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That's the right sort of sum: $25,000 - 50,000 to aim for. Over $1 million is not. Serious money does not take these Go-Go Funding campaigns seriously. Afterall, If you were a serious project, would you want to "follow" the QEG Device, and Hopegirl's extreme hype? She has "queered the pitch" for some time - on Free Energy crowd-funding

Michio Kaku "How Science Will Revolutionize the 21st century and Beyond" = = Three Hours with Dr Kaku (Feb. 2014) =========== + Authored more than 6 books, and co-developed string theory + "String theory" (1-inch equation) could be a crowning achievement : Introduces notion of 10+ dimensions : Can be tested with Hadron collider : We don't use scientific method, we use seat-of-pants accidents (1968) : Like E=MC^2, we have a simple equation, a "theory of everything" : We want to see/create a "super force" + Newton is still relevant, we use it in the 3D physical world : Beyond the planet, we need Einstein, but "even that is not enough" : The theory of Relativity is "the theory of the big" > stars, etc : Quantum theory is "theory of the small" electronics, nanoparticles : BUT: these two theories don't like each other : STRING THEORY brings the two together : only one that does : The theory came 100 years early - has dazzling math : Quantum theory works, by reducing things to probability, - but so many things about it are counter-intuitive (stopped at 12 mins)

Are ultra-high Housing prices part of a plot by the elites controlling the planet ?? ==== NWO Secret Agenda : Young "not allowed to own homes... kept as renters" (to control them better?) This information, from a 1969 secret talk, revealed plans to stop most young people from Home owning The NWO Agenda - as revealed in 1969 (excerpt: 11:00 minutes): " People that already owned houses would be allowed to keep them but young people would never be able to afford a home. Cost of homes would not come down even with all the empty houses. They would control the price of homes to turn more and more people into renters. People would be assigned where they would live and they would assign non family members to live with you. That’s why the census asks how many bedrooms you have in the home." Is this the hidden agenda of the BofE, and the UK Banks ?

UK house prices rise in June at fastest rate in over nine years - Nationwide Reuters UK - ‎13 minutes ago‎ British house prices rose at their fastest annual pace in more than nine years last month, and prices in London have shown their biggest jump in a generation, figures from mortgage lender Nationwide showed on Wednesday.

Exactly Demand has (finally) picked up in the West, replacing the buying from the East. And most AMericans have stopped selling, having sold down to "long term comfort" levels

Nadeem: "My consistent warnings have been to ignore Bank of England warnings of bursting the UK housing bull market for all Mark Carney is doing is playing a game of misdirection where whilst publically stating one thing of threatening to burst the bubble whilst privately the BoE acts to do the opposite by ensuring that the housing bull market remains well supported." Meantime, BDEV is showing some signs of recovery ... update - 76d has not yet crossed below the 252d MA

ALI allots P60 billion for Makati rebranding By Mary Ann LL. Reyes | March 23, 2012 MANILA, Philippines – Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) is spending P60 billion in the next five years for the redevelopment and rebranding of Makati City into a masterplanned and integrated city that will make it a premier regional center in Southeast Asia. ALI president Antonino Aquino said this will be the company’s biggest investment to date and will involve developing six distinct and complementary districts. These are Ayala Center (cosmopolitan district), Makati North (young and creative), Makati central business district (business), Ayala Triangle Gardens (urban oasis), Makati South (transport hub), and Sta.Ana (Makati’s entertainment district) covering a total of 70 hectares. Aquino explained that with the renewed interest in the Philippines especially among foreign investors, “we want to make sure that we provide them with all the facilities that they will require.” “This is actually the first Public-Private Partnership (PPP),” he added. ALI is aiming to strengthen Makati’s status as the country’s unrivalled capital not just for business, but also for lifestyle, entertainment, and culture. In addition, ALI is spending about P37 billion for Bonifacio Global City and P12.5 billion for Nuvali in Laguna, both in the next five years. Bulk of the P60-billion budget will be funded by ALI, partly from the proceeds of a P15-billion bond offering this April, while about five percent will come from MACEA or the Makati Commercial Estate Association. Also envisioned to support Makati’s redevelopment is the P1-billion bus rapid transit system (BRT) that will link MRT 3, PNR Buendia station and LRT 1. The main proponents of this project are ALI and MACEA, which submitted an unsolicited proposal to develop it to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC). . . . As part of the project, ALI is completing Phase I of Ayala Center redevelopment which will result in 54,000 square meters of retail space. Soon to rise is the country’s first ever six-star hotel, Fairmont Hotels and Raffles Residences. Dy said Phase 2 will involve “pedestrianizing” Ayala Center. “After all, the city of the future is not about cars,” she said. As for the Makati CBD, Dy revealed that elevated walkways are being constructed through MACEA. The BRT is a main component of the CBD’s redevelopment. == > http://www.philstar.com/business/789612/ali-allots-p60-billion-makati-rebranding

