Sunday 22 July 2012

Commercial Property

I had a chat with one rich friend of mine recently. Her family run businesses and properties are part of their small investment. The conversation flip my mind and made me realised that instead of aiming for 2nd residential property, I could also consider 1st commercial property.

She introduced me the idea of commercial property after I shared that it is unlikely that low/middle income people like me will be able to pay the downpayment of 40% for a 2nd residential property if I did not fully paid up my first HDB loan for my first flat.

I did a search online and discover that at current prices, a typical 220sqft/21sqm shophouse/shop cost around 600k to 700k (around $2700psf). For the loan, one typically needs to pay 20% downpayment with loan period of 15-25 years (Financing margin of up to 80% of the purchase or valuation price, whichever is lower). Thus 20%*650k = 130k upfront payment is needed. This is actually much more affordable than 40% downpayment for a residential property which may cost around 200-300k for a studio condo. Rental income for this kind of commercial propery could hit around $3-4k per month and hopefully this should be able to cover the monthly installment amount and provide some minimum cashflow.

It is always good to know more and learn more and not restrict our knowledge to what one already know. Guess now I have another area to explore and learn more.

Any expert has anything to share on commerical property? Please correct me if you feel that any of my calculations or research or assumptions are wrong above.

Thanks in advance!

(Disclaimer: Personally, I think current price is too ex but I am noob in property investment. Thus, don't trust me.)

Saturday 14 July 2012

Neratel declare 4c interim dividend!

Neratel declare 4c interim dividend after St Engineering failed its takeover at $0.45(actually is $0.39 after minus 6c dividend if the privatisation went through).

Its last price closed on friday 13 July 2012 is 0.41. Wonder what price will it open on monday? 

Huat ah! To all past shareholders as well as those who bought last monday!

Record date: 24 July 2012
xD: 20 July 2012 (3 working days before record date, inclusive of 24 July 2012)
Payment date: 3 Aug 2012

Neratel Q2 2012