Singapore Property Resources and Guides, HDB, Districts and Archived listings

iProperty.com to hold its 10th International Property and Investment EXPO

iProperty.com will be holding its annual International Property and Investment EXPO on the 16th and 17th of May at the Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hall 403, from 10 am to 8 pm. The EXPO will showcase developments from Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and the UK, as well as a variety of investment seminars. The event's Seminar Speaker Series will feature insights and tips from industry experts regarding overseas property investment.
For the first time at the EXPO, seminars introducing alternative investments concepts, such as Art Index International, will take place with a range of artwork for investment. The artwork is then rented on an investor's behalf to corporations for display. Potential returns on investment can be as high as 9.5 per cent per annum.
Admission is free to the EXPO. Up to three attendees who pre-register for the event will stand a chance to win an iPad. For more information and to register for the event and seminars, please visit www.iproperty.com.sg or expo.iproperty.com.sg.

New rail terminus to develop the Jurong East area towards becoming an alternative CBD

Jurong East has been selected as the location for the highly anticipated Singapore - Kuala Lumpur High Speed Rail (HSR) terminus. This is another enhancement to the region that has already seen major redevelopment over the past few years including new commercial, leisure and business amenities. The area was chosen over Tuas West and the Singapore city centre due to its transport links as well as its growing potential as a commercial hub.

Analysts who spoke to TODAY had mixed reactions to the decision. Mr Colin Tan, Director of Research and Consultancy at Suntec Real Estate, commented that the area of choice was "ideal" due to its convenient public transport channels, with the neighbouring Lakeside and Chinese Garden being viable options should there be insufficient land at Jurong East. Mr Tan added that the rental value of commercial properties in Jurong East will likely rise as the majority of HSR commuters will be business travellers.

However, Mr Nicholas Mak, SLP executive director for research and consultancy, felt the areas highlighted by Mr Tan might be ill-suited due to their proximity to Jurong Lake and the density of the area. Mr Mak said to TODAY that the HSR station alone will not contribute to a rise in property prices but rather, the developments built to accompany it that would raise real estate prices as they will contribute to job creation, increased convenience and an improved standard of living. Mr Mak also added that the prized waterfront plots near the proposed location would be better used for recreational or residential purposes.

Most of the residents in the Jurong East area interviewed by TODAY had positive reactions to the news, citing convenience and an increase in leisure options as the main plus points for the decision. Those who visit Malaysia on a regular basis were happy with the potential ease of travel. Travel time to Kuala Lumpur currently takes around three hours by car, but will be reduced with the implementation of the high-speed rail.

However, some residents felt that the area already faces congestion problems due to the shopping malls and the upcoming Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, which could worsen with the increased traffic flow the terminus will create. Another concern brought up by a resident was the rising temperatures. Trees have been removed to make way for developments and the lack of greenery around Jurong East has caused temperatures to climb.

A timeline has yet to be determined for the construction of the terminus, but the completion date will likely be after 2020, noted Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. At present, Jurong East is the second biggest commercial hub after the Central Business District (CBD) and could become the next CBD once the terminus is completed.

Pioneer batch of Skyville@Dawson residents collect keys to their units

Keys for the new generation public housing development Skyville@Dawson were distributed to its first batch of residents on 2^nd May. The project is due for completion by Q3 2015 and is one of the two projects under the "Remaking Our Heartland" plan. The other project, SkyTerrace@Dawson has been completed. The remaking plan was developed to promote multi-generation and family-friendly living to create a cohesive and vibrant community. Features that support this plan include a combination of studio apartments with four room and five room flats at SkyTerrace, which enables children to remain close to their parents who live in the studio apartment. The new flats in SkyVille have flexible layouts such as large rooms for young couples which can then be partitioned into a number of bedrooms when they have children.

The projects also include greenery in its sky terraces as well as gardens to allow residents close access to nature and a heritage gallery that encompasses the rich history of the Dawson and Queenstown estates. The upcoming estates of Bidadari, Punggol Northshore and Tampines North will see similar concepts and ideas from the Dawson projects implemented.

For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

* Project naming rights and artist's impression are subject to final confirmation
- Viva Industrial Trust ("VIT") unveils plans for "Project Viva City" to reposition Technopark@Chai Chee as a business park with retail and lifestyle amenities

- Early lease commitments include OWL Cafe's first-of-its-kind offering, which marries the well-loved drive-thru concept with a Straits Asian menu

- First retail stores could open their doors as early as end-2015, introducing wider options and amenities to existing tenants and residents in the Bedok area
Viva Industrial Trust ("VIT"), a Singapore-focused business park and industrial property trust, today announced that it plans to commit approximately S$20 million to its Asset Enhancement Initiative ("AEI") at Technopark@Chai Chee ("TPCC"), that will see the business park incorporating retail and lifestyle amenities to serve existing tenants as well as residents in the area.
Under the AEI project, which has been named "Project Viva City", the first retail offerings could open their doors for business as early as end-2015. The S$20 million budget will go into alterations and additions ("A&A") work to convert the ground-floor carpark and unutilised areas into retail and commercial space at three of the six blocks at TPCC, as well as enhance the development's facade and other amenities.
To kickstart Project Viva City, VIT has engaged marketing agents for the AEI to reach out to potential retail and food and beverage tenants, as well as service providers in the education and sports-related sectors. To date, VIT's pre-committed tenants include Decathlon, one of the world's largest retailers of sporting goods, and OWL, one of the most renowned instant beverage makers in Singapore that has expanded into the food and beverage industry with its fast-growing chain of OWL cafes. At TPCC, patrons will be able to enjoy OWL's Straits Asian menu on the go with its new drive-thru facility or at the cafe on the premises.
Commenting on Project Viva City, Mr Wilson Ang, CEO of Viva Industrial Trust Management Pte Ltd, the manager of Viva Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust ("VI-REIT"), said, "We look forward to receiving all the necessary approvals to start work on the makeover of TPCC in 2Q 2015. We believe the AEI will help realise the intrinsic value of this asset and unlock further potential through optimising unutilised space and prime leasable areas. We are also confident that this initiative will raise the value proposition for current and potential business park tenants by providing more and better amenities at their doorstep. Located in an area with strong footfall potential, coupled with the existing working population in TPCC of around 2,800, we see exciting opportunities for our new retail and lifestyle tenants as well."

* Project naming rights and artist's impression are subject to final confirmation.
TPCC is currently the only business park development in the vicinity, which is located in close proximity to Bedok Town Centre with easy access to the Bedok and Kembangan Mass Rapid Transit ("MRT") stations as well as the Bedok Interchange. TPCC stands to benefit from the Housing & Development Board ("HDB")'s Remaking our Heartland ("ROH") plans for the East Coast area, which includes a recent revamp of the Bedok Town Centre and the completion of the Bedok Integrated Transport Hub last year. Upcoming ROH plans over the next few years include a new Heritage Corner to be integrated with the Town Plaza, as well as a new Bedok Integrated Complex that will house Kembangan-Chai Chee Community Club, Bedok Sports Centre, Bedok Polyclinic, an Eldercare Centre and Bedok Public Library.
"The government's overall makeover of Bedok will revitalise the entire area and provide more commercial and transport options for the approximately 250,000 residents living in Bedok, and those who live, work or shop in the East Coast. We are excited to play a part in rejuvenating the area and creating a more vibrant living experience by scaling up the retail and lifestyle options with our AEI," added Mr Ang.
To date, VIT has received in-principle consent from the HDB and Provisional Permission from the Urban Redevelopment Authority for the proposed A&A and change of use. The AEI will involve a change of use for up to 15% of the property's gross floor area to "white" uses and yield up to 230,000 square feet of retail/commercial space, subject to regulatory approvals.

ABOUT VIVA INDUSTRIAL TRUST
Viva Industrial Trust ("VIT") is a Singapore-focused business park and industrial property trust listed on the Mainboard of the Singapore Exchange, which comprises Viva Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust ("VI-REIT") and Viva Industrial Business Trust ("VI-BT"). VIT focuses on building a diversified portfolio of income-producing real estate which is used predominantly for business park and other industrial purposes in Singapore and elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region, while VI-BT is presently dormant. VIT's portfolio comprises five properties located in Singapore, namely (i) UE BizHub EAST, (ii) Technopark@Chai Chee, (iii) Mauser Singapore, (iv) Jackson Square and (v) Jackson Design Hub with an aggregate gross floor area of 2.9 million sq ft.
For more information on VIT, please visit http://www.vivaitrust.com.
For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

Damansara City, a luxury-integrated development worth RM2.5 billion (SGD927 million) in gross development value by GuocoLand (Malaysia) Berhad (GuocoLand) will open a special pre launch sale for Singaporean investors between 11.00 am to 7.00 pm from Saturday, 9 May 2015 to Sunday, 10 May 2015 at The Island Suite, Marina at Keppel Bay, Singapore. GuocoLand is a 65 percent owned subsidiary of Singapore-based GuocoLand Limited.

