eCO condominium in Bedok sees strong sales
Posted: 23 October 2012 1400 hrs
SINGAPORE: 515 units out of the 603 units released at eCO condominium project have been sold within a month.
They were launched for sale on September 22.
The 748-unit development, located at Bedok South is a joint venture between Far East Organization, Frasers Centrepoint and Sekisui House.
The developers said all 240 two- and three-bedroom condominium units have been sold out.
Meanwhile, about half of the SOHO and suite units were snapped up, mostly by buyers aged 30 to 49 years.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the developers added that over 90 per cent of the buyers were Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents.
And majority of the buyers are living in the Bedok, Chai Chee, Marine Parade, and East Coast districts.
Prices for units at eCo start from S$810,000 for a one-bedroom suite.
The project is estimated to be completed in 2017.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Singapore inflation rises to 4.7% in September
Singapore inflation rises to 4.7% in September
By Kristie Neo | Posted: 23 October 2012 1312 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's inflation rate accelerated last month, driven again by housing and transport costs.
Data from the Department of Statistics showed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in September rose 4.7 percent from the same month a year ago.
That's up from 3.9% in August, which was the lowest rate in almost two years.
September's inflation rate marks a reversal of price moderations experienced over the last three months.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said the pick-up in September was anticipated given the surge in COE prices the previous month.
COE premiums rose 40% on-year to a record average high of S$83,600, pushing private transport costs up 10.8 percent year-on-year following a 6.3 percent increase in August.
Alvin Liew, UOB's senior economist, said: "Currently (inflation is) at 4.7 per cent, I believe that if transport costs or the COE premiums were to spike in some of the months (ahead), it won't be too surprising to see our inflation rate for some of the months going up above 5% again."
Housing cost inflation in September jumped by 7.7 percent from a year earlier, compared with a 7.4 percent rise in the previous month.
Analysts say that while housing and transport costs remain a concern, the increasing price of services, particularly healthcare and education, should also be watched.
Mr Leon Perera, CEO of Spire Research and Consulting, said: "In the area of healthcare, due to the medical treatment component, there has been a significant price spike in September...that is more than the trend line in the year as a whole, and in education, to a lesser extent, that is the case as well."
Services inflation inched up to 3 percent in September against a 2.7 percent rise in August, reflecting a stronger pickup in the cost of holiday travel and household services.
Meanwhile, food price inflation eased slightly to 2.1 percent in September, down from a 2.3 percent increase in August.
Analysts say September's elevated inflation rate justifies the MAS' decision last month to leave intact its policy of a modest and gradual appreciation of the Singapore dollar to help dampen inflation.
- CNA/fa/ir
- wong chee tat :)
By Kristie Neo | Posted: 23 October 2012 1312 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's inflation rate accelerated last month, driven again by housing and transport costs.
Data from the Department of Statistics showed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in September rose 4.7 percent from the same month a year ago.
That's up from 3.9% in August, which was the lowest rate in almost two years.
September's inflation rate marks a reversal of price moderations experienced over the last three months.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said the pick-up in September was anticipated given the surge in COE prices the previous month.
COE premiums rose 40% on-year to a record average high of S$83,600, pushing private transport costs up 10.8 percent year-on-year following a 6.3 percent increase in August.
Alvin Liew, UOB's senior economist, said: "Currently (inflation is) at 4.7 per cent, I believe that if transport costs or the COE premiums were to spike in some of the months (ahead), it won't be too surprising to see our inflation rate for some of the months going up above 5% again."
Housing cost inflation in September jumped by 7.7 percent from a year earlier, compared with a 7.4 percent rise in the previous month.
Analysts say that while housing and transport costs remain a concern, the increasing price of services, particularly healthcare and education, should also be watched.
Mr Leon Perera, CEO of Spire Research and Consulting, said: "In the area of healthcare, due to the medical treatment component, there has been a significant price spike in September...that is more than the trend line in the year as a whole, and in education, to a lesser extent, that is the case as well."
Services inflation inched up to 3 percent in September against a 2.7 percent rise in August, reflecting a stronger pickup in the cost of holiday travel and household services.
Meanwhile, food price inflation eased slightly to 2.1 percent in September, down from a 2.3 percent increase in August.
Analysts say September's elevated inflation rate justifies the MAS' decision last month to leave intact its policy of a modest and gradual appreciation of the Singapore dollar to help dampen inflation.
- CNA/fa/ir
- wong chee tat :)
Ads
I noticed that the large rectangle ad changed to display Lancome products instead of displaying the usual ads: Philips or Furby.
