Singapore Malaysia Railway In Backyard

FMSR RAILWAY SLEEPER WOOD RESURRECTED

The photos below are from Wikipedia when I researched for this post on the railway sleeper wood strips which I had bought from BL Blooming nursery in Johor Bahru recently. 


Federated Malay States Railway At Tanjong Pagar Singapore


I could not resist buying the huge chunks of history after the owner of the nursery told me they were taken from the now defunct Federated Malay States Railway which plied Johor and Singapore since decades ago.  Before the Johor-Singapore Causeway across the Straits of Johor was built, the railway in Singapore was limited to routes on the island only.  The construction of the causeway began in 1919, and it was opened to goods trains on 17 September 1923 and to passenger trains on 1 October 1923. Previously, passengers and goods were transferred at Woodlands to a ferry to Johor Bahru and the connecting train on the peninsula.. Tanjong Pagar railway station was completed on 3 May 1932 and officially opened by Sir Cecil Clementi. It was in operation for around 79 years before it ceased operations on 1 July 2011 to be reserved as the Singapore Railway Museum.  Thanks to Wikipedia I learned of some pieces of history which I had now in my backyard.



You Can See The Strips Of Sleeper Wood Above 

Another very interesting nugget involves my favorite current King of Malaysia, Sultan of Johor.  I bet many do not know that the last train out of Tanjong Pagar was driven by Sultan Ibrahim Ismail of Johor, whose grandfather, Ismail of Johor, had opened the causeway between Singapore and Malaya in 1923. The Sultan had to learn how to drive a train before he was able to perform this task, receiving training from Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), the main railway operator in Malaysia. Two drivers accompanied him to ensure the safe sending of the last train out of Singapore back to Malaysia for good.  What a grand and meaningful  send off involving the sporting and gregarious Sultan. 

You can surmise why I could not resist buying 6 pieces of the railway sleeper woods when I saw them.  At MR120 per piece, I say they were a bargain for the rich history they represent of Malaya-Singapura past and present association, which is inextricably linked no matter how people try to view Johor and Singapore as separate entities.  In fact, I dreamed recently of a merger between Singapore and Johor!

Anyways, I digressed.  Finally this week I was able to put two pieces of history into good use in my house.  Our patio was in need of an informal bar counter. So I thought why not use two odd railway sleeper wood and combined them using steel rod and bolt them together to form a unique rustic bar counter?  You can see below how I bought a huge drill bit (for just MR50) and bore through the sleeper wood so that I can bolt them together to form the counter top.

In the video below, you see how easy it was to pass the steel rod through the holes I had created (but ensure the holes are aligned properly) before being bolted together.  Each wood is so heavy that I did not even have to use any wood nail or epoxy adhesive to stabilize them on the concrete base which I had created economically using hollow concrete bricks.  Voila, we have a nice conversation piece rich in history right in our house!

For those who prefer the railway sleeper wood without the ironmongery on it, the nurseries do have them for sale as well.  For me, I had intentionally asked BL Blooming nursery to find pieces with the ironmongery for the added authenticity.  When the wood and ironmongery have been properly prepared, I will coat them with clear varnish and  anti-rust respectively to withstand the inclement weather patterns. 

Best Country For Retirement

Singapore Vs Malaysia Vs Thailand

Which is cheaper to live in? Singapore or Malaysia?  This is the news today on MSN when I first logged in this morning.  Why did they leave out Thailand?  I had argued the same several articles ago where I gave my 3-point strategy on retiring to a cheap locale to stretch that living budget.  Singapore is by default not a retiree's best retirement destination especially when you want to stretch the dollar in your golden years.  You can read the excerpt below wherein it reveals how investment funds are now buying luxury properties, deeming them "cheap" - certainly only by their standards!



