Back to basics

Singapore, the city where I was born and raised. 2015 will see me going back to my roots.

With year almost coming to an end, I felt this blog posting is an apt one to thank my readers and clients.

2014 has indeed been an incredible year.

Never in my wildest imagination did I anticipate the exciting journey my life would suddenly take me – from a property journalist, author, speaker and an entrepreneur.

While I am extremely grateful for the recognition and amazing adventures that life has taken me, I feel it is also important for my readers to understand that my knowledge goes beyond Iskandar Malaysia.

In fact, Iskandar Malaysia is just a fraction of what I had covered in my career as a property journalist.

If you were to google my articles, you will see that my expertise goes beyond Iskandar Malaysia.

When Iskandar Malaysia became a hot topic in Singapore in 2010 to 2011, I kind of rode the wave as not many people knew about this special economic zone.

Since there was hunger for the topic and my article on Iskandar Malaysia was regularly highlighted, iProperty.com then invited me to give talks to fill in the gap, so to speak.

This, in addition to the book and the many articles that I had written to inform and educate Singaporeans, had many people forming the perception that Iskandar Malaysia is my forte.

When I was editor for Property Report in 2008, I was covering the regional property market that include cities like Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Iskandar Malaysia, Bali, Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh, just to name a few.

My background is in journalism and my passion has always been in writing.

Moving forward, 2015 will see me going back to basics by covering the other markets that I had enjoyed covering as a property journalist.

I never want to limit myself.

We should always endeavour to broaden our horizons.

 

 

 

A new look for khaliladis.com + UNIQLO promo

A new look for my website to make it even more user-friendly and promote interactivity.

April has been a busy month with property talks in Penang and Singapore, a site visit to Iskandar Malaysia, a regular property column in The Malay Mail as well as being involved in UNIQLO’s AIRism campaign. I had a lot of fun meeting some of you at my talks, bringing investors around in Johor as well as being chosen as a friend of AIRism.

Looking ahead, the coming months look set to be even more exciting. Today, I am pleased to share with you that my website www.khaliladis.com has just been revamped with a new and fresh interface, new features and more interactivity. 

In July, the website will feature a live chat with members of The Investor Club.

In the same month, a lifestyle blog/e-mag will launch featuring independent reviews of lifestyle offerings in Johor, to complement the real estate content.

The aim is to provide a more complete content and interaction with the site visitors, which include followers and members.

Another good news: May 2014 will be a fun, work-filled month, including an invitation to speak at the Asia Pacific Real Estate Investment Fair in Tokyo, organised by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. I am excited to be chosen to represent Singapore.

As an icing on the cake, UNIQLO will be running a special promotion this Easter weekend for their AIRism range at selected stores. The cool and airy AIRism tops will be sold at S$9.90 instead of S$14.90. Be sure to grab yours now. I know I have! Check out the promo below.

AIRism at only S$9.90 instead of $14.90 at selected UNQLO stores in Singapore. Grab it now. I know I have!

I look forward to your feedback and continuous support!

Discover AIRism with me

Follow me on my Instagram: khaliladis to see how I incorporate AIRism in my daily wear.

“I have been a fan of AIRism t-shirts since it launched in Singapore. I love how comfortable, light and soft it is. It fits me snugly that I wear it as my gym attire and running wear yet stylish enough to take me through for social occasions. As I travel a lot to give talks and conduct my business, I also use it for my inner wear underneath my jacket, shirt and pants. I can run around wearing AIRism feeling cool and composed, ready for my next property talk and my road trip for my next book. Inner wear as outer wear? UNIQLO has made it possible with AIRism” – Khalil Adis #creativeproject #fashionvsrealestate #khaliladis #nosweat#UNIQLOSGAIRism

 

SMART expo targets investors from Singapore

Singapore chosen as Asian city to kick off SMART Investment & International Property Expo 2014

The crowd at last year’s SMART expo. Photo: Courtesy of SMART Expo Ltd.

Dubbed recently as the “world’s most expensive city” by the Economist Intelligence Unit’s latest Worldwide Cost of Living survey, Singapore has been aptly chosen as the Asian city to kick off this year’s SMART Investment & International Property Expo 2014 on 29 to 30 March at Marina Bay Sands.