Luxury integrated development offers Singaporean investors unique opportunity to invest in Malaysian luxury enclave
Pre launch sale begins 9 May 2015 to 10 May 2015 at The Island Suite, Marina at Keppel Bay
Residences to be completed by end 2015

The integrated development - comprising the high-rise luxurious 'DC Residency', two Grade A office towers, a F&B-centric covered lifestyle mall and a UK-managed 5 star hotel - is at various stages of completion and will be fully operational by mid 2016. DC Residency will be the first phase that will be completed and delivery to purchasers will begin end 2015, six months ahead of the full completion of the project.
Tan Lee Koon, Managing Director of GuocoLand said, "The construction of Damansara City is near completion and the residences are actually being offered as a build-and-sell concept. Combined with the quality finishing we offer that include high end kit outs for the residences, integration of a city within a city, and access through multiple highways and the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station that is being built next to Damansara City, DC Residency is a perfect combination that is peaking the interest of investors and tenants in Singapore and around Asia."
Priced at RM1,600 (SGD596) per square foot for the residences, Damansara City is setting a new benchmark in not just the Damansara Heights area but in greater Kuala Lumpur and the regional property market as well. Damansara Heights is a high-end luxury enclave that has seen very little new development over the past 20 years.
Damansara Heights' strategic location, which is a mere five kilometres from the KL city centre, as well as its close proximity to KL Sentral and other established townships like Petaling Jaya, Bangsar and Mont Kiara, have always been its main selling point and greatest strength. The choice of destination for Malaysia's most influential people, living in Damansara Heights is often seen as the highest mark of stature and an accomplishment to live there. To date, the development of Damansara City has contributed to an increase of between eight and 12 percent in property valuations for the surrounding area over the past two years.
Jewel of the Klang Valley
DC Residency offers two 28-storey residential towers for discerning buyers. These consist of 370 contemporary designed serviced apartments with built-up areas (for typical units) ranging between 899 sq ft (1 bedroom) and 2,705 sq ft (3+1 bedroom). The elegant DC Residency offers unrivaled facilities together with premium fittings. These include Poggenpohl kitchen cabinets, Catalano sanitary wares, Gessi Emporio fittings and reputable home appliance brands such as Miele, Bosch and De Dietrich. Matching the desired fittings are top-class amenities including an Olympic-length salt water infinity pool, aqua gymnasium, cabana, landscape garden, function rooms and private dining rooms for residents to host private events and entertain guests.
"Given Damansara Heights' prime and exclusive location, we expect to see steeper price tags for all upcoming projects in the next few years. This is driving the current wave of interest in Damansara City as we offer tremendous value for savvy investors who recognise the potential of being a first mover on what would be an investment with the potential for double-digit growth in valuations in coming years. To date, we have sold 50 percent of the units prior to our launch via private placement, seen tremendous interest in the mall tenancy and secured the majority of tenants for our office towers," explained Tan.
For the mall and hotel, Tan said GuocoLand planned them especially to attract people staying in the neighbourhood by focusing on food and lifestyle offerings that support the needs of the community within and surrounding Damansara City. This is part of its promise of offering a luxury lifestyle that comes with a five-star service. The Clermont Hotel Group from London, which is making its debut in Asia, will operate the hotel.
Damansara City is an integrated development and GuocoLand expects to complete the entire project by the end of the first quarter in 2016. This is creating a great degree of interest in DC Residency, as other developments in the surrounding vicinity are not expected to be completed for at least the next three years. "Damansara City is about setting the bar for what developments should be moving towards, as well as creating a new benchmark for people who appreciate the true meaning of quality and a luxury lifestyle," added Tan.
Damansara Heights has become a key target for investment among local and international buyers who are looking to invest in integrated high-end property in Kuala Lumpur. Over the years, the tranquil neighbourhood has been a steady investment magnet to affluent homeowners and expatriates but recent interest in developments in the area has reignited higher demand for the increasingly scarce property within Damansara Heights.
Damansara City has already won two awards at the Asia-Pacific Property Awards 2012, namely the 5-star Award in the Residential High-Rise Development and Highly Commended Award in the Retail Development category. Damansara City is also an important Entry Point Project under Malaysia's Economic Transformation Programme.

GuocoLand (Malaysia) Berhad is the property arm of the Hong Leong Group. With a history that spans over 50 years, GuocoLand Malaysia has built an enviable track record as a leading property developer in residential townships, commercial and mixed development projects in Malaysia.
It is part of the Singapore-based GuocoLand Ltd, which is a leading regional property player with established operations in China, Singapore and Vietnam.
For more information on Damansara City visit www.damansara-city.com or visit GuocoLand (Malaysia) Berhad's website at www.guocoland.com.my.

ABOUT DAMANSARA CITY
Damansara City is an integrated project in Damansara Heights and by GuocoLand (Malaysia) Bhd's, a subsidiary of the Hong Leong Group. The RM2.5 billion flagship project, spanning 8.5 acres of freehold land, boasts two 28-storey luxury residential towers (comprising 370 units) known as DC Residency, two Grade A office towers, a five-star hotel which will be managed by Clermont Kuala Lumpur (part of Hong Leong Group) as well as a lifestyle mall.
DC Residency, the lifestyle mall and the office towers are expected to be completed by end 2015, and the hotel, the Clermont Kuala Lumpur (KL), will be ready by early 2016. Damansara City has been designated as an Entry Point Project under the Economic Transformation Programme, to push Malaysia to a developed nation status by 2020. DC will serve a working and residential population of 10,000 in the vicinity.
The entire Damansara City project is expected to be completed well ahead of the Sungai Buloh-Jalan Semantan MRT line, which is scheduled to be operational before the end of 2016. For more information about Damansara City, please visit www.damansara-city.com.
For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

Singapore, May 12, 2015 - Melbourne property developer BMP has unveiled Shadow Play, a luxurious residential development on Southbank in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Designed by renowned architect Elenberg Fraser with interiors by Hecker Guthrie, the towering residence is captivating and majestic from every perspective, exuding the essence of sculptural intent, beauty and human desire.
Shadow Play is a 46-storey, freehold development scheduled for completion in 2018. It boasts a site area of 1,260 square metres and comprises 496 units. A limited 30% has been made available to foreign investors, and at present, the quota has been maximized, with buyers mainly from Hong Kong and China.
Both eloquent and luxurious, Shadow Play's luxuriously appointed one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments will be enveloped by exquisite materials and finishes including stone, brass and beautifully crafted timbers; discrete yet innovative technology are also woven seamlessly into the fabric of the tower, providing world class digital connectivity and concierge facilities. The rich and sensorial living experience is further augmented by unprecedented private dining, in-house lounge and resident's gym.
Situated less than 1 kilometer from the city centre and upon the nexus of City Road and Clarendon Street in Southbank, the residence stands at the entrance of Melbourne's entertainment and recreation precincts - the excitement and colour of which is matched only by the grandeur and serenity of nearby botanical gardens, parklands and picturesque Port Phillip Bay. The Yarra, an ancient freshwater river intersects the city and gently flows to the north of Shadow Play, reminding residents of the city's natural bounty while providing a promenade for early morning joggers and urban explorers.
Shadow Play is located only 1.5 kilometres away from Collins Street - the grandest street within the city, celebrated for its mix of glamour and charm, hosting an assemblage of five star hotels, iconic churches, live theatres, Town Hall, world class gastronomic delights and luxury retail boutiques. The residence is also 2 kilometres away from Australia's premier sporting and entertainment precinct, and a 6-minute walk to Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex.
"Singapore was the second-biggest source for foreign investment in Australian properties in 2015, with a total spending of about A$5.7 billion. The weakening Australian dollar has increased the attractiveness of real estate investments for Singaporean buyers," said Ms Rhonda Wong, CEO of Anthill Realtors Pte Ltd, the leading agency involved in foreign sales transactions for Shadow Play. "Melbourne has been ranked as the world's most liveable city, four years in a row now, and has benefitted from a strong economy, sustained population growth as well as home to a vast array of global events. Shadow Play's prime location, coupled with its pricing has drawn strong interest from overseas investors who recognize the development's potential to appreciate in the long run," she continued.
For more information of Shadow Play, visit http://www.bpmcorp.com.au/
For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

High Speed Rail link at Jurong East likely to attract more firms

Notable companies are likely to relocate to Jurong Gateway including pharmaceuticals, consumer products, IT companies and research and development, following last week's announcement that the High Speed Rail link between Singapore and Malaysia will be located in Jurong East.

Ms Christine Li, Research Director at Cushman and Wakefield, speaking to TODAY, said that companies are attracted by benefits such as integrating with their manufacturing operations located in Tuas, as well as easy access to various Malaysian regions such as Johor, Iskandar and Kuala Lumpur.

The terminus will be located approximately 600 metres away from Jurong East MRT interchange and will occupy 20 per cent of the site. According to authorities, the remaining area will include offices, retail space and possibly housing.

According to property agents spoken to by Channel NewsAsia, Jurong property prices have already increased by one per cent a week after the announcement of the rail location and are expected to increase further, by up to five per cent. Ms Susan Mariam, Associate Director of property agency OrangeTee, explained to Channel NewsAsia that property owners in Jurong should hold on to their property and potential buyers looking to purchase in the area should do so within a year or two.

Elevated prices and the resale levy affect EC demand

Executive Condominiums (ECs) have reported low sell-through rates due to high prices, oversupply in the market, as well as the new resale levy. The latest report by DBS Vickers reported a sell through rate of only 26 per cent for four out of five EC projects launched between December 2014 and January this year.

Jurong West's new Westwood Residences is the first EC to be affected by the new resale levy. It recently released an indicative pricing of S$800 per square foot - six per cent lower than the nearby Lake Life EC.

According to the Housing and Development Board (HDB) website, the new regulations stipulate that those who have previously bought a HDB flat or have taken a CPF Housing Grant will have to pay a levy when they buy another flat from the HDB.

