Month: March 2025

The scarcity of land in Singapore, coupled with its growing population, has made condos a highly sought-after property in the country. As Singapore is a small island nation, there are limited options for land development, leading to strict land use policies and a fiercely competitive real estate market. As a result, property prices continue to rise steadily, making real estate investment, especially in condos, a profitable opportunity with the potential for capital appreciation. Keeping this in mind, the introduction of new condo launches has further intensified the demand for condos, offering even more attractive investment prospects.

As reported by Colliers, in the second half of 2024, institutional investments in Asia Pacific (Apac) real estate amounted to a total of US$83.2 billion ($112 billion), marking a 6% increase from the previous year. This brings the overall investments for the entire year of 2024 to US$155.9 billion, registering a 12% rise year-on-year. The figures pertain to the top nine real estate markets in the region, namely Australia, Mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, and Taiwan.The upsurge in investments reflects the resilience of Apac’s real estate market, laying the foundation for a robust year ahead in 2025, according to Chris Pilgrim, the managing director of global capital markets, Asia Pacific at Colliers. He adds that in key markets such as South Korea, Taiwan, and New Zealand, the growth is being largely driven by domestic investors, with over 80% of real estate inflows originating from local sources in 2H2024.Read also: CBRE: Apac investors planning to ramp up acquisitions of hotel properties in 2025AdvertisementAdvertisementIn terms of investment volume, the office sector was the leading contributor, making up US$26.5 billion (32%) of the total investments in 2H2024. For the year 2024 as a whole, office investments amounted to US$51.4 billion, marking a 14% increase year-on-year.The industrial and logistics sector emerged as the second largest contributor, accumulating US$22.6 billion in investments in 2H2024, accounting for 27% of the total investments. This brings the total investments in this sector for the entire year of 2024 to US$39.4 billion, recording a substantial 29% rise year-on-year.In terms of transactions, the retail sector saw a significant rebound in 2H2024, registering a total of US$15 billion in investments, driven by major deals in Australia and South Korea. Overall, investments in the retail sector in 2024 amounted to US$26.1 billion, rising by 27% year-on-year.Pilgrim predicts that domestic capital will continue to dominate the majority of markets in 2025, while offshore investments are set to increase due to improving investor confidence and attractive valuations. He also believes that while the office and industrial segments will maintain strong investments, the retail, hospitality, and alternative asset classes are also expected to gain traction as investors capitalize on the recovering market and evolving consumer trends. “With buoyant economic growth and continued policy support, the Apac real estate market is poised to experience sustained investment activity in 2025,” he says.…

for $391 mil

Lee Chee Koon, the dynamic CEO of CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI), has been recognized as the ‘Industry Figure of the Year’ for Asia Pacific at the PERE Global Awards 2024. The prestigious awards, organized by the leading publication covering private equity real estate markets in London, acknowledge influential firms, individuals and outstanding deals from the previous year. Furthermore, CLI was also recognized as the runner-up for ‘Firm of the Year’ in Asia Pacific.

The winners of the 2024 awards were selected by a panel of judges comprised of PERE journalists, in a departure from previous editions where the winners were determined by a reader vote following a shortlisting process by PERE.

In a press release dated March 4, CLI stated that the award for CEO Lee is a recognition of his role in spearheading CLI’s transformational growth and his significant impact on the private real estate industry in the Asia Pacific region. Since taking over as group CEO of CapitaLand in September 2018, Lee has made several strategic moves that have positioned the company for success. These include the acquisition of Ascendas-Singbridge in 2019 and the recent restructuring of CapitaLand Group in 2021, which led to the listing of CLI and the privatization of its real estate development arm, CapitaLand Development.

Notably, CLI also made headlines in 2024 with its investments in real estate investment manager SC Capital Partners Group and the acquisition of Wingate Group Holdings’ property and corporate credit investment management business. With these investments, CLI is poised to manage $200 billion in funds by 2028, according to the company.

Read these related stories for more information:

– CapitaLand Investment raises RMB1 billion from its first sustainability-linked panda bond.

– CapitaLand Investment posts a decline in FY2023 earnings by 79% to $181 million.

The decision to invest in a condominium in Singapore has gained immense popularity among both local and foreign investors, largely due to the country’s thriving economy, stable political climate, and exceptional standard of living. With a flourishing real estate market in Singapore, there is a plethora of opportunities, especially in the condo sector. These types of residential developments offer a host of advantages such as convenience, lavish amenities, and the potential for lucrative returns, making them highly sought after. In this redeveloped article, we will delve into the various benefits of investing in a condo in Singapore, essential factors to consider, and the necessary steps to take.

– CapitaLand Investment acquires three properties in Singapore and Thailand, for a total of $391 million.…

On March 3, Singapore private equity real estate firm SC Capital Partners Group announced the sale of its student accommodation asset located on Anzac Parade and Lorne Avenue in Kensington, Sydney, Australia. The group reported that the property was sold at a significant premium to its acquisition price and a 19% premium to its current book value. The buyer of the asset is the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney.

According to the press release, SC Capital Partners had originally purchased the property in 2016, reportedly paying A$57 million for it. The purpose-built student accommodation spans over 85,035 square feet and includes 233 beds and a ground-floor commercial podium. It is strategically situated within 600 meters of the UNSW Kensington campus. The student accommodation component is fully leased to UNSW, with a fresh 20-year master lease signed in 2019.