Subway, bus rapid transit in Metro Manila? by daily feeder • March 20, 2014 TRAFFIC. The Japan International Cooperation Agency says traffic will cost the Philippines up to P6 billion a day by 2030. File photo by Romeo Gacad/AFP MANILA, Philippines – The government has some more ideas on how to solve Metro Manila’s worsening traffic: a subway and a bus rapid transit (BRT) system. On Thursday, March 20, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) unveiled major projects that would serve as alternative modes of transportation for commuters. On top of the list is the P135-billion Mass Transit System, a subway or underground rail system that would extend the existing Metro Rail Transit or MRT Line 3. MRT 3 runs from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City. DOTC Assistant Secretary Jaime Feliciano said the 20-kilometer subway would consist of 11 stations: 5 underground, 4 interchanges and 2 elevated. He added it would connect Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, the Makati central business district, and the Mall of Asia area in Pasay. Feliciano said DOTC would forward the project to the National Economic and Development Authority for approval in the 2nd or 3rd quarter of the year. The government would bid it out in the 2nd quarter of 2015. DOTC is also looking at putting up a 28-km BRT worth P4.65 billion. The BRT system would run from the Manila City Hall to Fairview in Quezon City, passing through Commonwealth Avenue. == > http://s161639508.onlinehome.us/?p=56956

Gov’t Plans Metro Bus Rapid Transit Systems By KRIS BAYOS November 11, 2012 MANILA, Philippines --- The government is planning to set up three bus rapid transit (BRT) systems in Metro Manila instead of rail systems to transport commuters along busy routes in the city. Transportation Undersecretary for Planning Rene Limcaoco told British investors in an investment forum in Makati City last week that the government is opting to use billions of taxpayers’ money to construct BRTs rather than light rail transit (LRT) systems. Limcaoco said constructing a kilometer of LRT line will cost $50 million while a kilometer of BRT line will only cost $5 to $7 million, but both will have “the same throughput.” The BRT system involves the establishment of dedicated lanes to buses whose drivers will have to follow specific times of arrival and departure on particular routes. The BRT system also requires that drivers can only pick up or drop off passengers in certain designated stops. Former Transportation Secretary Jose de Jesus was quoted before as saying that a BRT that utilizes electric buses or those run by compressed natural gas (CNG) will be set up along C5 to help decongest the traffic along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA). For his part, Former Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II earlier disclosed that a BRT is also being planned for Makati City and Northern Metro Manila. But Limcaoco did not divulge where the planned BRT systems will be operated and what routes it will cover. . . . The Metro Cebu BRT system, the first of its kind in the Philippines, is patterned after the BRT systems in Bogota in Colombia, Curitiba in Brazil, Seoul in South Korea and Guangzhou, China. == > http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/381004...s#.UKCbCGd32So Makati Central Business District—Transit Feasibility Study Client: Ayala Land, Inc.; Makati Commercial Estates Association; Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation; and Bases Conversion Development Authorit ( 2 ) DOTC pursues bus rapid transit system (The Philippine Star) | Updated October 31, 2013 MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is pushing through with the establishment of a bus rapid transit (BRT) system to serve passengers in Manila and Quezon City. . . . The government is pursuing a BRT system that would initially be introduced in Cebu, pending the go signal from the National Economic and Development Authority. The proposed BRT system would be established along Quezon Avenue, C-5 Road and Ortigas Avenue in Metro Manila. The BRT projects would be patterned after BRT systems in Bogota in Colombia, Curtilba in Brazil, Seoul in South Korea, and Guangzhou in China. Conglomerate Ayala Corp. has proposed a BRT system in the central business district in Makati City. As early as 2011, Ayala Land Inc. and the Makati Commercial Estate Association Inc proposed a BRT that would pass through Makati CBD and connect two of Metro Manila’s light rail transit services, the LRT Line 1 and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3. The Ayala Group’s proposed BRT would start at the corner of EDSA and Ayala Ave., traverse Ayala Ave. before turning left at Gil Puyat Ave. and ending at the LRT 1 Buendia station along Taft Ave. . . . Abaya also revealed that the DOTC has commissioned Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to explore the possibility of putting up a mass transit subway system to decongest Metro Manila’s major roads, particularly EDSA. The proposed subway system in the Philippines would be patterned after those in Japan, Hong Kong and the United States, among others. == > http://www.philstar.com/business/2013/10/31/1251221/dotc-pursues-bus-rapid-transit-system