Even Investment Funds Are Starting To Snap Up Properties In Singapore

These luxury apartments and condominiums are by no means "cheap" for regular retirees like me.  So Singapore is not my preferred choice for living out the twilight years.  However, for earning passive income, yes Singapore still remains my top choice, as explained in my 3 Point Strategy hyperlinke above.  To reiterate, yesterday's Straits Times (click photo above for news link) opined that investment funds are buying into Singapore residential properties as the industrial sector has not come down enough for the funds to start snapping up the industrial bargains.  The upscale private residential sector however bears sufficient bright sparks for the funds to jump in.

What is my point you ask? I am just reiterating what I had been propounding for awhile - that despite newspapers' sensationalized headlines of property market gloom and doom, there is a silver lining if we seek it out.  Like they say, the proof is in the pudding (or some may say the devil is in the details?).  I sure hope readers caught the seemingly inconsequential ending  of the article above, where Straits Times  stated that investment funds are buying into Singapore luxury homes as they are deemed undervalued. 

That's the proof and the "devil" I had been alluding to.  Rewind to my post  Rent Rant, HDB or Condo and Singapore Realty Really?  That was exactly the same point I was making in all these previous posts, that Singapore properties are worth snapping up now for future passive income.  If you have been holding on to your pot of gold for buying your dream house, now is the time to invest in that property.  

Now let's get back to where is it best to retire in?  Of the 3 countries in my golden triangle (Singapore, Malaysia & Thailand), I would have to strike Thailand out as it does not allow my frequent driving to and fro easily between countries like I could if I were to retire in Singapore or Malaysia.  So Thailand remains as my "playground" where I will frequently visit. 

That leaves us Singapore and Malaysia.  The MSN infographics which I had screenshot below easily help one make up his or her mind as the comparisons show the cost of living in Malaysia is almost always much less than that of Singapore's:

So with the above infographics - the choice is clear for me.  I will retire in Malaysia, continue to earn passive income in Singapore due to the high rate of property investment returns for my passive income, and then I will frequently visit Thailand (and beyond if my budget allows) for health treatments and other rest & relax activities.

I hope you will also be able to find your own "Golden Triangle" for retirement bliss.

Rent Rant

HOW MUCH RENT IS ENOUGH?

News today announced the fall in both HDB and private properties rentals.  The harbinger of bad news to the growing number of landlords in Singapore further allowed that year on year, rents of these government-subsidized flats and non-landed private apartments were down over 5% according to flash estimates by SRX Property.

Well guess,  we property owners who depend on rental income to pay our bills and living expenses would just have to tighten our belts and swallow the bitter pill of reality.  This is because authorities are less likely to be on the landlords' side and offer landlords any assistance for they know we are kinda like a "privileged" bunch who "sponges off" tenants' hard earned money and make a tidy profit due to Singapore's generally high rents by global standards.  However we do not have to rant over these doomsday scenarios - for I am dead sure that even with these dips, most rental income still more than covers the mortgage, and then some.

I know of a HDB-owner who is a friend of my ex, she is living the comfortable life jetting to Europe, United States and everywhere to visit friends and her children who are all doing well overseas.  She proudly declared her Yishun flat is fully paid off, and after having renovated her flat where only she have access to the kitchen and living room through her master bedroom, she was able to collect S$1500 by renting out the other rooms legally.  And yet she laments the recent dip in rent - when all the rent is pure passive income.  Just how much rent is enough in our insatiable society?

Yes I would want the government in Singapore to do more to prop up the property market. Why not? The government has conceded that our unemployed forty-something executives would need its help to find jobs FAST to avert a joblessness crisis.  So what about us landlords who are suffering rental income depletion - don't we need some aid too?  Well until that happens, we as property owners should just count our blessings that we have rental/passive income - albeit 5 to 10% less than a couple years ago.  

I used to collect about S$5500 for a unit in town during the hay days of foreign talent influx and booming property market.  I still am happy even though the apartment is now collecting S$4500 - a whopping 18% decrease between now and then. This is because I feel that as long as an apartment is rented, it is passive income in your pocket - even at a lower rental which should ALWAYS more than cover your mortgage.  If it does not, you have overpaid for the property.

