Singapore or Hong Kong this year may be better off listening to US
Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen than a real estate agent. The Fed is widely expected to raise interest
rates sometime in the second half of 2015 as the US economy improves and inflation remains benign.
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/buying-spore-or-hk-property-watch-fed-moves
Tenants opt for shorter leases as rents slide
More tenants are opting for shorter leases in hopes of scoring a better deal as rentals continue to slide.
Property agents and analysts said the trend started to pick up last year as the rental market started to
soften. The rental index for private homes fell by 3 per cent for the whole of 2014, while that of public flats
dropped by 2.1 per cent.
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore/story/tenants-opt-shorter-leases-rents-slide20150129#sthash.LlptwW0l.dpuf
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Daily News & Views
MOM steps up checks on construction sites
The Manpower Ministry has started a three-week enforcement blitz to stamp out unsafe workplace
practices at more than 200 construction sites. The initiative comes after investigations into eight deaths in
January last year showed contractors were rushing work and disregarding key safety procedures to meet
deadlines before the Chinese New Year break.
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore/story/mom-steps-checks-construction-sites20150129#sthash.SzYBLVIC.dpuf
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mom-launches-construction/1620998.html
Need design ideas for your HDB flat? Check out My Nice Home
Flat buyers can now get design ideas from the Housing Board's show flats in the My Nice Home Gallery,
which was launched at the HDB Hub in Toa Payoh yesterday. Located on the third floor, the gallery was
previously known as the HDB Habitat Forum. Its two- to five-room flats have now been renovated with
modern themed interiors.
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore/story/need-design-ideas-your-hdb-flat-check-out-mynice-home-20150129#sthash.2TCPsVNZ.dpuf
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/hdb-revamps-showflat/1620508.html
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/hdbs-revamped-showflats-include-studio-apartment-eco-features
Companies’ Brief
CDLHT declares 3.13¢ DPS for Q4, eyes more Japan assets
CDL Hospitality Trust (CDLHT), which on Wednesday posted a 7.2 per cent rise in distribution per stapled
security (DPS) to 3.13 cents for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2014, is eyeing more hotel assets in Japan
following the acquisition of its first two hotels there last month.
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/cdlht-declares-313%C2%A2-dps-for-q4-eyes-morejapan-assets
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/money/story/cdl-hospitality-trusts-posts-stronger-income-despitehurdles-20150129?error=3
KepCorp's KepLand bid: joint financial adviser appointed
Keppel Corp, which has offered to buy the remaining shares in Keppel Land that it does not own, said on
Wednesday that Credit Suisse (Singapore) has been appointed as the joint financial adviser.
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/in-brief-22
Pioneer artist and architect dies
Singapore pioneer artist, architect and former city councillor Ho Kok Hoe died last Saturday, three days
after his discharge from hospital for treatment of bladder cancer. He was 93. Better remembered for the
active role he played as president of the 65-year-old Singapore Art Society in the early 1950s and 1960s, Dr
Ho left behind three sons and a granddaughter.
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore/story/pioneer-artist-and-architect-dies20150129#sthash.S5oAhbzr.dpuf
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Daily News & Views
GuocoLand
Guocoland has more than trebled its second quarter net profit to $42.5 million from $12.9 million
previously. Revenue for the three months to Dec 31 rose by 40 per cent to $355.7 million, mainly due to
revenue recognised for the sale of an office tower with gross floor area of 24,928 sq m in Shanghai Guoson
Centre.
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/money/story/company-briefs-20150129#sthash.KOIu6R10.dpuf
Views, Reviews & Forum
Architecture profession facing same problem
The architecture profession empathises with the dilemma faced by eateries due to the labour crunch
("Empty tables? Sorry, restaurant is 'full' "; Tuesday). The Building and Construction Authority projected
that the value of construction deals here will reach $29 billion to $36 billion this year, following an
exceptionally strong performance last year.
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/architecture-profession-facing-same-problem20150129#sthash.LnZioefR.dpuf
Preserve more of what makes Geylang unique
Having read about the rezoning of Geylang ("Rezoning won't change character of Geylang area"; last
Friday), I wonder if more could be done to preserve the uniqueness of the place. I grew up in Geylang, in a
part that is not Geylang Serai or the red light district. Seldom is this area discussed even though it has a rich
history. Back in the 1960s and 70s, this area - between Lorong 3 and Lorong 21 - was a hive of activity.
