Penthouse for sale: The Sixth Ave Residences (District 10)

Location: Sixth Ave
Tenure: Freehold
Year of Compeltion: 2009

Penthouse For Sale

Size: 2605 & 3165 & 3810sqft
Bedroom: 4
Asking: approx $1300psf (as at 29 Nov 2009)

Email info@lushhomemedia.com or +65 9631 8037 with the following for more information

Cairnhill Crest @ Cairnhill Circle

Cairnhill Crest is located in the Cairnhill district of Singapore. The luxurious residential development comprises 3 towers, offering one-to four-bedroom units. It also boasts a clubhouse designed by the renowned architect, Norman Foster. Cairnhill Crest can be accessed via Orchard Road and is nearby Orchard MRT Station. 

Quite simply one of Singapore’s most desired freehold addresses, Cairnhill Crest is an oasis of tranquility ensconced in prime district 9. Surrounded by lush vegetation, Cairnhill Crest is based around a unique garden concept, where you’ll find the greenery of landscaped English lawns complemented by modern tropical gardens. The contemporary elegance of Cairnhill Crest blends perfectly with the old-world charm of the conserved terraced houses and bungalows that pepper Cairnhill and Emerald Hill. The result is a stunning blend of pedigree and heritage. 

A sheltered cove of lush foliage and spreading trees, Cairnhill Crest sits comfortably framed by Orchard Road, Clemenceau Avenue and Scotts Road. This enviable location gives residents easy access to Orchard, Somerset and Newton MRT stations, top schools, premier club like the American and Tanglin Clubs as well as the finest shopping, dining and entertainment hubs of Singapore such as Takashimaya and Paragon Shopping Centres. 

Cairnhill Crest offers a full complement of luxurious amenities benefiting its glamorous status. The attentive services, lush landscaping, and comprehensive facilities including an opulent Residents Club, simply take your breath away. Lift lobbies on each floor are fitted with imported marble tiles and a grand crystal chandelier. Top international brands such as Miele and Poggenpohl create a modern, stylish, and highly functional living environment that pleases the senses and adds aesthetic value to your home.  

Location: Cairnhill Circle (District 9)
Tenure: Freehold
Year of Completion: 2004
Site Area: 157,000 sqft
Total Units: 248 in three 20-storey towers

Unit Types:
2 BR ~ 1,927 – 1,938 sq ft (ground floor)
3 BR + study ~ 1,701 – 1,733 sq ft
3 BR + study ~ 2,637 – 2,971 sq ft (ground floor)
4 BR ~ 1,970 – 2,013 sq ft
4 BR ~ 2,960 sq ft (ground floor)
5 BR maisonettes ~ 3,466 sq ft
7 BR maisonettes ~ 3,940 – 4,026 sq ft
Penthouses ~ 2,422 – 3,057 sq ft (3 BR)
Penthouses ~ 2,669 – 2,691 sq ft (4 BR) 

Facilities:
Lap pool
Wading pool
Clubhouse
Social hall
Hydro-Spa pool
Champagne pool
Garden pavilion
Lotus & Lily pond
Putting green
Basketball practice court
Fitness stations
Sauna
Tennis
Gym
Playground
BBQ corner
24 hours security
Covered car park  

Rental Price: Average $7.5psf
Purchase Price: From $2400psf 

Email lushhome@gmail.com for units’ availability or viewing appointment.

Putting the house in order

The current buoyant property market is creating a new set of problems for would-be buyers and tenants.

We now hear of unscrupulous agents. Many are becoming greedy. They do not want to work on a co-broke basis, be it a sale or rental. They want the commission from both parties for themselves. Moreover, there are instances of agents acting against the interests of buyers by pitting one buyer against another with jacked-up prices. This leaves buyers and tenants at their mercy.

A friend of mine, who lives overseas, had his rent increased by 68 per cent some time ago. He was considering the option of moving to Singapore and renting a place here instead. After three weeks of negotiating with the agents, however, he decided to return home despite his higher rent. He had simply had enough from the agents here.

Many are seeing the buoyant market as a chance to make money and it is drawing numerous new players, as reported in the media. Lest we have a situation similar to that of the mid-1990s, when unqualified people were selling properties, it is perhaps time to regulate property agents.

