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18 Apr

iProperty.com EXPO April 20 to 22, 2012 at Marina Bay Sands Expo Centre Hall A

Fourth signature iProperty.com EXPO returns in April with exciting residential and commercial real estate investment opportunities

Complementary seminars open for investors and agents to gain insightful tips and advice

iProperty.com Singapore – the country’s No.1 property website – proudly presents the iProperty.com EXPO | International Property Expo. Held from Friday, 20 April to Sunday, 22 April 2012 at the Marina Bay Sands, Expo & Convention Centre, Hall A, the event will feature prominent international properties, prestigious property brands and exciting real estate opportunities under one roof.

Property investors and agents from around the region and beyond can benefit from a host of insightful seminars at the fourth signature iProperty.com EXPO, where renowned international property leaders will share tips on investing wisely, provide advice on buying overseas property and more. There are also exciting booths showcasing the latest property developments and investment opportunities in Malaysia, Australia, Thailand and the United States. In addition, visitors can have a chance to win over S$15,000 worth of lucky draw prizes at the EXPO.

“iProperty.com strives to help property buyers make informed choices when it comes to buying property. With the return of the EXPO, we are glad to help investors be in the know about the latest overseas property opportunities, and empower them with data, intelligence and insights that allow them to make the most out of the risks and opportunities that are present in this current state of global economic uncertainty,” says Shaun Di Gregorio, CEO of the iProperty Group, the No.1 online property network across Asia.

PRIZED PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS

The iProperty.com EXPO International Collection will feature attractive offerings for those with a keen interest in the latest developments in property investment:

Leading international brands will be present for consultation, such as LCI Investment, CTL Group and Executive Directions from Singapore, as well as Mah Sing Properties, Elite Forward andDijaya Corporation from Malaysia.

A host of exciting international developments will be on offer, including attractive rebates and promotions, including:

  • Malaysia: M City (5% rebates, Free legal fees & disbursement for Sale & Purchase Agreement and Deed, etc) and A-Suites Serviced Residence in Taman Austin Perdana, Johor (Low down payment starting from RM4,800, no progressive interest for 3 years, etc).
  • Australia: 60 View St, Pascoe Vale, Victoria, Australia (One-year rental guarantee; free legal fees)
  • Thailand: Circle Condominium, Bangkok (Free 1st year maintenance fee, fully furnished, etc)

For more details on special rebates, please go to: http://edm.iproperty.com/sg/expo-april-2012-key-property-exhibitors/

FREE-TO-ATTEND PROPERTY SEMINARS

In addition, property agents and investors can look forward to free seminars, talks and forums featuring property experts who will share insights on property investments, and provide an in-depth analysis of the property market outlook both in and outside Singapore:

  • With the introduction of the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) last year as a measure to help cool the local property market, investors are increasingly worried about how this will affect their rental yield.  In his seminar Is Your Rental Income Secure? on 21 April, 5pm to 6pm, Alfred Chia, CEO of SingCapital, will examine the implications of ABSD to the real estate market, and provide tips for investors to secure and safeguard their rental income.
  • Well-known property expert Mohamed Ismail Gafoor, CEO of PropNex Realty, will share incisive insights and predictions useful for investors and the public at large, in his seminarProperty Market in 2012 on 22 April, 2.30pm to 3.30pm.
  • Those who are keen to venture slightly further afield will find the seminar How to build Cash Flow with UK Alternative
    Investment?      by Danny Lim, CEO of Property Barons, highly informative. On 21 April, 5pm to 6pm, Danny Lim will share tips on how invest in UK properties with as little as £3,750, and explore other lucrative investment options available in the UK.
  • Moving away from residential property, David Poh, CEO of Asia Management & Wisdom, will share why he considers commercial/industrial real estate investment to be the star performer of 2012. In the seminar How to Make Money from Commercial & Industrial Real Estate Investment on 20 April, 6pm to 7pm, he will teach agents how to acquire specialized skills and knowledge required to succeed in this field.