"Rental prices for Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats and non-landed private properties continued their downward trend in March, led by private apartments in the city fringes. 
Rental prices for private apartments fell by 1 per cent in March compared to the previous month. Year-on-year, rents were down 5.3 per cent, according to flash estimates by SRX Property."

CNA Online

Bing Image of Some Singapore Marina Bay Condos

What is my point here?  My point is go ahead and buy your first HDB or your investment property while prices are languishing - nevermind the low rental market.  This is because a savy investor would know that with Singapore being a small market, when the tide turns, the prices soar pretty quickly and then it may be too late for some to play catch up to buy that dream house or investment property.  So go buy what you can afford now, collect whatever rent you can get (because what comes down must go up eventually), and when the market goes back up, you would be the first one to benefit even more and laughing your way to the bank.

Hope you'll go Jalan Jalan around the island and make that first step - to buy a property - towards financial independence. 

Asing's Other Singapore Property Opinion:

3 Pronged Strategy To Simple Living

To Buy Or Not To Buy?



HDB Or Condo

To Buy Or Not To Buy?
That Is Not The Question.

The Question Is What To Buy NOW?

I believe the penchant for property investments runs deep in the blood of most Asians.  This can be attested by the fact that all posts related to properties on Asing blogsite garners the highest traffic, and with the highest readership by country nationalities  - no prizes for guessing right where most readers are from - they are from Singapore, followed by Malaysia and then Taiwan and Hong Kong.  I was therefore also not surprised that the posts with the highest readership are:WHY SINGAPORE MALAYSIA & THAILAND and
SINGAPORE REAL ESTATE - REALLY?

The news today is certaining singing to the same tune - well may be just the facts from the news are backing up what I had been hawking -  that if you are thinking of buying your first home or making an investment for passive income, do your research and viewings now and then buy that home before things get stirred up into unreachable prices again.

I am not saying that the prices now are low - but at the very least the prices in Singapore are still about 10 to 20% lower than say those smaller units in Hong Kong.  And if you ask me, Singapore remains a high net worth destination to the rich, and hence the capital appreciation (and hence passive income) opportunity is always there. 

Remember my 3-Pronged Approach to having your passive income so that you can be more financially free - from the above link WHY SINGAPORE MALAYSIA & THAILAND - buying a property in Singapore is de rigueur if you are in working in Singapore now or have a fat bank account to buy an investment property.  Then make the property work for you while you move to a much cheaper living environment - like Malaysia.  Young and first time buyers, make use of the government subsidized HDB to make a good profit years later.  Condo seekers - location location location!  Any condo next to an MRT station is a investment GEM.



Click Photo For News Clip

I said above that news these few days had backed up my call for action if you are looking to buy.  Just look at the sky high HDB prices.  It is a sign that HDB flats are over bought and hence elicit a sense of over expectation from HDB owners in terms of their home value.  Therefore, buyers are now flocking back to the condominium scene - as can be seen by private property prices inching up since March.   

For sure there are naysayers - analysts from big name banks like UBS and overseas newssite such as CNBC - have played harbingers of bad news on Singapore property. I for one had never relied fully on their suppositions.  I had bought and sold 6 properties in Singapore.  Most of them were bought when the market was down - Gulf War, SARs, SubPrime crisis, etc.  I bought when everyone was waiting for the bottom.  And when the upswing came fast and furious, they still refuse to buy  citing "miss the opportunity of buying at the bottom".  Its best to believe in your own research and gut feeling, taking the analysts' opinions with a pinch (or ton) of salt - they are not interested in your early retirement plans - you are. And as Warren Buffet said, if they are such great analysts, they would not be sitting behind a desk! (Or something to that effect). 

So go Jalan Jalan and do your own research and buy when your gut feeling tells you THAT'S THE ONE - BE IT HDB OR CONDO!

