Versilia on Haig - Ipoh Lane

[BIC]

Dear Owners,

Was at the site couple of days ago.

Took some pics of the main entrance to Versilia. If you could compare with the brochure of the project, the pics shows the structure of the water feature and the Guardhouse of the main entrance.

I believed Versilia is the only project in the area that has a water feature at the main entrance. This would add a touch of class to the project. Always nice to come home to the sound of water ($$)!!

Enjoy!!

[lgk24]

Have anyone try walking around the area?
Gosh! So many foreign workers........understand it will get worst if Lucky Plaza is enblock in future.....City Plaza area will be their next "house"......
Cannot imagine if my daughter have to walk home from the MRT or grow up in such environment....

[BIC]

Wow, Versilia was mentioned in this article....on property trends.


Mon, Nov 16, 2009

Older homes, better values By Aileen Lai
Just as we thought the local property market had tanked along with the global economy in late 2008, home values bounced back. Since the second quarter of 2009, snaking queues have formed outside the showrooms of condominium launches.
Developers, quick to respond, are pushing forward their launches to entice eager home-hunters to sign on the dotted line despite over-exuberant pricing. Homes in the heartlands are being snapped up at prices rarely seen outside of the prime 9, 10 and 11 districts. The new Centro Residences, a 99-year leasehold condominium in Ang Mo Kio by Far East Organization, sold quickly at prices starting at $1,150 psf.


“We have been seeing a bottom-up recovery in Singapore’s property market since February. Buying was initially driven by HDB upgraders who benefited from resilient HDB prices and price-cutting by developers. Subsequently, buying spilled over to the mid-end segment, with local and foreign investors returning to the market,” confirms Foo Sze Ming, investment analyst at OCBC Investment Research.

The upturn in the property market is being further fuelled by the improved economic sentiment, pent-up demand from buyers who held back their purchases last year, low interest rates, high consumer liquidity and possibly en-bloc sellers who cashed out in 2007.

While the market’s fast recovery is to be applauded, it has driven prices up too quickly, to what experts agree may be unsustainable levels. CB Richard Ellis’ analysis of caveats show that the price quantum of non-landed homes between the first and second quarters of this year was up 28 per cent. Between the second and third quarters, prices jumped 
11 per cent for apartments ranging from 400sqf to 700sqf, from $825,000 ($660 psf) 
to $916,000 ($769 psf).

“In the first quarter, most of the new freehold homes sold were shoebox-sized units in mid- to high-end projects like 
Alexis, Newton Edge, Parc Sophia, RV Suites and The Mercury at a median price of $1,000 psf to $1,200 psf. In the second quarter, a significant proportion were larger family-sized suburban projects like 
I Residences, The Arte and Versilia On Haig, which reflected a median price of $830 psf to $925 psf,” explains Joseph Tan, executive director (residential) of CB Richard Ellis.

The buying pattern shows an optimistic belief that the recession’s worst is over. The latest figures from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) indicate that 2,767 new private homes were sold in July, setting a monthly sales record and showing a jump of 52 per cent from June sales of 1,826 units.
Up to end-September, Sophia Residences sold 210 units at a median of $1,590 psf, 
Volari @ Balmoral sold 82 units at $2,059 psf 
and Viva sold 203 units at $1,537 psf. As developers push up prices, buyer resistance has set in. “There appears to a small upward trend. While the number of transactions declined, those that went through achieved slightly higher prices,” notes Chesterton Suntec International director (research consultancy) Colin Tan.
To dampen speculation, the government has barred deferred payment schemes and will be restarting land sales. These events have left home buyers confused and fearful of missing the boat if they don’t grab a unit soon.

[BB]

Have anyone try walking around the area?
Gosh! So many foreign workers........understand it will get worst if Lucky Plaza is enblock in future.....City Plaza area will be their next "house"......
Cannot imagine if my daughter have to walk home from the MRT or grow up in such environment....

Around May 09, I went to view a unit at butterworth 8. The unit was quite good. In the end, did not buy because the surrounding was like JB or Batam filled with foreign workers. Try walking around that area on Sunday & you will know why.

[centrico]

And what is wrong with having foreign workers in the neighbourhood?
They are the ones who keep your house clean and pick up your rubbish.
They are the ones who build your dream house but can't afford to leave in one.
Good to expose your children to these ppl so they wont grow up so narrow minded like the parents.
Get real! there will be more foreign workers in singapore in future if the country continues to progress

[BIC]

Hi,

Even you go down to Orchard Road on weekends you will also find many foreign workers there.

Does that mean its not desirable to own a property there or not let your children go there?

In any case, the foreign workers are confine mainly to the City Plaza and Lion City area onwards. They will not overspill to the vicinity of butterworth or Ipoh Lane. With the re-development plans slated for the area surrounding Paya Lebar MRT, these foreign workers will again have to find other areas to hang-out during the weekends. Its anyones' guess then.