The 480-unit project is located near Nanyang Technological University and Cleantech Park and hopes to attract potential buyers with its cyclist-friendly features. This includes 500 bicycle parking lots as well as a conjoined bicycle maintenance area.

Local developers face rivalry from home sellers in a sluggish market

Home resales have increased to represent 45.5 per cent of all transactions in the private home market sector in Q4 2014 and rose further to 47.1 per cent in Q1 2015. Falling rentals and an expected rise in mortgage payments have propelled home owners to place their houses on the market, driving developers to cut prices for new launches amid this competitive market.

Costs of private residential properties continued for a sixth straight quarter decline, with more unsold units released into the market, placing pressure on prices. Over a third of 68,201 uncompleted private residential units have remained unsold.

Fewer residential properties were sold above S$1.5m in 2014

The Ministry of Development (MND) reported that 4,153 residential properties sold for S$1.5 million or more in 2014, a fall of 42.4 per cent from the previous year. In 2013, 7,128 units were sold. These comprised private property transactions and excluded HDB properties and Executive Condominium (ECs) categories.

Average prices rose however, from S$2.76 million in 2013 to S$2.83 million in 2014. Median prices also increased slightly from S$2.10 million in 2013 to S$2.13 million last year.

New home sales soar in March, rise expected to continue in April

613 private units, excluding Executive Condominiums (ECs), were sold in March, a significant 57.2 per cent increase from 390 units sold in February; 1,379 houses were sold between January and March 2015.

Serangoon's Kingsford Waterbay and Sims Urban Oasis achieved the highest results, with both projects earning 43 per cent of sales. Kingsford Waterbay cleared 155 units in March at a median price of S$1,111 per square feet (psf), while Sims Urban Oasis has sold over 205 units since its launch in February.

Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL)'s National Director of Research and Consultancy, Mr Ong Teck Hui, explained in The Edge that sales figures for Q1 2015 "reflect stability" as the number of units sold (1,379) barely differs from the 1,376 units sold in Q4 last year.

Looking forward, he also anticipates April registering positive sales due to popular projects such as Yishun's North Park Residences and Botanique at Bartley. According to developer Frasers Centrepoint, 100 units alone were sold at North Park Residences' weekend launch on April 11 and 12. The project has sold 70 per cent of its 600 units to date, mainly due to its link with the upcoming integrated development Northpoint City. The hub will include the existing Northpoint Shopping Centre, a community club, a public library as well as access to Yishun MRT station and the bus interchange.

UOL Group's 99-year leasehold Botanique at Bartley sold 50 units over the April 11 and 12 weekend, boosting sales figures to over 200 units for the project; units averaged S$1,290 psf.

For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

JOHOR BAHRU - Mah Sing Group Berhad (Mah Sing) today opened the doors to its new
Meridin East City Sales Gallery, where the Group showcased its largest township to-date to the public.
Located in Sierra Perdana (one of Mah Sing's developments in Johor Bahru), guests at the new sales gallery were treated to an exclusive insight on the township concept by the township planner, as well as an introduction to the product details.
The event also saw the opening of registration for The Willows, which comprise double-storey link homes measuring 18' x 65' sq ft in Meridin East. The Willows is the first component to be previewed in the first precinct fondly named CasaEden in Meridin East.

At the opening ceremony, guests were treated to a host of activities including a live band performance; lion dance performance and a lucky draw session where exciting prizes were given away. In conjunction with Parents' Day celebration, Mah Sing organised a Wish-A-Gift for your Fabulous Parents & Family Portrait Competition in celebration of those who attended the event with their family members.

Meridin East
Meridin East is Mah Sing's fifth township in Johor and its largest township to-date, where it intends to tap into the Group's expertise in township masterplaning. The freehold land has an estimated Gross Development Value (GDV) of RM5billion and measures approximately 1,313 acres. The township is strategically situated, fronting Jalan Kong Kong and Jalan Kota Masai, and easily accessed using the Senai-Desaru Highway, where the land is just 1km from the Cahaya Baru interchange.
Proposed infrastructure upgrades include the road widening of Jalan Kong Kong, the Johor-Singapore connection such as Rapid Transit System (RTS) and a third bridge from Desaru to Changi. Such upgrades will prompt further growth of the area, especially those related to ecotourism and agriculture which will benefit Meridin East.
Meridin East is designed with an emphasis on the sense of belonging, whereby the Group aims to create an emotion towards 'a place to call home'. The design elements introduced in Meridin East will form an exciting community that will serve as a melting pot to kindle the memories of the residents as grow from generation to generation.
The township will feature a tapestry of lakes and river banks folded in a topography of greens which is a major cooling effect. This landscape feature will create an ideal corridor for a neighbourhood recreation area where both flora and fauna will also flourish. The streetscape such as pavements, intersections, signage and landscape will be designed to establishing a unique identity for the township. Collector roads within the township will be designed as wide boulevards with a central median, while residential streets are minimum 50 meters wide, designed as cul-de-sacs around the neighbourhood.
More information of Meridin East - www.meridin-east.com.my
For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

Singapore top in Asia for business
Singapore has been ranked the most business-friendly city in Asia, according to a study conducted by real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) and intelligence and strategy firm The Business of Cities Group. The report was based on 200 globally-recognised studies that evaluated cities' quality of life, economic growth, reputation, influence and business and finance sectors. Singapore fared well in governance, financial maturity and infrastructure, surpassing even Tokyo in terms of education, mobility, science, technology and broadband. On a global level however, the city-state is behind New York and London due to its lower rankings in purchasing power, cost of living and business occupancy cost.
New private home sales jump to highest volume in 11 months
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) reported last Friday that 1,124 new private homes were sold in April, an 83 per cent increase from the 613 units sold in March. Transactions were also the highest since last May, registering 1,488 sales.
The surge was partially due to the large volume of new launches in April. Mr Donald Han, Singapore-based Managing Director at real estate broker Chesterton, told Bloomberg that developers have been launching a larger number of projects and more affordable homes. Some of these homes cost under S$1,500 per square foot.
Approximately 66 per cent of April's sales were attributed to Yishun's North Park Residences and Botanique at Bartley, which sold 486 units and 254 units respectively. Mr Nicholas Mak, Executive Director of Research and Consultancy at property firm SLP, told TODAY that although both developments are situated near MRT stations, North Park Residences is likely better-received as it is a part of an upcoming integrated development.
Despite the improvement in private home sales for the fourth consecutive month, buyer sentiment remains guarded. Mr Eugene Lim, Key Executive Officer of real estate agency ERA, told Today that the successful sales of North Park Residences and Botanique at Bartley were attributed mainly to their prices, considered affordable in the current market. For the month of May, analysts expect sales volume to drop due to a slowdown in launches.
New Housing Developers Act to increase transparency and protect more home buyers
Revised measures of the Housing Developers (Control and Licensing) Act will be administered on May 25. The new rules will provide the public with more information on the private residential property market, increasing market transparency.
According to the Ministry of National Development, housing developers are now required to submit detailed transaction data every week. This includes transacted prices of individual units, sales volumes and value of any benefits extended to buyers. The information will then be available on the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) website every week.
The Option to Purchase and Sale & Purchase Agreement forms will be amended to protect potential purchasers of private homes. Beginning July 20, developers will have to indicate the value of benefits offered to buyers.
MND will also introduce the Housing Developers (Show Unit) Rules to ensure that developers' show units are accurate portrayals of actual housing units. For example, one of the rules states that the floor area of the show unit and actual housing unit need to be same. External and structural walls that are included in the unit also need to be illustrated in the show unit. These rules will be implemented on July 20 to allow time for adjustments to comply with the new rules.
Executive flats going strong despite fall in HDB resale prices
Executive flats, consisting of maisonettes and executive apartments, have held up better amid falling Housing and Development Board (HDB) resale prices. Two maisonettes at Bishan Street 13 have been sold above S$1 million this year.
Executive flats were first built in 1980, but construction was stopped in 1995 during the introduction of executive condominiums (ECs). Buyers today are attracted to the luxurious space - a private unit of the same size in today's property market will cost at least twice the price or more. There is also a limited supply in the market, as executive flats make up only seven per cent of the property market.
Paya Lebar Central poised to become commercial centre

Paya Lebar Central is next in line for redevelopment in becoming a major commercial centre. A 165,000-square metre (sqm) site owned by Australian developer Lend Lease and sovereign wealth fund Abu Dhabi Investment Authority at Sims Avenue and the Geylang Canal is part of a plan to create commercial sites outside of the city area. This is to tackle traffic congestion and provide jobs nearer to homes.
Over half of the area will be allocated to office space, while the rest will consist of 440 private homes and a shopping mall spanning over 40,000 sqm. Lend Lease, which manages shopping malls such as Jurong East's JEM, Parkway Parade and 313@Somerset, says that it also plans to bring new brands into the retail mall.
ECO World Malaysia debuts gallery in Singapore to showcase international projects
Eco World Development Group Berhad (EcoWorld Berhad) has launched its first EcoWorld Gallery @ Singapore, showcasing the company's Malaysian and international projects. Singapore's reputation as a global hub and its proximity and business ties with Malaysia, were driving factors for Eco World to establish its gallery in Singapore.

