• Investment,  Real Estate

    The Jovell: A Jewel in the East

    The Jovell is a new condo for sale on Flora Drive in Singapore District 17. Hong Leong Holdings Ltd. is a 99-year-old condominium. The apartment is located on Floral Drive and is a 428-unit mid-level housing complex in a structure with a large recreational pool of 2,700 square meters at the entrance to The Jovell.

    I feel that The Jovell’s pricing is on the high side compared to the surrounding units which are about 20% more expensive. I think the price and length of the project (99 year lease starting in 2018) are also high compared to projects in the area that started between 2010 and 2012 because they were built in 2-3 years. 

    The 678 square foot 2 bedroom studio unit at the Jovell is on the small side if you are coming from an older gated community. The living room is a good size with an open kitchen that wastes no space. The small room plan uses very little wasted space with a small bay window. 

    The kitchen is a good sized countertop for a 1 bedroom unit. It is a large space for a 2 bedroom unit and shares space with the entry. 

    Efficiency and conservation of energy. It is both about energy savings, less waste and less environmental impact. But a minor but substantial difference exists.

    Technology is about energy efficiency in Jovell condo. An energy efficient freezer, for example, uses far fewer energy than an old cooler. And an LED light bulb consumes less energy to generate the same quantity of light than an old light bulb. Efficiency is about simply using updated technology to waste less energy. That is why Jovell is the award winning condo.

    Instead of leaving the appliances on standby, energy conservation refers to the behaviour, for example by shutting off light when you leave a room or withdrawing the power plug on the wall.

    I find it odd that there is no space for a refrigerator function like the one above it and that there is a gap that seems to be an oversight. 

    The master bedroom measures 11 square feet (similar to the 3 bedroom unit I tested) and is not as large as the 4 bedroom unit I saw (14-15 square feet in that unit), but it has decent queen sized beds and is easy to get to. Similar story in the 2 bedrooms shown in the unit, the master bedroom is small enough to have enough room for a queen size bed. The living room is also on the small side, but there is no restriction on the work area in the living room. 

    If you need a comparison, I think the one bedroom work unit layout is much better than what I’ve seen in the Irwell Hill residence. I think it is designed to be as efficient as possible as there is a good sized study with attached bathroom next to it. 

    The Jovell was designed by renowned developer Hong Leong Holdings Limited and consists of nine 8-story blocks, one of which includes a clubhouse, parking, pool, tennis courts and other amenities. Built by three of Singapore’s top developers, high quality imported fittings and finishes are used to ensure Jovell residents get good quality and value for their home purchase. From 1-bedroom units to 4-bedroom units with different floors, different pools and landscaped areas, this is the perfect home for any family. 

    It is designed to offer residents a luxurious resort feel with dreamy facades and unique amenities. It has a land area of 330,222 square feet and is said to house 428 residential units. Amenities awaiting residents include Loyang Point, Tampine 1, Changi Museum, T tampine North Park, Tampaine Eco-Green and Aranda Country Club. The project is being developed by Tripartite Developers, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hong Leong Holdings Pte Ltd. The developer has a strong track record in property development in Singapore. 

    This also means that the developer has plenty of land available to develop the resort’s amenities, such as a lagoon, swimming pool, beautiful landscaping, clubhouse, gym, lounge, water features, reading area, hot tub and more. Upon completion, residents will look forward to an exciting and relaxing living experience.

    The layout is efficient, functional, and maximizes space for practical use. Thinking about how it’s done, I’ve controlled the width of the room to give the impression that it’s larger than its actual size. 

    As for the balcony area, at 5 sqm, it’s about the size of a one bedroom apartment. However, one has managed to place a 3-seater sofa and a TV console next to the TV. The balcony space can be used, for example, in combination with 2 high stools and a table, as in a one-room study, ie. 

    With the establishment of Jovell, Tripartite Development – a consortium consisting of Hong Leong Holdings, City Developments Ltd. and TID Pte Ltd – a joint venture between Hong LeONG Holdings and Japanese developer Mitsui- Fudosan – one of the remaining offices of the consortium on Landbank Flora Drive. However, little thought has been given to what differentiates Lifeparc Esta Apartments from the surrounding apartments.

  • Guides,  Investment,  Real Estate

    Pros and Cons of Investing in Singapore’s New Launch Condominiums

    For most people interested in buying real estate properties, new launch development is an investment they have never made before. Many investors earn high returns because they spend a lot of time and effort learning about the market. However, if you wait too long to invest, family and work can make it challenging to get into buying a new launch project.

    Real estate investment trusts (REITs) make properties available without having to own, operate or finance them. One of the main ways investors can make money in real estate is by becoming landlords of rental properties. Residential real estate can be an easy and affordable way to become a millionaire without raising more cash flow than rental properties generate.

    Real estate investors have many other options when it comes to choosing investments, and it doesn’t have to be resale real estate. You will find that savvy real estate investors prefer to buy newly launched condominiums and commercial properties in Singapore. These types of properties generate more income, and a 5% increase in the value of a $1 million property will earn you much more than a 5% increase in the value of resale residential real estate.

    When you invest in real estate, you make money through income, depreciation, equity building, appreciation, and leverage. If you are willing to invest a lot of time and energy, you can start one of the most active real estate companies, such as bird watching or wholesaling, or you can become a broker for $500 to $2,000 up front. Both careers will generate positive cash flow and you can invest in part-time real estate investing.