There are two associations — the Institute of Estate Agents and the Singapore Accredited Estate Agencies Scheme — representing property agents in Singapore, but it seems they only provide guidelines that are not mandatory.

Hence, an agent need not follow the recommendations of the associations on issues such as the amount of commission payable. This has resulted in agents calling the shots, flouting the norms — and not having to account for their misdeeds.

If insurance agents and financial planners have to be licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, why not property agents by the Ministry of National Development? There is a dire need for professionalism in the industry and I believe this can only come about when the authorities take control of the registration and conduct of the agents.

Source: Today, 11 July 2007

‘Success comes to the brave’

What has been the biggest obstacle for veteran property consultant Soon Su Lin?

A swarm of mosquitoes. And that was probably the only thing that ever brought her down during her high-flying 16 years spearheading real estate transactions in Singapore, China, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

“When I was a property valuer, I had to value this large piece of swampland, was bitten by mosquitoes and later came down with dengue fever,” recalled a laughing Ms Soon, chief executive of Orchard Turn Developments, the company responsible for one of the largest building projects the shopping belt has ever seen.

With the example, Ms Soon brushed aside notions about politics of gender. Instead, success at any level comes to the brave, she said in her first profile interview since she left top international commercial real estate firm CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) last May.

There, she was involved in landmark transactions such as the sale of Scotts Shopping Mall and The Ascott Serviced Apartments.

At every stage of her employment with CBRE, Ms Soon said she always dived head-first into different kinds of projects, some of which led her in unexpected but ultimately fulfilling directions.

The occasional trifle, however, did occur. “In the earlier years of travelling to China, my impression was that the Chinese businessmen were less comfortable in dealing with a woman. When I travelled with a male colleague, they were more comfortable talking to my male colleague, even though I held a higher title,” she said.

Such encounters did little to dampen her spirit or slow her climb up the ladder.

Today, as the top person at Orchard Turn Developments, Ms Soon stands on the cusp of creating the first residential-cum-retail project to hit Singapore’s prime shopping street in about a decade.

Worth $2 billion, the 56-storey building will have more than 450 shops and restaurants, including top brands now not in Singapore.

Ms Soon’s project could also set standards for design and architecture, besides smashing bench- mark prices for luxury apartments. City Development’s St Regis Residences currently holds the record of $3,000 per square foot.

“I was always very focused on the assignment — rather than being concerned if I could do the job because I am a woman,” said Ms Soon.

Source: Weekend Today, 03 March 2007

The Directive Close

A popular method of closing is the Directive Close. This is sometimes called the Assumption Close, or the Post-Closing Technique. It is one of the most powerful closing techniques used by top sales professionals in every industry. It is used to change the focus of the customer’s thinking away from the decision, “yes or no”, to the ownership and enjoyment of the product.

Keep the Initiative
Its major virtue is that it allows you to keep the initiative, to maintain control of the selling process and to wrap it up at your own pace and speed. It is also very simple.

Ask For Lingering Objections
At the end of the sales conversation, you ask a trial closing question like, “How does this sound to you so far?” If the prospect agrees that is sounds pretty good, you say, “Well then, Mr. Prospect, the next step is…” 

Describe the Plan of Action
You then go on to describe the plan of action, or what happens from this point forward. You get out your sales contract or order form and begin filling it in. You say something like, “The next step is that I get your authorization and a check and get it back to my company. We will be out in three days to begin the initial planning and we should have the entire process installed and working by the third week of next month.”

Keep On Going
In this close, the customer can either say, “yes” and help you conclude the sale or he can ask any questions that he might still have. If for any reason the customer still objects, you answer the objection completely and then ask for the order again.

The Customer is Ready
A customer at the end of the sales process is very much like a pot of water boiling on the stove. It is as hot as it is going to get. If you take it off the stove, it will begin to cool. If you leave it off the stove for a few days, it will be stone cold, as though it were never heated up at all. If you do not ask for the order at the end of the sales process, whether it is one call or several calls, you run the risk of the customer cooling down, changing his mind and even forgetting why it was that he was so eager to make the purchase in the first place.

Action Exercises
Here is something you can do immediately to put this close into action.

Plan your words carefully in advance so you can ask for the order smoothly and without hesitation. Practice in front of a mirror if you want to. Be the best! 

By: Brian Tracy