The Group currently has 15 projects, including three residential developments and three business parks in Iskandar Malaysia. The remaining projects are in Penang and Klang Valley.
Moving forward, Eco World will launch two new projects in Iskandar and a business park in the Senai corridor.
For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

HDB puts 9,400+ BTO and SBF units on sale

9,431 new flats in 24 Housing and Development Board's (HDB) towns and estates have been put on sale by the HDB in its biggest Build-To-Order (BTO) cum Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise. This consists of 4,044 BTO flats in Punggol, Sembawang, Clementi and Tampines that will be launched this month. HDB will also offer 5,387 balance flats in their May Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise. Approximately 27 per cent of balance flats are near completion, while the remaining is under construction.
According to analysts interviewed by Channel NewsAsia, projects in Clementi will draw the most interest and be among the priciest, with four room BTO flats ranging from S$478,000 to S$621,000. Mr Colin Tan, Director of Research and Consultancy at Suntec Real Estate Consultants, noted however that buyers often make decisions based on the location, value of the property and potential appreciation instead of considering the price alone.
Up to S$60,000 of housing grants will be provided for first-timer families, subject to eligibility. This comprises the Additional CPF Housing Grant (up to S$40,000) and the Special CPF Housing Grant (up to S$20,000). With grants, two room flats may be purchased for as low as S$15,000.

Pioneer smart homes launched in Punggol Northshore

The pioneer batch of homes built and equipped with smart technologies - Northshore Residences I and II - was launched by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) on May 27. The new flats will be situated in Punggol Northshore, one of the seven waterfront housing districts.
The star feature of this eco-friendly project is its integration of smart technologies. Playgrounds and fitness corners will be built with the help of environmental modelling technology, which will study the best locations with the help of wind flow measurement and solar irradiance. The project will use smart technologies such as a pneumatic waste conveyance system to monitor recycling efforts and waste disposal, as well as a car park management system that studies and allocates spaces for visitors and residents alike. Individual units come with an option to install personal smart systems. For instance, the Home Energy Management System (HEMS) allows residents to monitor their energy use in real time.
The homes are more affordable than transacted prices of resale flats within the area, but are eight to 20 per cent pricier than new flats previously launched, due to the new smart systems. Prices, including housing grants, start from a minimum of S$28,000 for a two-room flat, S$132,000 for a three-room flat, S$249,000 for a four-room flat and S$354,000 for a five-room flat.
Mr Eugene Lim, Key Executive Officer at Real Estate Agency ERA, said to TODAY that the flats are considered competitively priced considering its location. The homes will be near a Light Rapid Transit station (LRT) and a neighbourhood centre, and is located in Punggol's first waterfront district for public housing.
The project is due in Q2 of 2020 and will be part of the 4,040 flats in the Build-to-Order (BTO) exercise. Other BTO flats will be located in Clementi, Sembawang and Tampines.

Luxury property likely to extend decline
The luxury property segment is set to continue its decline into 2015 according to RHB Group, with only 25 units sold in April. High-end units made up only 2.1 per cent of April sales, dipping from 2.3 per cent in March.
The sluggish sales in the luxury segment have been attributed to the overall gloom of the property market, as well as to the restrictive Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD). The ABSD now stands at 15 per cent for foreigners, who typically make up a large portion of luxury buyers.
New home sales this month are likely to fall further due to the lack of prominent launches in May.

Price and location still drawing factors for property buyers
Although cooling measures will continue to deter buyers, PropNex CEO Mr Ismail Gafoor noted to Singapore Business Review that buying interest will be piqued by project location and reasonable pricing.
Ms Alice Tan, Director and Head of Research at Knight Frank Singapore, added that the quality of the development and less competition in the surrounding area will also attract interest. Buyers will also be attracted to new incentives and fresh marketing campaigns.
Without competitive advantages, housing projects will merely be playing the pricing game, said Jones Lang LaSalle's (JLL) National Director for Research and Consultancy Mr Ong Teck Hui; projects need to have a unique selling point.

Orange Tee's reveals best rental yields in Singapore

Orange Tee has revealed that overall non-landed rental yields are at 2.7 per cent to 3.9 per cent. Rental yields in the Outside Central Region (OCR) came in highest, commanding 3.2 per cent to 3.9 per cent. This is followed by yields in the Rest of Central Region (RCR) averaging at 2.8 per cent to 3.6 per cent and rental yields in the Core Central Region (CCR) at 2.7 per cent to 3.5 per cent.
These findings are based on rental data from major non-landed projects comprising over 100 units, as well as the resale data for the corresponding projects from Q2 2014 to Q1 2015. External factors such as falling residential prices and rentals were also taken into consideration.
Among all housing types, 99-year leasehold properties, smaller units such as shoebox apartments, as well as suburban properties above ten years of age were identified to command better rental yields.
Orange Tee highlighted Queenstown in particular for attractive rental demand. Factors for the demand were its close proximity to Orchard Road, the Central Business District (CBD) and education clusters.
The real estate agency also noted that rental yields for projects within walking distance of MRT stations were not necessarily high. This is demonstrated by the higher rental yields held by 20 out of the 34 projects not situated near MRT stations. This was due to higher prices of projects located nearer to MRT stations, ultimately affecting rental yields.
For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

Drop in April's private homes resale price

Private homes resale prices tumbled 0.1 per cent month-on-month in April, with small units seeing a 0.4 per cent price increase. This according to figures in the Singapore Residential Price Index (SPRI), released by the National University of Singapore's Institute of Real Estate Studies. Other figures showed a 0.1 per cent fall in prices of central residential properties excluding small units; prices remained the same as the previous month for non-central residential properties excluding small units.

Vacant homes attributed to increasing launches and declining prices
The residential vacancy rate in Singapore will likely soar in 2016, up to 9.8 per cent, when almost 21,000 new private residential units will be released. Barclays projects that new home completions will increase to 20,900 by the end of next year, more than the 19,900 units to be completed this year. More public housing is also slated to be completed in the coming quarters, putting further pressure on occupancy rates. Private home rents are now five per cent below the peak in Q2 2013. Barclays noted that prices tend to dip substantially when the vacancy rate surpasses eight per cent.
On the executive condominiums (EC) front, a startling 2,446 units are unoccupied, according to the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) first-quarter report. This consists of EC units that have yet to be sold and those bought but left vacant. Almost 50 per cent of EC buyers are HDB homeowners seeking a home upgrade. Declining HDB resale prices have hindered the sale of their HDB flats. This has ultimately prolonged the period their newly bought ECs sit vacant. Under HDB rules, upgraders have six months to sell their existing flats upon key collection of their EC units. In the first three months of this year, 29 extension requests to HDB have been made. The total was 56 last year. Apart from HDB homeowners, vacant EC units are also likely to belong to investors who have no intention to move in.

2,000 applications for 156 five-room units in Clementi for recent BTO exercise

The number of applicants for five-room units in a Clementi Build-To-Order (BTO) project, Clementi Crest, reached 2,000 as of 5pm on 2 June. On average, that is about 13 applicants for each five-room unit. Four-room flats in Clementi Crest were equally popular, drawing nearly 1,900 applications for 229 units. The flats at Clementi have emerged a frontrunner in the recent Housing and Development Board's (HDB) round of flat sales. This is despite its premium price tag, almost S$200,000 more than the other five-room units on sale under the current BTO exercise. A five-room HDB flat at Clementi Crest is priced at S$576,000 to S$725,000.
The demand for Clementi has been associated with its lack of new flats and prime location, as it is also near to an MRT station and the town centre. Its neighbouring estate, Jurong East, also promises a new regional centre and HSR (High-Speed Rail), which has created a ripple effect to estates nearby. The Sembawang project was the next most popular, with about four applications for each four-room unit, followed by Tampines with three applications for each four-room unit, and lastly Punggol Northshore with two applications for each four-room unit.

Jurong West EC sells 120 units on first day

A quarter of the 480 units were sold in the newest executive condominium (EC) project on the first day of booking. 120 units at Westwood Residences, located at Jurong West, were snapped up by buyers by 7pm on 30 May. Prior to the booking date 500 booking applications were made. Prices for the EC project range from S$620,000 for a two-bedroom unit to S$1.1 million for a five-bedroom unit. Developers confirmed that this averages about S$783 per square foot, slightly less than the given price of S$800 per square foot. Westwood Residences is also the first EC to be altered by resale levy rules. EC buyers who have formerly bought HDB flats or ECs are also affected by the new changes.

Savills report: slow supply growth expected to pick up
Singapore's rental market picked up 3.1 per cent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) and 13.5 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in Q1 2015; 15,229 leasing transactions were recorded. Homes in the core central region (CCR) and the rest of the central region (RCR) enjoyed an increase of 4.6 per cent and 5.6 per cent respectively, while those in the outside central region (OCR) faced a 0.9 per cent decline. Demand for the OCR is still strong as YoY growth was 19.1 per cent. This comes despite the saturated employment market and sluggish economic growth.
In terms of rent, the URA rental index recorded a 1.8 per cent decline in non-landed private residential properties. The decline is reflected in all regions, with the CCR leading with a 1.9 per cent QoQ decrease, closely followed by the OCR (1.8 per cent) and the RCR (1.6 per cent). Likewise, Savills observed that rents for high-end non-landed residential properties have dropped by 1.5 per cent QoQ. Additionally, Savills noted that individual landlords, unlike institutional or corporate landlords, are ready to adjust their rental expectations to guarantee a tenant.
With larger projects receiving Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP), the leasing market in the CCR is seeing more competition. High profile projects include OUE Twin Peaks, RV Residences and Stellar RV, which contribute an additional 830 units to the existing stock. With a further shortening of rental budgets, expatriates are now turning to seek rentals in non-CCR areas. Vacancy rates of private homes prove a huge opportunity cost with a stagnant number of about 22,346 residential units.