Can Gold backing work? What will happen to the price, if you use it to back 5%, 10%, 20%, 50% or whatever, of currency in issuance? ??? It depends on how much Gold you want/need. If you demand more and more gold each year, the average Mining cost will rise. Here's Gold production since 1900: And, in recent years : Even though the price rose dramatically since 2001, production has grown little. Demand more gold production, and the costs will really soar. WHY? Because most of the high grade Gold has already been found and mined,

After 38 years, Mandarin hotel to close this year ABS-CBNnews.com | Posted at 06/04/2014 7:29 PM | Updated as of 06/04/2014 7:29 PM MANILA - After nearly 40 years of operation, the iconic Mandarin Oriental Manila hotel will be closing its doors this year. The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group on Wednesday announced it will be closing the hotel, located on Makati Avenue, later this year. "Mandarin Oriental, Manila has been recognized as one of the city’s most iconic hotels since its opening in 1976, and the Group wishes to express its sincere appreciation to all colleagues for their legendary service and support over the years. All hotel colleagues have been informed of the forthcoming closure and will receive full and fair severance payment and appropriate professional guidance,” said Torsten van Dullemen, general manager of the hotel. Fans of the Mandarin Oriental need not despair, since the group will be managing a new luxury hotel in Makati City. The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group said it signed a contract for the branding and management of the luxury hotel, which will open in 2020. The new Mandarin Oriental, Manila will be owned and developed by Ayala Land Hotels & Resorts. With 275 rooms, the hotel is being positioned as one of the leading luxury hotels in the Philippine capital. "The new Mandarin Oriental, Manila, which is scheduled to open in 2020, will be part of a mixed-use development centrally located within Makati City," it said. No other details were disclosed. The Mandarin Oriental opened in 1976 as Manila’s pre-eminent hotel. While the Mandarin Oriental Manila has been a "much-loved icon," the company noted its "infrastructure and existing facilities are no longer in keeping with the Group’s well-recognized, luxury hospitality offering."

"On another note there has been a marked increase in buyers cashing in and moving outside the M25 within reasonable travel distance of London" A very sensible move, especially if they can eliminate their mortgages, by doing so !