The iProperty.com EXPO | International Property Expo will take place over the weekend from Friday, 20 April to Sunday, 22 April 2012, 11am to 8pm, at Marina Bay Sands, Expo & Convention Centre, Hall A.

For more information and to register, please visit http://expo.iproperty.com.

 

12 Apr

Malaysian properties will soon cost more

Singaporeans and expatriates in South East Asia have been big buyers of properties across the border in Malaysia for their lower prices and favourable currency exchange rates. The government has tried to cool the market, but without significant effect. The minimum price soon may be raised to RM 1 million. How much does it now cost to own a house in Malaysia?

Singaporeans looking to buy properties in Malaysia may see the bar raised. Malaysia is mulling a two-fold increase to the floor price of residential properties purchased by foreigners in a bid to prevent prices from spiralling too rapidly. The possibility of a revision to existing guidelines to raise the minimum price to RM1 million (S$417,000) from RM500,000 was flagged by The Star.

Kingsley Hills residential project in Selangor

In a report yesterday, the local daily cited unnamed sources as saying that the measure was ‘in the pipeline’, with a forthcoming announcement to be made by Nor Mohamed Yakcop, minister in the Prime Minister’s department heading the Economic Planning Unit. It did not say when it would be implemented. One of the sources told The Star that selected growth corridors such as Iskandar Malaysia might be less affected by the proposal, in that a lesser minimum threshold might be applied – RM800,000 for example – to assist with their development success.

The government has continued to come under pressure over affordability issues despite recent measures to cool the property market. Pushing the floor price up for foreign buyers – especially in landed properties – could be a welcome move in the eyes of young middle-class Malaysians frustrated with soaring real estate prices when starting salaries have advanced little in two decades.

Semi-detached house in Senibong Cove, Johor Bahru.

Many believe that foreigners have little difficulty stumping out RM500,000 for homes because their currencies tend to be much stronger. Property consultants say they were aware of the possibility of the new rules, but believe that the move is still at the proposal stage. ‘It’s a flyer to check public response. Not all states will agree,’ Malaysia Property Inc chief executive Kumar Tharmalingam told BT.

Foreign buyers of Malaysian property come mainly from China, Singapore, Japan and South Korea, the newspaper said. Even so, foreigners only account for an estimated 2 per cent of the residential market which saw robust growth last year. The volume and value of properties sold last year was the highest in the past five years, according to the Property Market Report 2011 by the Finance Ministry’s Valuation and Property Services Department, rising by 19 and 22 per cent respectively from a year ago. Landed property remain popular. They recorded the biggest jump in prices last year, with link houses in Kuala Lumpur registering gains of 8-13 per cent, according to the 2011 property report.

If you're looking to buy property in Malaysia, it might be a good idea to see what options are available at the International Property Expo at Marina Bay Sands.

Following a revision in lending guidelines this year that benchmark an applicant’s criteria to meet his loan obligations against his net rather than gross income, bankers and property players have reported slower loan applications and a softer market, with the rejection rate estimated at 20 per cent. Some reckon that the central bank ought to have tightened lending criteria a year or two ago as ample liquidity and easy credit terms encouraged speculators to buy with a view to flipping the properties before the payments were due. Owing to high take-up rates, developers continued to build and to raise prices. But going by the assortment of auction notices found around the suburbs, many borrowers appear to have defaulted on their loans, especially those taken for apartments.

The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Reprinted with permission.

Editor’s Commentary:

Considering the ready availability of land, high buying volume from foreigners of Malaysia properties may not yet be putting a dent in the local property buying market. But in Singapore where land is many times more limited, how will the same sales volume affect the real estate market here? How effective have the cooling measures been and will more be needed?

30 Mar

iProperty Group Continuing The Momentum

What an exciting and busy week it has been!