First freehold property up for collective sale
Fairhaven, located at Sophia Road in District 9, is up for collective sale by public tender. Over 80 per cent of the owners provided consent to the sale of the 15-unit residential development. The owners are looking at offers above S$45 million for the freehold development that comes with an approximate land area of 16,660 square feet. Taking the ten per cent bonus balcony into account, this would translate to about S$1,169 per square foot per plot ratio. Jones Lang Lasalle's (JLL) National Director of Capital Markets, Ms Yong Choon Fah, suggested for potential buyers to consider constructing smaller apartments. This is to capitalise on the site's central area location, where residential units are not restricted by new minimum size guidelines imposed by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Fairhaven is the first development site to be put up for sale in the vicinity since URA released a Mount Sophia site in 2013 that drew a fair number of bids. Ms Yong expects the site to attract owner-occupiers, investors and families with school-going children.
Fairhaven's proximity to educational clusters and the Dhoby Ghaut interchange station are further selling points. Public tender for Fairhaven closes on 1 July 2015 at 3pm.
For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

11 June 2015, Singapore - Knight Frank, the independent global property consultancy, today launches the Global House Price Index for Q1 2015. The index recorded its weakest annual growth for three years, rising by just 0.3% in the year to March 2015.

Report highlights:

- Despite the cooling measures in place, Hong Kong leads the rankings (up 19% year-on-year) due to tight supply pushing up mainstream prices.

- Ukraine, Cyprus and China occupy the bottom rankings for annual price growth, falling 15.5%, 8.2% and 6.4% respectively.

- The weakest-performing world region is now Russia & CIS with prices down 2.3% on average year-on-year.

A two-speed Europe is increasingly evident.

- European countries which claimed almost exclusive rights to the bottom half of the rankings for several years are now more evenly spread with seven of the top ten countries now located in Europe.
- Turkey, Ireland, Luxemburg and Estonia rank highest, all registering double-digit annual growth.
- In contrast, Cyprus, Greece, France and Italy sit amongst the 10 weakest-performing markets.

Ms Kate Everett-Allen, International Residential Research at Knight Frank, says, "Around 75% of countries tracked by the index recorded flat or positive annual price growth in Q1 2015, three years earlier this figure was closer to 47.2%.

"The two bellwethers of global housing economics, China and the US, are pursuing divergent courses but for how long? While prices continue to soften in China (down 6.4% on average year-on-year), the volume of sales rose 7% year-on-year in April on the back of looser monetary policy. The US, on the other hand, recorded 4.1% growth in the year to March but with underlying inflation still rising, a rate rise is expected later this year."

For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

HONG KONG, CHINA - Media OutReach - June 11, 2015 - The Society of Publishers in Asia(SOPA), an organisation dedicated to best practices in professional publishing, presented 97 awards for outstanding journalism at its annual SOPA Awards for Editorial Excellence gala dinner at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre tonight.

Over 270 senior media executives, editors, journalists and industry affiliates from across the Asia Pacific region attended the event. Tara Joseph from Reuters was the master of ceremony while Jimmy Lai, founder of Next Media Group, was the evening's guest of honor. He was interviewed by Hugo Restall of The Wall Street Journal.

This year, the SOPA Awards received a record number of entries from across Asia competing in 18 categories among English and Chinese regional, local print or digital publications and wire services.

The shortlist of finalist and winners can be viewed on the following website:http://www.sopawards.com/awards/award-winners/

The panel of judges was comprised of more than 100 international judges in various locations around the globe including journalists, editors, columnist from leading publications, as well as notable academics from media departments of prestigious universities. The judging panel was led by Head of Judges, Jeffrey Timmermans, director of the undergraduate journalism program at The University of Hong Kong and the Deputy Head of Judge, King-wa Fu, an assistant professor at The University of Hong Kong's Journalism & Media Studies Centre.

Raymond Warhola, Chairman of SOPA, said, "The SOPA Awards for Editorial Excellence represent the gold standard of journalistic integrity and consummate professionalism in Asia. This year, we are especially pleased to celebrate and welcome Mr. Philip Bowring as the first Honorary Member inducted to The Society of Publishers in Asia. A quintessential journalist for more than 40 years, the collective body of Mr. Bowring's work across multiple print and digital platforms, reflects an unwavering commitment to the highest principles of our industry. Together, we are proud to embrace the lofty standards that he so typifies."

This year SOPA organized a new daytime program on the same day as the gala dinner. A journalist workshop presentation held in the morning at Journalism & Media Studies Centre at The University of Hong Kong. Presenters from CommonWealth Magazine, International New York Times, Reuters, Quartz and The Wall Street Journal shared the happenings in news journalism reporting on the past events such as the Occupy Hong Kong. Tours of Google and Bloomberg Media offices were held in the afternoon.

The SOPA 2015 Awards for Editorial Excellence is supported by Invest Hong Kong (Platinum Sponsor) and Google (Silver Sponsor). K11 is the Supporting Sponsor. CatchOn is the public relations partner, and Media OutReach is the newswire partner.

For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

Barclays: Biggest losses recorded for luxury property owners

Loss-making deals located in the Orchard Road and Sentosa districts have cost the ultra-wealthy millions this year due to the luxury property market downturn. A Barclays report highlighted a 56 per cent drop in value for a St Regis Residences penthouse unit sold for S$12.77m, S$15.8m below its purchase price of S$28m in 2007. Other losses in the Orchard vicinity include another penthouse at St Regis Residences, a three-bedroom unit at The Orchard Residences and a four-bedroom unit at The Grange, with losses of S$4.78m, S$2.253m and S$2.05m respectively.
On Sentosa, four-bedroom units located at Turquoise at Sentosa Cove and The Coast at Sentosa Cove made losses of 37 per cent, or S$2.715m, and 28 per cent, or S$1.215m respectively. The oldest Sentosa Cove condo, The Berth by the Cove, has suffered a 36 per cent loss from its peak in 2011According to Barclays, the condo, built in 2006, recently traded for S$1,230 psf. This is a far cry from its S$1,919 psf price in October 2011, prior to the Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD). Projects such as The Oceanfront have plummeted by 25 per cent; the latest transaction was recorded at S$1,954 psf compared to S$2,605 psf in September 2011.

URA bolsters transparency

Private residential developers are now required to state the transacted price, nett price and benefits given to buyers of each transaction stemming from the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) new rule. Since Friday, 5 June 2015, information such as discounts and rebates has been made accessible to the public on URA's website. Such information was previously undisclosed and it was impossible to confirm what buyers were offered. Mr Steven Tan, Managing Director of OrangeTee, told Channel NewsAsia that the new rule would help buyers "have a better gauge of the overall pricing."
All developers are also obligated to disclose sales data to authorities. This includes sales volumes and prices of individual transacted units. This information will be updated on a weekly basis on URA's website.
While both guidelines will provide the public with a clearer picture, homebuyers are advised to be careful when interpreting the data to avoid generalising the property market. Ms Chia Siew Chuin, Director of Research and Advisory at Colliers International, told Channel NewsAsia, "What buyers need to take care of is that they need to harvest all this information for project-specific details, rather than as a general indication of what the property market at large is like. Property trends take time to form. So on a weekly basis, buyers may not be able to know exactly where ... the market at large ... is heading."
The next set of new developer rules will be issued on 20 July 2015. The new guidelines will require developers to certify that their showflats accurately exhibit the actual units put on sale before public viewing.
The new rules bolster transaction transparency and may drive homebuyer bargains. Mr Donald Han, Managing Director at real estate broker Chesterton Singapore, said to Today that homebuyers will be able to use the additional information to negotiate a better price. Ms Alice Tan, Head of Consultancy and Research at property brokerage Knight Frank, added that developers will begin marketing home prices more attractively as a result of the new rules, "In light of the weak market, developers need to get the price right at the start, in order to garner immediate interest from buyers." She also expects developers to provide discounts of between three and eight per cent.

7,825 private residential units to be added to pipeline with 2H2015 GLS Programme
The Ministry of National Development (MND) has announced the second half of 2015 (2H2015) Government Land Sales (GLS) Programme, comprising four Confirmed List sites and 13 Reserve List sites. These sites can yield up to 7,825 private residential units, including 1,340 Executive Condominium (EC) units, and 277,580 square metre (sqm) gross floor area (GFA) of commercial space.
The Confirmed List comprises four private residential sites (including one EC site) that can yield about 2,130 private residential units (including 520 EC units) located in the outside central region (OCR) and the rest of the central region (RCR). The Reserve List comprises eight private residential sites (including one EC site), two commercial and residential sites, two commercial sites and one White site. A White site is a land parcel for which developers have flexibility in deciding the mix of uses and allocated floor space for respective uses restricted by the development's total gross floor area (GFA). These sites can yield about 5,695 private residential units as well as 275,580 sqm GFA of commercial space, mostly for office use.
According to MND, the supply of private housing and commercial space from the GLS Programme, together with supply from projects in the pipeline, will be adequate to meet the demand for private housing and commercial space over the next few years.
For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

Milan Interior Design turned a plain HDB flat into a home that's reminiscent of a serviced apartment. The neutral colour scheme sets the foundation for the design, with a detailed focus on quality finishes and plenty of hidden storage space. More importantly, Milan Interior Design created a home that specifically caters to the homeowners ' needs and wants.

