Daily Briefing: Rapid transit system to boost Johor property market; HDB resale market sees benefit from lower BTO supply

And here's how Singapore recovered its position as SEA IPO leader.

Analysts expect interest in Johor Bahru properties to increase with the news that Malaysia and Singapore are signing the bilateral agreement for the rapid transit system in 2017. Peter Ezekiel, who travels across the causeway daily for work, welcomed the news. The 46-year-old lawyer opted to rent a Johor Bahru house while waiting for the completion of his new flat in Singapore. While renting a home in Johor Bahru is cheaper, Ezekiel has had to contend with traffic congestion daily. He may, however, continue renting or even purchase a property in Johor in the future now that Singapore and Malaysia are moving ahead with the RTS. Read full story here.

HDB's resale market is set to benefit from the tapering of the BTO flat supply next year. Eugene Lim, Key Executive Officer at ERA Realty, said potential home buyers may feel that their chances could become lower due to the reduced flat supply. As such, some buyers may turn to the resale market, “where prices have been stable this year and the waiting time is much shorter”. Get to know the whole story here.

It’s been four years since Southeast Asia’s largest stock market also led by initial public offerings. That changed in 2016, with the city-state raising more money via new listings than any of its neighbors. Singapore’s largest offering came in June, when Frasers Logistics & Industrial Trust raised $672 million during a year that saw 15 other companies debut on the city’s exchange. Check out full story here.