DAILY MARKET UPDATES 6th September 2008

Future returns from green moves today
95 Green Mark Awards were given out to environment-friendly buildings in 2007, a jump from 17 in 2005. Eco-friendly practices have become an integral part of property development and management, as well as corporate social responsibility activities today. In a McKinsey Quarterly survey last December of more than 2,100 global executives, 68% felt climate change is a somewhat or very important factor to consider when managing corporate reputation and brands. Besides winning public favour, green initiatives can help launch companies onto institutional investors' radar screen. City Developments noted that increasingly, investment funds are more concerned about the company's CSR efforts. Going green could also leads to cost savings in the long term. But some industry watchers believe that the broader market still needs time to warm to developers' green initiatives.
- The Business Times, P34
Mortgage rates still at rock bottom
Singapore's banks are continuing to offer rock-bottom mortgages. The latest to reaffirm Singapore's low interest rate home loans environment was Malayan Banking (Maybank), which yesterday launched a new three-year variable home loan that offers a low interest rate of 1.68 per cent a year for the first year. After that, the rates increase to 2.48 per cent for the second year and 2.88 per cent in the third. With interest rates so low, many home owners naturally consider refinancing their home loans with packages that are pegged to a faltering Sibor. DBS Bank said Sibor-pegged loans offer customers more transparency and also allow them to enjoy lower interest rates.
- The Straits Times, C23
Indian diaspora to gather here for major conference
India’s regional diaspora is being invited to Singapore next month to attend a major conference, designed to offer a glimpse of the burgeoning business opportunities emerging in the country. The conference, from Oct 9 to 11, is called PBD Singapore. It will be held at the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre and is being jointly organised by the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, India's Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and the Confederation of Indian Industry. About 500 to 700 delegates are expected to attend, including businessmen from the Asia-Pacific region as well as those from other nations who have business interest in India.
- The Straits Times, C20
Japanese-led group snags Senoko
SINGAPORE'S largest and oldest power plant was sold to a five-member group of foreign investors yesterday for almost $4 billion. A Japanese-led consortium emerged as the winning bidder for Senoko Power - owned by Temasek. The winning group includes French GDF Suez, operator of Europe's largest natural gas network, and Japanese trading house Marubeni Corporation. The companies hold 30 per cent each. Two Japanese firms, Kansai Electric Power and Kyushu Electric Power, hold 15 per cent each while Japan Bank for International Cooperation holds 10 per cent.
- The Straits Times, C19
Top-tier London homes still hot; wider market cools
London’s housing market may be cooling, but not when it comes to 10-bedroom mansions with designer interiors, indoor swimming pools and private gardens in the capital's most sought-after neighbourhoods. Demand for these homes - known as the 'super-prime' or even 'uber-prime' slice of the market and typically priced upwards of £20 million (S$50.7 million) - is still far ahead of supply. Fuelled by oil and commodity prices, which are adding to the wealth of emerging market millionaires, demand is showing no sign of slowing. The 'super-prime' segment is blossoming, helped by London's enduring popularity and by a lack of properties at the very top end and few coveted addresses.
- The Business Times, P20
UK consumers curbing spending on recession fears
A surge in cost-consciousness as the UK teeters on recession and more people fear for their jobs is taking its toll on retailers. According to the Confederation of British Industry, 46% of retailers reported lower sales in the first half of August compared with a year earlier. According to a study by Nationwide, consumer confidence is 44% lower than a year ago.
