Daily Briefing: Analysts back timing of investment in landed homes; Singapore agency loses licence for faking information

And here's a Singapore venture that launched a blockchain platform for hotels and malls.

From Tech in Asia:

A joint venture between Hatten Land and tech startup FundPlaces will launch a blockchain platform that uses utility tokens for Hatten Group hotels and retail stores.

"Called StayCay, the platform will issue two variations of utility tokens. The first kind can be used to purchase hotel packages from Malacca-headquartered Hatten Land and its parent company, Hatten Group. The other type will be distributed as reward tokens under a loyalty program for hotel guests and shoppers across the group’s retail stores, food and beverage outlets, as well as hospitality and wellness venues.

The joint venture will see Hatten Land take an 85% stake while FundPlaces will get 15%. Expected to go live by December this year, StayCay will integrate more than 3,400 hotel rooms and 5,000 retail outlets in Malacca that are owned and operated by the property group."

Read more here.

From TTG Asia:

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) revoked Baba Travel’s travel agent licence after it was revealed that it had released fake information for the renewal of the licence.

"Baba Travel’s licence was revoked as it had falsified the identity of its key executive in its application for renewal of licence. STB has also received complaints from Baba Travel’s industry partners and customers regarding outstanding payments owed by the company."

Read more here.

From PropertyGuru:

Despite the scarcity of landed homes in Singapore, the number of unsold inventory has been at a record low, with limited freehold supply coming into the market. Analysts in PropertyGuru's Guru Talk suggested that it could now be the right time to invest in landed homes.

"The total number of transactions for landed projects in 2018 is expected to be around 300 units, with the majority of units sold outside the Core Central Region, based on a research done by CBRE. The firm also believes that freehold projects will present a better value over leasehold projects in the rising landed property market.

But the question is the investment potential for landed housing in Singapore and how can investors preserve the value of such properties in the long run? This topic was discussed during PropertyGuru’s recent Guru Talk seminar held at the Watercove sales gallery in Sembawang."

Read more here.