DAILY NEWS

Daily News – 8th February 2019

Singapore Real Estate

HDB offers buyers new option: apply today, book tomorrow
Eager home buyers can soon book a Housing Board (HDB) flat by the next working day after applying. A new sales option will soon offer remaining flats from the Re-Offer of Balance Flats (ROF) pool at any time of the year. The first batch of 120 flats offered under the new option will be open for booking around the middle of the year, Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong said in a blog post on Thursday.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/hdb-offers-buyers-new-option-apply-today-book-tomorrow
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/home-buyers-can-get-unsold-hdb-flats-faster-under-new-sales-option
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/home-buyers-face-shorter-wait-to-book-hdb-flat-under-new-sales-exercise

HDB resales up for first time after cooling measures
More Housing Board flats changed hands last month compared with December, the first increase in HDB resale transactions since last July’s cooling measures. In all, 1,560 flats were resold last month, 8.8 per cent more than in December, according to flash estimates from real estate portal SRX yesterday. It was also 43 per cent more than the 1,091 units sold in January last year.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/hdb-resales-up-for-first-time-after-cooling-measures

Views, Reviews, Forum & Others

Rise of intangibles makes it harder to value assets properly
Singapore investors will soon face greater valuation challenges as Singapore Exchange (SGX) looks to welcome companies with dual class shares – a structure preferred by founder-entrepreneurs who require funding for a rapid ramp-up of the business, while wanting to retain the ability to execute on a long-term strategy. As it is, valuing a physical or tangible asset is not without challenges. Over the years, several transactions undertaken or attempted by SGX listed entities had been based on doubtful valuations.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/rise-of-intangibles-makes-it-harder-to-value-assets-properly

Giving shoppers a seamless experience
Much has been made about how the digital retail revolution is affecting customers – but what is the impact on the infrastructure needed to support the evolution of the retail supply chain? Traditional stores and online channels alike are committing to significant IT investment as they both create and respond to changes in customer behaviour.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion/giving-shoppers-a-seamless-experience

Distribute wealth when HDB owners reap a windfall
The Government should make sure that housing policies do not exacerbate the social divide through the lottery effect (Million-dollar HDB flats: Location, type and size count; Feb 4). In recent years, the focus has been to ensure upward mobility for all Singaporeans, as there is a bigger divide across socio-economic status which threatens our social fabric. However, housing policies exacerbate this divide as only a lucky few benefit from them by successfully balloting for a Build-To-Order Housing Board flat in a coveted location.
https://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/distribute-wealth-when-hdb-owners-reap-a-windfall