HONG KONG: The government slapped additional stamp duty on property speculation last Friday, Nov 19 in a desperate move to rein in rampant home-price inflation. The monetary authority lowered the mortgage ratio for costlier flats.

HONG KONG: To nature lovers, Hong Kong's countryside is priceless. But to the government and the courts, its value seems to be much lower. Depending on the case, penalties for environmental offences can range from no fine at all to just a few hundred dollars.

HONG KONG: The head of an influential think tank says property sellers who engage in speculative activities should be made to pay hefty stamp duty.

Anthony Wu Ting-yuk, chairman of the Bauhinia Foundation Research Centre, said the government should impose a new stamp duty on apartments that are sold within six months to one year after they were last purchased.

SHANGHAI: Policy risk is driving both developers and foreign investment funds away from China's residential market and towards commercial property, say analysts.

And it is a trend that, once under way, could continue for several years.

Condominium launches at Eastern & Oriental Bhd’s (E&O) Seri Tanjung Pinang development in Penang have been setting benchmark prices for luxury condos on the island.

With the completion of CapSquare Tower in Kuala Lumpur, Union Investment Real Estate GmbH is looking to follow up on its maiden foray in property investment in Malaysia.

The Summit USJ is a 12-year-old landmark mixed development on the fringes of the mature USJ township in Subang Jaya. Following its injection into AmFIRST Real Estate Investment Trust (AmFIRST) two years ago, it has slowly been shedding its quiet, rundown image.

KUALA LUMPUR: Developer Pan Majestic Development Sdn Bhd's maiden development, Surian Tropika Homes@Sungai Long launched this November 2010 has sold 80% of its 44 units of terraced houses, with five houses waiting to be snapped up.

KUALA LUMPUR: Atlan Holdings Bhd (AHB) has proposed to sell seven land parcels in Penang for RM145 million cash, resulting in a net gain on disposal of RM80 million or 33 sen per share for the financial year ending Feb 29, 2012, it announced to Bursa Malaysia on Friday, Nov 19.

KUALA LUMPUR: Zelan Bhd's net losses have widened to RM35.1 million for the second quarter (2Q) ended Sept 30, 2010, from RM13.8 million a year ago, it said in an announcement to Bursa Malaysia on Friday, Nov 19.