The Arte sales has been moving and has sold 60 units till date with a mean average price of $880psf, out of the 100 units released of the total number of 336 (which means its about 17.5% sold).
Most units sold are smaller 2 – 3 bedrooms, but with sizes which are bigger compared to recently launched projects. Location of The Arte @ Thomson is well appreciated as it’s within minutes of driving distance to town.
The Arte’s developer CDL is also offering Interest Absorption Scheme to buyers. Potential buyers who are interested in the layouts and details of The Arte can download this pdf. CDL will be launching more units this weekend for sale.
Mid-tier markets are now moving healthily with numbers as developers are taking advantage of the recent better sentiments in the market with the success of Caspian, The Alexis that pushed February 2009 overall home sales to a very healthy level. We should expect good numbers for March 2009 as well.
There’re many new launches and relaunches in the pipeline waiting to tap the craze. These includes:-
Will the resale market pick up with the new launches? We’ve yet to see but the gap between the buyers and sellers on the resale market is slowly closing in.
To register your interest in any of the mentioned projects above, feel free to contact me for a VVIP pass to the showrooms.
Whenever discussions and complains come directly at the press especially ST Forums, the statutory boards will be acting quickly on them, which is a good thing. Recently MND Minister Mah Bow Tan and Senior Minister of State for Finance Lim Hwee Hua has mentioned to Parliament on the review of unscrupulous agents.
Now what will the government come out with to regulate Realtors? Will they work closely with SAEA or IEA? Will CEHA be compulsory?
Before they really come out with something firm, I’d wish they have a talk with most major agencies on what should be enforced to still encourage room for the growth and healthy competition for the real estate market in Singapore.
Times are changing, and with regulatories stepping up to clean up the industry, only creame of the crop will be standing and giving their best to the customers they serve.
Rest assure things will happen really soon for Realtors in Singapore. A good thing isn’t it?
Lush greenery, serene, great view of Kallang Basin, walking distances to good restaurants, driving proximity to CBD.
Looks from a Bayview apartment in Pebble Bay offering full bay view of Kallang Basin and Stadium Bridge. Pocket view of Indoor Stadium
These are the things that is offered in Pebble Bay, touted once as one of the most luxurious waterfront condominium of the East. Pebble Bay is residing in District 15, Tanjong Rhu area, with 510 apartments sitting on a humongous 322,917 sqft land size, it has full range of facilities for its residents.
Pebble Bay's Lagoon PoolTwo Tennis Courts in Pebble Bay
Pebble Bay by DBS Land since TOP has always been very popular with the expatriates (especially families) for its quality finishes and huge built in spaces which can’t be offered by other newer developments.
The resort feel that Pebble Bay has have always been highly sought after. Barbequeing in large balconies and patio space is a common sight and a well appreciated activity in Pebble Bay as portable electrical pits are being provided by the management.
Pebble Bay (130 – 136 Tanjong Rhu Road)
– TOP in December 1998
– Towers of various heights with a maximum of 18 storey high condominium developed by DBS Land (The current Capitaland)
– 510 leasehold (99 years) units
– Various sizes:-
Studio units (850 sqft – 947 sqft)
2 Bedroom units (1,281 sqft – 1,916 sqft)
3 Bedroom units (1,894 sqft – 2,809 sqft)
4 Bedroom units (2,626 sqft – 3,153 sqft)
Penthouse units (6,112 sqft – 6,467 sqft)
– Facilities include:-
Pools – Swimming pool, wading pool, lagoon pool, spa and bubble pool
Tennis Courts – Two of them
Squash Courts – Two of them
Golf Driving Range
Putting Green
Fitness Stations
Gym
Steam Rooms
Mini-mart
Children’s Playground (newly renovated)
Swimming and Bubble Pool in Pebble BayNewly made-over Children's Playground in Pebble Bay
If you’re an expatriate who drives, Pebble Bay is located in the prime area of Tanjong Rhu which brings you to Orchard, Central Business District (CBD) area and even Changi Airport within minutes as East Coast Parkway expressway (ECP) and Nicoll Highway is right next to you.
As of 17th of April 2010, Stadium and Nicoll Highway Circle Line Stations has opened, allowing public commuters more easement and convenience to travel.
Amenities around Pebble Bay
Restaurants are within walking reaches after crossing the Stadium Bridge. Chill in Brewerkz, have chilli crabs in Jumbo, dinner in the uplifting fusion Indian restaurant Vansh? A stone’s throw away. You have even more food and chill options other than the ones just mentioned.
Grocery shopping is easy with Cold Storage in the newly opened Leisure Park, with also a cinema, ice-skating and bowling facilities found in not many malls in Singapore.
For Pebble Bay owner who is looking for a property agent to market your unit and fellow agent friend who needs more information or has listing to share, feel free to contact me or call (+65) 9125 3045.
If you own a residential property and have bought it for pure rental investment, you would be a little dismay reading the recent articles on Straits Times and Business Times should it be your turn in renewing or to look for new tenants.