USEFUL NEWS

Since publishing the above post, the HDB property market has indeed shown to be stirring, registering the highest resale figures for April2016 since 3 years ago! Click "highest" above for Straits Times May 5 report.

If you are buying HDB - why not look at Yishun & Jurong?

Jurong will be the next big thing - so the first mover gets the advantage.

HDB resale prices starting to fall due to owner's over expectation of their home value.

Woodlands, Pasir Ris & Toa Payoh to be rejuvenated.http://m.todayonline.com/singapore/rejuvenation-plans-pasir-ris-toa-payoh-and-woodlands-released

Leisure Farm

Sprawling Vistas With Varied Homestyles

 



Bungalow Homes with ready built swimming pools

Equestrian Club for the riding enthusiasts

In my previous posts I had featured some noteworthy properties which I thought you should look into if you are looking at properties in Malaysia, and specifically Johor.  You can read more on Forest City, East Ledang & Country Garden developments by clicking on them.

 

Leisure Farm must have been the first major developer who saw the potential of building an upscale residential cum golf resort near to Singapore in Nusajaya to attract the high net worth retirees and expatriate community to live and play in Malaysia, while working in Singapore.  In the last 20 odd years when I lived and worked in Singapore, we must have visited (and then contemplated buying a villa in Leisure Farm) the resort living development umpteenth times for its Leisure Farm villa stays - an initiative which we thought was very innovative in marketing its products to would-be buyers.  Alas, given that it is an upscale precinct, our bank account just was not fat enough to buy into Leisure Farm - but all's well that ended well - as we are very happy with our kampung home nearby.

 

What is different in Leisure Farm is it caters to the rich's varied home configuration preference - from acre-lot homes with sprawling backyard and flowing creek to townhomes with lake views.  We stayed in several of the model homes leased from our very friendly sales manager Ms Poreen - as we were then seriously contemplating living in Leisure Farm.  Our weekends were spent lounging by the poot or having teas at the Equestrian Club while the kids rode on Dolly the mare.

 Source: Leisure Farm

 Over the years, we had also organized many a gatherings and parties at the above facilities - from our anniversaries, birthdays to festive holiday get-togethers like Christmas and New Year's Eve coutdowns - at the upscale Bale clubhouse.  The staff mostly speak English as the expat community there is rather large - and they are very helpful and diligent in getting all the facilities and equipment in place within a short notice.  However, you would need to go to the venue at least once or twice before the event to ensure what they are offering tally with what you need and expect - email communication or phone conversation may not work so well in terms on both parties being on the same page.

 

USEFUL INFORMATION

Going there is best by driving your private car or rental vehicle.  From Singapore Woodslands Causeway, take the new Coastal Highway towards Nusajaya or Legoland.  Look for Gelang Petah and follow the "Leisure Farm" signs to destination. 

 

From Singapore Tuas 2nd Crossing, it is just 10 minutes' drive after the Malaysian toll.  Look for the Gelang Petah exit on your left (it will be just after the Rest Stop as you pass the toll) and then follow the "Leisure Farm" signs to destination.

 

If you are not buying into Leisure Farm - do go Jalan Jalan there, your idea of lux living will be sublimed by this haven.

 

Why Singapore Malaysia Thailand?

3 Pronged Strategy To Passive Income

My last few posts detailed how I had applied my 3-pronged approach to achieving my current ability to live in and commute between my three adopted homeland - Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.  




Imperial Garden of Tokyo - Autumn Splendor...LOVE IT!

In STEP ONE, I had given you my story on how to maximize money income from high net worth Singapore through the purchase of low cost government housing.

In STEP TWO, I had detailed how NOT to live in the investment home in the high net worth country, but move yourself off shore to a country where you can find cheaper housing - which I find both Thailand and Malaysia appealing in this respect. I am happy to see one of my adopted home countries - Malaysia - voted 3rd best country to retire in by expatriates - according to a survey by International Living. 