To be honest, I don't use beauty and related products and I don't know much about them. Hopefully, Lancome and Nuffnang can bring me some profits!
- wong chee tat :)
性片女角寡母下令：嫁他或滚蛋
性片女角寡母下令：嫁他或滚蛋
20/10/2012 on 联合晚报 by 温伟中
李美玲表示，嫁给陈杰毅的机会“渺茫”。（图／互联网）
网上贴性爱照和短片，女大学生接到寡母“最后通牒”：嫁给性爱男，不然就滚出家门！
《联合晚报》上周一（15日）独家报道，国大法律系的亚细安奖学金得主陈杰毅（24岁），在博客公开和女伴李美玲（23岁）的性爱照，还自导自演强奸女友的模仿秀视频，广邀网民交换性伴，备受争议。
李美玲接受马国《星报》（The Star）专访时坦承，母亲对她的行为暴跳如雷。
“我妈给我最后通牒，说要就嫁给他，不然就得在一个月内搬出去。”
她说，对自己的未来感到“有点怕”。
完整报道，请翻阅20.10.2012《联合晚报》。
- wong chee tat :)
20/10/2012 on 联合晚报 by 温伟中
李美玲表示，嫁给陈杰毅的机会“渺茫”。（图／互联网）
网上贴性爱照和短片，女大学生接到寡母“最后通牒”：嫁给性爱男，不然就滚出家门！
《联合晚报》上周一（15日）独家报道，国大法律系的亚细安奖学金得主陈杰毅（24岁），在博客公开和女伴李美玲（23岁）的性爱照，还自导自演强奸女友的模仿秀视频，广邀网民交换性伴，备受争议。
李美玲接受马国《星报》（The Star）专访时坦承，母亲对她的行为暴跳如雷。
“我妈给我最后通牒，说要就嫁给他，不然就得在一个月内搬出去。”
她说，对自己的未来感到“有点怕”。
完整报道，请翻阅20.10.2012《联合晚报》。
- wong chee tat :)
性爱男：若她被赶我养她
性爱男：若她被赶我养她
21/10/2012 on 联合晚报 by 温伟中 , 黄志发
陈杰毅指3年内不结婚，若李美玲被赶走，他会照顾她（图／档案照）
性爱女母亲下令女儿“嫁他或滚蛋”，性爱男反呛：3年内不考虑结婚，若她被赶，我养她！。
未来3年不结婚
《联合晚报》星期一独家报道，国大法律系的亚细安奖学金得主陈杰毅（24岁），在博客公开和女伴李美玲（23岁）的性爱照，还自导自演强奸女友的模仿秀视频，广邀网民交换性伴，备受争议。
李美玲前天在吉隆坡告诉当地媒体，事情公开后，母亲气得对她弟发出最后通牒：“要就嫁给他，不然就1个月内离家”。
陈杰毅昨午接受马来西亚电台访问时回应，虽不排除未来结婚，但直言“未来3年都不考虑结婚”。
他说，结婚不是他目前想做的事，若李美玲被赶出家，他可提供经济帮助。
- 二次见面就拍裸照
完整报道请看21.10.2012的《联合晚报》。
此外，“壹传媒”也为性爱博客事件制作了“动新闻”，以下视频取自Youtube，由壹传媒动新闻制作：
- wong chee tat :)
21/10/2012 on 联合晚报 by 温伟中 , 黄志发
陈杰毅指3年内不结婚，若李美玲被赶走，他会照顾她（图／档案照）
性爱女母亲下令女儿“嫁他或滚蛋”，性爱男反呛：3年内不考虑结婚，若她被赶，我养她！。
未来3年不结婚
《联合晚报》星期一独家报道，国大法律系的亚细安奖学金得主陈杰毅（24岁），在博客公开和女伴李美玲（23岁）的性爱照，还自导自演强奸女友的模仿秀视频，广邀网民交换性伴，备受争议。
李美玲前天在吉隆坡告诉当地媒体，事情公开后，母亲气得对她弟发出最后通牒：“要就嫁给他，不然就1个月内离家”。
陈杰毅昨午接受马来西亚电台访问时回应，虽不排除未来结婚，但直言“未来3年都不考虑结婚”。
他说，结婚不是他目前想做的事，若李美玲被赶出家，他可提供经济帮助。
- 二次见面就拍裸照
完整报道请看21.10.2012的《联合晚报》。
此外，“壹传媒”也为性爱博客事件制作了“动新闻”，以下视频取自Youtube，由壹传媒动新闻制作：
- wong chee tat :)
受访男女七成赞同 初次约会男人应买单
受访男女七成赞同 初次约会男人应买单
21/10/2012 on 联合晚报
调查显示，多数人认为，初次约会男人应买单，但感情稳定后，可轮流买单。（图／搬演照片）
初次约会，谁买单？超过7成受访男女认为，男人应付账单。
当今社会，女性越来越独立，但针对初次约会谁买单的调查，大部分人的看法仍然保持传统观点。
60名年龄介于23至35岁的男女接受《星期天时报》调查，约75%的受访男女都认为首次约会，男人应付账。
- 黄俊雄：男人买单理所当然
完整报道请看21.10.2012的《联合晚报》。
- wong chee tat :)
21/10/2012 on 联合晚报
调查显示，多数人认为，初次约会男人应买单，但感情稳定后，可轮流买单。（图／搬演照片）
初次约会，谁买单？超过7成受访男女认为，男人应付账单。
当今社会，女性越来越独立，但针对初次约会谁买单的调查，大部分人的看法仍然保持传统观点。
60名年龄介于23至35岁的男女接受《星期天时报》调查，约75%的受访男女都认为首次约会，男人应付账。
- 黄俊雄：男人买单理所当然
完整报道请看21.10.2012的《联合晚报》。