We held our very first EXPO in Penang last weekend and what a tremendous success it was. Organised on behalf of the Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (REHDA) Penang, MAPEX Penang 2012, with the theme The Most Lau Juak Property Show, was certainly well received by Penangnites and foreigners alike.

The three day expo, launched by YB Chow Kon Yeow, State EXCO for Local Government and Traffic Control, who represented YAB Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang, attracted over thousands of people from all walks of life who made their way to the Straits Quay Convention Centre to grab the best deals in town.

Here are some snap shots of the event:

YB Chow Kon Yeow Officially Launching MAPEX Penang 2012

Folks visiting the booths at the MAPEX PENANG 2012

After such an astounding success in Penang, all focus is now on delivering an equally successful iProperty.com International EXPO in Singapore, which will be held from the 20th – 22nd of April 2012 at the iconic Marina Bay Sands from 11am – 8pm.

Also present at the EXPO will be Howard, our friendly mascot in Singapore who is keen on letting people to be in the know not just about the latest in the property market, but to also provide them with the opportunity to discover the best deals in town.

From the peaks to the valleys, Howard is on ground to promote the EXPO.

So, do lock in the dates and we hope to see you there.

On a separate note, we are keeping to our promise to only deliver the best, fastest and easiest search experience for our consumers. We have recently made some changes to our website – iproperty.com.my, making download of information of property news and search faster. We are pleased to say that these changes will be implemented across our other three portals in Hong Kong, Indonesia and Singapore.

So, brace yourself to have all the information you need to make an informed decision downloaded in a blink of an eye.

Another significant accomplishment on the innovation front is the Malaysian team winning at the recent Facebook Mobile Hack Day in Singapore. With a total of eight submission and only four winners to be selected, we are proud to win the Best Overall App for use of Facebook.

The team developed an app called the Property Friend Finder, which will enable users to find properties that are near their friends and family.

These are only some of the innovative things that we at the iProperty Group are working on. We assure you, there are more interesting things in store. So, do stay tuned!

Enjoy the week!

19 Jan

iProperty.com Singapore’s Growth in Year 2011 [INFOGRAPHIC]

15 Nov

iProperty.com EXPO Attracts Big Crowds

Following the success of the iProperty.com EXPO in March 2011, iProperty.com Singapore held their second exhibition of the year on October 30 & 31 2011, attracting a record 12,000+ attendees to the Marina Bay Sands Convention Center. In the same measure of success, property exhibitors reported an astounding S$60 million worth of property sales within just 18 hours during the 2 days of EXPO.

An exhibitor at the iProperty.com Expo

With interest rates at historic lows, Singaporeans with high levels of cash deposits in bank accounts saw the iProperty.com Expo as a good chance to learn about the different ways of diversifying their portfolio into low-risk property investments. Although a number of attendees had limited experience in the world of real estate investing, as the only time they had invested in real estate was when they bought their own home in Singapore, the strong capital gains they had enjoyed from their home purchase prompted them to look for subsequent property investments with long-term growth potential.  By attending the educational seminars geared towards first-time investors, visitors to the Expo were able to learn how to watch out for opportunities in the property market and learn the strategies of top property experts.

Jennifer K, a home-maker and first-time visitor to the iProperty.com Expo, had this to say: “I have never heard of Mohamed Ismail Gafoor (PropNex CEO) before, but he gave a really good presentation and was able to explain his points really well.”

Visitors to the Expo were also spoiled for choice, with more than 100 booths set up with by developers promoting the newest residential and commercial property launches from all over the world, ranging from 2nd homes in nearby Iskandar Malaysia, all the way to resort hotels in exotic Brazil.

The various seminar sessions also addressed the different needs of beginning investors as well as seasoned real estate agents, with topics geared toward agents scheduled during the morning, and seminars catering for the general public taking place during the afternoons on both days.

