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Full Version: CDL Calls for Review of Curbs
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SINGAPORE — City Developments Limited (CDL), Singapore’s second-largest developer, called on the government to review property curbs “as soon as possible” after home prices dropped for an eighth consecutive quarter, matching the longest losing streak in 13 years.

The government began introducing residential property curbs in 2009 as low interest rates and demand from foreign buyers raised concerns that the market was overheating. They have included a cap on debt repayment costs at 60 per cent of a borrower’s monthly income, higher stamp duties on home purchases and an increase in real estate taxes. Mortgage Servicing Ratio is also applicable to executive condo applicants. Upcoming executive condo include The Visionaire EC , Wandervale EC and Parc Life EC while existing ones include The Terrace EC, Waterwoods EC, Signature at Yishun and Brownstone EC.

Home prices continue to decline across all market segments, CDL said in its earnings statement late yesterday. Demand for residential units, especially at the high end, remains tepid, while sales continue to be adversely impacted by the various government cooling measures, rising interest rates and concerns over the local and global economies, the developer said.

CLD's group attributable profit after tax and non-controlling interests slid 16 per cent to S$106.4 million in the quarter ended Sept 30. The group will continue to monitor market conditions carefully before it starts marketing its new condominium project Gramercy Park near the city’s shopping belt of Orchard Road.

“Headwinds continue to dominate both domestically and globally,” CDL said in the statement accompanying the earnings. “Markets remain highly sensitive, unpredictable and challenging. The Group continues to hold the view that the property cooling measures need to be reviewed as soon as possible, given that the home-ownership rate in Singapore is over 90 per cent”.

DEMAND DENTED

Prices fell about 4 per cent last year, the first annual decline since 2008.

The deterioration in economic sentiment, a worsening supply-demand imbalance and rising vacancy rates risk precipitating a downward spiral in property prices, Mr Augustine Tan, the president of the Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore, said in September. The property cooling measures, in the current tone and intensity, could increase the risk to the real estate market and the economy, he said.

Singapore home sales dropped to their lowest this year in September as developers marketed fewer projects. Developers sold 341 units compared with a revised 513 units in August, according to data from the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
So it's the developers' strategies to expand at the wrong timing, and now asking the government to bail them out? So what about investors who bought at wrong timing, can we also ask for a bail out? I knew of an ex client of mine suffering a near 50% loss for his 3 units at Sentosa cove which he bought at about 6m each at launching, so whose fault? IMO the developers!!