Cost of living and the various property curbs have made it increasingly challenging for investors from Singapore to purchase their next property.

Buoyed by the strength of the Singapore dollar against this backdrop, overseas properties have become popular among Singaporeans and investors based in Singapore.

SMART is Asia’s longest running international property & investment expo and its impeccable timing to hold it in Singapore will certainly interest Singaporeans’ and the region’s growing consumer appetite for purchasing overseas properties.

The expo will be led by international giants of the property industries such as SDB Properties (Malaysian property), Tarian Real Estate (Australian property) and Walton International (North American land investments), the best in luxury overseas properties will also be on display and for the investors picking.

Whether you’re looking to own a beachside villa in Phuket, a condo unit in Tokyo or investment property in London, the exhibition offers a unique showcase of world’s best residential developments.

Some of the highlights of the two-day expo will include key seminar topics from noted speakers in the real estate industry.

Among notable real estate personalities headlining the expo include Song Seng Wun, Executive Director & Regional Economist of CIMB Research Pte Ltd & Benjamin Goh, Vice President of CIMB Securities, Mohamed Ismail Gafoor, CEO of Propnex Realty Pte Ltd and Khalil Adis, Founder of Khalil Adis Consultancy Pte Ltd.

There will also be a panel discussion on “Top 5 Cities to Invest” featuring international experts giving their tips on which regions they would buy property.

The panel will be moderated by property journalist and consultant Khalil Adis.

Khalil Adis will be hosting the expo over the two days, moderating the panel discussion and closing the expo with his talk on Iskandar Malaysia.

“I am thrilled to be part of this year’s SMART Investment & International Property Expo. I look forward to meet the various speakers, moderate the panel discussion and close the expo,” said Adis.

There will also be great onsite deals available for the smart property investor which will include Downtown Melbourne condominiums from US$550,000, luxury apartments in Boracay, Philippines for under US$150,000, award-winning 5-star beach view residences in Bali for under US$800,000 and luxury condominium in Iskandar Malaysia for less than US$200,000.

Khalil Adis will be closing the expo on Sunday at 4pm where consumers can sign up for his investors’ club.

To register your attendance, click here

Infographic on Singapore property outlook 2014

Khalil Adis Consultancy Infographics Singapore Property Outlook 2014

Here’s a bite-sized infographic on Singapore’s Property Outlook 2014 from the article I wrote for your easy digest.

Share the infographic so everyone knows the market outlook, prediction and hotspots or read more here > bit.ly/KAC2014

#askKhalil for anything related to the property market

Ceramah Iskandar Malaysia di TripleOne Somerset

Jom, ikutilah ceremah saya hujung minggu ini (25 – 26 January 2014) dengan Mah Sing Group di TripleOne Somerset, 3 petang.

Bagi kaum Melayu/Islam di Singapura, jangan lepaskan peluang keemasan ini untuk melabur di Iskandar Malaysia dengan harga yang berpatutan.

Ayuh, ikutilah ceramah saya bersama Mah Sing Group di TripleOne Somerset pada hujung minggu ini 25-26 January 2014 pada pukul 3 petang. Saya akan menjelaskan bagaimana Bajet 2014 di Malaysia akan mempengaruhi pelaburan anda. Saya juga akan menunjukan lokasi-lokasi stesyen-stesyen RTS di Iskandar Malaysia! Makanan ringan dan minuman akan disediakan. Bawalah teman-teman dan keluarga anda!

Jom, kita jumpa hujung minggu ini di TripleOne Somerset, 111 Somerset Road, #02-13/14! Sekian terima kasih!
#askKhalil

‘Get It Right Iskandar’ book acknowledgement

The book is now available online at http://www.getitright-iskandar.com for S$21. It will be available at all good book stores in Singapore in a few weeks time for S$21. For more information, please visit http://www.getitright-iskandar.com.

Although writing has always been my interest since young, I never thought that one day I will be writing a book on property, let alone forge a career in real estate. In fact, I stumbled upon it by accident. There are many people whom I would like to give special thanks to when I first started writing at 24-years-old which subsequently led me to a career as a property journalist and now, in the business of real estate. I would like to thank Uncle Halim and his family for the love, support and opportunities given to me. I would not be where I am today if not for his family’s help.