- wong chee tat :)
面簿开专页“歌功颂德” 有人竟表扬性爱男女
面簿开专页“歌功颂德” 有人竟表扬性爱男女
22/10/2012 on 联合晚报 by 黄志发
题为“自拍无罪，亚洲人小题大做”的面簿专页，昨天6000多人“赞”，今天竟倍增到1万2000多名粉丝。（图／互联网）
竟有人在面簿为性照男女，开设2个专页对他们歌功颂德，被其他网友炮轰大骂无耻！
《联合晚报》上周一独家报道，国大法律系的亚细安奖学金得主陈杰毅（24岁），在博客公开和女伴李美玲（23岁）的裸照，还自导自演强奸女友的模仿秀视频，广邀网民交换性伴，轰动新马两地。
2人也因此饱受非议，不料竟有网友在面簿为他们开设“自拍无罪，亚洲人小题大做！”和“自拍无罪Alvin+And+Vivian”的专页，前者开放给网友，后者被锁住，有密码才能进。
完整报道，请翻阅22.10.2012《联合晚报》。
- wong chee tat :)
22/10/2012 on 联合晚报 by 黄志发
题为“自拍无罪，亚洲人小题大做”的面簿专页，昨天6000多人“赞”，今天竟倍增到1万2000多名粉丝。（图／互联网）
竟有人在面簿为性照男女，开设2个专页对他们歌功颂德，被其他网友炮轰大骂无耻！
《联合晚报》上周一独家报道，国大法律系的亚细安奖学金得主陈杰毅（24岁），在博客公开和女伴李美玲（23岁）的裸照，还自导自演强奸女友的模仿秀视频，广邀网民交换性伴，轰动新马两地。
2人也因此饱受非议，不料竟有网友在面簿为他们开设“自拍无罪，亚洲人小题大做！”和“自拍无罪Alvin+And+Vivian”的专页，前者开放给网友，后者被锁住，有密码才能进。
完整报道，请翻阅22.10.2012《联合晚报》。
- wong chee tat :)
FedEx to hire 20,000 temps for holiday season
FedEx to hire 20,000 temps for holiday season
Posted: 23 October 2012 0337 hrs
NEW YORK: FedEx, a leading US package delivery company, said on Monday it would hire 20,000 temporary workers to help handle surging shipments during the year-end holiday season.
FedEx Corp. predicted its biggest day of the year would be December 10, when they expect to handle a record 19 million shipments, up 10 percent from a year ago, driven by online orders.
For the overall holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, FedEx forecasted it would handle more than 280 million shipments worldwide, 13 percent more than in the same period in 2011.
The company, based in Memphis, Tennessee, has a global workforce of more than 300,000 employees.
On October 10 Fedex announced it was planning to cut "several thousand" people from its workforce via a voluntary departure programme beginning early next year.
The cuts are part of a cost-reduction plan aimed at boosting profits by $1.7 billion by 2016.
- AFP/de
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 23 October 2012 0337 hrs
NEW YORK: FedEx, a leading US package delivery company, said on Monday it would hire 20,000 temporary workers to help handle surging shipments during the year-end holiday season.
FedEx Corp. predicted its biggest day of the year would be December 10, when they expect to handle a record 19 million shipments, up 10 percent from a year ago, driven by online orders.