If your tenant has signed with you just recently, don’t be amused if he comes knocking at your door to ask for rental adjustments.
Now with all the turmoils that Landlords might be facing with Tenants, given the current outgoing expatriate market, and with brand new supplies coming up, what should Landlords really do in order to sail through this period of crisis?
If it’s Tenanted..
Stay Put
This would be the best case scenario should your tenant’s job be secured or should the company that has signed lease with you have not door knocked your way for a discount. Congratulations.
Rental Negotiations
According to some of my existing expatriate tenants, many have taken the initiative to ask for a rent adjustments due to a reduction in salary or company budget for their leases in Singapore.
It’s not an obligation but a goodwill gesture to listen to your tenant’s request as a good Landlord for a long term relationship.
Assuming your tenant has been a good occupant that hasn’t been given you any trouble for the number of months that he has paid his rental, you can consider his plea; alternatively, if he haven’t been one, you can take the chance to force him out should he default on the rental.
Again, should there be any adjustment, you can base on reducing a small percentage or base on the current market rental rates by comparing similar properties in the same development.
If it’s Unfortunately Not..
Renovation
It’s a good time for you to do some renovation depending on your property’s condition. It’s a tough market out there for contractors now so you might be able to get someone to touch up your apartment at a good rate.
If you are having a new apartment which has just gotten TOP (Temporary Occupancy Permit), you can consider doing up the apartment to stand out from your competitors in the same project.
Rental’s Insurance
This option is not available yet as Jardine Lloyd Thompson and QBE Insurance Group is still working on the details, but this is one you can look into if you’re thinking the premium is worth the protection.
Getting a Responsible and Effective Realtor to Market
Have your regular Realtor do a good job in this down market. Listen to what advice that he/she has to offer, and award the Realtor an exclusive if they’re determined to push your unit for you.
The commission that you’re paying for will definitely be worth the money in the long run during the introductory, the settling down of your new Tenant, the duration of your Tenant’s stay and finally the handing over of the apartment back to you.
If you happen to see part or most of Singapore’s lights turned off when you’re roaming around on the 28th of March (Saturday) between 8.30pm to 9.30pm, don’t be alarmed as it’s all part of WWF’s Earth Hour campaign.
Time to go green and support for a cause for the Earth.
THIS IS THE WORLD’S FIRST GLOBAL ELECTION, BETWEEN EARTH AND GLOBAL WARMING.
On March 28 you can VOTE EARTH by switching off your lights for one hour.
Or you can vote global warming by leaving your lights on.
The results of the election are being presented at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009. We want one billion votes for Earth, to tell world leaders that we have to take action against global warming.
the earth!
And if this is not enough, you’d be happy to know that Capitaland Malls will be joining us in the darkness too with high profile malls including Raffles City, Bugis Junction, Junction 8 and many more as Capitaland pledges their participation in saving the Earth.
CAPITALAND, one of Asia’s leading real estate companies, will participate in Earth Hour on Saturday, March 28. CapitaLand properties will mark the occasion by turning off their facade lights for an hour. These properties include 13 CapitaLand retail malls including Raffles City, Plaza Singapura, Bugis Junction and Junction 8. Aside from their malls, other properties will also go dark during Earth Hour.
The company’s office buildings like Capital Tower, One George Street and Robinson Point, as well as the Ascott’s serviced residence properties including Ascott Singapore Raffles Place and Citadines Mount Sophia will also join the event…
The Business Times on 18th March 2009
This is a global event that calls for global participation. I’ve asked G4 Station‘s staff to turn off all the lights in the inn, told my family to turn off the house lights as well.
Are you playing a part for the Earth too?
*Updates on 21st March 2009 : Hong Leong Group, CDL’s buildings will be joining in the Earth Hour spree as well according to the Straits Times as Hong Leong’s chief executive, Kwek Leng Beng pledges in. A total of 25 buildings will be turning off their lights.
For those who is going for their CEHA, I’d suggest signing up for their course and attend ALL their lessons (without skipping and listen). You’ll pass if you put your heart to it. Good luck!
A well-balanced city as compared with the rest of it’s Asia counterparts as Singapore is being rated the top city with the best quality of life for the Asian expatriates rated by human resources consultancy ECA International.
…
Singapore beat 253 other cities, including Australia’s Sydney and Melbourne and Japan’s Tokyo, Yokohama, and Kobe. Hong Kong was ranked 11th due to its air quality.
Bringing up the tail were Baghdad in Iraq, Kabul in Afghanistan, Karachi in Pakistan and Port-au-Prince in Haiti. These were the least desirable locations for expatriates due to a lack of suitable facilities and high personal security risks, said ECA.
I suppose having a good reputation would boost global companies whom are thinking of expanding to consider us as a possible venue to expand in the Asia sector. This will also have a little number punch to the number of tourists who comes to visit as well.
