It is common for international property investors to compare how different property markets perform across the world and take their pick from the shortlisted countries. LaSalle Investment Management recently claimed that "Singapore's property market may be closer to a bottom than Hong Kong". How true is that? The peak and the pit Prices of properties in Hong Kong … [Read more...]
Say it until it comes true
In my twelve years studying in a Catholic girls school, I was taught to pray if I need to. Till today, whenever I run into troubles, I just keep praying. And I also visit different temples to say the same prayer just in case. I believe that, in the end, some God will do something. It may have nothing to do with my devotion, but the fact that God just can’t stand my nagging any … [Read more...]
How far can pigs fly?
On October 17, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong told the press that it is still not time yet to unwind the cooling measures. Price adjustments so far have been moderate compared to the increase in prices in the past few years. Price corrections are moderate So how “moderate” is price adjustments? Have price corrections been “meaningful” so far? According to URA, … [Read more...]
Why property prices won’t be recovering any time soon
There was a recent article in the paper with the headline “Time to review property cooling measures” (Straits Times, July 4). The argument is that, if private home prices have been down; HDB flat prices have dropped; oversupply has worsened; rents have weakened; interest rates have risen; the real estate industry has shed jobs, it may be time for the government to review the … [Read more...]
A ‘single’ property owner’s wishlist for Singapore Budget
All taxpayers are not created equal. In every year's Singapore Budget or National Day Rally, the media will feature a low-income or middle-class family, highlighting "what he and his family will get" or "how she and her family will be benefited". But no one bothers to interview singles like us. Because we don't get anything anyway. Why do they have to penalize singles … [Read more...]