Cecil Lee

Comment: Looks like the "nightmare" has began for those who are considering or trying to sell their existing 99 leasehold flat. For those who bought theirs on the resale market especially in the last two years would realise that some may have already started to make a paper-loss; depending on location, view and level. Median COV for flats drops to $8,000 The Straits Times 6 December 2013 By JANICE HENG CASH premiums for HousingBoard flats have fallen furtherand faster than expected as housing curbs continue to bite.The median cash-over-valuation (COV) dropped to $8,000last month from $11,444 in October, ahead of predictions that itwould hit $10,000 by the yearend, according to Singapore RealEstate Exchange (SRX) flash estimates yesterday. This might be due to moredeals in less popular estates,rather than unexpectedly cooldemand overall, said analysts."A lot of transactions were inplaces like Sengkang and JurongWest, where COVs are lower,"said ERA Realty key executiveofficer Eugene Lim. The fall was part of a weakhousing market picture. Both public and private resale prices fell to the lowest levels this year. Transaction volumes dipped, reversinga slight rise in September. Resale prices of non-landedprivate homes fell 1.5 per centfrom October. There were 387 non-landedhomes resold last month, downfrom both October and the same time last year.In public housing, the fall inmedian COV marked the firsttime since July 2009 that cashpremiums fell below $10,000.Analysts say it could slip to$5,000 in the next few months, on the back of more negativeCOV deals. Last month, 13.1 per cent of resale deals closed below valuation,up from the SRX's estimate of 8.5per cent in October."We are expecting COV tocontinue to moderate, especiallyduring the festive period," saidMr Lim. But he does not expect itto hit zero, as flats in mature estates are still fetching reasonablepremiums. R'ST Research director OngKah Seng expects COVs to continue to dip until around the second quarter or middle of next year.With more suburban condominiums being completed nextyear, "there is probably morecompetition by HDB upgraders tosell their flats from now (onwards)" , he said.Amid a buyer's market, HDB10resale prices fell 0.6 per cent tothe lowest level since Septemberlast year, and fewer flats changedhands. The estimated 1,051 transactions last month was downfrom October and 34 per centless than the same time last year,Though resale numbers are usually down in the festive season, analysts said last month'sfall was due more to cooler buyersentiment after loan curbs.Completing the picture ofweak demand was the rental market. Private non-landed rentalprices remained flat, after threemonths of decline. For HDB flats, median rentsslipped 1.1 per cent to $1,130, thefirst drop since they reached $1,400 in June last year.

Reference: http://gizmodo.com/5304233/entire-new-13+story-building-tips-over-in-shanghai/ Entire New 13-Story Building Tips Over in Shanghai This past Saturday, an entire apartment building in Shanghai collapsed. To be fair, the building was under construction and thus unoccupied, but it's still a minor miracle that there was only one fatality. Sounds like there was a problem with some nearby flood prevention walls at the Dianpu River, but there's no hard evidence as to why this huge building simply fell over. Anyway, here are some sweet pictures of the architectural carnage. [Cellar.orgviaTwitter] LDiscuss

On all SIA flights: there is no such thing as ROW number 13. In the photo; you will see that there is a Row 12. And then followed by 14. Where is "row 13?" = none.

No hassle clearance @ Changi Airport

Well, in Japan, even if one does not speak the Japanese language; a glance at this "thing" and I most likely know it is meant to be an area to provide erh.. feedback or complaints

I took a photo of this unusual "set-up". Just imagine; a parent (father or mother) bringing their child to the toilet. The child sits "quietly" at a corner while the parent does his/her business. How's that for a child's throne SEAT?

A functional and well-stocked cubicle for changing kids diapers

In my opinion; as far as I know; I have not heard or at least there is no evidence to suggest that tattoo's have a direct or even indirect impact on a person's (well-being) or luck. From a holistic approach to Feng Shui; there are many other factors associated to luck. And tattoos are never mentioned, here.

Yes, there are still some who believe that there are good mole(s). And also share the same concerns as yours.

This home owner seems to love planting several varieties of cactus. In the past, some plant such plants at corners of homes to deter someone climbing illegally e.g. a thief into one's home...

In the past, some geomancers have proclaimed jewellery in the name of Feng Shui. This fella now uses the name of Feng Shui in order to sell US plants: " Feng Shui plants". Furthermore, the claim is 2013 Feng Shui plants. Wonder what 2011 Feng Shui plants looks like? or a 1960 plant looks like? No price for guessing wrongly... What ... also says "GOLD Feng Shui principles"... Have never heard of Feng Shui principles that come in all flavours: Gold, silver? bronze? platinium? What next? When the buying STOPs, the selling CAN!

