Bernadette Murphy, a senior account manager at Equithy, explains that real estate investment trusts, commonly known as REITs, can provide investors with impressive yields. In investment, diversification is the name of the game, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that many people consider real estate investments. In the event of an economic downturn, investors could get consistent capital appreciation coupled with steady rental income. As such, some homebuyers may be willing to pay a premium for a mixed-use development due to the convenience it offers.
Their favourable locations are likely to attract strong interest from developers, which will underpin property prices. This clearly illustrates that developments near or are integrated with MRT stations, like Lentor Modern, potentially offer a higher rate of capital appreciation. With land prices at the recent government land sales (GLS) staying firm, it is difficult to see property prices falling, barring a collapse of the economy.
The site was sold at $784.1 million or $1,204 psf per plot ratio, showing signs of pent-up demand for land and developers’ confidence in the potential of Lentor area,” says Mak. Given the increase in supply within such close proximity of each other, housing developers would likely be more cautious during the land tenders. With potentially lower land prices and hence, lower launch prices, these upcoming developments could pose more competition to Lentor Modern. This is especially so when all the four developments are located 350m or less from the Lentor MRT station. This can only benefit homebuyers who have witnessed escalating land prices in the last two years. But when all five stages are completed by 2025, they will help to spur the development of the North Region, with Woodlands set to overtake Tampines as Singapore’s largest regional centre.
At the same time, tailored spaces beside the “stream” will offer residents with therapeutic, relaxation, and recreational activities, such mediation, exercise, glamping, social interactions and entertainment. At the launch of Lentor Modern on 17 September 2022, GuocoLand sold 508 out of a total of 605 units, translating to a take-up rate of 84%. In Singapore, GuocoLand has successfully developed many upscale residential and commercial projects.
Nevertheless, Lentor Modern is a mixed-use development consisting of a childcare centre, supermarket and commercial establishments at first storey, whilst the others are pure residential developments. Moreover, two other new land parcels – Lentor Hills Road (Parcel B) and Lentor Central – will likely be put up for tender this year and they can yield about 735 residential units combined. In addition, the Lentor Gardens site, which can yield about 530 units, has just been transferred to the “confirmed” list. Together with the Lentor Hills (Parcel A) site that will offer 595 units, they are expected to add another 1,860 units (estimated) to the area.
This can be seen from the recent land tenders for the Dunman Road and Pine Grove (Parcel A) sites that were sold at $1,350 psf ppr and $1,318 psf ppr respectively. Located in the Rest of Central Region (RCR), such land rates would translate to an average lauch price around $2,4xx psf. At lentor hill residence , they are likely to be launched upward of $1,8xx psf minimally, which would become the new normal. Hence, Lentor Modern’s pricing from $2,2xx psf is something potential property investors or buyers will have to come to terms with.
Although the latest release of new land parcels under the GLS could temper the rise in land prices, potential property investors and homebuyers should be cognizant of the low inventory of unsold units in the market currently. These factors, plus developers looking to replenish their depleting land banks, would likely keep land prices firm. “The recent tender closing of the land parcel at Lentor Central created some buzz in the market for setting the new price record for a government land sales site in the Outside Central Region.
These include the Wallich Residence, Guoco Midtown, its flagship Guoco Tower and the 5-star business hotel Sofitel Singapore City Centre. This is a review of Lentor Modern condo, a 99-year leasehold mixed-use development at Lentor Central in Singapore’s District 26. Developed by well-known developer GuocoLand, it will be integrated with the Lentor MRT station along the Thomson-East Coast Line (TE5).
At Senoko fishery Port, visitors can choose from a dizzying selection of fishes and seafood at wholesale prices. However, what sets the North Region apart from the rest of Singapore is the concentration of factory outlets that sell a variety of food items at wholesale prices. These outlets are especially popular during major festivals such as Chinese New Year.
Once these unsold stocks have been depleted, the price of new property launches in the future will see a paradigm shift higher, as with the case of Lentor Modern. This can be attributed to the significant rise in land prices and sharp increases in construction cost due to logistical disruption from the covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war, which have worsened inflationary pressures globally. With 100 ha of land, it will be a vibrant new hub for businesses that will integrate new commercial and residential developments to bring jobs closer to homes in the North Region. Comprising the Woodlands Central and Woodlands North Coast, the latter will serve as a vital link with Malaysia.