Cheers.

[mezo]

After observing the situation onsite over a few occasion, i noted that the crowds are normally gathered at the shopping centres and that they dont spill into the butteworth and versilia neighborhood. It is quite peaceful actually. The major factor was the proximity to city centre and affordable pricing for a freehold that i finally bought one unit there. The nearby MRT was a cosideration though I dont think anyone of us will walk there as it wouldnt be pleasant to walk under the hot sun. Its only 2 bus stop away.

[BIC]

Hi Mezo,

I have tried walking from the Paya Lebar MRT back to Versilia in the evening. It is quite a pleasent walk with lots of "sight"-seeing.

You can also pick up groceries, ta-bau dinner/supper etc etc along the way back.

Cheers.

[alxyan]

There's a row of shops just behind Worthington along Haig Rd. It looks quite self contained - a chinese coffee shop, prata shop and, vegetarian shop. And also 3 clinics - a GP clinic, dental clinic and wat looks like a gynae clinic to me.

When fall sicked, dont have to drive out, just cross over to take MC.

[mezo]

Recently transacted price for our next door neighbour, Imperial Heights.
It is ~1000-1200psf range now.

Address
Tenure
PSF
Area Sqft
Price
Contract Date
16 Ipoh Lane #08-06
Freehold
$1194
452
$540k
23 Oct 09
16 Ipoh Lane #09-01
Freehold
$1101
581
$640k
14 Oct 09
16 Ipoh Lane #17-01
Freehold
$1101
581
$640k
13 Oct 09
16 Ipoh Lane #13-01
Freehold
$1067
581
$620k
09 Oct 09
16 Ipoh Lane #15-04
Freehold
$1197
452
$541k
07 Oct 09
16 Ipoh Lane #07-01
Freehold
$989
581
$575k
01 Oct 09

[BIC]

There's a row of shops just behind Worthington along Haig Rd. It looks quite self contained - a chinese coffee shop, prata shop and, vegetarian shop. And also 3 clinics - a GP clinic, dental clinic and wat looks like a gynae clinic to me.

When fall sicked, dont have to drive out, just cross over to take MC.

Hi alxyan,

You are absolutely right and there is a back gate built for faster access to that part of the road.

Not forgetting the 2 petrol stations which provides 2 very important element, 24-hr service for simple items like bread, newspapers etc and also ATM machines.

Cheers.

[BIC]

Recently transacted price for our next door neighbour, Imperial Heights.
It is ~1000-1200psf range now.

Address
Tenure
PSF
Area Sqft
Price
Contract Date
16 Ipoh Lane #08-06
Freehold
$1194
452
$540k
23 Oct 09
16 Ipoh Lane #09-01
Freehold
$1101
581
$640k
14 Oct 09
16 Ipoh Lane #17-01
Freehold
$1101
581
$640k
13 Oct 09
16 Ipoh Lane #13-01
Freehold
$1067
581
$620k
09 Oct 09
16 Ipoh Lane #15-04
Freehold
$1197
452
$541k
07 Oct 09
16 Ipoh Lane #07-01
Freehold
$989
581
$575k
01 Oct 09

Seems like pple are beginning to see the real potential of the area, with or without the foreign workers in the area. The upside is just too great!!

Can't wait for 2010 to come.

cheers.

[BIC]

Dear Owners,

Was at the vicinity yesterday and more pics to share on the front entrance.

Its seems that for drivers, you will have to do a u-turn at the gaurdhouse before entering the water gate. The turning seems narrow.

Your thoughts?

[centrico]

They have started unveiling the top floors of blk 33 and its not yellow
I must say that worthington turn out quite nice compared to Rits and imperial, even though it has no view. At least the yellow paint is subtle and cheerful. Sheltered swimming pool. Lets hope versilia will stand out from the rest of the condos

[BIC]

They have started unveiling the top floors of blk 33 and its not yellow
I must say that worthington turn out quite nice compared to Rits and imperial, even though it has no view. At least the yellow paint is subtle and cheerful. Sheltered swimming pool. Lets hope versilia will stand out from the rest of the condos

Wow, thats great to know.

Maybe in 2 weeks' time, we will be able to see the entire buidling without the mesh.

[alxyan]

It's white in colour. Looks promising... perhaps the most classy on the strip.

[orange]

how do you folks feel about living at an address named ipoh lane?? haha

[orange]

gynae clinic???? you'll get all the hookers who ply their trade nearby going there to check up on their rotten diseased c.nts... not sure if that's a good thing!

[xebay11]

This place must have a lot of cleaning to do around the area before it becomes a respectable address. It is an iffy property, I would buy into this area only if it cleans up, but then again the prices would rise if this place cleans up, so I guess you get what you pay.

