Mdn Gardens 85% Says Yes; The Circus Begins!

One of my friends staying over at Mandarin Gardens today told me today that 85% of Mandarin Gardens has said Yes - well for the moment only to the forming of a sales committee.

While this is positive news to investors at my favourite project in District 16, I believe this might be a long and difficult process especially with over a thousand units within.

• Scale: The larger projects are, the more difficult to handle. Imagine getting 800 people to agree on a single thing.

• Timing: What if 80% of 1000 residents finally says yes to enbloc but no developers are interested then? It's almost 2008 already.
  

• Cost: Giving there are a thousand units, and a higher potential for development (up to 36 storeys, from 23 now) this has to be a very brave developer, or a joint project (1000 units x est. $1500psf = $1.5b just for land!!!).

• Sentimental Reasons: This is an old development with quite a number of old residents within. Some might not want to go.

On a lighter note, my friend added that along with the 400 civil Mandarin Garden Residents present, the usual enbloc crowd also invited themselves: Cat Call, Wolf Whistle, Jeer, Boo, Yelling and Name Calling.

As a benchmark, it took 2 hours for the present residents to amend a single typo.

Grange Infinite Launches, Odd-Shaped Furniture Prices Skyrocket

The latest Scoop: The 36 Storey Grange Infinite (Known as the En-blocced Grange Towers) will be launching soon. While this will be embraced by those who can't stand being more then 2 minutes away from Takashimaya, there will be lots of demand for odd-shaped furniture.

One of my sources, allowed me to take a peek at the floorplans and behold: Not ONE bedroom in all 68 units is evenly shaped! Every bedroom had at least one odd angled wall. While I understand there isn't much land involved in this project, there is simply no excuse for not having at least one even-shaped bedroom.

Or maybe...I'm just getting Old-Fashioned. Or Old? Am I?

Tsk. Hope the Subject to Changes clause is for real this time!

Horizon Towers: With Blessings (UPDATED)

Source: The Straits Times

Well something blipped under my radar when I was mindlessly surfing in one of Singapore's most visited forums. Apparently a highly controversial Pastor of a Mega-Church has 5 (now 13 see below) units in Horizon Towers. This was allegedly revealed in a local chinese evening paper.

If this is true, perhaps a 'Let the En-Bloc process for Horizon Towers be smooth sailing' prayer could be slipped in during one of those mass prayers.

Update 6th Oct: It has been confirmed in the Weekend Issue of Today newspaper that, Sun Ho and her Pastor Husband owns at least one unit of Horizon Towers.

Update 8th Oct: Finally found the link! Sun Ho and her Pastor Husband Owns 13 units in Horizon Towers!!! (What's a Pastor doing with so many units!? One for each disciple and one for him???)

Ong Choon Fah on Enblocs pulling up HDB prices: 'Not such a bad thing. Everybody should feel a little richer'

Source: The Business Times

Trust the big cheese of one of Singapore's leading Real Estate Agencies, Ong Choon Fah, ECD, DTZ Debenham Tie Leung, to sympathize with heartlanders in these Only-the-Rich-Gets-Richer times. When quized about the latest price hike in property prices, he blabbered that it is 'not such a bad thing. Everybody should feel a little richer'.

While HDB flats and low/mid-end private housing have no doubt gained in capital appreciation with even HDB 4-roomers asking for up to 70k above valuation (what my agents tell me), these heartlanders will still have to find another place to live after cashing in; in my terms, the roof that covers your head is NOT an investment.

Oh well...but what is all that to Ong Choon Fah, my Condos and me. Time for a cuppa by my little patio with the morning paper.

Horizon Towers: Lawsuit Still Hanging, New Sales Committee Sworn In

Source: The Business Times, Sept 21 2007

Light at the end of the tunnel perhaps? While a step in the right direction after 135 units voted in favor of pushing back the collective sale deadline to Dec 11, it is a long way from resolution with 42 units abstaining from last night's meeting.

Anyhow this has proved one thing: Pep talks sometimes work, and is especially favourable if you are backed by a gazillion dollars and a looming multimillion dollar lawsuit. Now put away the cane and go rethink your strategy to get your kids to study for the upcoming PSLE.

Ong Beng Seng Smokes Peace Pipe; Horizon Tower Owners Get Pep Talk

Source: The Business Times

Well surprise surprise, one of Singapore's most respected hoteliers have passed around the peace pipe to Horizon Tower Owners.

The response would be fragmented at best judging from any of my (or even your) prior experiences with en-bloc. Add to that, most of the owner's staying there are likely you-know-who's and might take abit of getting used to receiving pep talks from another you-know-who.

As always, respect to the man.

Mandarin Gardens Waltzes to Enbloc Tune

So I have this friend who has a 'couple' of units in Mandarin Gardens and he's been telling me about en-bloc letters finally circulating within.

1000 units and over 1 million sqft of 99yr LH land area on a super-prime spot with full seaview and a shortwalk from some of the best seafood in Singapore. Debacle guaranteed.