The new department comprises industry experts including
(L-R) Donald Goh, Steven Tan, Tay Liam Hiap and Desmond Lim
- The newly established Capital Markets & Investment Sales (CMIS) business unit will deal with big-ticket assets of the high-net-worth (HNW) individuals, family offices, developers, institutional investors and REITs.
- Services include property investments, sales and leasing of commercial and industrial buildings, shophouses, strata commercial properties, land for development, Good Class Bungalows (GCB) and en bloc sales.
- Managing Director Steven Tan will be joined by three key industry leaders, bringing in a collective of close to 100 years’ experience in real estate industry.
SINGAPORE, 4 February 2022 – Singapore’s largest international real estate agency ERA Singapore today announced it is bolstering its presence in the capital markets and investment sales sector with the inception of a new business unit.
To be helmed by Mr Steven Tan, the business unit will deal with big-ticket assets of the HNW individuals, family offices, developers, institutional investors and REITs.
Singapore’s HNW population is projected to increase more than 60% from 2020 to 2025, while the number of family offices setting up in the island rose five-fold between 2017 and 2019 according to Monetary Authority of Singapore.
There is a strong demand in industrial properties during this pandemic time, especially with the rise in e-commerce leading to a surge in logistics and storage services.
All these present opportunities in the industrial warehouse storage services, data centres, business spaces, besides the big-ticket investment sales such as the GCB, residential en bloc sale and shophouse market, which have seen healthy demand and increasing activities since 2021.
The gradual opening of the Singapore economy coupled with ERA’s expansion as an organisation will also coincide with the setting up of the added services as ERA prepares for the rise of major investment sales and leasing of business-related properties.
The CMIS team will focus on assets including commercial and industrial buildings, strata offices and retail spaces, retail malls, en bloc sale, land for redevelopment, shophouses and GCB.
“As the largest international real estate company in Singapore, ERA has been expanding our real estate services that include residential and commercial spaces. The setting up of the CMIS team is timely as the recent announcement of cooling measures will actually benefit shophouses, industrial and commercial properties, which are ideal for big-ticket investors who are looking to diversify their portfolio,” says Marcus Chu, CEO of ERA Singapore. “We will also be expanding into sales and leasing of commercial and industrial buildings as it is a growing sector where many firms are looking to repurpose their spaces for alternate use to maximise their value of investment.”
“We would like to extend a warm welcome to these industry leaders to the OneERA family. With their expert track records, we will be able to offer customised solutions for both individual and corporate clients,” Marcus adds.
The CMIS team comprises the following members, each bringing to the table complementary strengths:
- Steven Tan, Managing Director, Capital Markets & Investment Sales: Almost 30 years of experience in the real estate business. Prior to joining ERA, Steven held the position of Executive Director with an international property consultancy firm. With his stellar track record, he has transacted more than S$1.8 billion worth of investment properties. He was most recently lauded for brokering the first freehold industrial sale in 2020 for 190 Macpherson Road at S$88M. His other notable deals include the collective sale of 2-24 Phoenix Road at S$42.6M which was sold above its reserved price and another industrial building (food factory) at 200 Pandan Loop at S$56.8M. Steven also qualifies as a licensed appraiser with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, a member of the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (MSISV) and a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyor (MRICS).
- Tay Liam Hiap, Managing Director, Investment Sales: Liam Hiap has almost 30 years of experience in the real estate industry, covering both valuation and investment sales. His previous experiences at international real estate consultancies and agencies saw him successfully concluding more than S$1.5 billion worth of collective sales and investment deals, including City Towers, Flamingo Valley, Fairways Condominium, Dragon View Park and Pacific Plaza. Liam Hiap is also a licensed appraiser with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore and a member of the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (MSISV).
- Donald Goh, Director, Capital Markets & Investment Sales: More than 20 years of experience in the real estate industry and is well-versed in various sectors of the investment market especially commercial and industrial properties as well as residential development sites. Donald has successfully transacted more than a S$1 billion worth of private and JTC industrial properties to REITS, end-users and developers. He also successfully transacted shophouses at South Bridge Road for $27 million, New Bridge Road for $17 million and strata floors at One Sims Lane for $33 million. Donald has also worked as Head of Business Development for a Singapore developer as well as Senior Investment Manager for a SEA real estate private equity fund.
