US Q1 home price declines at record

US Q1 home price declines at record
 
NEW YORK - Declines in US home prices accelerated in the first quarter, falling a record 1.7 per cent from the end of 2007, according to a federal index.
 
The house price index of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight that covers home purchases is also down a record [...]

New initiatives launched to promote green building movement

New initiatives launched to promote green building movement
 
SINGAPORE: The green building movement in Singapore has gained momentum and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) hopes to spur it further by enhancing its Green Mark Incentive Scheme.
 
At the BCA awards ceremony on Thursday, City Developments was named Singapore’s first Green Mark Champion.
 
This new award [...]

Buffet sees long-term effect of crisis on US

Buffet sees long-term effect of crisis on US
 
MADRID - US investor Warren Buffet said on Wednesday that he saw the impact of the current financial crisis on the US economy lasting longer than many people do.
 
‘I think tidal wave that hit various financial institutions since last August has largely been recognised and felt,’ Mr Buffet, [...]

Singapore government encourages CEOs to invest in green buildings

Singapore government encourages CEOs to invest in green buildings
 
SINGAPORE - The government has been taking the lead in turning its buildings green and is now asking Singapore CEOs to follow suit.
 
Some experts say that planning to go green right from the design stage can mean substantial savings in energy costs later.
 
The public sector [...]

HDB revises flat application rules

HDB revises flat application rules
 
SINGAPORE: The Housing & Development Board (HDB) has revised the application process for its Build-to-Order (BTO) and Balloting Exercise (BE) modes of sale to address recent increases in non-selection of new HDB flats. The changes will take effect from the May 2008 BTO exercise.
 
Under the revision, first-timer applicants who reject [...]

CapitaMall to buy S’pore property for US$619m

CapitaMall to buy S’pore property for US$619m
 
SINGAPORE - Singapore-listed Reit CapitaMall Trust (CMT) said it is buying office development, The AtriumzOrchard, for $839.8 million (US$619 million) from the government through its trustee HSBC Institutional Trust Services.
 
 
CMT said the total acquisition cost, including purchase price and fees, would be $850 million and would [...]

Moody’s has negative rating on S’pore REITs

Moody’s has negative rating on S’pore REITs 
 
 
Moody’s Investors Service has a negative rating outlook for Singapore’s real estate investment trusts over the next 12 to 18 months.
 
Moody’s said in a new report that despite overall sound fundamentals, negative market sentiment and tighter market liquidity have impaired the access of some issuers to the [...]

CapitaMall Trust buys The Atrium@Orchard for S$840m

CapitaMall Trust buys The Atrium@Orchard for S$840m
 
SINGAPORE: CapitaMall Trust (CMT) has bought The Atrium@Orchard office development for about S$840 million.
 
The Atrium@Orchard is a commercial development comprising two Grade A office towers and some ground floor retail space.
 
CMT said the purchase from the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) will be funded by a mix of [...]

His worry: Is S’pore becoming high cost, low tech?

His worry: Is S’pore becoming high cost, low tech?
 
By Clarissa Oon
 
WHAT keeps pioneer civil servant Ngiam Tong Dow awake at night is the fear of Singapore becoming a high-wage and ‘not so high tech’ economy like London and losing its competitiveness.
 
The longtime advocate of technical education said Singapore must ensure its best and [...]

Singapore is 29th most peaceful country

Singapore is 29th most peaceful country
 
Republic scores well in 140-nation index for its few refugees, lack of internal conflict
 
By Sue-Ann Chia
 
SINGAPORE moved up two spots in a global index which measures how peaceful countries are.
 
It ranks 29th out of 140 countries in the Global Peace Index, which aims to link peace to prosperity. [...]