Seasoned investors are now looking at Singapore real estate for opportunities to pick up good assets as the country’s plan to transform itself into a global city is still on track. So, is it the right time to invest in Singapore properties? This is a million dollar question and no one can look into a crystal ball. Nevertheless some individuals and corporations are more successful at market timing and buying low than others.

YTL Corporation of Malaysia is one of these investors known for its savvy moves in acquiring assets at the right time. In 1999, just two years after the Asian financial crisis, YTL Corporation took over Starhill Centre and Lot 10 Shopping Centre in Bukit Bintang and turned them into successful centres by 2000 with the addition of Bintang Walk. It has successfully launched the Starhill Shopping Centre in Dubai and plans to launch the brand in Singapore and London in the next 12 months.

YTL Corporation has already acquired properties and REIT in Singapore as it is confident about the country’s economic fundamentals. Tan Sri Francis Yeoh, managing director of YTL Corporation said: "...Like the last Asian crisis, Singapore was the first to pull through." (Singapore Straits Times, 29 Oct 2008)

Singapore is expected to ride over the fallout of the current global financial crisis better than most countries and be amongst the first to achieve an upturn. The medium and long-term outlook for Singapore real estate remain promising as the government is committed to turn the city state into a global city, rather than an Asian hub. Together with the private sector, over S$60 billion have already been committed in real estate, infrastructure and tourism related projects. Singapore has a friendly tax regime for business and high net-worth individuals, and a favourable real estate ownership environment which include:

• No capital gains tax
• No tax on foreign-earned income
• No estate duties or inheritance tax
• No restriction on foreign ownership for condominiums
• Low mortgage rate of around 2.5 per cent per annum

Foreigners already regard Singapore as one of the most secured, quality and attractive property investment options in the world. They form about 22 per cent of the private residential property buyers. Malaysians rank as the top buyers amongst this group in 2008. Demand for quality private residential properties is expected to rise with the inflow of foreigners and the plan to raise the country’s population from the current 4.8 million to 6.5 million by 2040. Land is scarce in Singapore so investors like YTL Corporation are confident of the real estate outlook over the medium and long-term.

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