A visitor checks out the exhibitor and seminar listings at the iProperty.com expo

Mike C, an IT manager and seasoned real estate agent, shared his views: “The agent seminars were very interesting for learning and for keeping up with the latest property investment offerings in the local market”.

Visitors who spent most of the day at the Expo and who were experiencing hunger pangs were also not forgotten: a special area within the Expo was set aside for catering, providing a wide variety of affordable food choices, from Indian curries, Chinese roasted pork dishes, to simple wraps and salads, with something for everyone. With its comfortable chairs and roomy tables, the catering area also doubled as an impromptu location for one-on-one meetings with visitors who wanted to have more in-depth conversations over coffee with the exhibitors they met with.

A retired couple in their 60s, the Tans, remarked: “We attended the iProperty.com Expo last year and decided to come back again this year because it is always a very worthwhile use of our time. With our savings in bank deposits and earning low interest, we came to talk to a number of exhibitors and to learn more about how we can increase our investment returns. For us, the free seminars and lucky draws are also the main attractions”.

With exhibitors at the Expo reporting over S$60 million worth of properties sold over 2 days, it is clear that despite daily news of the European financial crisis, many Singaporeans still consider property an attractive investment option, particularly as a safe alternative to volatile stock markets.

14 Nov

Record-breaking S$60 million in sales registered at iProperty.com EXPO

Expo drew overwhelming response with over 12,000 attendees and sell-out seminars

iProperty.com Singapore has once again reinforced its position as the country’s No. 1 property website, attracting a record of 12,000 attendees and registering over S$60 million in sales for the 3rd signature iProperty.com EXPO International Collection held over the weekend on 29 and 30 October 2011.

iProperty.com EXPO International Collection featured prominent international properties, the most prestigious property brands, real estate experts and property buyers in Singapore under one roof at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre at Marina Bay Sands. The two-day programme saw impressive exhibits from 56 participating companies, showcasing the most exciting developments in established as well as up-and-coming territories in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the USA, Thailand, the Philippines, India and Japan. Investors were also treated to a comprehensive series of insightful seminars where industry experts shared tips and tricks on property investing.

The Expo received overwhelming response from the investing community, as evidenced by the more than 20% increase in visitorship, and almost double the sales volume as compared to the Expo’s previous edition in March this year.

Active discussions and exchange of ideas also took place during the seminars, which saw a robust turn out with some sessions generously over-subscribed. Topics presented touched on issues surrounding maximising rental yield, spotting prime property below market value, need-to-know tips for foreign markets and the power of leverage – presented by experts such as Alfred Chia, Chief Executive Officer of SingCapital, Clara Tan, Managing Director of CTL Group and Kelvin Fong, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Trainer of Zest Academy Group.

“The Expo has once again reinforced its position as the leading property exhibition with more than S$80 million worth of potential sales discussed. We are confident that the Expo will continue to grow in tandem with the developments in the real estate industry, both locally and internationally. Investors are becoming more astute in making sound decisions when it comes to investing in local and overseas properties, especially with the state of the economy and stock markets worldwide. iProperty.com is proud to leverage on our network of partners in the region, to drive greater awareness and understanding of key property markets through this Expo – which I believe has a very receptive audience among Singaporeans,” says Shaun Di Gregorio, iProperty Group CEO.

Several exhibitors and industry leaders expressed satisfaction with the outcome of their participation in the event, with many citing the right target group of attendees and the relevant networking opportunities as the event’s key selling points.

“We have been participating in this Expo since its 2010 edition, and we are impressed with the ever-increasing amount of sales that we clinched at each subsequent event. This time, we saw how popular our projects are with investors, having sold 13 units worth 13 million in total. The iProperty.com Expo has proven to be a worthwhile platform for us to showcase our exciting offerings to investors in Singapore, and we look forward to another successful event,” said Patrick Choi, Deputy Senior Manager, UEM Land Holdings Bhd, developer for various projects including the highly anticipated Puteri Harbour and Kota Iskandar in Putrajaya.