In the past, used to see this cart or stall in every cinema lobby... A pleasant surprise to see this cart at Selegie while visiting a corporate client's new Education school in Pomo (formerly Singapore Pools HQ)...

To our young Singaporeans; all BTO's are often a heavy "expense" or burden. Some young couples would say "Not cheap".... and nowadays you can't even pay back the 99 year lease within 5 years! Yet alone... 15 years or more...

Singapore has very few circular blocks of flats (a condo). In this case three circles that form the distinctive The Draycott (around Stevens Road). Often, one thing for sure; it is more difficult for built-in cabinets and wardropes...

Not exactly. This apartment's frontage is facing a lift in Bukit Panjang. No wonder... it looks like a jungle...here

Invest, The Straits TimesDecember 1, 2013 Sunday Overseas propertygalore for buyersMore foreign projectsare being launchedin Singapore, and interest is strong by Rachael Boon Overseas property continues to lurelocal investors with developersseeming to jet in every other weekend offering new launches.DTZ Singapore research headLee Lay Keng said about 107 Lon- don projects alone, including student accommodation blocks, havebeen brought to Singapore for saleby various agencies this year. Consultancy Colliers International data shows an increasingnumber of Singapore investors have been buying London propertyover the past 12 months, about 25per cent more than a year earlier. Mr Julian Sedgwick of .Savills Singapore says: "It is hard to track thenumber of different launches in Singapore but we have certainly seenan increase in the number oflaunches this year compared withlast year." He says this could be due to cooling measures in Singapore and anincrease in local agencies trying tosell international property."The key cities of interest areLondon, Sydney, Melbourne, Bangkok, New York, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo and growing interest in Manila," he adds. Mrs Doris Tan of Jones Lang La-Sallehas also seen strong growth. About 107 London projects alone have been brought to Singapore for sale byvarious agencies this year, says DTZ Singapore research head Lee Lay Keng. Sales for these cities. "We sold closeto 800 units of London propertiesto Singaporeans, which is about 80per cent of the total property purchases made this year, and about150 Tokyo properties to Singaporeans as well." Singaporeans are also amongthe top foreign investors in theBangkok condominium market, ac- counting for 18 per cent of CBREsales to overseas buyers this year,says Ms Aliwassa Pathnadabutr,managing director at property consultancy CB Richard Ellis in Thai- land. "Singapore is ranked second after Hong Kong in terms of top foreign investors in Bangkok's down- town condominium market," sheadds.However, there are certain risksand restrictions in the various citiesand countries when it comes to buying property overseas. Australia has restrictions on overseas investors wanting to buypre-existing properties, according to Savills' Australian office.If you are looking to move there,Australia's Significant Investor Visa requires an investment of ASS million (SS5.7 million) in complyinginvestments for a minimum of fouryears before being eligible to applyfor a permanent visa. CBRE's Ms Pathnadabutr saysbuying condo units in Thailand isthe simplest and safest for foreigninvestors while serviced apartments are not available for individual sale. Foreign investors cannotown land in Thailand. She adds: "Most foreign investors, including Singaporeans, therefore choose to invest in freeholdcondominiums." There are so many options onthe table that there seems to besomething for every investor in each city, depending on the budget.Take a buyer with $500,000 to$600,000 to spend. Savills' Mr Sedgwick says: "Youare looking at a one-bed (flat) in azone two location of London or ahigh-end condo in Thailand. InMelbourne, you could be lookingat a one- or two-bed in the centralbusiness district and perhaps aone-bed or studio in Sydney." The Straits Times, Sunday 1 Dec 2013 Invest Page 34

