LONDON: Savills Research expects the introduction of the new 5% stamp duty tax on properties of more than £1 million (RM4.98 million) may provide a short boost to the central London market over 2010 and 2011 as buyers seek to complete deals before its introduction in April 2011.

KUALA LUMPUR: A director of Gadang Holdings Bhd, Ling Hock Hing entered into a sales and purchase agreement with Mandy Corp Sdn Bhd (MCSB), a wholly owned subsidiary of Gadang for a 3-storey retail shopoffice located in MCSB’s development, M Avenue in Segambut, Kuala Lumpur.

KUALA LUMPUR: Gadang Holdings Bhd announced on Bursa Malaysia on April 13 it acquired Hillstrand Development Sdn Bhd for RM2, via wholly owned subsidiary Gadang Land Sdn Bhd.

SEREMBAN: The Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association Malaysia (Rehda), Negri Sembilan branch, will hold Malaysia Property Expo (Mapex) 2010 over three days from April 23 at the Seremban Parade complex here.

REHDA Negeri Sembilan chairman Datuk Soam Heng Choon said the event had gained the support and participation of 18 developers.

SHANGHAI: The average prices of new homes here rose 20% to 22,237 yuan (RM10,505) per sq m between April 5 and 11, according to China Real Estate Information Corp (CRIC), the Shanghai Daily reported. The city’s record high was 22,270 yuan per sq m set in 4Q2009. The figures exclude those for relocated residents under urban redevelopment plans.

BEIJING: China's Big Four state-owned banks have reduced discounts on mortgage rates for owner-occupiers and are requiring higher down payments, in the latest sign of regulators' determination to cool soaring property prices, local media reported on Tuesday (April 13).

MIRI: Marriott International Incorporated is currently engaged in talks to takeover the management of Mulu Resort, located near the world famous Mulu Caves, in the interiors here.

BEIJING: Standing in the shouting tumult of a Chinese real estate fair, Chen Shiyong said, feels like watching a suicidal man on top of a building ignoring the pleas of bystanders to pull back from the edge.