- Desmond Lim, Director, Capital Markets and Investment Sales, Workspace and Culture: More than 15 years of experience in the real estate industry as a commercial and industrial investment broker focusing on managing leasing and sale projects comprising logistics, high-tech and business park facilities, and private and government industrial buildings. Transacted more than S$400 million in sales and leasing thus far, Desmond was involved in the sale of 200 Pandan Loop in 2020 and 190 Macpherson Road in 2021. Besides being an auctioneer, Desmond was also in the Singapore Economic Development Board, JTC and HDB’s panel of service providers where he worked with key stakeholders of new foreign investments in Singapore on their real estate projects.
Collectively, the team’s transactional experience is worth more than S$4.7 billion. They were involved in the collective sales of City Tower (the transacted price of S$401.9 million), Flamingo Valley (transacted price of S$194 million) and Amberville (transacted price of S$183,000,000). Together, they have overseen the transactions of close to 40 property developments — from residences to vacant lands and strata retail units — in Singapore.
Mr Steven Tan, Managing Director, Capital Markets and Investment Sales, of ERA Singapore says, “ERA is a very well-established firm and is the leader in residential real estate. With a team of experienced professionals specialising in different aspects of commercial and industrial real estate, we are confident that we can expand ERA’s offerings and accelerate its business as we see great potential in growing the CMIS not just locally but also in the Asia Pacific region.”
“My team and I have known each other for more than 10 years now where we have worked together professionally while developing close friendships. The synergy that we have will spark a positive influence on how we work, live and play together while growing the new business. We are very motivated and excited to be in this new venture,” Tan adds.
More Mortgagee Sales Expected in 2022
The expansion has been on-going since 2017 as ERA started recruiting industry experts into its Auction and Sales department. Since then, the department has steadily charted growth in their total transaction value, starting from $12,940,000 in 2016 to $70,789,463 in 2020.
During the pandemic, the company also pivoted and held the industry’s first virtual property auction, which received very encouraging responses with multiple bids and a freehold landed was sold at its price guide of $3.4 million.
Amidst the recent implementation of cooling measures, rising interest rates and the expiry of relief measures for borrowers, more mortgagee sales may be expected in 2022. With the track records of the key members of ERA Auction and Sales department (as follows), ERA strives to strategise and spearhead more innovative initiatives for clients in the new year.
The Auction & Sales Department comprises industry experts including
(L-R) Yvonne Lau, Alison Lee, Carol Quek and Irene Song
Alison Lee, Assistant Vice President, Auction & Sales: More than 20 years of experience in the real estate market. Alison conducted ERA’s first virtual property auction, during which she sold a semi-detached house under mortgagee sale at S$3.4 million. Her notable transactions include a GCB at Oei Tiong Ham Park sold for S$20 million, a detached house at Nim Crescent sold for S$7.2 million, 5 adjoining shophouses at Teck Chye Terrace sold for S$14.62 million and many more.
Carol Quek, Assistant Vice President, Auction & Sales: Carol began her 20-year-long career as a valuer, where she handled corporate and mortgage valuations, compulsory acquisitions and property tax consultancy. Today, she helps her clients put their properties up for auction, private treaty and tender. Her notable transactions include a GCB at Margoliouth Road sold for S$13.6 million, a GCB at Binjai Rise sold for S$12.3 million, a re-development site (24,263 sq ft) at Tyrwhitt Road sold for S$52.11 million as well as 31 warehouse units at Golden Wheel Industrial Building sold for S$23.578 million.
Irene Song, Senior Manager, Auction & Sales: Throughout her 20 plus years in the real estate industry, Irene has brokered a wide range of properties including development sites, residential, industrial, retail and commercial properties. She has also marketed all types of properties by way of auction, private treaty, tender sale and new launches. Her recent sales include an apartment at The Tate Residences sold for $8.6 million, adjoining retail units at Armenian Street sold for S$5.09 million, a retail shop at Novena Regency sold for $1.2 million and a detached house at Jalan Kechubong sold for $6.1 million.