Ayala's "Grand" Tower - the anticipated, but as-yet-unnamed giant ( Could be the tallest, or 2nd tallest building in the Philippines ) Look at the Drawn image below, showing the Makati North Masterplan - the last building is huge! Notice the "mixed use" building to the far right of Kroma Tower ... Height of nearby Tower : Maybe 251m, or even Higher ! Measurement derived by comparison with Kroma - which is 157m high. (the new tower looks to be 60% tallest - and that is tall !) 52 fl. = 157 m. 31 fl. = 094 m . (say 60%) === 83 fl. = 251 m . # 01 = 259 m. Tallest in Makati # 02 = 250 m. Second Tallest Philippines Tallest: 1. PBCom Tower 55 fl 259m.(Antenna), 241m. (Radio Tower), 222m.( Rooftop)(Final Official Height) 2. Gramercy Residences 72fl 250m. (Rooftop) (Final Official height accdg. to CPI) 3. Shangrila Hotel @ The Fort 65fl. 250m. 4. Grand Hyatt @ The Fort 66fl. 250m. 5. Trump Tower 60fl 250m. (Antenna)???? 6. Stratford Residences 76fl 244m. (Rooftop) based on BCI Asia Technical Details) 7. Discovery Primea 239m. (Rooftop) 250m.(still to be confirmed) Another View - shown in map location : The Views from Ayala's Grand Tower should be incredible ! Looking straight down the main Ayala corridor, and North up Ayala Avenue extension towards Circuit, Ayala's next major CBD in Metro-Manila. This building can dominate views from both directions, and will help to "tie" Circuit into Makati.

Shang Properties Launches “The Rise”, a New Living Concept at the Heart of Noma, or the North Makati District May 31, 2014 by Natalie Ann Unson 8 May 2014, Philippines – Shang Properties, Inc., the country’s premier luxury property developer introduces a unique, new living concept now rising at the heart of NOMA, or North Makati – the city’s burgeoning art and creative center. The Rise Makati is a one-of-a-kind residential and commercial complex designed with Shang Properties’ signature build quality, combining celebrated world-class modern architecture and interior design. It sets itself apart from the rest with an innovative approach to city living and an entirely unique amenities concept. Located conveniently... (same street as Lerato) just north of Ayala Avenue along Malugay St., Makati City, The Rise is only eight (8) minutes away from the Makati Central Business District. The area is known for its unique mix of galleries, delicatessens and bistros, indie music venues, and one-of-a-kind retail experiences – all of which are only a stone’s throw away. “The Rise Makati is an active and thriving creative community for like minded people to come together. With its exceptional approach to space, architecture and design, we wanted to create not only a residential offering but a unique new living concept where people can inspire each other to follow their passions,” says Robert Cruz, Sales Director of Shang Properties. “The idea behind The Rise in part, is to inspire young people and families to create their homes the way they wish to build their lives and we, at Shang Properties, take this vision to heart.” (New concept in amenities): World Class Amenities and Retail, Dining, & Services Tailored For You Dubbed Spaces at The Rise, The Rise presents a brand new concept that redefines what best-in-class amenities mean. Divided into The Hangout, The Nest, and The Workshop – Spaces at The Rise is designed to let its residents decide how they want to play, relax, and work. The Hangout is a 300 square meter space of open lounge area perfect for entertaining friends and family, whether it’s a special occasion or just to catch up over a cup of coffee. It includes games like an electronic dartboard as well as vending machines. The Workshop is a fully stocked, purpose-designed workroom, which features an I.T. bar, a library, a reading room, and multi-purpose function rooms and spaces perfect for studying, brainstorming, or meeting. The Nest is a relaxation and wellness zone that provides a refuge from the fast-paced city life and an opportunity to curl up on a swinging hammock, lounge around in the garden terraces, or to just get lost in a good book. The Rise also boasts of a 28 meter tropical pool and kids’ pool, a 380-meter private jogging path set in lush green landscaping, a 280 square meter children’s play space, a barbecue patio, and a two-storey world-class gym packed with premier training and exercise equipment designed for young professionals and families who work hard and play hard. The 2-level boutique retail mall located right below the residences, offers over 50 of the best retailers and service providers to ensure that there’s something for everyone — from uniquely quirky cafes and bars, to the best dining experiences, to banks, daycare centers, convenience stores, tailors, and spa services. == > http://moneysense.com.ph/whats-up/shang-properties-launches-the-rise-a-new-living-concept-at-the-heart-of-noma-or-the-north-makati-district/