Presenting our ‘Get It Right Iskandar’ book to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance as well as my MP at Jurong GRC Tharman Shanmugaratnam as a token of appreciation for his help when I was first starting out as a journalist.

In addition, I would like to thank my MP Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance for his kind assistance when I first started out.

Throughout my journalism career, I have met many wonderful people who have given me inputs that have helped me acquire knowledge on the regional property market. Without them, writing this book would not have been possible. Special thanks to Hazeline Hoo at Weber Shandwick Kuala Lumpur, Q Akashah at Ogilvy Singapore, Mr Jeff Foo at the Institute of Estate Agents, Jules Kay at Property Report South East Asia and Marsha Tan at Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA).

I would also like to thank Lisa M at iProperty.com Singapore for inviting me to speak at the numerous property talks and expos. Special shout out to Stuart Chng and Darren Ong at EastLivingGroup for their huge support. Last but not least to Getty Goh for the opportunity to co-write this book with him.

Link to my articles on Property Buyer

You can view all my article on Property Buyer here: http://propertybuyer.com.sg/articles/tag/khalil-adis/

Investors head north with new loan curbs

Central bank’s move to ensure a more sustainable property market makes Iskandar Malaysia more attractive now among Singaporeans and expatriates.

via Investors head north with new loan curbs.

Investors head north with new loan curbs

Central bank’s move to ensure a more sustainable property market makes Iskandar Malaysia more attractive now among Singaporeans and expatriates.

Impiana Nusajaya Resort Apartments located in Nusajaya, Iskandar Malaysia.

Property prices in Singapore are showing no signs of abating causing the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to impose new loan guidelines to prevent a further spike in property prices.

On 5 October, the MAS announced several restrictions to ensure a more sustainable property market.

These include a maximum loan tenure capped at 35 years and lower loan-to-value (LTV) limits for those taking loans beyond 30 years or whose loan period extends beyond the retirement age of 65-years-old.

In the latter, the LTV will be 40 per cent for those with one or more outstanding residential property loans and 60 per cent for those without.

“MAS’ move is part of the Government’s broader aim of avoiding a price bubble and fostering long term stability in the property market,” the MAS said in a statement.

MAS’ move will now make United Overseas Bank (UOB) new 50-year mortgage loan redundant.

Experts say they welcome the MAS’ new guidelines as it may cause Singaporeans to commit beyond their financial means.

“I think it is good that the government tried to put a lid on loan tenure. This is to ensure Singaporeans do not over spend on properties. Without such controls, it is inevitable that some Singaporeans would try to maximise their loans and stretch themselves. So it is prudent for the government to put such controls in place,” said Getty Goh, director at Ascendant Assets Pte Ltd.

Rising property prices

Figures from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) showed that the Private Property Index (PPI) surged by 0.4 per cent in the second quarter to reach an all time high of 206.9 points.

Meanwhile, the HDB Resale Price Index (RPI) increased by 1.3 per cent to reach a record high of 194.0 points in the quarter.

This is despite the various cooling measures in place since 2010.

Even post the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) imposed in December last year, this has not deterred foreigners from buying properties.

Fuelling demand are low interest rates, high liquidity and Singapore’s reputation as a safe investment haven.

Revised loan quantum causing Singaporeans to invest elsewhere

With the loan quantum now reduced to 40 per cent for those wanting to buy a second property, some Singaporeans and expatriates are heading across the causeway where property prices are still affordable.

“The new reduced loan guidelines mean that my option is reduced. I will have to be more selective in my property buying option,” said Jace Moore.

In addition, Moore got as much as 80 per cent loan.

Moore recently bought a condominium unit in Nusajaya, Iskandar Malaysia, just 15 minutes drive away from the Second Link.

“The reason why I bought a unit at Impiana Nusajaya Resort Apartments is because the entire area complements each other. Nusajaya, as a whole concept, is very attractive. You are moving into a village which is self-sufficient, with EduCity, Medini Financial District and LEGOLAND MALAYSIA. You do not get that in other areas,” he said.

By 2018, Nusjaya will enjoy enhanced connectivity to Singapore once the Rapid Transit System (RTS) is in operation by 2018.

This article was first published in Property Buyer