Even the King of Johor - Sultan Ibrahaim Sultan Iskandar - reiterated his wish in a recent news interview that Singaporeans will buy homes in Johor and live in Johor while working in Singapore.

 

Visiting Africa For My Friend's Wedding

This page will focus on what I mean in STEP THREE - Let Your Hair Down And Enjoy The World!  I know it sounds contradictory - how could one travel and enjoy the world when there is no fat corporate account to charge to?  No more flying business? - there is now no dearth of budget airlines which are not half as bad as full fare carriers.  No more fine dining and all night drinking? - there are so many more interesting street food places and quaint drinking holes than you would ever imagine.  All you have to do is approach life with an open mind.

With the initial hefty profit from STEP ONE, you could afford to buy a home in a low cost location - bear in mind that for STEP TWO to work - the main objective is a safe low cost home as your base.  This is the base from which you look after your investments in high net worth country - in my case Singapore, and from which you fly off to enjoy the world!



Enjoying Our Yuzawa Hot Spring Water Filtered Coffee & Cakes

Budget Family Ski Holiday @ Mount Naeba

I use STEP THREE to not only take vacations, but also use the travel opportunity to go for medical treatments (like annual check ups in Thailand) or shopping for car parts and other big ticket items that will give me high value savings (like Taipei for parts & accessories).

I know it sounds simple, but that is how I had arrived at my current lifestyle arrangement (1)MAKE SINGAPORE WORK FOR YOU (or you can work in Singapore), (2)LIVE IN MALAYSIA WHERE HOUSING IS CHEAP (or Batam or anywhere you find cheap housing) & (3)PLAY IN THAILAND (and the world over ) WHERE FUN & MEDICAL SERVICES ARE CHEAP & GOOD! 

All the best in your pursuit of financial freedom, now go Jalan Jalan around the world.


With Friends In America - Revelry On The Street

Singapore Real Estate - Really?

Property Prices At A Rebound...Finally

The Boon Keng HDB on 40th Floor With An Expansive & Expensive $1M view 

 

I remember when I first relocated from the West to Singapore with my then Singaporean spouse, we were lucky enough to have a roof over our heads due to the good system of affordable government-subsidized housing for the lower and middle income populace.  On the advice of our real estate agent, we bought the lowest priced apartment in the least preferred locale on the island (trust me, even then the location was safe and well served by the island's efficient transport system).  We could only afford a simple unrenovated S$350,000 HDB (government) flat.

 

Fast forward a few decades later, we were able to monetize the flat at a hefty profit, split the difference, which allowed my current arrangement of simple living in and commuting between Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand and reinvesting in small investment properties for passive income.  More on property investment in the latter 2 countries in my later posts, let me opine on the real estate scenario in Singapore island now.

 

I believe it was Li Ka Shing who once said any tiny country in the world situated in a great location is a real estate gold mine.  Why you ask?  Well real estate is location location location, so that takes care of Li's the latter half of his statement.  Singapore is a tiny tiny nation compared to its vast neighbors like Indonesia and further north China.  So land is scarce and hence properties will be pricey.  Hong Kong is yet another prime example.

 

I have always advised my friends back in Europe to invest in Singapore because I am a good resource for them in Asia.  The last few years were doldrum years for properties worldwide - rental and sale of real estate in Singapore felt the heat as well.  But I advise all to start buying when you see your dream home as the rebound is already happening as we speak!  The government is right to say that buying a HDB is a good first step towards financial freedom and independence.  I benefited from a HDB for sure.

On The 3rd Floor & Over 4000sq ft Costing S$16m+

 

The recent Seven Palms Sentosa apartment is another jaw dropper.  Sure it has fun and sun with Sentosa Resort Island in its backyard.  Sure you feel like a million bucks each time you drive home on that private access road over the sea to your abode.  Sure you have the biggest mall in Singapore - VivoCity - within a stone throw away.  But at over S$3700 per sq ft?  Only for the uber rich I say.