Email Phishing attacks finally hits Facebook as this email hits my mailbox,
Messages from Your Friends on Facebook, March 11, 2009
You have 1 Personal Message:
Video title: “Amanda is dancing on Striptease Dance Party, March 10, 2009! We’re absolutely shocked!”.
Proceed to view full video message:
http://facebook.shared.alternative.personalid-bj9qcfdgr.InterstitialControl.needplaeradobe.com/home.htm?/OnlineServlet/application=qsty22ysl0d4pgn (rubbish, please do not be fooled)
I haven’t tried clicking the above link as I’m sure it brings you to nowhere good. Should it be phishing for your personal data, I’d suggest you change your password of your Facebook account immediately if you have accidentally logged into that site.
To understand fully what is phishing attacks, check out Wiki’s explanation.
We’ll see Facebook sending official emails to warn everyone soon I’m very sure.
We’ve been babbling alot about the beauty of St Patrick’s Road and its close proximity to sea, good schools and a general popular community in the Marine Parade area. The 3 most prominent condominium projects here will be Grand Duchess at St Patrick’s, St Patrick’s Residences and Tierra Vue.
St Patrick’s Residences is still currently at its marketing phase with an indicative price of $676 – $850 per square foot (psf). Savillis is the sole marketing agent for St Patrick’s Residences.
Tierra Vue (District 15)
Tierra Vue, fully sold, launched slightly albeit than Grand Duchess at St Patrick’s on average about 900 per square foot (psf) for first time owners. The project is about close to completion. It’s builder is TPS Construction. Here are some photos of the development’s progress
Tierra Vue Stack 22, facing Marine ParadeTierra Vue Stack 18, 19, 14, 15Tierra Vue Stack 18, 19, 14, 15 from Marine Parade RoadTake from Jln Tenggiri, Tierra Vue Stack 05,12
Realtor’s Project Information on Tierra Vue
To assist fellow realtors, I’ve uploaded a full scanned pdf of Tierra Vue’s catalogue. If you need a clean version of the pdfs without my watermark, feel free to contact me to request what you need.
Tierra Vue (36 – 42 St Patrick’s Road)
– Official TOP 31 December 2010, from the looks of it, owners will be getting their keys towards the mid to the end of 2009
– Low Rise Condominium of 5 floors developed by MCL Land.
– 129 Freehold units
– Various Sizes
2 bedrooms (From 947 sqft to 1,453 sqft)
3 bedrooms (From 1,216 sqft to 1,550 sqft)
3 bedroom duplexes (From 1,528 sqft to 1,829 sqft)
4 bedroom penthouses (From 1,916 sqft to 2,260 sqft)
– Facilities – Main Pool, Children’s Pool, Spa Pool, Hot Spa, Function Room, Sun Deck, Gymnasium, Rock/ Mist Garden, Reflective Pond, Floral Walk, Exercise Station, Foot Reflexology Path, Children’s Playground, BBQ Area, Aroma Garden, Bamboo Garden
The Builder of Tierra Vue
MCL Land has numerous quality residential projects under their belt, some of which you’d find quite familiar ones including Robertson 100, The Metz, The Grange and the recently TOPed The Esta (District 15). Tierra Vue is almost set for its TOP status in April/ May 2009 with its current progress.
The Location of Tierra Vue
You can’t complain with it’s location as its just a little closer (very negligable distance in fact) to Marine Parade Community Library as compared with Grand Duchess at St Patrick’s, 5 – 10 minutes walk away from the East Coast, prestigious good schools like Tao Nan, Ngee Ann, Victoria Junior College, CHIJ Katong.
Driving to town is convenient as ECP exit is not far away and merely takes you about 10 minutes drive, as with its proximity to the airport which is about 15 minutes drive away from here. Oh food haven is ensured with its string of shophouses at Katong, food courts and more.
Contact Me on Tierra Vue Marketing Units Or Details on Tierra Vue
If fellow realtors or any buyers have any questions about Tierra Vue on apartments for sale or even rental, feel free to contact me.
Amidst the down times comes opportunity as Sunday Times report on a new product that would be coming to Singapore for landlords; note that this is not something new in other parts of the world.
Next month, Jardine Lloyd Thompson and QBE Insurance Group will launch a rent protection insurance policy aimed at protecting landlords of private homes and HDB flats.
The timing of this first-of-its-kind product in Singapore is perfect given rising instances of early terminations as global economic conditions worsen.
‘This is something you can find in Australia. We talked about offering it here a year ago and it is now ready,’ said Institute of Estate Agents (IEA) president Jeff Foo. ‘From feedback gathered from our members, there are more people breaking their leases early this downturn compared with the previous downturn. Landlords are not really protected.’
..
If the premium of the rental insurance coverage is at 15 – 20% on a monthly basis, it would cough up to be about close to 2 months of rental fees or so for protection against tenants who abscond or defaulting their rent. Not exactly cheap if you’re talking about a normal lease of 12 months.
Again, it’s an option and another avenue for landlords to look at as we should be seeing many more defaults and absconding cases coming in when the level of expatriates leave increases.
