The Business Times
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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
Newport Residences spans levels 23 to 45 of the 45-storey Newport Plaza, which will also have Grade A offices, F&B spaces and branded serviced apartments.
THE LEVEL GROUND

Should buyers get more excited over relatively ‘cheap’ freehold Newport Residences?

The project’s underperformance versus River Modern may not be justified

UOL could look to privatise Singapore Land Group or sell its investments in UOB and Haw Par Corporation as optimal strategies.
HOCK LOCK SIEW

Quantify, be ambitious: Time for CDL, UOL to unveil plans to further boost share price

Hongkong Land’s strategy update provides a useful reference

Don't scoff at earning at least 2.5% per annum on CPF savings in an unpredictable world.
SENSE & CENTS

Think hard about embracing the new CPF life-cycle investment scheme 

In an increasingly volatile world, hold some risk-free investments 

Applying a 10-year MOP to homeowners can be extremely harmful to housing mobility.
THE LEVEL GROUND

Allow flexibility on 10-year minimum occupation period for homeowners with sufficient deterrents

Needs and financial circumstances of owners of HDB Plus and Prime flats and new EC units can change

A one-bedder unit is cheaper than larger flats, and also has lower recurring costs as management fees and maintenance costs are generally higher for bigger units.
THE LEVEL GROUND

Should developers build more one-bedroom condo units?

Affordability, leasing demand and an ageing population support having more of such housing

Even with tougher rules, buying a new EC unit is a cost-effective way to achieving private housing aspirations.
COMMENTARY

Executive condo prices may be dampened by new measures, but don’t expect a sharp fall

Strengthening the housing system helps boost social cohesion

How the HDB resale flat market performs has a huge bearing on the private housing market's fortunes.
THE LEVEL GROUND

Drop in HDB resale flat prices in Q1 no cause for panic among condo buyers

But mind weakening tailwind in upgrader demand if HDB resale market weakens 

With interest rates possibly being elevated due to higher energy prices driving rising inflation, improving Suntec Reit’s unit price might be challenging.
HOCK LOCK SIEW

Will Hongkong Land seek to control the manager of Suntec Reit or the trust’s most prized properties?

Investing in a Reit where another group is the sponsor may be hardly optimal for the property giant

Adding Paragon to its portfolio while exiting Asia Square Tower 2 enhances CICT’s yield and growth trajectory, thereby strengthening its investment case.
THE LEVEL GROUND

Paragon’s value lies in the opportunity for CICT to transform an ageing gem

The trust has the means and expertise to add value to the trophy Orchard Road asset

Developers' confidence in taking on new condo projects is supported by pro-housing policies.
THE LEVEL GROUND

Reckless housing land bids? Developers’ faith in Singapore government can pay off

The Middle East war may hurt demand and raise costs, but authorities have led the nation through crises before

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