Yvonne Lau, Senior Manager, Auction & Sales: Yvonne has over 20 years of experience in the real estate industry. She currently promotes auction services and generates new businesses for auction, private treaty and tender sale. She has contributed to the successful project sale of over 200 units of medical suits at Mount Elizabeth Novena, 12 luxury apartments at Botanika, as well as an international auction sale of 12 bungalow land parcels at Sentosa Cove.
News Coverage:
EdgeProp Singapore: ERA: From ‘mega agency’ to full-fledged real estate services provider
The Business Times: ERA launches new business unit for capital markets, investment sales
The Straits Times: ERA launches new business unit for capital markets, investment sales
Yahoo Singapore: ERA: From ‘mega agency’ to full-fledged real estate services provider
Mr. Marcus Chu has dedicated 25 years of his professional career to ERA Singapore, the largest international real estate agency across 10 countries in the Asia Pacific. He is now the CEO of the real estate agency that has grown to be a household name in Singapore and applies his years of experience, energy and talent to make the company the leading real estate agency in the region.
Click here to read the full article…
Searching for transacted properties around the neighborhood may not be as easy as it seems. There are reports and indices which provide a general overview of the market sentiments, but searching for exact transactions within the neighbourhood is not as easy. Majority of consumers browsing are uninformed about property prices and may be subject to mispricing of their real estate properties.
Click here to read the full article…
Over the course of Marcus Chu’s 25-year-long career in the real estate marketing industry, one encounter remains etched in his memory – the sale of a four-room HDB flat in Bishan to a mother.
“That was my very first deal – the buyer was keen to relocate to be near her children’s school,” recalled the Chief Executive Officer of SGX-listed real estate services provider APAC Realty Ltd. “I worked hard to seal the transaction to the client’s satisfaction, and this resulted in follow-on and referral businesses from the client after that.”
Click here to read the full article…
These initiatives will benefit busy ERA trusted advisers and their valued customers, empowering them through their investment journey as they build their respective portfolios that align with their life stage and financial goals.
SINGAPORE, 12 November 2021 – Singapore’s largest international real estate agency ERA Singapore and Endowus, the country’s first and only digital advisor for CPF, SRS and cash savings, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will see both organisations share their expertise to enrich consumers’ financial well-being.
Over the years, consumers have become more aware of the importance of long-term wealth planning. However, the lack of financial knowledge and busy schedules are often roadblocks to financial freedom.
The advents of robo-advisory services and easy access to professional expertise have simplified the process, empowering consumers to take charge of their own investment journeys. This collaboration between ERA and Endowus will allow consumers to diversify their investment portfolios to balance risk and maximise rewards through their own innovative platforms.
ERA’s trusted advisers and their clients can now enjoy access to Endowus’ platform, which includes the generation of intelligent portfolios based on their financial needs and goals. As an independent fee-only financial advisor, Endowus provides its clients with best-in-class funds from global fund managers, and systematically rebates 100% of any trailer fees received, improving access, lowering cost and providing unbiased investment advice, therefore increasing the probability of investment success for its clients.
On the other hand, Endowus’ investors can enjoy access to ERA’s RealtyWatch. This consumer-facing super-app features various proprietary PropTech tools that were previously designed for real estate trusted advisers’ use only.
One of the groundbreaking features available on RealtyWatch mobile app is the proprietary iERA Robo Advisor, which automatically generates personalised property investment plan based on users’ existing property portfolios and financial situation.
In addition, users will receive 24/7 notifications on neighbourhood property transactions, generate instant estimated valuations of properties, find latest new launch homes with real-time availability as well as view the latest mortgage packages from major banks.
Under the MOU, both organisations will also work together to conduct regular financial literacy programmes for ERA trusted advisers and their clients, as well as Endowus’ investors to meet their investment needs in real estate asset progression and wealth planning.
“We are honoured to collaborate with Endowus, as both organisations share the same vision in offering unbiased and professional financial advice to users and the community through the use of technology. Together, I believe that our work in our respective industries, and the society at large, will create new opportunities, and together we can build a future that will benefit one and all,” said Mr Marcus Chu, CEO of ERA Singapore.