Said Mohammed Ismail Gafoor, PropNex Realty, “As a leading real estate company with footprints in Singapore and the region, we are very pleased with the level of interest shown by visitors at the event. It is heartening to know that while investors in Singapore are getting more financially savvy and knowledgeable, they are nonetheless also cautious and careful about property investments – especially with regards to overseas projects. We are pleased to share our expertise with them through this platform, and look forward to seeing them at the next edition.”

iProperty.com Expo visitors were also impressed with the diverse range of property investment options on showcase, well-presented through sophisticated, intricately-designed scale models, with experts on hand to dish out valuable tips and advice.

“The Expo is definitely a high-calibre event, featuring leading international property brands and industry leaders – all with a wealth of expertise to share with visitors like me. The seminars were very enriching and speakers were able to address all the concerns and queries that I had,” said Ms Josephine Chew, who attended seminar sessions on both days of the Expo.

“There was a host of attractive investment options presented at the iProperty.com Expo, in exciting places like Australia. I look forward to seeing more of such options in the next event,” said Ms Wong, a property investor who visited the Expo on 29 October.

The iProperty.com EXPO International Collection will return for its 4th edition in 2012. For more information on the next edition of the iProperty.com EXPO International Collection, please visit http://www.iproperty.com/expo.

10 Nov

Meet the Man Behind HSR Property Group

When Patrick Liew first started out in his career, he climbed the corporate ladder at a breakneck speed, quickly working his way up from a salesman’s role to eventually becoming a member of the company’s management committee. However, like the many real estate salespersons before him who chose to leave their full-time jobs to become their own bosses, Liew realized along the way that despite doing well as an employee, he was spending the best part of his life at work, and that it was time to make the change if he wanted to build something of his own.

Patrick Liew, CEO of HSR

Liew, now the CEO of HSR Property Group, attributes much of the reason for his success in building up HSR to learning the real estate business starting from the basics. He told iProperty.com Singapore that the critical factor for a new property agent’s success boils down to the level of support given to him by the team he joins, and that the “most important consideration (for a new agent) is to join an agency that provides comprehensive training and coaching to help them succeed in the market”. Given the fierce competition among real estate agencies in recruiting new agents, Liew believes that what makes an agency stand out from the rest is when “the agency has the capabilities to provide strong marketing tools to help them differentiate themselves from the other agents”. Elaborating on what specific marketing tools worked best for HSR agents, Liew said: “In the new economy, the company must provide a leading-edge suite of infocommunication tools. There must also be a strong infrastructure for support and services to help them compete in the market.”

As HSR has expanded its product offerings to include overseas property in recent years, one of the most popular questions that investors have for Liew is: What should a first-time investor look out for when looking for a bargain in overseas property? Although a strong believer in the “softer” aspects of doing business, including often citing “love” as the reason why HSR stands out from the competition, Liew takes a hard-headed approach to investing, and urges investors to research and analyze the macroeconomic perspective of the country, so as to “ensure that it is economically, politically and socially stable and secure, and that your investment is protected and will be able to deliver the projected returns on investments”. Liew also believes that studying the market is key, so as to “ensure that the investment’s upsurge potential is supported by positive and justifiable forces, both in the short as well as the long term basis.”

An agent promoting overseas property investment at the iProperty.com Expo

While HSR has allocated a good amount of its resources into expanding the reach of its overseas property unit, Liew still believes that there is ample opportunity for an investor to enjoy strong capital returns from the Singapore market, saying: “ Singapore will continue to entrench itself as a global city, a place to live, work, learn, and play in. The high end residential market which has softened in recent times has upturn potential.” Echoing the views of many property experts on the current “hot” market trends of commercial and industrial property investment, Liew adds: “Properties within the vicinity of the new Paya Lebar and Jurong business hubs will enjoy a healthy demand and positive profit potential.”