    First, you will need to invest a significant amount of money up front to invest in real estate. However, if you work with a broker who offers unlisted properties for sale, it can be more affordable because you don’t have to compete against the masses. When you find an agent who can find the best real estate investments, they can help you find the right property and help you bid more.

    The problem with negative cash flow is that most investors underestimate the money they spend on their rental properties. If you own rental investments, your cash flow can suffer greatly and you could end up renting to tenants who don’t pay and leave the parcel in poor condition when they leave. But despite the ups and downs of the real estate market, most properties will increase in value over the long term.

    The great thing about investing in real estate is that anyone with enough staying power can invest to build a fortune without waiting a lifetime for their savings to grow. For cash-strapped investors or new investors, supporting real estate money is an attractive way to test the waters. The people who invest in real estate appreciation are the smart investors who invest in cash flow.

    Experienced real estate investors, on the other hand, realize that using “other people’s money ” frees up their money for other investment opportunities and frees up their available funds. Real estate is a great investment if you take the time to learn about the process and the best ways to generate high returns. The mundane question of how to invest in real estate without having money to buy a property is one that plagues many people who want to invest in real estate but have never invested.

    The goal of this article is to educate investors who want to invest in real estate but have little or no money. Real estate investing is a numbers game of win or lose, and you have to decide on an investment property. The most common rule that savvy real estate investors follow is to pay no more than 100 times the monthly rent on the purchase price.

    These are not the only rules you need to follow to be successful in real estate investing, but they are some of the biggest pitfalls I have seen from investors. I own a rental property and I love real estate as a long-term investment, but there are a lot of pitfalls to avoid if you want to make it work for you. Since this blog is about ways to streamline our finances, savvy real estate investors should consider my Real Estate Investing Rules and advice on luxury rentals and utility purchases.

    A well-planned and executed real estate investment can generate ongoing passive returns and prove to be a good long-term investment as property values rise over time. With a variety of experienced investors at Merrill, you will learn the best real estate strategies to invest in today’s market and achieve success in real estate. My experience investing in real estate includes some of the biggest mistakes you can make, but also many lessons you can learn from.

    Some business people are part-time real estate investors. For others, buying and owning rental real estate for cash flow and capital appreciation requires active engagement and a lot of knowledge to be successful. The truth is that in all businesses, including real estate investing, there are entrepreneurs who start each day with little or no money.

    I’ve learned that in order to make the most of my real estate purchases, I need to treat our real estate as a passive investment, more of a side hustle, which means it requires active and regular effort. Rich book brokers present real estate as a passive income stream where you finance a portfolio of rental properties and wait for tenants to pay your mortgage.

  • Guides,  Investment,  Real Estate

    Tips on investing in real estate properties

    Historically, real estate has been one of the most reliable ways to get rich. And many of today’s millionaires say it’s still a smart investment, for a variety of reasons.

    For one, investing in real estate offers a way to diversify one’s investments. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” is tried-and-true advice for a reason. There are many moving parts in the economy, and there’s always the possibility that one market will collapse while the others thrive. Exposure to several different markets will help you avoid risk.

    Simply put, when you invest in real estate, the goal is to invest money today and grow it so you have more money in the future. The profit or return you make on your investments must be enough to cover the risk you take, the taxes you pay, and the other costs associated with owning the property, such as utilities, regular maintenance, and insurance.

    Real estate investing for the beginner can really be as simple conceptually as playing Monopoly once you understand the basic factors of investing, economics, and risk. To win, buy properties, avoid bankruptcy, and generate rental income so you can buy more properties.

    Note, however, that “simple” does not mean “easy.” If you make a mistake, the consequences can range from minor inconveniences to major disasters.

    Tips for your first real estate investment

    There are several ways to make your first real estate investment. When you buy a property, you can use debt by taking out a mortgage on a property. The use of debt is what attracts many real estate investors because it allows them to purchase properties that they could not otherwise afford.

    Second, real estate gives you ownership of a tangible asset that can increase in value. While I enjoy logging into my portfolio and seeing my stock values go up, it’s all very abstract. There is something appealing about having a physical investment that you can actually see, visit and improve.

    And since people will always need a place to live, real estate tends to hold its value as long as the property is well maintained and the neighborhood is attractive.

    When you own property, you also have a good amount of flexibility. You can decide whether to rent out your property, sell it, subdivide it, repurpose it for another purpose, and so on. This way, you can respond to changes in the economy in a way that still makes sense for your investment.

    However, there is also a great deal of caution to be exercised here. Real estate can be a big and expensive undertaking, and as the 2008 housing market collapse showed, it’s never a sure thing. Especially when it comes to real estate investing for beginners, it’s wise to proceed with caution. You don’t want to overstretch your finances before you’re ready and end up with debt that you’ll struggle to pay back.

    Pros and Cons of Real Estate Investing

    Pros

    • Lower risk and volatility than the stock market
    • Can be a good source of cash flow
    • Many tax deductions
    • Real estate provides a good return over the long term

    Disadvantages

    • Not as much potential for aggressive returns
    • May require a lot of cash
    • Poor liquidity
    • Dealing with tenants and building issues can be difficult
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