STRATEGIES and Psychology of Selling and Buying Many sellers might be "Resizers" or "Migrators" + Resellers - may want something bigger or smaller, possibly New - but they may be reluctant to Buy, unless they can sell their existing properties (at a price that makes some sense) + Migrators - might be thinking of moving someplace else: retiring to Malaysia or the UK or wherever Another (smaller) category might be "Peak Sellers" - who want to sellout and take their profit. These have the problem of rising rents. Ever month that goes by after the sale they may be: $20,000 - $50,000 "worse off", with that margin being what they pay out in Rent - and rents are rising now. So I expect there will be few Peak Sellers in this current market. We have considering being a Downsizer/Migrator. The idea over a year ago was to buy a smaller property (to hedge the rent risk), and a place in another country - where prices are far cheaper. We actually made both of those purchases, and have not yet sold out or main property yet. Now, my partner is not yet ready to leave HK. She has found a job she likes. So that idea of migrating may be on hold now. Her own purchase of a small flat is generating a positive monthly cash flow. And my foreign purchase is still under construction. So we have no rush to leave. In effect, we are being "paid to wait", so we don't mind waiting. This is the type of position to aim for: One where you are relaxed about timing, and can respond to opportunity, if/when it comes. If we had sold two years ago (and we came close, within $50-100K) we would now be stressed with rising rents. So I feel that I made the right decision in standing my ground on price. I expect that many HK property owners are in situations like this - so they feel no urgency to sell. The urgency is now being felt by would-be Buyers as rents rise. Some may be regretting having missed "discounted properties" at the various projects that have sold out in recent months. Or they may regret that they were not more aggressive in the secondary market 2-3 months ago when sellers were more flexible.

Supply tight for used flats - HK Standard . . . The supply of secondhand homes is falling as would-be vendors hold out in the hope that the selling price will soar in the coming weeks. Property agents say it is not uncommon for several homebuyers to zero in on an apartment with vendors unwilling to negotiate cheaper prices. Midland Realty chief senior sales manager for Tsing Yi district Roy Fan Chi-chung said speculative vendors are deciding not to sell their secondhand homes at the moment in a bid for more gains. "The property market is bullish, pricing is aggressive ... yet homebuyers can afford it. Positive speculation is forcing vendors to hold on to their properties," he said. For instance, a low-floor flat in Ming Kung Mansion, Tai Koo Shing, sold for HK$9.65 million, or HK$13,746 per sellable square foot, up 5 percent on the average price in the area. The buyer did not even bother to look at the flat prior to the purchase. Another record-breaking deal was made for an upper-floor flat at Amoy Gardens, Ngau Tau Kok. The apartment of 255 sellable sq ft went for HK$3.57 million, a record-high price per square foot, according to data from real estate agency Ricacorp Properties. In the sizzling primary market, more than 500 units from new projects were sold last weekend. Data from 50 large housing estates showed the number of secondhand properties for sale slipped an average of 8.5 percent for the month to June 21. The five estates with the biggest drop in flats for sale are all in the New Territorie s, in Tsing Yi, Tuen Mun and Sham Tseng. And with rents rising also, more owners are opting to lease their flats instead of selling. == > http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=16&art_id=146763&sid=42515509&con_type=3&d_str=20140626&fc=7 I would put it differently. Landlords who might sell, are angry and p/ss3d off about bank valuations that are too low, and are taking their flats off the market, because Buyers and Agents are not coming up with realistic prices. The way to change that is for banks to beginning pushing values up higher to more sensible levels. This would increase transactions, and give the banks more business too.