For the overall holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, FedEx forecasted it would handle more than 280 million shipments worldwide, 13 percent more than in the same period in 2011.
The company, based in Memphis, Tennessee, has a global workforce of more than 300,000 employees.
On October 10 Fedex announced it was planning to cut "several thousand" people from its workforce via a voluntary departure programme beginning early next year.
The cuts are part of a cost-reduction plan aimed at boosting profits by $1.7 billion by 2016.
- AFP/de
- wong chee tat :)
More executive condominiums selling for over S$1m: Savills
More executive condominiums selling for over S$1m: Savills
By Lynda Hong | Posted: 22 October 2012 2207 hrs
SINGAPORE : More executive condominiums (ECs) are now selling for more than S$1 million.
Research from real estate agency Savills Singapore has shown that over 300 new ECs were transacted above S$1 million, with half of these transacted in the first eight months of 2012.
The report said there are a "seemingly growing number of young, affluent buyers snagging bigger and more luxurious penthouses...".
Other factors like rock-bottom interest rates, rising incomes and many EC buyers escaping unscathed from the latest rounds of property curbs also helped prop up demand.
Savills said that with more resale HDB flats sold at higher prices, it also helped deepened the pockets of many HDB upgraders who now have more to spend on their next property.
The research pointed out that the average price of all new ECs reached a historical high of S$731 per square foot (psf) in the third quarter.
Still, the average price quantum for all new ECs was still below S$1 million, at S$822,000 in the second quarter of 2012.
There is also growing concern that EC buyers may be stretching beyond their affordability.
Based on a S$12,000 income limit, which is an income ceiling prerequisite for all EC buyers, a purchase of over S$1.1 million may begin to stretch wallets once interest rates rise above 3 per cent.
When this happens, monthly mortgage instalments are estimated to be between S$4,400 and S$5,000, amounting to possibly a cash top-up of S$2,100 to S$2,700.
Loan repayments of ECs priced below S$1 million would still be in the 'safe zone' should interest rates climb to 4 per cent.
In February this year, a new record was set for ECs when a new 958 sq ft EC at the Arc was sold at S$941 psf.
The trend follows more ECs being priced at over S$800 psf.
In the first three quarters of this year, the number jumped significantly to 215 units, up from 19 units in 2011 and 13 units in 2010.
- CNA/ms
- wong chee tat :)
By Lynda Hong | Posted: 22 October 2012 2207 hrs
SINGAPORE : More executive condominiums (ECs) are now selling for more than S$1 million.
Research from real estate agency Savills Singapore has shown that over 300 new ECs were transacted above S$1 million, with half of these transacted in the first eight months of 2012.
The report said there are a "seemingly growing number of young, affluent buyers snagging bigger and more luxurious penthouses...".
Other factors like rock-bottom interest rates, rising incomes and many EC buyers escaping unscathed from the latest rounds of property curbs also helped prop up demand.
Savills said that with more resale HDB flats sold at higher prices, it also helped deepened the pockets of many HDB upgraders who now have more to spend on their next property.
The research pointed out that the average price of all new ECs reached a historical high of S$731 per square foot (psf) in the third quarter.
Still, the average price quantum for all new ECs was still below S$1 million, at S$822,000 in the second quarter of 2012.
There is also growing concern that EC buyers may be stretching beyond their affordability.
Based on a S$12,000 income limit, which is an income ceiling prerequisite for all EC buyers, a purchase of over S$1.1 million may begin to stretch wallets once interest rates rise above 3 per cent.
When this happens, monthly mortgage instalments are estimated to be between S$4,400 and S$5,000, amounting to possibly a cash top-up of S$2,100 to S$2,700.
Loan repayments of ECs priced below S$1 million would still be in the 'safe zone' should interest rates climb to 4 per cent.
In February this year, a new record was set for ECs when a new 958 sq ft EC at the Arc was sold at S$941 psf.
The trend follows more ECs being priced at over S$800 psf.
In the first three quarters of this year, the number jumped significantly to 215 units, up from 19 units in 2011 and 13 units in 2010.
- CNA/ms
- wong chee tat :)
Sales of shoebox units fall after govt announcement
Sales of shoebox units fall after govt announcement
By Kristie Neo | Posted: 22 October 2012 2221 hrs
SINGAPORE: Sales of small private apartments, commonly known as shoebox units in Singapore, have taken a downward turn. Data compiled by analysts show that new sales fell about 57 per cent in September from the previous month to 99 units.