Kitchen Capers

The kitchen places function over form. The linear design of the cabinetry gives the wife ample space to flit about the kitchen without leaving a mess. Also of note is the contrasting colours of the top and lower cabinets; it's easy on the eyes and makes daily maintenance a breeze.

Key To Comfort

The family enjoys spending their evenings together. As such, the designers wanted to create a living room where the family can spend quality time with one another. Colours are kept quiet and neutral to act as an unobtrusive backdrop. At the same time, luxe touches are apparent in the choice of ceiling lights, plush furniture and quality furnishing.

Hotel Class

The family travels regularly, and the parents are used to sleeping in luxurious hotel rooms. To evoke a similar feel in the master bedroom, the designers included the staples of a five-star suite: a high king-size bed, plush drapery and a clean and unhindered layout. Storage comes in the form of pull-out drawers beneath the bed and a wall of shelves next to the television set.

Into The Blue

A burst of blue brings a vibrant and energetic atmosphere to the son's bedroom. Designing a room for a young and active child meant that designers could be a bit bolder in their colour choice. As such, different shades of blue cover the walls, shelving system and even the bed.

Slide Aside

Large mirror panels line the walkway that leads into

the bedrooms. This visually enlarges the narrow corridor and at the same time, conveniently hides the entrance to the bathroom.

"It was necessary to retain space for the children to grow up in. At the same time, storage space was just as important to keep the home looking spic and span."

For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

We may love curves on women, but how about on our TV? Curved TVs are in trend in new homes today, boasting an intimate viewing experience on your favourite TV programmes. But are they really as good as they claim to be? We headed down to the major department stores in Singapore to find out what the hype is all about.

The Good
Curved TV offers a more immersive viewing experience
Just like watching a programme with the 3D effect but without the need for the 3D glasses, the curved interface adds depth to your typical flat TV. Its curved edge makes viewing more intimate as the visuals 'wrap around' you, which means you will be immersed in the world of Game of Thrones.
This is one of the main benefits of a curved TV. However, this only stands true when your TV is large enough. The recommended size is to go with at least the more affordable 55-inch, or the ideal 65-inch TV for your living room. The bigger the TV, the better the visual experience. Otherwise, the experience would not differ much from a flat-screen TV.

Curved TV reduces reflection
Another main benefit is the reduced reflection. However when light falls on a curved surface, the reflections will be slightly distorted and exaggerated, like a fun house mirror. To prevent such distortions, introduce some light control elements to your room.
Curved TV offers better contrast
Curved screens focus the light directly onto your eyes rather than dispersing it over a wide area.
We are not exactly sure to what extent the curvature helps since the colour contrast is likely to be influenced by colour accuracy and screen resolution (correct us if we are wrong!).

Curved TV works better than a flat TV if you have a small space
If you like to enjoy the visual pleasure of watching from a big-screen in a small space, then a curved TV is a better option. Its curved surface means you can have a shorter viewing distance than your typical flat-screen TV, and it is less tiring on your eyes as your eyes need not 'stretch' too much when you are sitting near to a flat-screen TV.
The Bad
You will need to be at the best seat to enjoy the curved TV
Those sitting at the sides will notice slight distortions due to the screen curvature, and this has reportedly caused headaches and fatigues in viewers as the brain tries to compensate for the distortion.
In the typical home, the 'sweet spot' (of sitting in the middle) can only accommodate just one or two viewers. Thus, it is recommended to opt for a wider screen if you are taking the curved TV; which means, you will have to spend more. Not a wise choice if you like to invite friends or loved ones for a good movie or a game of Halo.
This was also in line with what was recommended by the sales staff; go for at least 65-inch for curved TVs.
How much more would a curved TV costs?
It was a unanimous choice among the sales staff at three department stores to go with Samsung as they are the first to produce the curved TV, and the curvature is wider than other brands.
Comparing the models across Samsung, the price difference between curved and flat-screen TV ranges around $300-$600, not much of a difference we say.

So are curved TVs a marketing gimmick?
Feedback from homeowners who owned a curved TV was that the differences were not significant, but wouldn't mind paying for the slight difference for a higher perceived value and better quality. Its curves are aesthetically modern and futuristic and curved TV is in trend.
Our take? There isn't a notable difference between the curved and a flat-screen TV, unless you can afford at least a 65-inch in order to enjoy the full benefits of a curved TV. Pixel density, colour contrast and price would probably be more compelling considerations.
But before you go, here are some quick pointers to note before you purchase your TV.

What to look out for when purchasing a TV
• TV are getting SMART-er; get this if you are one who likes to stream videos from the Internet
• Pixel density; it is a choice between Ultra HD (UHD) which boasts 8.3 million megapixels, versus a Full HD (2.3 million megapixels). The pixel density is a main determinant in the price
• All TVs in stores are adjusted to the maximum brightness. For a more accurate feel on how your TV programme will look like at home, tone down the brightness settings
• Understand the amount of space you have and the viewing distance, and then choose the appropriate TV size
Have you bought a curved TV or are looking to buy one? Tell us what you think about curved TVs below.

Note: All images here are sourced from Samsung and LG.

For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

Nusajaya, Johor, 15 June 2015 ~ Daiwa House Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. ("Daiwa"), a subsidiary of Japan's largest pre-fabricated homebuilder and Fortune Global 500 company,Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd., has entered into a Joint Venture ("JV") with Sunway Iskandar Sdn. Bhd. ("SISB"), a subsidiary of Sunway Berhad, to develop 100 units of high quality pre-fabricated landed homes in Sunway Iskandar with a gross development value (GDV) of RM210 million.
The properties to be developed under the JV are targeted for sale to buyers in Malaysia, Singapore and Japan, aligned with the plan to attract Japanese homebuyers to the Iskandar community. The Japanese market is one of the top five investors in Iskandar and there has been a steady increase in Japanese interest in Iskandar due to its conducive environment and proximity to Singapore.
Under the agreement, SISB has transferred the lease of a 13 acre land located in Sunway Iskandar to the JV Company, to be 70% owned by Daiwa and 30% by SISB, a financial consideration of RM63 million for the development of 100 units of landed homes. Sarena Cheah, Managing Director, Sunway Property, today, signed the agreement with Daisuke Usugi, Managing Director, Daiwa House Malaysia.
The parcel of land, marked for development, is located strategically within Sunway Iskandar's Lakeview Precinct which is adjacent to the pristine 20 acre Emerald Lake. Dubbed Nature's Capital City, Sunway Iskandar is located within the heart of Iskandar Malaysia, approximately 5 minutes from Singapore via the Second Link Expressway and 25 minutes from Senai International Airport and is surrounded by Iskandar Malaysia's catalytic developments including LEGOLAND Malaysia, Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios, EduCity, Kota Iskandar and the International Financial District.

The landed homes, to be constructed using prefabricated technologies, will comprise bungalows, semi-detached and cluster homes located in a gated and guarded community with its own facilities such as clubhouse, swimming pool, gymnasium, multi-purpose hall, child care center and prayer facilities. The project is expected to be launched in early 2016, with handover to customers estimated for mid-2017.
Prefabricated housing is the manufacturing of houses or housing components offsite in a factory environment before final installation onsite. Prefabricated housing technologies enables for faster construction and delivery to customers, higher consistent product quality and enhanced live-ability.
"This strategic collaboration is in line with Sunway's vision to integrate world-class liveability in Sunway Iskandar. With Daiwa House's world-recognised expertise in prefabricated technologies, we hope to expand prefabricated housing technologies in Malaysia and to deliver high quality products to our homebuyers in Sunway Iskandar," said Sarena Cheah.
"The homes will incorporate cutting-edge design features, tapping into Daiwa's experience in Japan and R&D strengths, such as child friendly door designs, home energy management systems, game-changing lifestyles for the communities of Sunway Iskandar," said Daisuke Usugi, Managing Director, Daiwa House Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

God is in the dimensions when it comes to designing for small spaces. We reveal the most efficient design measurements to take note.
Text: Ashley Choo Illustration: Angela Soh
Everything is a squeeze in small spaces but if you get the dimensions of your rooms right, your little space can be a comfortable haven. Arm yourself with your floor plan and a ruler and we'll go through certain numbers and dimensions you need to know while shopping for your remodelling project.

Sofa: 25cm Breathing Space On Each Side When measuring the wall that your sofa will be placed against, ensure that not only is there enough space for your new sofa but also at least 25cm on each side of the couch for breathing space. "If you're planning for your sofa to fit perfectly in that space, your sofa will look and feel crammed and uncomfortable," says Ben Hou, retail manager for furniture retailer OM. Ben also reminds homeowners that the space will also have to accommodate your curtains, which will take up 10-15cm of wall space.

Floor Tiles: That Trendy 80 x 80 To get away from the uniform HDB look, homeowners now go for larger tile sizes than the typically supplied 60 x 60 cm. "People don't like grout lines," says Wee Geck Ying, Senior Business Development Executive for Hafary, a tiles supplier, "and more are opting for 80 x 80 cm tile sizes." If you want even bigger sizes, you need to see if your living space can accommodate them. For example, if you can only lay a handful of 60 x 180 cm tiles in a small space, the room will just look awkward. Also remember that bigger tile sizes not only cost more per sqft, the labour cost to lay each tile is also higher since since two men will be required to lay each tile right.