 

So things are beginning to stir in Singapore.  Stocks are seeing sunnier days - and we all know property trends with the stock market performance.  I say call your agents and go house hunting if you had been holding out for the great deal.  Mark my words, the next property wave is coming, or may already be here!

 

Read more on the over S$1m Boon Keng HDB Sale

 

Read more on the S$26m Sentosa Island Apartment Sale

What's Going On Singapore?

Ode To Tiong Bahru Charm

Recently a relative from Wisconsin arrived in Asia for his 6-month rediscovery vacation.  Being a distant relative, I was averse to inquire deeper exactly what he was trying to rediscover about himself.  But the fact that he gave me a good reason to go back to Singapore and be his guide while he was on the S E Asia leg of his rediscovery tour, I was a happy non-nosey parker fellow.

 

I helped him book his stay at The Plot Hostel  @ Tiong Bahru where he can mingle with fellow travellers and not be too lonely should I not be able to pick him up for a some days.  For days on end he was raving on Singapore and his "hotel" cum "home" for the next few weeks were nothing short of being fabulous.

The Plot Hostel is cosy and promotes travellers to mingle and network

I am not unfamiliar to the old world charm of Tiong Bahru with its recent renaissance as a hip F&B hangout, I was nevertheless pleasantly surprised by the number of up-market condos are sprouting in the vicinity.  And with expats and trendy young locals moving into this "art deco" styled preccinct (its building archhitecture is protected by Singapore's conservation law) - the old world of Tiong Bahru has been given a new edge. Antique shops and other home decor galleries are occupying up the ground level of what used to be government-subsidized apartment housing, which are one of the largest - and most expensive - real estate in Central Singapore

 I am very glad effort has been taken to preserve the authencity of the neighborhood, such as the covered "5 foot way" of yonder years, the birdcage corner for the feathered ones and their owners to enjoy each other, and of course the ever popular Tiong Bahru wet market and its mega hawker center on the 2nd floor. 



Bunking In Syle

 

Just around the corner of the hotel is a myriad of local and western dining options which I will feature in my next post.  If you are visiting the Tiong Bahru area and would like to roam its safe streets until wee hours of the morning, why not stay the night at The Plot?  This would allow you to sauter over to the famous Tiong Bahru market for a very local breakfast spread, and visit its wet market on the ground level.

  The hostel is quaintly situated at:

 

259 OUTRAM ROAD, SINGAPORE 169056 / TEL: +65 6223 5866 / FAX: +65 6223 9626

CENTRAL RESERVATION
TEL: +65 6298 8889 / FAX: +65 6396 8356 / EMAIL: reservation@theplothostels.com

 

Or you may find promotional rates for The Plot on Booking.com or Agoda

East Ledang

The Go To Bungalow Enclave

East Ledang is just 3 minutes from Tuas Crossing

 

I was told when we first move to Malaysia that Ledang loosely means to show off.  And the folks at Ledang Residences sure have the means to show off.  We even saw a classic De Lorean being driven in there:

East Ledang is being developed by the reputable UEM Sunrise brand and I highly recommend it if you have the mullah lying idle in the bank waiting for an investment opportunity to come a knocking.  Word has it that prices will start rising when the LRT links Danga Bay to the Medini area (where East Ledang is around) and when the high speed rail (again slated to be at the Puteri Habour area which is just minutes from East Ledang.

 

The indomitable Singaporean high roller Peter Lim is also in partnership with the Crown Prince of Johor (so we heard) to develop the nearby JB Race Track just next to Leisure Farm - another luxe living resort.  EduCity is also just 1 minute from East Ledang's main entrance - with NewCastle University, Raffles American School, Marlborough College, MDIS JB Campus, and a host of other foreign tertiary institutions at your doorstep.