Spike in number of flatssold below valuation By RACHEL AU-YONG THE number of Housing Boardflats being sold below valuationhas rocketed, as tighter mortgage rules eat into demand. According to HDB's latest figures, 105 units were sold in October for less than their appraisal. This accounted for 7 per cent ofthe total resale volume, a markedincrease on the average 0.3 per cent for each month of the firsthalf of the year. This means around four timesas many flats were sold below valuation in October alone than over the whole of January toJune, when there was an averageof five such transactions every month. This has forced sellers, suchas assistant manager RaymondKoh, 37, to adjust expectations. After asking for a cash-over-valuation (GOV) of $20,000 forhis $526,000 five-roomer in PunggoJ earlier this year and finding no buyers, he cut his price. "Ilowered my GOV to $10,000, then $5,000, then zero," he said."Then I started going negative." Today, his second-floor,nine-year-old flat is on sale for$20,000 below valuation. The lower mortgage servicingratio, shorter loan tenure andthree-year wait before new permanent residents can buypublic flats - announced in quicksuccession since August - have cooled interest. Median COV,the cash amount which buyerstypically pay on top of valuation of a resale unit, fell from $35,000in January to $12,000 in October.Some sellers are no longer asking for COVs, and some are pricing flats even below valuation. OrangeTee research head Christine Li thinks the main COV killer is the stricter mortgage rules. In August, the Housing Boardannounced that resale buyers canuse up to only 30 per cent of their gross monthly income to repay loans with HDB, down from35 per cent. This is in line with the mortgage servicing ratio announced in January for loansfrom private banks. "Because buyers, especiallyyoung couples, can now take outonly smaller loans, the additional portion has to be fronted bycash, which eats into their abilityto pay COVs," she said. Some flats will be hit worsethan others, said analysts.In Punggol and Sengkang, or larger estates in outlying areassuch as Choa Chu Kang, the ramping up of new Build-To-Order flats has come at the same timeas owners of neighbouring blocksbeing allowed to sell after a typi cal five-year minimum occupation period, said PropNex chiefexecutive Mohamed Ismail. "And if you live on the secondfloor, facing the rubbish chute -it's a triple whammy," he said. "Your COV will, of course, fall."Owners such as divorcing couples or those who have pur- chased a new flat may have littlechoice but to sell. Mr Koh has not bought a flatyet, but wants to upgrade to anexecutive apartment or a condo- minium in Sengkang, near theschool of his choice for hisfive-year-old son. But he is ada- mant that $20,000 below valuation is as low as he is willing togo. "Any lower and 1 might a? well continue living here." Source: The Straits Times, Dec 2, 2013

These are some considerations: 1. General comments. For 232 and 234, just be careful of the school's roof line "slicing into one of the levels". 2. 292D is the precinct pavilion. Although it is strategically placed; but many surrounding (lower floor) stacks could see into the pavilion. Of course,funeral wakes are hopefullynot often. 3. But hopefully during auspicious occasions;a visitor to oneof thelower units at e.g. stack 520 can clearly see into the pavilion. Can'tcontrol suchan event.

Youmay consider usingthe free auspicious dates (for next 30days)link at: http://dates.geomancy.net closer to that month

Frankly if you are into pure DIY; you really have to make an uphill task to learn more. The major topics that I had mentioned in one of the illustrations : "A practical approach to Feng Shui today" has clues on the types of Schools and Headings. As Rome is not built in a day; so is DIY. For those who are for eg. too impatient to DIY; may consider other routes e.g. get expert help etc...... this is pure common sense. For example; this is similar to other disciplines. If you have a modern car. Would you go to the trouble to doing your own servicing? If yes, then you may have to read up to gain knowledge before you can do your own servicing. OR? Bring it to a workshop which have the necessary skills or tools to do so. There is no short-cut if you want to DIY. And there is no way nor one can get spoon-fed all the time.

Please see illustration on where are you now? OK, you have determined the centrepoint. And located all the compass bearings and plotted them on your apartment chart. If you intend to apply Kindergarten type of Feng Shui. [STOP.] End of story. However, today's Feng Shui is not like the Fung Sway of yester-years. RED DOT shows "YOU ARE HERE". Just scratching the surface: Eight House mansion; Flying Stars + Ba Zi. And most important ingredient: interpretation and application of all the combined fields together.

These are some considerations: 1. North = water, South = fire etc.... Is based on kindergarten type of Feng Shui. 1.1. In many past forum messages; if you were told or adviced by a geomancer in the 1970's to 1980's; you would be none the wiser; and think very highly of that geomancer. 1.2. Unfortunately; if you were to apply Para 1; today, it is like stone-aged or kindergarten Fung Sway. 2. In the attached sample illustration: please see sample: Page 3. Showing three persons: Male, Female and son. And in the illustration; often in areas of their master bedroom or general home areas; best colours for the couple COULD be applied subject to after ploting the flying stars. 3. Sometimes, even if their combined colours are favourable; one final clue is to match this with the flying stars of say their bedroom. And from, here determine the best colours. 4. Thus, if you are into Para 1; my advice is might as well flip a coin to determine the colours. 5. In my opinion, what you mentioned, here is just scratching the surface. You have not even climbed say Mount Faber, yet. After you climb Mount faber; then consider climbing Bukit Timah Hill; then The North Face of Himalayas..

"Sorry, need to ask another question again. As I am curious of the facing direction because what I want to get the particular unit is all windows at living hall and 3 rooms windows are facing the(hidden - a specific)country club golf course and I assume this area should be better for the house facing in-front rather than behind where there is no support? Correct me if I am wrong. Thanks and regards,A" Another way of looking is: "Just imagine if the apartment is a landed property. You would drive UP to the frontage right? And the frontage should be where you had described." "Who would drive to the "back-side" of the home or apartment." Furthermore, you have deduced it based on? Common sense. And common sense prevails over whatever may be written. In general, statements written are not cast in stone............