(article): " month-on-month gains of 0.3 per cent in April and 1 per cent in May " Rents also pick up steam in resurgent mass housing in Hong Kong Strong demand from businesses and mainland students amid a tight supply of flats is likely to turn up the heat in the leasing sector PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 25 June, 2014, 1:31am Taikoo Shing in Quarry Bay has recorded a significant increase in rents. Home seekers troubled by recent rises in the mass-residential sector now have an old foe to contend with: a resurgent rental market. The recent gains in rents at 50 major housing estates in Hong Kong have come despite prices heading the other way for luxury properties, suggesting a polarisation is occurring in the city's rental market. The average rent at the 50 estates tracked by Ricacorp Properties has grown for the past two months, with month-on-month gains of 0.3 per cent in April and 1 per cent in May, after declining 0.29 per cent during the first quarter. "Rents began to fall gradually since the end of last year. But the trend has changed since April and the rental growth was more obvious in May. [it was] the highest in 10 months," said Patrick Chow Moon-kit, Ricacorp's head of research. According to Centaline Property Agency, a flat of about 500 square feet at the Beaumount in Tseung Kwan O was let out for HK$9,500 a month in March. A similar flat fetched HK$11,000 a month recently. Taikoo Shing in Quarry Bay has also recorded a significant increase in rents. Patrick Tsang, a director at Centaline, said rents at the housing estate had risen from HK$29 to HK$30 per square foot in January to HK$32 this month. "The demand is strong. Some tenants sold their flats and then rented because they were pessimistic on the market outlook. We have also seen some tenants looking for a new flat to rent because the landlords have raised their rent. Corporate clients are active in the leasing market, too," he added. However, of the 12,698 units at Taikoo Shing, only 22 were available for immediate leasing, Centaline said. This compares with an average of 75 flats before the government imposed cooling measures on the market in February last year. "After property sales turned active in recent months, the number of flats available for rent has been decreasing. The tight supply of flats and strong demand have driven up the rents," Chow said. Ricacorp found that rent rises were the strongest in the New Territories. Based on those estates that were among the 50 tracked by the agency, the average rent in the area in- creased 1.3 per cent last month. Demand was particularly strong at City One Shatin and Tai Po Centre. For the overall mass-residential market, Chow expects rents to climb a further 3 per cent by September, aided by the absence of completions of any housing estates over the next three months. "Summer is also a peak season for the mass-residential leasing market as many mainland students have to rent a flat before the school year begins. The demand during summer holidays will increase by 10 to 20 per cent, compared with April. It will be a landlords' market," Chow said. He believes flats at housing estates along railway lines in the New Territories will see higher rental growth. == > http://www.scmp.com/property/hong-kong-china/article/1539674/rents-also-pick-steam-resurgent-mass-housing-hong-kong === === Remember, buying property, even older low Cap properties you rent out, helps to protect you from further rent increases. Those old property under $3-4 Million are now trading near record highs. Expect further price increases in the secondary market, if/when Rents rise more Meantime: "Luxury Rents have dropped 10% this year. And are expected to drop a further 5-10% by year end." - says SCMP (Note: many so-called "Luxury" properties are not near MTR stations. Too bad.) >>> Started new threads on HK RENTS

At last! Nice to see you in the Bullish mood, C.J. I think we may now need (at least) a brief pullback, especially in Gold stocks

The Drive for "cheap" property - takes people to the extreme end of Lantau 300 Buyers compete per flat in Lantau scheme More than 10,000 buyers are competing for 34 subsidised flats - that's 300 buyers per flat + Former public rental units + Priced between HK$640,000 and HK$900,000