The bustling city of Singapore is renowned for its impressive skyline, filled with towering skyscrapers and advanced infrastructure. A ubiquitous sight in the prime areas of this city-state are the modern condominiums, offering the perfect combination of opulence and convenience for both locals and expats. These high-rise residential properties boast a plethora of amenities including swimming pools, fitness centers, and round-the-clock security services, elevating the standard of living for their occupants and making them highly coveted by potential tenants and buyers alike. From an investor’s perspective, these features translate into attractive rental yields and a consistent increase in property values over time. To meet the ever-growing demand, new condo launches are frequently introduced, catering to the evolving needs of the market. This further expands the diverse range of options available for individuals looking to invest in Singapore’s thriving condominium market. For more information on the latest condo launches, visit New Condo Launches.

The sale of this asset has further amplified the competition in the assets under management (AUM) race, with a recent transaction by Charter Hall Long WALE REIT increasing its funds under management (FUM) to a substantial $113 billion. The sale is a testament to the strong demand for quality student accommodation assets in Australia and highlights UNSW’s commitment to providing top-notch facilities for its students.…

The stock price of City Developments has dropped significantly, by 28 cents or 5.47%, after trading resumed today. This comes after a heated disagreement between executive chairman Kwek Leng Beng and his son, group CEO Sherman Kwek, which has spilled over into the courts. The company’s shares were halted on Feb 26, just before a results briefing was scheduled. Shortly after, news broke of the tension between the father and son, creating a stir within the business community in Singapore. The company has released a statement on March 3, stating that they will not comment on the validity of the allegations made by the media, as they are currently in the midst of court proceedings. CDL’s operations remain unaffected and Mr Sherman Kwek will continue to serve as the Group CEO until there is a decision from the board to change company leadership.

It is essential for international investors to have a clear understanding of the rules and limitations surrounding property ownership in Singapore. While foreigners can typically buy condominiums with relative ease, there are stricter regulations in place for owning landed properties. Additionally, foreign buyers are required to pay the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD), which currently stands at 20% for their initial property purchase. Despite these added expenses, the consistent stability and potential for growth in the Singapore real estate market continue to make it an attractive destination for foreign investment. Singapore Projects are also a popular choice for foreign investors in the city’s dynamic real estate market.

The ongoing dispute within the board and the family has caused analysts to downgrade their calls and lower their target prices. UOB Kay Hian’s Adrian Loh has downgraded the stock from “buy” to “hold” and adjusted their target price from $7 to $4.60, which is based on a 2 standard deviation below its five-year average price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 0.72 times. Loh believes that the company’s valuable assets in Singapore and globally will find it difficult to perform with the current situation.

Similarly, DBS Group Research’s Derek Tan and Tabitha Foo have maintained their “buy” call but revised their target price from $10.50 to $6.70, representing a discount to RNAV of 60%. They believe that the fundamentals of CDL are still intact and are trading at an attractive valuation.

OCBC Investment Research has also kept their “buy” call, with a reduced fair value of $6.02, down from $6.57, based on a wider RNAV discount of 60%. They believe that there will be uncertainties and potential overhang on the share price until the matter is resolved.

On the other hand, Citi Research’s Brandon Lee believes that the impact of the dispute is hard to quantify and may be an overhang on the share price in the short term. Lee has a “buy” call and a target price of $9.51, as he sees CDL trading at less than a third of its book value.

JP Morgan analysts Mervin Song and Terence M Khi describe the situation at CDL as a “dynastic discord” that has been building up for years. They hope for a positive resolution and family reconciliation, but have reduced their target price from $6.05 to $4.85, representing a 60% discount to their RNAV estimate of $12.10 per share.

Overall, the uncertainty surrounding CDL’s leadership and potential impact on the company’s operations may cause short-term volatility in the share price. However, analysts believe that the company remains fundamentally strong with valuable assets and a potential for re-rating once the dispute is resolved.…

Elite UK REIT’s trustee, Perpetual (Asia) Limited, has recently sold Crown Buildings, Caerphilly at Claude Road, Caerphilly, for GBP710,000 ($1.2 million) at an 18% premium. The sale was announced in a bourse filing on March 3 by the manager of Elite UK REIT. According to the filing, the vacant property was independently valued at GBP600,000 at the end of 2024 by CBRE.

Selecting the ideal location is crucial in the world of real estate investing, especially in Singapore. Investing in a Condo situated in prime areas with necessary amenities, such as schools, shopping centers, and public transportation hubs, can lead to a significant increase in value. The properties in high-demand districts like Orchard Road, Marina Bay, and the Central Business District (CBD) have consistently demonstrated a consistent appreciation in their value over time. Moreover, the presence of renowned schools and educational institutions nearby further enhances the appeal of these Condos, making them a smart investment choice. You can find the perfect Condo for your investment here.

Located in Wales, Crown Buildings, Caerphilly was previously valued at GBP530,000 at the end of 2023. The net proceeds from the sale will be used to repay Elite UK REIT’s outstanding borrowings. The property, which has a gross floor area of 20,712 sq ft, was listed on the company’s website.

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Elite UK REIT’s successful GBP28 million preferential offering in January 2024 has resulted in a reduction of its leverage ratio from 50.0% at end-2023 to 43.4% at end-2024. Similarly, its net gearing ratio has also declined from 47.5% at end-2023 to 42.5% at end-2024. The company has no debt maturing in 2025 and 2026, and its next refinancing is due in 2027.…