Pendant Lamps: 30cm Clearance Space First consider the height of your ceiling when hanging up your lamp and then ensure that there is enough clearance space for the height of the people using that space. You should provide at least 30 cm clearance space for the person standing below. Hanging a pendant lamp too high up may not be aesthetically pleasing too. Plan for the lamp to cover up to 20 per cent of the ceiling height for the space to look balanced. If you have a rectangular table below the lamp, you may wish to install more hanging pendant lamps over the table.
Dining Table: 60 Is Magic A wellbalanced, proportional dining table usually comes in the standard size of 180 x 90cm. For small spaces, this size is a luxury owners can ill afford. "You need at least 60cm in length for a person to feel comfortable eating at the dining table," Ben says. Bearing that in mind, you can shop for a dining table with a minimum 60cm length with extendable options whenever you have guests over. With placement, 60cm is also the dimension of choice between the dining table and the wall so that you can pull out a chair and slide in comfortably.

Coffee Table: Allow For LegroomMake sure there is enough legroom between your coffee table and your sofa when you sit down. Ben reckons 30cm is the bare minimum space you should allow for. On the other side of the coffee table, you should allow for at least 40-45 cm between the table and the TV console so that you'll be able to pull open your coffee table or console drawers.

Sinks & Faucets: The Perfect Permutation Consider the usage of your wash area before selecting your faucet and sink. For example, will you be using the area to brush your teeth or to fill a large pot of water? For the former, you'll prefer a lower faucet spout to bathroom sink height so that it will create less splash, i.e. a lower faucet height in a deeper basin. For the latter, you'll prefer a higher faucet height coupled with an undermount basin for a larger range of motions without bumping into the handles. If you have an overhanging cabinet with a standard bathroom countertop height of about 80cm, you'll have a smaller range of faucets to select from.

Bathroom Floor Tiles: 30 x 30 Is Safer Grout lines are your friends when it comes to the bathroom, as they will help to make your floor slip resistant. Therefore large tile sizes should be avoided. Also note that any type of flooring is going to be slippery when it comes into contact with water. Eschewing the typical HDB supplied 30 x 30 cm bathroom tiles, you can opt for sizes of up to the 30 x 60 cm varieties. Anything bigger is not recommended. Smaller tile sizes will also make it easier for your contractor to level a slope to the floor drain.
"Remember that bigger tile sizes not only cost more per sqft, the labour cost to lay each tile is also higher since since two men will be required to lay each tile right""Grout lines are your friends when it comes to the bathroom, as they will help to make your floor slip resistant. Therefore large tile sizes should be avoided."
For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

Big Data By iProperty.com Reveals More Demand Than Supply

The iProperty Group has revealed its latest innovative product offering - iPropertyIQ big data that enables real estate professionals to quickly turn data into business value. iPropertyIQ will provide simplified access to trends on consumer behaviour in the property market helping developers discover new insights, predict outcomes in real time, and build developments that cater to the needs of property buyers. With iPropertyIQ, information such as buyer-interest towards specific property types, consumer search trends, as well as details on property demand for respective districts will be made available. Users can also monitor the price trends of properties. iPropertyIQ Singapore data revealed that the three most searched type of properties were condominiums, hi-rise apartments and low-rise apartments. The most popular districts consumers searched for were Ardmore, Bukit Timah, Farrer Road, Holland, Tanglin Road, Balmoral, Grange Road, Orchard Boulevard and River Valley. According to iProperty.com Singapore General Manager, Mr Sean Tan, data from 2014 showed that close to 56.85 per cent of listings on iProperty.com Singapore were above SGD1 million, an unaffordable price for most buyers. "This partially explains why Singaporeans look at investing outside Singapore, as they are able to purchase a property at a cheaper price due to currency exchange," shared Mr. Tan.

45 per cent dip in new private home sales in MayNumbers of new private homes sold in May took a tumble, falling 45 per cent from April with only 638 new private homes sold, excluding executive condominiums (ECs). This is according to data from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). 469 of the 638 units sold were in the outside central region (OCR). Despite the drop, total sales outdid monthly figures from January to March which saw sales of 374 to 613 units. Low sales figures last month were attributed to the lack of new launches. Only 499 units were launched in May compared to 1,382 units in April.
Meanwhile Botanique at Bartley and North Park Residences in Yishun Central remained hot favourites from April to May, selling another 94 units and 59 units last month at median prices of S$1,292 per square foot (psf) and S$1,397 psf respectively. The sales at the two projects contributed to the outside central region (OCR) maintaining its position as the top selling region.
May sales for units in the core central region (CCR) hit the highest record for the year with 69 units sold. Analysts who spoke to Today said that this was likely due to home buyers' ample savings after prices declined from cooling measures and property loan curbs. However Dr Chua Yang Liang, Jones Lang Lasalle's (JLL) head of research and consultancy noted that this did not indicate a market recovery and that buyers will continue to be cautious with the potential increase in interest rates.
The EC segment also topped the charts after sales increased 64 per cent to 207 units in May. The jump was due to Westwood Residences in Westwood Avenue, a new project launch that sold 118 units at a median price of S$803 psf. With the inclusion of ECs, total sales in May hit 845 units.

Investors to avoid residential market until prices decline

SC Capital Partners will not be re-entering the residential market until home prices decline by at least 30 per cent, noted Mr Suchad Chiaranussatti, founder of the Asian property fund in an interview with Bloomberg. The company made a loss from the sale of Singapore apartments after additional stamp duty policies hindered home sales in 2011, the year they acquired the property. According to Mr Chiaranussatti, the company was unprepared for "the intensity and the severity of the policies". SC Capital made a record high loss of S$12 million for its 18 units in Patterson Suites condominium project which they sold for S$2,100 psf. It was previously bought for S$2,300 psf in 2011.
Mr Chiaranussatti also believes that the government will not relax property curbs for at least two years, however, he noted that investment opportunities should emerge in the coming years when mass-market home prices decline further.

Developers likely to avoid unattractive GLS residential sitesSites released for the recently announced Government Land Sales (GLS) programme for the second instalment of 2015 were significantly lesser than the previous 2015 GLS programme. Mr Desmond Sim, Head of Research for South East Asia and Singapore at CBRE said in an interview with Channel NewsAsia that he believes government's refrain on launching new sites is due to the excess of unsold supply that has accumulated over the last eight to 12 months. Approximately 19,000 units continued to be unsold in end March. This is higher than 17,644 units and 16,587 units that were reported to be unsold in September and December 2014 respectively.
Analysts who spoke to Singapore Business Review said that Confirmed List sites such as Jalan Kandis, Clementi Ave 1 and Yio Chu Kang Road are unlikely to attract developers in this challenging market. These sites are considered unattractive being located a distance away from the Central Region as well as MRT stations. The sites at Alexandra View and Siglap Road are predicted to be favourites; Alexandra View is near the Redhill MRT Station while Siglap Road is in a waterfront living area.

For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

A memorable beach vacation was the design inspiration for the owners of this 4room HDB flat when they wanted to renovate their home. With the help of Urban Habitat's interior designer, the young couple incorporated ideas of the sun, sand and the sea into their home. The result: a fresh and relaxing space that makes staying home a veritable holiday.
Project Type: 4room HDBFloor Area: 968 sqft
Text: Redzman Rahmat

Seaside Style
To achieve the "beach house" look that the homeowners requested, designer Whelan Lau from Urban Habitat picked out colour and material palettes that suggest a casual beach vacation. His selection includes natural textures and colours like sea blue on the curtains, leafy green on certain walls and wood grains on the carpentry works.

Down To The Details
"Another way that we managed to encourage a beach house vibe is by using wood laminates that are reminiscent of the planks you'd find by the beach," says Whelan. This particular laminate is used on feature walls throughout the home, including the ones in the living and dining areas. Whelan also points out the importance of the furniture and accessories. "We were very involved in the selection of furniture and decorative items. So things like the sconces and wallmounted mirrors contribute to the easy, laidback vibe in this home."

Natural Cooking
In keeping with the material palette of the rest of the home, the kitchen cabinets are all clad in wood grain laminates. The resulting look is more subdued compared to the other rooms, but works well in a functional space such as this. Whelan understood that the homeowners needed ample storage and he complied by customising rows of cabinets on both walls.

Into The Blue
The seaside vacation theme continues in the master bedroom, where baby blue walls evoke memories of clear skies and balmy beaches. As with all bedrooms, the main focus here is to create a restful space that the occupants will feel safe and comfortable in. As such, the Urban Habitat team kept the design simple, focusing instead on accessorising the room with box crates and mounted wall mirrors.

Zesty Flavour
In order to make the home look larger, the wall of this spare bedroom has been replaced with a clear glass panel. Not only does the living room appear bigger, this study room enjoys the benefits of having a clear line of sight to the television set outside. Also of note is the lime green hue on the wall and on accent parts of the carpentry. "We only used natural tones in this home," Whelan emphasises, "so I used colours like green and blue to keep the interiors feeling fresh and fun."

"We only used natural tones in this home, so I used colours like green and blue to keep the interiors feeling fresh and fun."