RENT rising in HK, esp. near MTR Stations Rents also pick up steam in resurgent mass housing in Hong Kong Strong demand from businesses and mainland students amid a tight supply of flats is likely to turn up the heat in the leasing sector PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 25 June, 2014, 1:31am Taikoo Shing in Quarry Bay has recorded a significant increase in rents. Home seekers troubled by recent rises in the mass-residential sector now have an old foe to contend with: a resurgent rental market. The recent gains in rents at 50 major housing estates in Hong Kong have come despite prices heading the other way for luxury properties, suggesting a polarisation is occurring in the city's rental market. The average rent at the 50 estates tracked by Ricacorp Properties has grown for the past two months, with month-on-month gains of 0.3 per cent in April and 1 per cent in May, after declining 0.29 per cent during the first quarter. "Rents began to fall gradually since the end of last year. But the trend has changed since April and the rental growth was more obvious in May. [it was] the highest in 10 months," said Patrick Chow Moon-kit, Ricacorp's head of research. According to Centaline Property Agency, a flat of about 500 square feet at the Beaumount in Tseung Kwan O was let out for HK$9,500 a month in March. A similar flat fetched HK$11,000 a month recently. Taikoo Shing in Quarry Bay has also recorded a significant increase in rents. Patrick Tsang, a director at Centaline, said rents at the housing estate had risen from HK$29 to HK$30 per square foot in January to HK$32 this month. "The demand is strong. Some tenants sold their flats and then rented because they were pessimistic on the market outlook. We have also seen some tenants looking for a new flat to rent because the landlords have raised their rent. Corporate clients are active in the leasing market, too," he added. However, of the 12,698 units at Taikoo Shing, only 22 were available for immediate leasing, Centaline said. This compares with an average of 75 flats before the government imposed cooling measures on the market in February last year. "After property sales turned active in recent months, the number of flats available for rent has been decreasing. The tight supply of flats and strong demand have driven up the rents," Chow said. Ricacorp found that rent rises were the strongest in the New Territories. Based on those estates that were among the 50 tracked by the agency, the average rent in the area in- creased 1.3 per cent last month. Demand was particularly strong at City One Shatin and Tai Po Centre. For the overall mass-residential market, Chow expects rents to climb a further 3 per cent by September, aided by the absence of completions of any housing estates over the next three months. "Summer is also a peak season for the mass-residential leasing market as many mainland students have to rent a flat before the school year begins. The demand during summer holidays will increase by 10 to 20 per cent, compared with April. It will be a landlords' market," Chow said. He believes flats at housing estates along railway lines in the New Territories will see higher rental growth. == > http://www.scmp.com/property/hong-kong-china/article/1539674/rents-also-pick-steam-resurgent-mass-housing-hong-kong === === Remember, buying property, even older low Cap properties you rent out, helps to protect you from further rent increases. Those old property under $3-4 Million are now trading near record highs. Expect further price increases in the secondary market, if/when Rents rise more

HK stocks were hit yesterday = = Some builders too: Stock Name --- : Symbol : Friday : Mon. : Tue.(cl) chg. : Pct. : Cheung Kong---- : HK-01 : 136.20 : 134.10 : 134.10 +0.30 +0.22% Wharf Holdings-- : HK-04 : $56.35 : $55.35 : $55.35 - 0.35 -0.63% Hender. Land --- : HK-12 : $46.60 : $45.25 : $45.25 - 0.10 -0.22% SHK Properties-- : HK-16 : 107.10 : 105.40 : 105.40 - 0.20 -0.19% Hang Seng Index : HSI--- : 23,194 : 22,885 : 23,194 + 80. +0.35%

(Posts from AX): O: Secondhand properties must be start to look cheap, especially where banks have over-discounted bank valuations. I think it is possible that banks may soon be pushing them higher. In my building they have cut some valuations by 10% from last years high, and this is NOT justified by sales. It has killed the secondary market since only a very, very desperate owner would sell so cheaply. G: I think govt should close the loophole of developers subsidising DSD, BSD etc. As seen still 50% are investors in the new projects.. This keeps the price at a high level.. if the BSD, DSD discounts are removed guess there will be fewer investors.. a concept of tax always dissuade purchasers Agree of the valuation part ..major deterrent in buying.. why would buyer pay a million more than the bank valuation.. more importantly how can he finance that ..i hope instead of valuations going up.. with more people moving to primary market secondary prices come down.. O: Are they really subsidizing DSD, BSD? I dont think that happens much anymore. Everyone gets the same "discount" to an artificially inflated price. The funny thing is; Hundreds of Buyers (at the Long Beach) have been happy to pay inflated prices to the Developer, because the banks "bless" those values - $1 million over second hand, in some cases - by using the Developer's "discounted" prices as the bank valuation. What a Rude shock today's buyers are going to have in 3-5 years or whatever, when they find all the flats in TLB are valued the same way by the banks, and the $1 million premium disappears ! Why ever would a rise in buyers REDUCE prices? Surely, you have heard of Supply and Demand

This may be the latest C2C with Dr RAM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3ec-fg6S30 Richard Alan Miller is on during the last 1/3 They discuss many topics, but water is the biggest topic