Singapore Real Estate

The Verge sold for S$317m, to make way for serviced residences

The Verge, a struggling mall in Little India, is being sold for S$317 million to a company controlled by Keith Tang, grandson of CK Tang founder Tang Choon Keng and who owns a chain of hotels and serviced apartments in Australia and New Zealand.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/the-verge-sold-for-s317m-to-make-way-for-serviced-residences

http://www.straitstimes.com/business/property/tang-scion-buys-the-verge-for-317m


Poll: Most people back demolition of 38, Oxley Road

A majority of Singaporeans support demolishing the home of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in accordance with his wishes, a poll by Hong Kong-based market research firm YouGov found. Of the 1,000 people polled online, 77 per cent said they backed his wish that the house at 38, Oxley Road be torn down.

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/poll-most-people-back-demolition-of-38-oxley-road?login=true

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/most-singaporeans-support/2371226.html


More may opt for mortgages tied to fixed deposit rates

The threat of rising interest rates is prompting more home owners to re-finance their mortgages by tying them to fixed deposit rates. This means the repayment rate is directly related to the interest banks pay customers who deposit cash. As any bank customer knows, deposit rates have been at rock-bottom levels for several years, but that can spell stability and lower costs for mortgage holders.

http://www.straitstimes.com/business/banking/more-may-opt-for-mortgages-tied-to-fixed-deposit-rates


Compass Point to be renamed Sengkang Mall

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/compass-point-to-be/2370714.html


Worker dies after excavator bucket falls on him

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/worker-dies-after-excavator-bucket-falls-on-him


Employer faces investigation over unlicensed dorm

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/employer-faces-investigation-over-unlicensed-dorm


Companies' Brief

Hiap Hoe

Singapore developer Hiap Hoe has sold a property in downtown Melbourne, Australia, for A$116.3 million (S$117.9 million). Hiap Hoe announced on the Singapore Exchange website yesterday that the freehold property in Bourke Street in the central business district will be transferred to Australian property fund manager ISPT by late next month .

http://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/company-briefshiap-hoe


Global Economy & Global Real Estate

Asian real estate investors plan to invest in the region in 2016: Colliers

Some 48 per cent of Asia-Pacific real estate investors are sanguine that investment volumes in the region will increase next year, a global survey by Colliers International has revealed. About half of the Asia-Pacific investors expect to expand their real estate portfolios next year. Some 91 per cent of the Asia-based real estate investors plan to invest in the region; about 15 per cent of global investors surveyed say they are looking to invest in the region, down from 18 per cent last year.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/asian-real-estate-investors-plan-to-invest-in-the-region-in-2016-colliers


NYU spends at least US$1.1m to renovate president's residence

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/nyu-spends-at-least-us11m-to-renovate-presidents-residence


Still time for permabears to join Aussie home-loan party

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/still-time-for-permabears-to-join-aussie-home-loan-party


Cheap money likely to push up UK house prices in 2016

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/cheap-money-likely-to-push-up-uk-house-prices-in-2016


Shenzhen landslide: Outrage over safety lapses

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/shenzhen-landslide-outrage-over-safety-lapses?login=true


Sales of Existing U.S. Homes Slump on Delayed Contract Closings

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-22/sales-of-existing-u-s-homes-slump-on-delayed-contract-closings


Jewels, Shares, Art Help Raise $531 Million for Irish Bad Bank

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-22/jewels-shares-art-help-raise-531-million-for-irish-bad-bank