Last week I visited Hong Kong with my daughter. A friend kindly let us stay with her for a few days. Her home is at Manhattan Hill, a high-rise development located in West Kowloon. There are five 62-storey towers, totaling 1,115 units. The 5-year-old project was built by Sun Hung Kai Properties, the largest developer in Hong Kong. It's convenient. Next to the front … [Read more...]
The dilemma of foreign ownership
Just read the news article "Landed property – fewer foreigners to get approval" in last week's TODAY. Our Law Minister expects approved purchases of landed property by foreigners to be reduced by half. 'Foreigners' are confined to Permanent Residents only. The current foreign ownership is 3.5 percent (below the target of less than 5 percent). Under the Residential … [Read more...]
When couples can’t agree on properties
"I said go back consider first. Guess what? He bought on the spot!" "I knew this old condo surely got en bloc one. If she could only listen to me once ... " "Tell you to accept the 1st offer you don’t listen. Now the markets like that how to sell?" "Told you to act fast and you couldn’t decide. Now see lah. We missed the boat already!" Do you often hear couples … [Read more...]
A letter to my new born baby
Dear baby, It's been a week since you arrived in this world. Welcome again to the family! I am secretly happy that you and I have the same eyes, lips, chin, temper, horoscope, blood type … Baby, when you grow up, will we share the same philosophies about money and investment? Will you have the passion for properties like what Mommy has? Maybe one day we can go … [Read more...]
Let’s separate marriage with property
There’s a 'uniquely Singapore' way of proposing to a lady, "Let's apply for a flat together." Unknowing to both parties, this is often the root of future problems. During my 1st year in Singapore, I rented a 4-room HDB flat from a young lady through referral from work. Back then the rent was $850, including utility costs. One evening, I heard someone opening the … [Read more...]