The fall in the sale of shoebox units occured after the government announced that it will moderate the number of shoebox apartments entering the market.
Analysts said buyers are now taking a "wait-and-see" approach in response to the measures. This caused new sales of shoebox units to drop across the board last month.
Vicinities under the "Outside Central Region" category were hit the hardest, with sales falling some 80 per cent to only 24 units sold in September. This is also the region where the new government regulations apply.
On September 4, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) issued new guidelines that capped the total number of units that can be built on a site for non-landed private residential developments outside the Central Area. The new rules are to curb developers' enthusiasm to build shoebox units in 'suburban neighbourhoods' which are largely designated for families.
But analysts said the impact on buyers' appetites are only temporary. They said shoebox unit buyers are largely investors, and they may bounce back more quickly after each round of cooling measures introduced by the authorities.
Alan Cheong, director of research and consultancy at Savills, said: "Although we have one or two stories where people have decided to put off their purchases, we believe the market will revert to some sense of normalcy in a shorter period of time than it had been for the past five rounds of cooling measures.
"People have now got used to measures being thrown into the market, every year probably two or so."
Analysts added that recent launches in the last three months like Sky Green, Parc Centros and Skies Miltonia, still reflect "brisk" demand.
Sky Green, located in McPherson, sold all 68 studio units within a single day during its pre-launch last week. Parc Centros in Punggol and Skies Miltonia in Yishun, have sold out 88 per cent and 75 per cent of their units respectively.
They added that this trend is unlikely to change as long as investors hold enough cash to splash around.
Mohamed Ismail, CEO of PropNex, said: "They sell mainly because of two reasons. One being the fact that the quantum of such properties are relatively low, coupled with today's liquidity and low interest rate."
Moving forward however, analysts said the appeal of holding a shoebox unit as an investment is likely to wane.
Eugene Lim, key executive officer of the ERA Realty Network, said: "I think buyers are becoming more aware that there is actually a huge supply that is going to be completed in 2014, 2015. And that would mean this would put pressure on rental. It is this type of investments that is actually losing flavour."
About 11,000 shoebox units are expected to hit the market by 2015.
-CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
By Kristie Neo | Posted: 22 October 2012 2221 hrs
SINGAPORE: Sales of small private apartments, commonly known as shoebox units in Singapore, have taken a downward turn. Data compiled by analysts show that new sales fell about 57 per cent in September from the previous month to 99 units.
The fall in the sale of shoebox units occured after the government announced that it will moderate the number of shoebox apartments entering the market.
Analysts said buyers are now taking a "wait-and-see" approach in response to the measures. This caused new sales of shoebox units to drop across the board last month.
Vicinities under the "Outside Central Region" category were hit the hardest, with sales falling some 80 per cent to only 24 units sold in September. This is also the region where the new government regulations apply.
On September 4, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) issued new guidelines that capped the total number of units that can be built on a site for non-landed private residential developments outside the Central Area. The new rules are to curb developers' enthusiasm to build shoebox units in 'suburban neighbourhoods' which are largely designated for families.
But analysts said the impact on buyers' appetites are only temporary. They said shoebox unit buyers are largely investors, and they may bounce back more quickly after each round of cooling measures introduced by the authorities.
Alan Cheong, director of research and consultancy at Savills, said: "Although we have one or two stories where people have decided to put off their purchases, we believe the market will revert to some sense of normalcy in a shorter period of time than it had been for the past five rounds of cooling measures.
"People have now got used to measures being thrown into the market, every year probably two or so."
Analysts added that recent launches in the last three months like Sky Green, Parc Centros and Skies Miltonia, still reflect "brisk" demand.
Sky Green, located in McPherson, sold all 68 studio units within a single day during its pre-launch last week. Parc Centros in Punggol and Skies Miltonia in Yishun, have sold out 88 per cent and 75 per cent of their units respectively.
They added that this trend is unlikely to change as long as investors hold enough cash to splash around.
Mohamed Ismail, CEO of PropNex, said: "They sell mainly because of two reasons. One being the fact that the quantum of such properties are relatively low, coupled with today's liquidity and low interest rate."
Moving forward however, analysts said the appeal of holding a shoebox unit as an investment is likely to wane.
Eugene Lim, key executive officer of the ERA Realty Network, said: "I think buyers are becoming more aware that there is actually a huge supply that is going to be completed in 2014, 2015. And that would mean this would put pressure on rental. It is this type of investments that is actually losing flavour."
About 11,000 shoebox units are expected to hit the market by 2015.
-CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
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