 

You can visit the sales gallery of UEM Sunrise at its Nusajaya Center

No. 8, Persiaran Ledang Heights
79250 Iskandar Puteri
Johor Darul Ta’zim
Malaysia
Tel: +607 277 3700



Country Gardens

Grand Dame on Danga Bay

I wrote about Forest City on Tuas side of Johor two posts ago, and if Forest City were the next big new kid on the block, then Country Garden remains as the Grand Dame on the old side of Johor Bahru.

We visited it last weekend and I was suitably impressed.  Between 2014 and last week, Country Gardens has blossomed into a grand metropolis - so much so that my bachelor brother who was visiting from Europe was considering now booking a 28 storey Studio for just MYR450,000 (approx SGD150,000).  They are dangling a booking fee of just MYR10,000 - and our salesperson Mr Jasper was patient and most accommodating.  That's why I would always recommend buying properties from the few well-known developers in Malaysia such as UEM Sunrise, Sunway and Gamuda.  But in this case, Country Garden is being developed by one of China's most trusted developers - no surprise that 30% are Chinese buyers, while Singaporeans and Malaysians make the bulk of the rest of those who had booked this property.

With gorgeous imported sand on its very own man made private beach, it is no surprise Country Gardens is over 70% sold.

If we were not happily enjoying our kampong abode, we would surely have booked a unit as well,  seduced by the allure of the glamorous 5 star living @ Country Gardens (Oh yes! Did I mention residents have their 6 lane bowling alley and a yacht for hire?).

A little bird also told us that the MRT station would be just next to Country Garden and a brand spanking new Aeon Shopping Mall will be within the development.

Enough said. Time to Jalan Jalan for JB properties before prices go up when MRT/LRT arrives at Iskandar and the high speed rail to Kuala Lumpur starts running.

Forest City

The Next Big Thing in Iskandar

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO - FANTASTIC! 

Breathtaking Forest City

Forest City got me curious enough to drive half an hour from my village abode to see what the fuss and buzz was all about this new uber-upscale development - apparently a brainchild of Sultan of Johor.  He had envisioned a ultra-modern metropolis (that would posdibly rival or even surpass Singapore) and a lush urban getaway on four man-made islands in Iskandar Malaysia. 

 

Carless City On The Surface

However it made news recently with protests regarding land reclamation and environmental issues.  It seemed to have been resolved as when we visited, construction seemed all systems go at the over 1,386.05ha Forest City site.  



Forest City is a joint development with Johor's Esplanade Danga 88 Sdn Bhd.With an estimated investment of S$58.3 billion (RM175.8 billion) over the next 20 years, Forest City is expected to fuel the economic development of Iskandar region, the main southern development corridor in Johor and neighbouring Singapore. Eight industries including education, healthcare and tourism will be the main economic pillars of growth at Forest City.



Ambitious project set to rival Sentosa Singapore and Johor's Danga Bay & Puteri Harbor

 Part of the first phase of Forest City includes condominiums and high-rise coastal residences whose show units can be viewed at its Danga Bay office at Country Gardens site.  The two to four-bedroom condominiums and high-rise coastal residences are exceptionally designed and are situated within leafy foliage corridors and car-free avenues with gated security. Average prices are RM1,200 (S$406) per sq ft - from about RM500,000 for a 517 sq ft studio to RM3.54 million for a 1,862 sq ft four-bedroom unit - comparable to prices in Iskandar Puteri, the new name for the township of Nusajaya just after the Second Link.

As part of the long-term planning for Forest City, Country Garden is in discussions with the

Malaysian Government to set up dedicated entry points such as a light rail transit system and a ferry network that would link it to Singapore and to the planned high-speed rail service between Singapore and Malaysia.

Althought everything seems to be on track, there has been some pros and cons concerning renewable energy in Forest City the pros are, renewable energy sources are clean and will result in a little or no net-carbon and greenhouse emissions. It will never deplete the natural resources on earth. There is no negative impact on the environment. No toxic air pollutants will be released to the atmosphere similar to other methods used today. This will help keep the population on earth healthier in the long run. Which is excatly what Forest City is aiming for. 

