Many showflats still open for viewing

Source : Sunday Times – 20 Dec 2009

The market for new homes is quiet as most developers and potential buyers have taken time off for the year-end holidays.

‘If you are going to sell one or two units now, you might as well close shop and wait till next year,’ said Cushman & Wakefield managing director Donald Han.

‘Salespeople and consultants have worked very hard this year. So, to be fair, they need a break.’

But for those potential buyers itching to check out new projects, a fair number of showflats are still open. These are mostly projects launched in recent months.

A list compiled by property consultancy Knight Frank shows there are at least 35 showflats staying open this month.

Those keen on mass-market projects can check out Waterfront Key in Bedok Reservoir, Livia in Pasir Ris, Double Bay Residences in Simei and Trevista in Toa Payoh.

For high-end homes, the list includes Ferrell Residences and Cyan in Bukit Timah Road and Reflections at Keppel Bay. The showflat of the luxury St Regis Residences is open this month, but viewing is by appointment only, said developer City Developments.

Those keen on mid-tier to upper mid-tier homes can check out Ascentia Sky in the Alexandra Road area, Parvis in Holland Hill, The Tier in Pegu Road and Sophia Residences in Sophia Road.

Diehard showflat visitors will be happy to know that they can go to some showflats even on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Far East Organization said its showflats are open every day of the year, except for the first day of Chinese New Year – which falls on Valentine’s Day next year.

And there are a fair number of choices. More than a third of the 35 or so showflats showcase projects developed by Far East Organization, such as Alba in Cairnhill Rise and Adria in Derbyshire Road, near United Square Shopping Mall.

Far East is also keeping its showflats open for some of the projects it released earlier for sale, such as Silversea in Marine Parade Road.

Another developer, Hong Leong Holdings, is also keeping its showflat for The Gale in Flora Road open throughout Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Most other showflats are likely to close on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Some projects still have units available for sale, but the showflats are already closed for the year, either for the year-end holiday season or renovation work, Knight Frank said.

These include the showflats for The Trizon in Ridgewood Close, Lush on Holland Hill, The Orange Grove and Oasis @ Elias. However, the showflats for these projects can still be viewed by appointment.

The showflats for Dakota Residences and Meier Suites have closed for the year and will not be available for viewing, even by appointment.

Potential buyers or visitors keen on new projects or showflats will have to wait until next year. Experts expect launches to resume mostly after the start of Chinese New Year.