- The Business Times, P21
Shelford Suites
- 77 freehold condo units
- Shelford Road
- Walking distance to Botanic Gardens and the future Botanic Gardens MRT Station
- Near Nanyang Pri Sch and Raffles Girls’ Pri Sch
- Approved deferred payment scheme
- Expected TOP: 30 June 2011
- Developer: City Developments
- Marketing agents: Savills, CBRE
- The Straits Times, A26 - advertisement
D’Chateau
- Freehold apartment
- Shelford Road
- 2 blocks of 5-storey flats comprising 31 units, including penthouses with roof gardens
- 2, 3, 3+1-bedroom units and penthouses
- Deferred payment scheme: 5% upon booking, 15% within 8 weeks, no further payment till TOP
- Average price: $1,350 psf
- Developer: East Coast Properties Pte Ltd
- Marketing agent: DTZ
- The Straits Times, A34 - advertisement
Reflections at Keppel Bay
- 99-years w.e.f. 15 March 2006
- Six towers on a land size of approximately 84,000 sq m
- 2, 3, 4-bedroom and penthouse units
- $1,500 - $2,300 psf
- Private waterfront playground, Marina at Keppel Bay
- Deferred payment scheme – 20% downpayment, no further payment till handover
- Developer: Keppel Homes
-The Straits Times, B5 - advertisement
The Ambra
- Freehold apartment
- Lorong H Telok Kurau
- 8 minutes to Kembangan MRT
- 3 minutes to Telok Kurau Park
- Units left: 3, 3+1-bedroom, 2+1-bedroom penthouse (1 unit), 3-bedroom penthouse
- Average $850 psf
- Expected TOP: 30 June 2012
- Developer: Roxy Homes
- Marketing agent: Savills
-The Straits Times, B7 - advertisement
Botannia
- 956-years from 27 May 1928
- West Coast Park
- More than 400,000 sq ft of land
- Only 3-bedroom units available: $820 psf average
- Free shuttle service for residents
- New showflat
- Expected TOP: 30 April 2010
- Joint developers: City Developments and CapitaLand
- Marketing agents: CBRE, ERA
-The Straits Times, B11 - advertisement
Kovan Residences
- 99-years w.e.f. 31 Dec 2007
- Near Kovan MRT station. 13 minutes to the city
- 2, 3, 4-bedroom apartments, single-level or duplex penthouses with private pools or Jacuzzis
- $800-950 psf
- Expected TOP: 30 April 2010
- Joint developers: Centurion and Lian Beng Group
- Marketing agent: DTZ
-The Straits Times, B11 - advertisement
Clover by the Park
- 99-years w.e.f. 10 September 2007
- Average $750 psf
- 616 units: 3, 4-bedroom units and penthouses
- Bishan Street 22
- Near Bishan Sports Hall, Bishan Stadium, Bishan Active Sports Hub
- Expected TOP: 30 April 2010
- Developer: Sim Lian Group
-The Straits Times, C4 - advertisement
Idyllic East
- 2, 3, 4-bedroom units, penthouses with studios
- Interest absorption scheme
- 576 East Coast Road
- Developer: Hillwood Development
- Marketing agent: Alsovec Property Network
-The Straits Times, C8 - advertisement
Signature at Lewis
- Freehold
- Junction of Lewis Road and Bukit Timah Road
- Near the future Botanic Gardens MRT and Stevens MRT stations
- 32 units in a 12-storey block: 10 studio units (635 sqft), 10 two-bedroom units (980 sqft), 10 four-bedroom units (1,841 sqft), 2 penthouses with private pool and roof garden (3,068 and 3,445 sqft)
- $1,670 psf onwards
- Freehold developments can usually anticipate rental yields of 4% to 6% depending on location, said HSR.
- Zero-instalment Home Loans by DBS
- Expected TOP: December 2011
- Developer: Hiap Hoe Group
- Launches in the pipeline – a new project on Toh Tuck Road north of Bukit Timah, upscale developments in prime locations like Cavenagh Road, Balmoral Road, St Thomas Walk
-The Straits Times, C11 - advertorial
37 Chancery Lane
- Freehold cluster bungalows with individual swimming pool
- Spacious living area – 5103 – 5867 sq ft
- 4 three-bedroom+basement cluster bungalows
- Only 2 units left: $880 psf
- Deferred payment scheme
- Expected TOP: 31 October 2011
- Developer: Chancery Lane
- Marketing agent: CBRE
-The Straits Times, C15 - advertorial
Livia
- 99-years leasehold condo (from 7 Jan 2008)
- Located just off Pasir Ris Drive 1
- 8 minutes walk to Pasir Ris MRT Station
- Phase 2 now launched
- 3-, 4-BR apartments and penthouses
- Average: $670 psf
- 3-BR units: $800,000 - $940,000
- 4-BR units: $990,000 - $1.05 million (1,539 sq ft)
- Expected TOP: 31 Dec 2011
- Developer: Hong Realty
- Marketing agents: ERA, Knight Frank
- Transactions in Aug (new sale): $631-732psf
- The Straits Times, C3 - advertisement
The Wharf Residence
- 999-years les 15 days from 1 July 1841
- Tong Watt Road (near Kim Yam Road and Mohamed Sultan Road)
- 4 blocks
- Absorption of stamp duty
- Attractive loan interest scheme for limited units
- Developer: CapitaLand
- Marketing agent: ERA
- www.wharfresidence.com.sg
- The Business Times, P5 – advertisement, also in The Straits Times - B3, businesstimes.com

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