The Business Times
Leslie Yee

Leslie Yee

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT

Leslie Yee is a Senior Correspondent with BT. His focus is on property, where he writes a weekly column The Level Ground. Leslie has a monthly podcast PropertyBT and helps to produce the newsletter Property Insights. He also writes a monthly column on wealth and investing Sense and Cents as well as contributes corporate commentaries.Leslie has over 25 years of experience in banking and real estate. He has worked for foreign financial institutions and regional property groups in Singapore and overseas. Leslie holds a degree in Economics and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

emaillyee@sph.com.sg
A positive outlook for the Singapore dollar could spur interest in local real estate from overseas buyers.
THE LEVEL GROUND

Stronger Sing dollar makes ‘long Singapore property, short overseas property’ strategy compelling

Local currency strength can erode overseas property returns, while foreign purchases of Singapore real estate may gather momentum

Launching a Reit could be key to GuocoLand's share price re-rating significantly going forward.
HOCK LOCK SIEW

GuocoLand and IOI Properties should pool assets worth S$12.5 billion for a Singapore office-led Reit

Leverage softer interest rates and the clamour for premier assets 

Securing a choice unit in an HDB Prime BTO project can pay off.
THE LEVEL GROUND

Despite 14% subsidy clawback, a S$788,000 Berlayar BTO flat is a solid buy

The desirable estate will be a good ‘forever home’, and also has potential to generate robust capital gains and rental income

Despite an uncertain economic outlook, some major new condo launches have seen hot sales.
THE LEVEL GROUND

Hot sales at new condo launches can be too much of a good thing for developers

Increasing risks include fierce bidding for land and government action 

Interest rates may trend lower near term, but there are substantial risks of much higher interest rates over the longer term.
SENSE & CENTS

Mega trends could drive more elevated interest rates over the longer term

High trade tariffs and weak sovereign credit will exert upward pressure on interest rates 

Consider lowering ABSD for non-PR foreigners buying big ticket luxury condo units.
THE LEVEL GROUND

Singapore wins when a foreigner pays S$6,274 psf for a luxury condo here

Lowering ABSD for sales of big ticket luxury condo homes to foreigners could yield benefits

A chairman who can effectively champion DBS' interests while winning friends, whether when working behind the scenes or under the public glare, could be invaluable.
HOCK LOCK SIEW

DBS needs a strong candidate to succeed chairman Peter Seah. Here’s why

With the incumbent chairman in the seat for more than 15 years, change could be imminent

The internal management model faces an uphill task in gaining traction among Singapore Reits
THE LEVEL GROUND

The internal management model’s uphill task in gaining traction among Singapore Reits

Lack of size confronts Sabana Reit’s new internalised manager 

America's economic dynamism may be hardly undone by tightening up on the inflow of foreign talent.

The US$100,000 fee should not damage America’s economy: an ex-H-1B visa holder reflects

Understanding the rationale for the hike and why tightening up on foreign workers may not undo the US’ dynamism

Owners of HDB flats with short remaining land leases might face difficulties in selling their units in the resale market.
THE LEVEL GROUND

Could HDB offer to buy old flats that do not undergo Vers?

Vendors facing genuine difficulties selling old flats may need help

Latest T-bills Treasury Bills Results & Interest NewsLatest SSB Singapore Savings Bonds NewsLatest COE Certificate of Entitlement News
Latest Johor-Singapore SEZ NewsLatest BTO Build To Order & Sales of Balance NewsLatest STI Straits Times Index NewsLatest SGX Dividends, Share Price NewsLatest Bonds Market NewsLatest Singapore Stocks To Buy NewsLatest Singapore Economy News
View More