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/preserve-more-what-makes-geylang-unique20150129#sthash.5WuK2ftQ.dpuf
Checks in place to assess contractors' financial status
DR V. Subramaniam ("Any checks on bidders for construction projects?"; last Thursday) shared his views in
response to the article ("Braddell Rd project hits bump as work comes to a halt"; Jan 20). There were
several factual errors in the article. Hexagroup posted a post-tax loss of $4,605 in 2007, not $4.6 million;
and the company's post-tax profits in 2006 amounted to $50,116, not $50.1 million.
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/checks-place-assess-contractors-financialstatus-20150128#sthash.UIhslRFB.dpuf
New rules impose extra requirements on big dorms
WE THANK Mr Tham Tuck Meng for supporting the Foreign Employee Dormitories Bill ("Tighten rules: Why
stop at large dorms?"; last Friday). As he has rightly pointed out, all dormitories, regardless of size, should
be well regulated. For this reason, there already exists a comprehensive set of rules governing the living
conditions of foreign workers.
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/new-rules-impose-extra-requirements-bigdorms-20150129#sthash.oqKunnZo.dpuf
Global Economy & Global Real Estate
Mortgage revival expected in Spain after ECB easing
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/mortgage-revival-expected-in-spain-after-ecb-easing
Bloomberry plans S Korea casino in first overseas foray
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/bloomberry-plans-s-korea-casino-in-first-overseas-foray
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Daily News & Views
Qatari-led group set to win bid for London's Canary Wharf
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/qatari-led-group-set-to-win-bid-for-londons-canary-wharf
Dubai house prices to ease in 2015: JLL
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/dubai-house-prices-to-ease-in-2015-jll
Life of Italian nobility for sale, complete with rules and taxes
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/life-of-italian-nobility-for-sale-complete-with-rules-andtaxes
Sunac likely to take over troubled Kaisa Group
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/sunac-likely-to-take-over-troubled-kaisa-group
Stylish plans for sleepy, industrial Red Hook
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/stylish-plans-for-sleepy-industrial-red-hook
Ireland eases mortgage cap plan to help first-time buyers
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/ireland-eases-mortgage-cap-plan-to-help-first-time-buyers
New York's World Trade Center tower turns to crowdfunding
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/new-yorks-world-trade-center-tower-turns-to-crowdfunding
Starwood Team to Buy Offices From Duke for $1.12 Billion
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-28/starwood-team-to-buy-offices-from-duke-for-1-12billion
Norway Regulator Raises Warning Housing Market Is Out of Control
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-28/norway-regulator-raises-warning-housing-marketis-out-of-control
Germany Studies Tools to Halt Property Bubbles, Dombret Says
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-28/germany-studying-tools-to-fight-property-bubblesdombret-says
Homebuilders Boost Buyer Incentives to Increase Sales
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-28/builders-push-sales-by-fighting-sticker-shock-withdeals
Additional Articles of Interests – Local & Overseas Real Estate
Local & Overseas Real Estate - Full Article
http://www.stproperty.sg/articles-property/singapore-property-news/c/11
http://business.asiaone.com/property/news
http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/market-news
http://www.btinvest.com.sg/property
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Daily News & Views
Note:
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Disclaimer
Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the information and expressly
disclaims liability for errors or omissions therein. The content, accuracy, and opinions expressed are not investigated, verified, monitored, nor
endorsed by Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore. Every effort is taken to ensure that all information extracted is correct at the time of
dissemination 29th Jan 2015.
Real Estate Daily News
A Daily Publication From
REDAS Research & Education
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
About REDAS
The Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore (REDAS), established in 1959, is Singapore’s premier business association in the real estate and
development industry. REDAS represents some 300 members comprising developers, builders, real estate consultancies and allied professionals,
bankers, REITs and fund managers. The Association actively engages regulators, policy makers and private sector partners to promote best practices
and to support the growth of a vibrant and progressive industry for the creation of quality real estate in Singapore. REDAS regularly organizes
activities such as networking sessions, seminars, charity golf tournaments and international business missions. To uphold the quality of products of
members, REDAS also provide conciliation panel services for
purchasers of residential property.
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For enquiries, please contact:
REDAS: Benjamin Lim, Tel: 6336 6655 | E-mail: [email protected]
© 2013, Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore (REDAS)
All rights reserved. The information presented is of a general nature only and is not intended for any particular individual. No consideration has
been given to the individual investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person and investors should independently assess
whether the advice is appropriate to their own circumstances. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy the information is taken
from sources considered to be reliable, we do not represent, warrant or guarantee, expressly or impliedly, that it contains no factual errors. No part
of this report may be reproduced in any form without prior permission of Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore (REDAS).
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Tel: 6336 6655 Fax : 6337 2217
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