BIDADARI BTO - NOV 2015

Ok. HDB's launched the latest May 2015 BTO. But seriously, the happy bits are not there. It's in the Upcoming Launch section where it featured Bidadari Estate as one of the two areas on offer in Aug Sep Nov 2015.

The key phrase which you have to take note of is: In Toa Payoh Town.

This probably makes it a mature estate. And prices commensurate to that of mature estates i.e; more expensive.

Over 2000 units are on offer. But they are not the choicest of all. One plot is pretty near a mosque. All require the crossing of a road to get to Woodleigh MRT station. But this could be an over or underpass.

If you take a look at the URA masterplan and HDB provided map, the plot with 530 units of 3R and 4R is overlooking the lake. That is if the flats have units facing the lake. It should be quite the top pick amongst early selectees.

The only upside for Woodleigh MRT is it's a stop away from Serangoon MRT, which is the interchange between NEL and NSL. Otherwise nothing much.

It's also anybody's guess as to what the blue 3.5 commercial/residential plot would be in the future. 

The pricing as listed on HDB's website is appended above. It seems to be about 15-20% more expensive compared to the recent mature estate BTO at MacPherson Spring. I am not sure what commands this premium. Proximity to town maybe? Bidadari's Woodleigh MRT Station is 5 stops away from Dhoby Ghaut (via NEL) while MacPherson is 5 stops away from Bencoolen and 6 from Fort Canning (via DTL). You decide.

Cheerios.

Update: The income ceiling has been raised by HDB to $12,000 with effect from this BTO launch onwards. You are likely to see more applicants in the pool from now onwards. So what can you do? Nothing. Just pray harder.

Update 2: This BTO has been postponed till Nov 2015. Why? Probably to allay concerns that there are no more affordable homes per BTO exercise?

Update 3: Have included the pricing as listed on 17 Nov 2015 on HDB's website. 

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MAJOR ISKANDAR PROJECT ABORTED

This is the kind of headline that make for more nightmares among Iskandar investors.

Straits Times, 26 May 2015

But what is more worrisome is the line in paragraph three of the article which noted that the news was revealed to Straits Times recently.

I wonder how long ago was 'recently'? 

Cheerios.

CANBERRA BTO - MAY 2015

Most BTO projects offered by HDB in recent years are terribly far from the MRT stations, except perhaps for those in mature estates. 

But the upcoming one in the May 2015 BTO caught my eye for its proximity to a North-South line station, Canberra. Not only is it situated just opposite the MRT station which is yet to be built, it is only one stop away from Yishun.

You know with Yishun's Northpoint and NorthPark, you are literally just one stop away from all the shopping, entertainment and dining amenities you want.

But do note that you are going to be pretty near some industrial estates. However, you do have a nice view of the two rivers.

If HDB is going to categorize this as a non-mature estate, it is likely to be priced in a very affordable bracket. 

Let's take a look at what's in store for the future in the area.

The blue parcel is one of the two parcels of land the BTO units would be sited on. It is essentially a typical town centre of sorts where you get neighbourhood type of shops on the ground floor, maybe even 2nd or 3rd floors up. 

It's pretty decent in size with 600 units on offer. Probably linked directly to the MRT station via over or underpass.

I personally prefer the parcel northeast of the blue piece and river facing. If there's ever this configuration.

You can spot an education institution plot in the area as well as a reserve site in yellow. The reserve site could be ANYTHING. So choose your unit wisely. 

In any case, this BTO is not for the noise sensitive people out there.

Cheerios.

Update: The May 2015 BTO should be open for application from 27 May onwards.

THE DILEMMA OF THE FRUGAL FINANCIAL BLOGGER

I have been reading a number of financial blogs in the past half a year. I could not help but notice a trend - the call for frugality as one of the seeds to financial well-being. Even the Goh man weighed in on this. 

You could almost witness the enthusiasm by readers of such blogs on this notion. 

Suggestions on how to save money from every day activities were raised. Recipes on meals that made sure you don't burn a hole were provided. 

I could almost hear my money reassuring themselves of their survival in my wallet.

But when there were comments made that these thrifty people were shortchanging themselves and their health, egos seemed to be bruised.

I don't know man. It's one thing to be frugal, it's another to be financially sensitive.

Here's the dilemma - how does one extol the virtues of frugality and yet live a fulfilling life that doesn't do your health injustice?

You can. Only if your earnings or income stream is substantial. 

Which brings us back to nought.

THE HOPELESS CASE OF ISKANDAR

As usual, the latecomers to Iskandar, or any other red hot deals, are at the losing end.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore sounded the alarm today in Parliament via a PQ answered by MAS board member Lawrence Wong. With 336k homes in the pipeline at Iskandar, the number outnumbers Singapore's and is scary.

But is the alarm too late?

And our dear TDSR only applies to borrowing from local finance institutions. I do not believe it curbs you if you intend to borrow from the foreign country where your target property is situated in.

So how? Die.

PIRATE'S BAY IN SINGAPORE?

It looks like the digging at Empress Place had yielded a large treasure trove of ancient artifacts spanning many centuries. There was even speculation that the 'items show island was highly stratified'. 

For the items or artifacts to span so many centuries and to be found in one single place is no coincidence.

The last time I witnessed that was in the year 2007.

Welcome to Singapore!

The possibility exists. Singapore could have been a damn good convenient hideout for Sao Feng aspirants.

Cheerios.

TOWER TRANSIT

I don't know what's the fuss with Tower Transit (TT) winning the latest Bulim tender by LTA. 

Ever since the government opened up the possibility of having foreign players in the local transport industry some time back, it's only a matter of time that one gets its foot in the door. 

TT's win is not a wake up call. If the local tpt players were not already awoken by public outcry in the past, they do not deserve this alarm. At best, it's a slap in their face.

And for TT. Your win does not represent a sure win into the hearts of the Singaporean commuter. Your future performance is the crux. 

HIGH SPEED RAIL TERMINUS TO BE LOCATED AT JURONG LAKE

It did not take long for my FB feed to be filled with pseudo property sites trumpeting the merits of Jurong East.

I mean, are they in their right minds? 

I tend to believe that having a HSR terminus at your doorstep isn't a bad thing. But if you read the news reports, the timeline has been stretched beyond 2020. 

In all likelihood, I reckon 2023 or 2024 if they are quick enough. The location is possibly the Jurong golf course and country club. Genting's already there with a hotel. Another may be planned for according to the URA masterplan 2014. It's the commercial parcel indicated as 2.1 in the centre of the pic.

I can't help but recall the hype about Farrer MRT and the condos that would reaped the immense benefits from it. The rents actually plunged during the course of construction prior to opening. The dust and noise turned off many potential tenants.

This might be the case too for JE lake. Take your time.

SOME GOLD FROM THE GOH

Sorry Goh, but I could not remember when was the last time something gold came out of your Goh Column in ST. But nevertheless, I managed to finish your piece today.

The idea of your career or profession or even your job having an influence on your investments intrigued me. I read on and eventually agreed with your observations and suggestions.

From the looks of it, I'd better prepare myself for more equity buy-ins. My broker would be happy. But I do not preclude myself from bonds as well. Especially AAA-rated ones which are getting rarer than that flying snow fox in Bukit Timah Hill. 

For the more entrepreneurial folks out there, here's another gold from Goh.

But bonds are not the only safe havens you could consider, there are properties in neighbouring as well as European/American markets which you may wish to KIV.

But my personal take is...things are too expensive now. Wait up a bit.

Until then, I will wait for more gold from Goh. 

By the way, I usually read the last paragraph of his column first. It's a good yardstick on the quality of the piece.

Cheerios.