Design by Urban Habitat
For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

2-room Flexi HDB scheme to be implemented
Studio apartments and two-room flats are to be offered through a single scheme called "2-room Flexi". National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan announced the new development on MediaCorp's Capital 95.8FM on 23 June, Tuesday. The scheme aims to provide a flexible lease tenure that ranges from 30 to 99 years to a wider pool of Singaporeans such as seniors, singles and low-income families. Presently, studio apartments have a fixed lease of 30 years to enable seniors above the age of 55 to monetise the older HDB they reside in. The short lease also keeps prices low. On the other hand, two-room flats come with a 99-year lease, meant for families or singles. The scheme is expected to be ready in August in time for the next (Build-To-Order) BTO exercise and will be implemented with limitations. For example, a lease below 99 years will not be applicable for young couples who will likely outlive the lease.

HDB is also investigating the possibilities of raising the income ceilings for prospective HDB and Executive Condominiums (EC) buyers. Mr Khaw noted that while 80 per cent of applicants meet the income requirement, income levels have been rising steadily since 2011. Income ceilings were last increased in 2011, from S$8,000 to S$10,000 for BTOs and from S$10,000 to S$12,000 for ECs. ERA Key Executive Officer Mr Eugene Lim said to Channel NewsAsia that he speculates a reasonable increase from S$10,000 to S$12,000 for BTOs and ECs from S$12,000 to about S$15,000 in the new adjustment. More details will be released in August.

Additional support for couples buying resale units near parents

National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan announced in a blog post on Friday, 19 June that the government will be looking into further support for couples opting to purchase resale units near their parents. For the last five years, 36 per cent of homebuyers in mature estates have applied under priority schemes to live near their extended families. This is above the national average of 24 per cent.
Mr Khaw acknowledged that despite the ministry's best efforts, there is a lack of land in mature estates for building new flats. However he noted the strong uptake of priority schemes by applicants who wished to continue a close living arrangement with their extended families. In 2014, 90 per cent applied under the Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS) while ten per cent applied under the Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS), up from five per cent the year before. A total of 284 pairs of parents and children submitted applications based on the enhanced MGPS since September 2013.
Mr Khaw highlighted the upcoming BTO project of Bidadari, providing assurance that applicants' with parents living in Toa Payoh, Potong Pasir, or within the 2km radius will be given priority.

UOB Kay Hian: End to property cooling measures nearing

A report from UOB Kay Hian suggested that property cooling measures are likely to be lifted by early 2016. UOB Kay Hian analysts Vikrant Padey and Derek Chang highlighted sluggish home sales in May and extreme cutbacks in land supply for private residential properties as indicators that a softening in policies is likely to happen. May's decline in units sold demonstrates a dip in home-buying sentiment, which could bring the government to ease policies curbing demand, since the cutback in supply was likely meant to avoid an extreme price amendment.

BNP: Private properties to drop another 10 per cent in next two years

BNP Paribas believes that private property prices will continue to plummet by a further ten per cent until price-to-income ratio reaches approximately 8.5 times, assuming that domestic income growth is at five per cent per annum. The report by BNP also warns that the Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) is likely to persist to manage purchasing power.
Analysts at BNP said, "A combination of weakening regional growth prospects, macro-prudential tightening and a sizeable supply-demand imbalance has taken the steam out of Singapore's property market. The general consensus appears to be that the authorities have sufficient control over the property market to maintain the existing desirable slow bleed in residential prices". Citing the impact of TDSR as two-fold, BNP noted that it managed demand by capping the number of households and promoted long-term financial security.
Other issues cited by the report include excess supply in the private property market due to the government's strict stance on immigration. Foreign and Permanent Resident (PR) population have been driving Singapore's economic growth, be it in purchases or rentals. Strict immigration regulations were introduced just as new units are being released in the market at an unexpected pace.

Creative efforts deployed by EC developers
More executive condominium (ECs) developers are getting innovative to entice buyers and differentiate themselves amid weak market circumstances. As of last month 4,176 EC units remained unsold. This is an increase from 2,738 in May 2014.

The Vales EC in Sengkang is marketing two-storey villa units which are 159 square metres each with private parking lots. While prices are not fixed, it is expected to compete with Bellewaters EC which boasts a median price of S$813 per square feet (psf). Booking is expected to start on 18 July.
Meanwhile, cycling is the main attraction at Westwood Residences which launched on 30 May. It boasts 500 bicycle lots, a maintenance area and a shared velodrome, an arena for track cycling. Lake Life which launched in November, on the other hand, offers residents a variety of classes ranging from baking to fitness-related lessons.
Price trends in the property market have caused EC developers to get creative. While ECs are popular when the price gap between private and public housing widens, the recent narrowing prices have caused some stress on developers, Mr Nicholas Mak, Executive Director of Research and Consultancy at SLP International Property shared.
Toa Payoh and Dundee Road tenders draw competitive bids
A leading bid of S$345.86 million was placed by Evia Real Estate and Malaysia's Gamuda Bhd, outdoing 13 other developers for a prime 99-year lease residential site in Toa Payoh. Similarly, an attractive bid of S$483.2 million by HY Realty topped nine other bids for a 99-year lease Dundee Road residential site.
The 12,154.6 square metre (sq m) Toa Payoh site is situated at the junction of Lorong 6 and Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, and estimated to be S$755 per square foot based on the bid. The 10,516 sq m site at Dundee works out to be approximately S$871.14 per square foot per plot ratio (psf ppr). The Toa Payoh site can accommodate 535 private residential units, or potentially a mix of flats and private homes if developers seek prior written approval while the Dundee Road site can yield 645 units.
The top bid by Evia and Gamuda was only 1.1 per cent more than the next highest bid of S$342.1 million, the narrowest gap reported since last year's auction over Choa Chu Kang Drive which saw a 2.2 per cent difference. Dr Chua Yang Liang, Head of Research and Consultancy at Jones Lang Lasalle Singapore, said in an interview with Channel NewsAsia that the close bids reflected potentially more consistent views among developers that will be further supported by "more transactional data" that help developers determine market demand.

For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

With strong demand drivers and encouraging market conditions, Melbourne's real estate market make for a great overseas investment for Singaporeans. Anthill Realtors believes that the city has upside potential for capital appreciation and yield play.

Melbourne has a healthy demand for housing that is driven by both local and foreign home-buyers and investors whom are attracted by the city's high standard of living. In Economist Intelligence Unit's livability survey of 140 cities, Melbourne has been named the world's most livable city for four years in a row. Demand is expected to climb, as the population in Melbourne continues to grow. By 2053, the city is forecasted to be Australia's most populous city with an estimate of 8 million people living and working there.
The city is well known for its many art exhibitions, sports events as well as live theatres and musicals which add to its vibrant and holistic quality of life. In the 2014 livability survey, Melbourne received an overall score of 97.5 out of 100, scoring a perfect rating for healthcare, education and infrastructure in the survey, increasing its overall appeal to the elderly and students. Research also shows that the state capital of Victoria emerged as the top migration city in Australia.

What makes Melbourne particularly attractive to investors is also its affordable entry into the market. A home-buyer or investor can own a freehold property by merely paying an initial 10% down payment, with the balance being paid on completion. This helps the home-buyer or investor keep the initial capital outlay low. The market is further encouraged by low interest rates. In early June 2015, the Reserve Bank of Australia maintained the cash rate of 2.00%, after cutting the cash rate by 25 basis points to a new record low of 2.00% in early May 2015. Furthermore, the city has the highest tax property concession in the whole of Australia.
"We are adding a number of projects to our Melbourne portfolio because we recognize its potential as a good place to invest. We believe that when a property at the right location is priced competitively, the development is a fantastic investment with plenty of upside potential, whether it is for yield play or capital appreciation," said Rhonda Wong, Chief Executive Officer of Anthill Realtors.
Affirming its commitment to its clients, Anthill Realtors is currently showing two quality developments in Melbourne, namely, The Fawkner on St Kilda Road and Night Fall on Gladstone Street. The Fawkner is an exceptional landmark building in a lush parkland setting. Conveniently located near Melbourne's most beautiful green spaces, including the Yarra River, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park, the residential building is only a few tram stops away from South Yarra's vibrant shopping, dining and entertainment area. Night Fall, Anthill Realtor's other Melbourne offering, rests discretely at the entrance of Melbourne's entertainment and recreation precincts - the excitement and colour of which is matched only by the grandeur and serenity of nearby parklands and picturesque Port Phillip Bay.
With the many positive factors that Melbourne has to offer, coupled with beautiful properties like The Fawkner and Night Fall, the city is fast becoming the most sought after destination for investors.
For more District Guides, you can head over to iProperty.com Singapore.

Week in Review - 7 May 2015

Viva Industrial Trust Plans - S$20 Million Revamp for Technopark@Chai Chee

Damansara City opens Pre Launch Sale

Shadow Play Unveils The Art of Extraordinary Luxury Living

Week in Review - 14 May 2015

Opening of Meridin East City Gallery

Week in Review - 21 May 2015

Week in Review - 28 May 2015

Week in Review - 4 June 2015

Knight Frank launches Global House Price Index Q1 2015

The Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) Announces Winners of the 2015 Awards

Week in Review - 12 Jun 2015

Family Comes First

Curved TV: A Gimmick Or A Must-Have?

Daiwa-Sunway JV to Build GDV RM210M Pre-fab Homes

The Math of Small Design

Week in Review - 19 Jun 2015

Urban Habitat - Seaside Surprise

Week in Review - 26 June 2015

Anthill Realtors set its sights on Melbourne