SALES at TRE Residences in Geylang, a 250-unit condominium project jointly developed by Sustained Land, MCC Land and Greatview Development, will begin next weekend at an average indicative pricing of S$1,560 per square foot (psf).

The developers are also dangling early-bird discounts of up to 5 per cent during the Nov 15-16 launch.

The project’s launch is coming ahead of GuocoLand’s condo project at Sims Drive, Sims Urban Oasis, that is expected to be launched only early next year.

After factoring in the early-bird discounts, prices at TRE Residences start from S$690,000 for a 420-sq-ft one-bedder to S$899,900 for a 570-sq-ft two-bedder, S$1.179 million for a 764-sq-ft compact three-bedroom unit and S$1.38 million for a 947-sq-ft four-bedroom dual-key unit, according to marketing materials.

Huttons and PropNex are the official marketing agents for TRE Residences, a project that is 51 per cent owned by Sustained Land, 29 per cent by Greatview Development and 20 per cent by MCC Land (Singapore), a unit of the Metallurgical Corporation of China.

According to MCC Land managing director Tan Zhiyong, the breakeven price for the project is around S$1,300 psf, in line with the earlier projections of property consultants.

The project was widely expected to start selling at above S$1,400 psf, given the land bid of S$776 psf per plot ratio or S$146 million tabled by Sustained Land in January this year, consultants said.

SLP International executive director Nicholas Mak noted that the average indicative pricing for TRE Residences is steep compared to the median prices of between S$1,151 psf and S$1,497 psf for new sale transactions in the vicinity, including The Centren and Grandview Suites, in the past one year.

The 99-year-leasehold TRE Residences is priced similarly to freehold resale units at two other Geylang projects, Centra Heights and Centra Studios, which have a median price of S$1,507 psf and S$1,687 psf respectively for units transacted over the past one year.

R’ST Research director Ong Kah Seng noted that while the ideal price for a project in this locality would be around S$1,450 psf, the developers are likely assuming marginal profits due to the high land price paid for the smallish plot near Aljunied MRT Station.

The small number of units in the project and its location may work to its favour, said Mr Ong. “This location is very suitable for tenants who are single expatriates or those who prefer renting a small apartment, at most co-sharing of an apartment. Rental prospects for this project is fairly positive due to its convenient location.”

Mr Mak noted that the rental yields for selected 99-year condos near TRE Residences hover at 3.8-3.9 per cent per annum. To match this rental yield, the expected monthly rents for units in TRE Residences have to range from S$4.79 to S$5.19 psf. The median monthly rents in the Geylang planning area, however, have been S$3.30-S$3.80 psf in the past 15 months, he said.

Elsewhere, developers are also dangling discounts for selected units in existing launches to revive buyers’ interest. Roxy-Pacific is offering an additional 8 per cent discount for limited units at Trilive in Kovan; Singapore Land is tagging a 10 per cent discount and another 7 per cent discount for the absorption of the additional buyers’ stamp duty for limited units in Alex Residences in Redhill.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/tre-residences-to-be-launched-next-weekend