The cons are alternative energy relies heavily on the weather patterns on earth. In the event of weather not producing the desirable conditions, the industry will lack the capacity to produce alternative energy. Unpredictable weather patterns are some of the major concerns when it comes to alternative energy production. So careful planning and execution are essential requirements when it comes to establishing alternative energy plants. Specialized knowledge and advanced technology are mandatory for such projects. These are some of the main disadvantages of producing alternative energy for our future. 

Sources: Star Online & Straits Times

Why Singapore Malaysia Thailand?

Three Pronged Strategy To Passive Income

STEP ONE -  Make Money In Singapore

Or more like Make Singapore Work For You! I mentioned how I made profit from an old HDB flat years ago.  This is what I really mean: Make Money From A Property In Singapore. and then reinvest that money to make Passive Income to fund your financial freedom.

How did I make Step One work for me? Some of the property profit was plonked into an investment property which I still rent out for passive income to this very day.  This rental - even after deducting the mortgage, allows me to pay for my mortgage in Malaysia, and then some  I also used some of the HDB profit to buy a small investment condo in Thailand, which is also rented out for some living expenditure  (I say "some" because it is low compared to the handsome rental you fetch in Singapore).

So again, I advise all who are thinking of buying a property to seriously start thinking (and buying) now - before Singapore and the world's economy turn around.  My experience tells me that when the Singapore market turns around, it is quite nimble due to the size of the market (just as it turmed downwards rather quickly with every global downturn).  Be it a HDB or a private EC or condo - they will be your ticket to financial independence in the future.

I am sharing here some details of when I bought my first investment property in Singapore back in 2009.  I saw a good opportunity and jumped into it.  Just to give you a hint of the buying frenzy 5 minutes before the 2:00pm booking closing - you only need to watch the video below! It is like a mad house with people pushingthrough to put in the cheque. We managed to put in ours at 1:59pm....literally in the nick of time and had never looked back since.

 



THE GOOD OLD HEY DAYS OF PROPERTY BOOM

Long Queue Just To Give A Cheque To Qualify For A Q Number to Enter Showroom

Just for potential buyers to present a cheque as expression of interest outside the showroom saw an amazing crowd.  You know it is desperation when agents were collecting cheques written on chairs, at carpark, and as far as in nearby Ikea and Anchorpoint foodcourt! I remember at that time. many friends were advising us not to take the plunge as the market was not as buoyant as they think it should be.  But that was exactly why I made the plunge - I felt the market stirring then, even though it was not exactly what a realtor thinks as a hot market.  And my thinking was, I would not want to jump in when the market was hot as it would mean paying top dollar.  So jumping in when the market is just stirring is kinda like the old adage "an early bird gets the worm"?  And reaped some did.  I know of some buyers of Alexis who bought at S$1000+ psf like me, and let go of their units 2 years later before TOP at S$1900+ psf.  That was a whopping S$900+ psf gross profit.  So if I they had bought a 500 square-foot shoebox unit like mine, they were laughing to the bank with S$450000+ profit!

SHOE COUNT as benchmark for a property launch success!

 

The queue (above) was horrendous in the sweltering heat, but the interior was nicely done (below).





 

What I am trying to drive home here is that we need to make the jump with a lon-term Passive Income in mind.  Make the purchase when the market is beginning to stir - and not when it is red hot which would be too late to catch a bargain price.  When it is beginning to heat up, you may not have prices at rock bottom, but the slightly higher price you pay will reap you years of passive income later.  When you jump into a red hot market with everyone buying, you end up paying top dollar.  And a high-price purchase may come back and bite you in once market dips in the future,  which is when banks come knocking on our doors for cash injection should our property values fall short from a depressed market valuation. I have seen a friend's property get foreclosed due to his inability to top up cash to keep the property's bank loan going, and it's a sad scenario which I would not wish upon anyone.
 

Now STEP TWO of my Three Pronged Strategy To Passive Income.

 

Please read STEP TWO above before going to STEP THREE.