With many new HDB blocks being constructed at 40 stories high, Liew has the following advice for first-time home buyers who are grappling with the decision of whether or not to cough up extra funds to purchase a more expensive unit on a higher floor: “Buying a flat is not just for asset appreciation; it should also be a base for well-being. Buyers should consider these two factors and decide on the appropriate equilibrium.”

Although a number of property experts advocate taking a more cautious approach by choosing a lower entry point (by going for a cheaper unit on a lower floor)  to minimize the risks of buying at a higher price, Liew is of the different opinion: “It is better to choose the higher floors which will generally enjoy better capital appreciation”, he says. However, Liew to quick to add that “the market is dynamic and continues to evolve”, and reminds buyers to “study the fine prints in the contract to ensure that the conditions fit their risk/return profile.”

9 Nov

The Serious Business of Training Property Investors

We caught up with Kelvin Fong, CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of  Zest Academy Group at the iProperty.com Expo  just before he was due up on stage for his talk on the latest trends in the Singapore property market.

Kelvin Fong, Chief Trainer at Zest Academy

As the Chief Trainer for the Millionaire Property System (MPS) program run by his professional training school, the impeccably-dressed Fong has become the go-to adviser for aspiring property investors looking to tap into the strategies of successful investors who have made their millions from the property market. After all, who better to train property investors than a record-breaking team leader who has made a name for himself  by giving sound investment advice  to his many high net-worth clients?

His opinion, which he expressed in an exclusive interview with iProperty.com, on the best way to find a bargain in the Singapore property market: “One needs to understand the pricing in the market in the chosen area of investment, as there are many factors to consider before investing”, he said, adding, “Most importantly, when it comes to investing, we must be able to determine the two most important investment rules: the potential upside and the risk based on current market condition – rather than based on hopes about the future developments of the particular investment location.”

Indeed, Fong’s remarkable career path has been marked by calculated risk-taking and the pushing of boundaries. Instead of being content with achieving top producer status at PropNex, he made a riskier, but potentially big growth opportunity move into the business of grooming top real estate salespersons. His advice for aspiring real estate agents: “Today’s market has changed, anyone who is keen to embark in this career needs to learn how to put themselves in the buyers and sellers position.  Do not just focus on just being a real estate agent, one need to learn how to help your clients achieved their desired goals, and not just think about transacting the deal”.

What distinguishes one real estate salesperson from another? “I believe in adding value to our customers. Once the trust has been created, the relationship between the client will be just like friends, and the result is that you will have more deals with your clients.  Treat them like yourself – you will know what they want and you will give them the best that they need”. Fong’s own lesson learnt: “This principle has helped me achieved my result as a champion salesperson”.

And what should we as home buyers look for when deciding whether to give our real estate agents exclusivity? “One needs to consider whether the agents care for your next purchase, what kind of financial planning they have done for you, and if they have done the proper planning for you to shift to the next property”.

Fong also advises home buyers to look out for real estate agents who are able to outline a detailed financial plan for their next purchase. “The next thing you need to know is what kind of marketing effort they can do for the owner, as well as looking at their track records and the outline of their marketing plan”, he says.  “It will be better to work with an agent who has a strong personal network”.

With experts predicting a slowdown in the growth of property prices in 2012 and beyond, Fong says that first-time homebuyers should take a conservative approach to their finances, and keep renovation costs under control. “Price appreciation (of a property) is dependent on market sentiment – if the market is not good, a home with extensive renovation will not necessarily fetch a higher price.  We have seen owners with extensive renovation sell at a loss before during a down market. Renovation is very subjective and the design might be outdated as years goes by.”  Speaking from the position of one who has been though it before: “A simple renovation will be good enough – it’s better to focus on getting a right price unit instead”.

When asked for one final tip that first-time investors should always remember: “Make sure to do your homework on the prices transacted around the surrounding projects before investing, do not be the guinea pig to test the market!”

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