Yong - Weathering a Property Downturn

Reviews for Weathering A Property Downturn

Swee Yong is sharing the truth about Asias property markets: Malaysia, Cambodia, Japan and Singapore. He is not just telling the Good Things which people like to hear. His understanding of the market, backed with data and information from reputable sources really foretells the market direction. If only more investors could accept the facts and follow the recommendations as advised by our dear international property advisor, Ku Swee Yong!

SHAW YONG CHEE CHUNG

Key Executive Officer, Century 21 SY Real Estate, Singapore

Insightful, very thorough, well backed up research, and always enjoyable to read. Swee Yong is indeed a very diligent analyst who puts in consistent efforts into the late hours in order to produce this high quality read. His stories lead the readers to understand more about property markets in Singapore and other countries, expanding their knowledge, imagination, enabling them to have objective consideration of opportunities that the markets present them.

YENNY ZHANG

Entrepreneur

Swee Yong is one of the few real estate professionals whom I highly respect. His vast experience in the industry and in-depth understanding of the markets often make his opinions interesting, relevant and, more importantly, taken into consideration. This book is another revelation of his insightful understanding of property markets.

NGUON CHHAYLEANG

COO Ratanaka Realty, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Once again, Swee Yong has written a timely study that challenges popular assumptions and is replete with hard data and irrefutable analysis. It would be remiss not to take heed of the storms ahead as well as the safe havens hes taking pains to point out. Swee Yongs frank assessment is what any serious investor needs to navigate uncertain times.

ANTHONY B K CHENG

Regional Insurance Advisor

The book worthy to hold on and anchor the fundamentals as one transcends Singapores real estate adversities. Swee Yongs bottom-up research, coupled with market based data mining techniques & investment oriented deep dive analysis, dissects and expounds the intricacies of local as well as regional real estate alternatives beyond our shores.

E K CHNG

Avid Fan and Reader

A compendium of real estate wisdom this book offers a scan of Swee Yongs brilliant analyses and extensive knowledge not only of the local Singapore market, but also of the markets he sees potential in, including the risks of downside and opportunities for upside. His honest review with regards to real estate policy, property demand and supply, as well as comprehensive coverage of markets, near and far, is worth your time. Aspiring students, ambivalent home hunters and owners, and astute investors will greatly benefit from his plethora of perspectives. It is a reading that you do not want to miss before you embark on your next move and decision pertaining to real estate.

JOHN TAN TECK SHOON

Senior Lecturer, School of Design & Environment, Ngee Ann Polytechnic

I am particularly impressed with the articles on Japanese property investment especially at this time when local property market is facing a downturn and most of the major foreign property markets are at the top of their cycle.

LOW SOO HIOK

Retired OCBC Operations Manager, Hong Kong & London

Swee Yong is no crowd-pleaser. With a knack for sifting out noises in the market, he goes straight to the heart of issues plaguing the property sector. At times, Swee Yongs analyses glean on how some policies can be a double-edged sword and the need for fine and timely calibration. He gives his readers the unadulterated version of his views based on data, even if they are deemed unpopular or up against the general tide. And it takes both courage and foresight to raise the hard questions.

LYNETTE KHOO

Correspondent

Swee Yong has produced yet another interesting and insightful book that continues to deliver good updates with logical analysis, backed by supporting figures and data. He has a pragmatic approach in his perspectives and offers fresh and practical tips. He has done his homework well as his book reveals his forte and competency in the field of real estate. It is a book worth reading.

JUDY TAN L. S.

Media Executive

2016 Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited

Published by Marshall Cavendish Business

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National Library Board Singapore Cataloguing in Publication Data

Names: Ku, Swee Yong.

Title: Weathering a property downturn : defensive plays for real estate investors / Ku Swee Yong.

Description: Singapore : Marshall Cavendish Business, [2016]

Identifiers: OCN 935054763 | eISBN 978 981 4751 49 0

Subjects: LCSH: Real estate investment--Asia. | Real property--Asia.

Classification: LCC HD843.2 | DDC 332.6324095--dc23

Printed in Singapore by Markono Print Co. Pte Ltd

If I could teach you anything, it would be to teach you the method of inquiry, said Prof David Harvey, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology and Geography, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, speaking at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Thursday 10 Dec 2015, about the excesses of capitalism and the insane over-building of empty cities.

So I was probably the earliest in the market to call a sell on the Singapore market. In Nov 2013, when the URA Private Property Price Index was at its peak, I presented the Singapore residential property outlook to the colleagues in Century 21 Singapore and concluded by saying that prices will start to fall, due to the cooling measures and the overwhelming supply. I suggested to my colleagues that they might like to speak with their clients who own more than two residential units in Singapore. And for these clients, perhaps we could recommend that they sell at least one or more of their investment units.

Although I was viewed as being too pessimistic at that time, the index dropped from 154.6 in 3Q2013 to 141.6 in 4Q2015, a drop of 8.4% over two years.

Over the last two years, supply of new HDB flats, Executive Condominiums (ECs) and private residences continued to increase. Vacant ECs and private residences total 28,054 units as of 4Q15.