Singapore Real Estate Respite for prices of private apartments Prices of completed private apartments were unchanged in June and last month although this could represent a temporary lull before they drop further. These properties are still about 3 per cent lower than a year ago and 9.8 per cent below their peak in July 2013, according to flash estimates for the NUS Singapore Residential Price Index (SRPI) out yesterday. http://www.straitstimes.com/business/respite-for-prices-of-private-apartments Big Data analytics at the heart of Smart Nation push: SAS Big Data analytics is at the heart of Singapore's Smart Nation push, says Tan Yen Yen, regional vice-president and managing director of SAS, a US-based business analytics and software provider, which counts DBS Bank, among others, as a major customer in this region. The Smart Nation will tap into the data that can be collected by public-sector agencies which, after being anonymised, will be shared and analysed. http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/technology/big-data-analytics-at-the-heart-of-smart-nation-push-sas New hope for families with new grant Families who may have sold their flats and are living in rental housing will soon get a Fresh Start Housing Grant to help buy their own two-room flats, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced during the National Day Rally last week. They will also get counselling to resolve family, employment and other problems they may be facing. He said the grant will be given if they show they are determined to get back on their feet. http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/new-hope-for-families-with-new-grant Companies' Brief Reits get a pounding in the past month Stocks across the real estate investment trust (Reit) sector have been hammered over the past month. The FTSE Straits Times Reit Index, which closed at 703.93 points on Friday, has slumped 8.3 per cent in the past 30 days - its worst correction in about three years - and is down 8.8 per cent for the year. http://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/reits-get-a-pounding-in-the-past-month http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/singapore/analysts-remain-cautious/2083726.html Sim Lian profits soar with completion of property projects More completed property projects helped lift full-year earnings for developer Sim Lian Group. Net profit jumped 41 per cent to $240.4 million for the 12 months to June 30, while revenue was up 67 per cent to $1.2 billion. Its property development division contributed $914 million to group revenue, thanks to more projects being completed in the year. Views, Reviews & Forum Set timeframe for construction of homes I live in Lornie Road, across from MacRitchie Reservoir. In 2010, a permit was issued and construction commenced on a large single-family dwelling in my street. Now, five years later, the house is, at most, half completed. http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/set-timeframe-for-construction-of-homes Global Economy & Global Real Estate Tianjin Eco-City rattled, but not for long http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/tianjin-eco-city-rattled-but-not-for-long NY City relies on housing programme it deplores http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/ny-city-relies-on-housing-programme-it-deplores Property boom drives out art galleries that changed Manhattan's Chelsea neighbourhood Swire Properties may sell Kowloon office tower worth about US$1b Posh perks prop up property profits in China http://www.straitstimes.com/business/posh-perks-prop-up-property-profits-in-china Jerusalem Economy Shares Surge as Jordache Owners Buy Stake Middle Eastern Stocks Rally Led by Oman After Oil-Price Rebound The Galleries That Transformed Chelsea Can’t Pay the Rent Sands Turns to Bookselling After Standard Chartered Exit HSH Owners Said to Discuss $11 Billion Bad Bank Plan With EU |