Daily Briefing: Resale condo prices up 0.3% in April; Singapore developer makes history

And here’s the deal on buying an HDB BTO flat.

Prices of completed condominiums and apartments in Singapore rose by 0.3 percent in April 2016, after falling by 1.1 percent in the previous month, according to latest flash estimates of the NUS Singapore Residential Price Index (SRPI). The biggest increase was seen in the central region. Excluding small units, prices rose by 0.4 percent, compared to the 0.8 percent drop in March. The region comprises districts 1 to 4, including Sentosa Cove and the financial district, as well as the traditional prime districts of 9, 10 and 11. Read more here.

Far East Organization is the first Singapore property developer to win two World Gold prizes in a single competition at the recent FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Awards, often regarded as the Oscars of the real estate industry. Its high-end Silversea condominium picked up the highest award under the high-rise residential category at the 67th FIABCI World Congress in Panama City on 25 May. Find out more here.

It was not too long ago that I participated in an HDB BTO (Housing Development Board Build to Order) exercise. For the foreign readers, this is a public housing system in Singapore that allocates new HDB flats to aspiring home owners. For first-timers, this can be a pretty harrowing and confusing experience. This is especially so when everyone claims to be an “expert” when it comes to property. Read more here.