HDB flat upgraders are making up 44% of private residential sales in March. This figure is considered very high considering the figure is only 33 to 34% in Jan & Feb, and even lower in the previous years.
Just take a look at the commentary in bold on the high percentage of HDB buyers in the appended article. Many HDB upgraders are rushing into the private property market thinking that they might miss the boat if they wait for longer. The fear of missing the boat is somehow amplified with the ever increase …

Yet another record breaking HDB flat from Bras Basah sold at $650,000 or a record smashing $736psf. This jaw dropping price was set by a Taiwance PR couple who purchased a HDB flat left with 70 year lease. On the other hand, the Government is stepping out strongly to maintain the stand that the public housing is still affordable, based on their own sets of parameter.
Let’s take a look at these 2 articles brilliantly dissecting the topic on housing affordability in Singapore:
The TRUTH about Housing affordability in Singapore….. By Diary of …

We seldom witness private players stepping out questioning the efficiency of the Government policies. Mr. Simon Cheong, as the president of the Real estate Developers’ Association, questioned the need for Government’s measures towards the property. He further suggested that would lead to mismatch of supply and demand.
Simon Cheong raised the two recent government land-sale tenders to highlight ‘the dilemma’ that developers face when bidding for such sites. A bid for a Tampines site was rejected in June 2008 but the tender was awarded this month at $421 per square foot per plot ratio …

The flashy colorful advertisement in newspapers are for the masses. If you are a sincere quality buyer, try to get yourself to be a Very Very important Person to be invited for the preview in order to get your choice of unit at a before inflated price before the actual launch.
Interesting way for an agent to book their sales even before the launch day! I would just say the world for agents is just so competitive that it is good to be innovative! I must start to squeeze for more …

Just days ago I discussed on topic on enbloc fever picking up. Today Business Times reported as many as 50 developments are on the list to be launched this year but deals may take longer under revised rules and rising price expectations:
A study by property consultant Credo Real Estate has listed a total of 34 possible properties that could be tendered for collective sale in 2010.
Eighteen of the 34 developments are either in District 10 or 15. ‘These are among the larger high-density private residential districts that enjoy healthy demand …

There is increasing buzz and activities to Balestier area, with the latest Industrial building enbloc sale this year sold at $275m. Judging from its intense participation from the market, we are anticipating more enbloc sale activities at the industrial area here has been re-zoned for residential use.
It may sound good news to Balestier, with the revamping along the way shedding off the shoddy past and image. However is Balestier getting too crowded, with the existing 3 lane road along the Balestier Road able to support the ever increasing traffic? What …