Tag: GLS

Redhill GLS – Litmus Test to Singapore Market

The Singapore Government has cut short of supply to their Government Land Sales with the announcement of 7 new sites for next year in H1 2014. Of the 7, 4,630 private apartments can be carved to the supply and it’s one of the lowest supply introduced since 2010.

Right next to Wingtai’s “The Crest” (960 psfppr in September 13) would be the only GLS plot (2.37ha) which is at City fringe for H1 2014 and can potentially yield 655 homes would be the highlight of the exercise.

This would be a good indicator of Singapore developers sentiments for the market on whether are they still positive on topping and developing their land bank for the consumers.

With limited residential supplies coming online, the Government is watching very closely on the supplies as well to prepare a soft landing should the market do some corrections.

this is an interesting plot

ps. What’s interesting to me would be the commercial plot which is right next to City Plaza. The area has a good vibe going on with UOL’s Katong Regency coming online.

New Seller’s Stamp Duty & Lower Housing Loan Limit

With immediate effect, the Government has introduced two new measures to cool down the property market.

Introducing Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD) for Properties Sold Within a Year

Properties that were bought before 20th February 2010 will not be subjected to the SSD. The SSD will be levied on sellers of residential properties and lands bought on or after today.

HDB flats are exclused from the SSD as they do already have a minimum occupancy period of at least one year.

The objective is to discourage possible speculation in the market and is not meant for purchase of properties for owner-occupation or longer term investment. Continue reading “New Seller’s Stamp Duty & Lower Housing Loan Limit” →

Government Takes Measure To Cool Property Market – IAS Abolished

With immediate effect, Minister for National Development (MND) Mr. Mah Bow Tan has announced 3 main measures to cool the current speculative property market:-

  1. Removal of the Interest Absorption Scheme (IAS) and Interest Only Housing Loans (IOL) with effect immediately (14th September 2009)
  2. Reinstatement of Confirmed List for 1st Half 2010 Government Land Sales (GLS) Programme
  3. Non-extension of the January 2009 Budget assistance measures when it expires.

What is IAS?

Interest Absorption Scheme. Details can be found here.

What it means for the property market?

Speculative property buyers will not be able to opt for IAS with immediate effect, bringing them to service their mortgage as soon as the construction of the new project begins according to the stage it is built (Normal Payment Scheme – NPS).

This will stop a huge number in terms of speculation; though it shouldn’t stop genuine buyers who is looking to buy a place of their own stay.

The reintroduction of GLS also means that the Government is preparing to insert fresh supply of land to curb the excessive speculation in this current market.

Simple equation – More supply, less demand.

What happens to new project launches after today?

Official quote:

The Monetary Authority of Singapore will disallow the IAS and IOL with immediate effect from today, i.e. 14 Sep 2009. This measure will apply to all private residential projects. The only exception will be uncompleted private residential projects where the units had already been offered for sale under the IAS before 14 Sep 2009. The IOL will be disallowed with immediate effect.

So projects that has offered IAS before 14th September is still eligible.

Where can I get the official source?

Download a copy of the official press release jointly from Ministry of National Development (MND), Ministry of Finance (MOF), Ministry of Law (MOL) and Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Question and Answer on how these changes will work in detail.