Singapore Roads Are Really Not Meant for Cyclists

I understand about the part of keeping fit, and promoting a healthy lifestyle, but not in the middle of the highway and especially late at night when you don’t even have blinking lights.

This is really a safety issue with regards to all cyclists. I’m sure even if Lance Armstrong is here in Singapore, he’d even have lights and full helm on when he cycles along the roads to travel from one end to another at night. I was travelling along Nicoll Highway after catching a movie in Cineleisure, Orchard. It didn’t just exactly happen once, but 3 times. You see cyclists just cutting a HIGHWAY out of nowhere.

If anyone who drives is to run them down, not only they lose their life, but they’ll cost an innocent driver to go to jail because in the first place, the cyclist himself doesn’t want to treasure his own!

I admire groups of cyclists going together on roads in the wee hours of the morning to train up since they do still adhere to road ethics, but not those that I mentioned above. If you are those who actually saves up by cycling from one place to another, either observe the protocol, or please take the public transports.

First off, public transport is really affordable and it’s VERY easy for you to travel from one place to another. Second and the most important thing, you save your life, and cost less trouble to another. Lastly, Singapore is pretty much developed and you can’t see much of trails other than very busy roads with cars travelling at least 60KM/H on a typical minor road, it IS DANGEROUS.

At least a working blinking light attached behind your bicycle at night. Really.

Plunging Key Interest Rates, A Good Time to Borrow?

Just read a mailer from Tony, Knight Frank on an article in Business Times talking about lower bank interest rates here at home since key interest rates from the States will be cutting tremendously within the next 12 months , meaning adjustments to our SIBOR (Singapore InterBank Offered Rate). It only means two huge things for people who keep their money in the bank and for people who borrows money to do investments or businesses here at home in Singapore.

The Masters of Interest Rates
The faces of your key interest rates decision makers lol.
Photo Credit: fintag

For People Who Keeps Their Money In the Bank

Chances are you’ll lose out if you keep your money in a savings account during this season if your main purpose is to earn interest for the next few months. Unless the bank is giving you a fixed rate (usually, and very low), you would be suffering from lower interest earning power.

For People who Loans Invests in Property and Businesses

Congratulations, it means lower cost for you! I’d reckon the adjustment movements on Sibor and the rates on your banks won’t be taking effect so soon, but it’s a good borrowing time if you are buying properties like houses, shophouses or office even as an investment.

The sentiments for US eating into a recession is very strong, but it shouldn’t impact our economy much. Asian countries has came a long way from the 97-98 Asian Crisis and have definitely diversified their nests all around instead of concentrating all its eggs on the US economy. I’ve read even about neighbour Malaysia’s Central Bank, Bank Negara breaking borders on its monetary reserves (at 101.3 Billion US Dollars) being able to survive for even in face of another crisis should one arise.

Much shouldn’t be said for our own Singapore Government being prudent on our reserves and investment overseas. We’re generally sound.

Alas, The First CEHA Batch for 2008 is Done!

It’s the last paper on Professional Practice and Management for CEHA this evening at ACJC, everything was more of a breeze than a worry when I flipped open the questions. This is not exactly that hard as I expected after so much of anticipation with the 2nd paper, Marketing, being the most difficult for me.

Level of Difficulty:

  1. Professional Practice and Management
  2. Law
  3. Marketing

which of 3 is being the most difficult. It’s unbelievable, I know. Let’s just wait for the results *crossing my fingers*

The Unexpected Marketing Paper

Whilst the Law paper for CEHA was easier yesterday, I couldn’t expect anything more harder than that since many of my colleagues has mentioned this is the most easiest paper to get through.

Uh uh, I was wrong. Or them for a matter of fact.

Nothing much was tested on the marketing aspects of an agent, it’s more a of a government policy drilling session this round.

“Under Stall Ownership Scheme” (a) A second generation stallholder is entitled to a 30% discount from the assessed value of the stall. (b) A permanent resident stallholder is entitled to a 10% discount from the assessed value of the stall.”

Woot? They’re asking a National Environment Agency (NEA) question?!

“You’re marketing a 3-room HDB flat in Tebans Garden Road already announced for Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS). Mr and Mrs V.S. Samy, both permanent residents, are very interested in buying the flat as they understand that as owners of a HDB flat under SERS they are eligible to buy a new HDB flat

1) Is Mr and Mrs VS Samy’s understanding that they are eligible to buy a new HDB flat, after buying the resale flat announced for SERS, correct? Give reasons

2) Explain all the conditions that a person must fulfill before he is eligible to buy a resale flat announced for SERS.

Its mostly policy questions I wouldn’t deny that if you don’t get update or know these well, its hard for you to market the different type of real estate in Singapore either. Well this round, it’s 2 MCQ questions selected vs 3 Essays. I guess lazy was the word.

Last paper tomorrow and lets talk about something else.

CEHA, The 2008 Round Starts

The Law Paper

CEHA’s Paper 1 (Law of Real Property) was just a couple of hours ago. The venue for this paper in this intake was in Anglo Chinese JC (ACJC). I had my first go (and hopefully last on it)

It wasn’t exactly too tough.

My advice: Don’t always assume that the multiple choice questions (MCQs) would be any easier than those essay questions. You have two MCQ questions and 6 essay questions. Go through all of them and scribble some notes with a pencil on the question paper before deciding on which to start.

I’ve chose 1 MCQ and 4 Essay Questions. It’s easy to attempt the calculation questions; You write lesser on explanations too. lol. We’re allowed to bring the question papers home, and if anyone wants a copy of it, you can give me a buzz anytime.

It’s sad to know that with such an accredition being made compulsory by 2009, older generation agents might have problems or even wouldn’t be able to get this papers without minimum Ordinary Level credits. Well this is Singapore, high service standards after all.

About CEHA

In 1995, Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), the authority body of Singapore taxation, decided to implement a Common Examination for House Agents (CEHA) with the aim of raising the standard of practice in estate agency business in Singapore.

It is conducted by a Board of Examiners, which comprises of officials from the IRAS and representatives from Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) and Institute of Estate Agents (IEA)