If this place does not clean up it is no hidden gem.

[BIC]

how do you folks feel about living at an address named ipoh lane?? haha

Hi Orange,

Welcome to this thread.

What is wrong with a road name called Ipoh Lane? Its not like Apple or Orange Lane or something.

Cheers.

[BIC]

This place must have a lot of cleaning to do around the area before it becomes a respectable address. It is an iffy property, I would buy into this area only if it cleans up, but then again the prices would rise if this place cleans up, so I guess you get what you pay.

If this place does not clean up it is no hidden gem.

Hi xebay11,

I would believe that for those who have bought this property, including myself, they do not see a need for clean-up at all in the vicinity. It is well shielded from Geylang or Joo Chiat areas. With this, the vicinity is already transacted over $1,000psf.

For those pple who still felt that there is a need a for cleanup and if it does happen, it would mean that the psf will rise even further as you correctly highlighted!!!

Gosh!! Definitely a hidden gem man. Thanks for giving this insight.

[BIC]

Hi,

Took some pics during my visit to URA in maxwell road couple of months back

It showcase the development of Paya Lebar Central as a future hub. The slogan says "After work we can shop & dine together". Sounds good to me anytime!!

Cheers.

[alxyan]

how do you folks feel about living at an address named ipoh lane?? haha

Ipoh Lane sounds completely neutral. Better than Sampan Lane. Even there, property prices also went up.

Ipoh Lane also sounds better than Jalan Tua Kong or something like tat.
Are you expecting Queen Victoria Lane or Stratford Upon Avon Lane?

[BIC]

It's white in colour. Looks promising... perhaps the most classy on the strip.

Dear Owners,

After what alxyan and centrico highlighted, I went to the site again this evening to take some pics of the "unveiling". Apologies that its a bit dark.

From the pics, one could noticed that the bedroom windows are sliding windows. What are the pros and cons of sliding windows for bedrooms?

You could also noticed the size of the balcony. Believed can put one mahjong table comfortably.

Your thoughts, pls.

Cheers.

[condobuyer101]

I'm not an owner, but just wonder if having a big balcony is good or bad cos' it 'eats' up into your 'liveable' space. Isn't balcony one way developer earn more money from buyers?

having said that, I also understand that it's also nice to have balcony as it gives a different kind of living experience.

Dear Owners,

After what alxyan and centrico highlighted, I went to the site again this evening to take some pics of the "unveiling". Apologies that its a bit dark.

From the pics, one could noticed that the bedroom windows are sliding windows. What are the pros and cons of sliding windows for bedrooms?

You could also noticed the size of the balcony. Believed can put one mahjong table comfortably.

Your thoughts, pls.

Cheers.

[zimmer]

if you have a fairly decent view, i personally wouldn't mind a moderately sized balcony, enough to bbq, entertain a couple of friends. Having said that, don't like projects with more than 1 balcony or bay windows for every bedroom,

[xebay11]

if you have a fairly decent view, i personally wouldn't mind a moderately sized balcony, enough to bbq, entertain a couple of friends. Having said that, don't like projects with more than 1 balcony or bay windows for every bedroom,

Not recommended you BBQ in balcony, smoke and oil would blow into your unit. Balconies are nice, most Singaporeans don't know how to appreciate them, look at HDBs almost 99% would build up the balcony into living space, even in my development, only the expats would buy tables and chairs and chill on the balcony, nothing is better than having a meal, reading a book or suntanning on the balcony overlooking the views, the more the better, waking up from your room and opening the door to the balcony is also a nice experience, it gives a sense of space.

[BIC]

Not recommended you BBQ in balcony, smoke and oil would blow into your unit. Balconies are nice, most Singaporeans don't know how to appreciate them, look at HDBs almost 99% would build up the balcony into living space, even in my development, only the expats would buy tables and chairs and chill on the balcony, nothing is better than having a meal, reading a book or suntanning on the balcony overlooking the views, the more the better, waking up from your room and opening the door to the balcony is also a nice experience, it gives a sense of space.

You are absolutely right!!!

Looking forward already to chill out in the early morning or late in the evening at the balcony. Will discuss with my ID how best to decorate the balcony to achieve this.

Cheers.

[xebay11]

You are absolutely right!!!

Looking forward already to chill out in the early morning or late in the evening at the balcony. Will discuss with my ID how best to decorate the balcony to achieve this.

Cheers.

Enjoy, very good layout of balcony and dividing wall, lots of privacy for individual units. Sliding windows are better as they do not slam shut when there is strong wind, as characterised by living in the East.

[zimmer]

That strong the wind? I've never lived in the east before. Bic, mind if I ask which ID's have you scouted?