“ERA has continued to set the pace as a market leader in the real estate industry, and has been progressive in their digital transformation journey to better serve their clients. Real estate investment is a key facet of one’s diversification portfolio. We are very excited about this strategic partnership with a like-minded organisation like ERA to provide access and education to both sets of clients to help them take better ownership of their wealth journey. We look forward to a fruitful partnership with ERA,” said Gregory Van, CEO of Endowus.
Related Article:
Berita Harian: https://www.beritaharian.sg/ekonomi-kerja/era-endowus-ganding-bahu-tingkat-ilmu-celik-wang
- The funds will be donated to the Hong Kah North Environmental Sustainability Fund in support of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, benefitting over 42,000 household
- ERA to embrace sustainability and empower its network of over 8,300 trusted advisers and their clients through promoting green practices and providing volunteerism and fundraising avenues
- Three key ESG focuses: Creating a green and sustainable living environment for Singaporeans, employee well-being, and development of evolutionary solutions
SINGAPORE, 11 November 2021 – ERA Singapore (ERA) announced a series of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) efforts today during its Q4’21 Career Advancement Day, themed “ESG by ERA”. The company will focus on three priority areas – creating a green and sustainable living environment for Singaporeans, employee well-being, and development of evolutionary solutions.
SUPPORTING GRASSROOTS ORGANISATION TO ACCELERATE SINGAPORE GREEN PLAN 2030
The kickstart of ESG efforts had been made memorable, thanks to 21 esteemed patrons comprising ERA senior management and trusted advisers, who each donated S$11,000, totalling to a sum of S$231,000 that will be donated to Hong Kah North Environmental Sustainability Fund. This fund will be used to help the grassroots organisation develop green and sustainable living environment for its residents.
The donation funds will support two of the five key pillars under the Singapore Green Plan 2030 — City in Nature and Sustainable Living, and is expected to benefit over 42,000 Tengah Town’s households and other parts of Hong Kah North. These include:
- The building of a community garden on the top deck of a multi-storey carpark at Bukit Batok West Avenue 8, opposite the new Tengah Town. This will increase green cover as well as enhance livability and connections among residents.
- Setting up an Eco Hub in Tengah Town to widen environment education and encourage sustainable living practices such as Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (3R) and community gardening. This includes organising eco-workshops to promote upcycling and green living among residents, as well as eco-activities with community partners such as schools and volunteer welfare organisations to showcase residents’ eco-projects.
- To foster a spirit of inclusivity and collaboration, the donations will be used to organise eco-activities with community partners, such as schools and volunteer welfare organisations, and showcase residents’ eco-projects. The funds will also provide education grants and assistance to students and residents from vulnerable families. These programmes aim to encourage residents to adopt green habits and nurture a community of green champions.
Speaking at the virtual conference, Dr. Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment commended ERA for embracing sustainability and empowering its network of more than 8,300 trusted advisers and staff in promoting green practices and providing volunteerism and fundraising avenues in support of the Green Plan.
In a bid to propel ERA’s ESG efforts, the ESG by ERA committee will be chaired by Ms Doris Ong, who is the newly appointed Deputy CEO of ERA Singapore. “We’re proud to lead these efforts and promote the adoption of ESG practices among our staff, trusted advisers, clients and corporate partners in their daily life and decision-making process,” said Ms Ong. “ERA’s contribution towards the Hong Kah North Sustainability Fund is a good start, and we will strive to become a green corporate citizen in other areas such as tackling the distribution of bottled water at property launches, incorporating and promoting green practices inside and outside the company. We have more initiatives in the pipeline and will continue to harmonise ESG frameworks into our business strategy and day-to-day operations.”
As the only real estate agency in Singapore to own its building, ERA is also taking the lead in maintaining high green standards within ERA APAC Centre, as well as raising awareness among its clients and the industry on this pillar. Since moving its headquarters to ERA APAC Centre last year, ERA has installed energy-efficient appliances and lights during the renovation phase to ensure an environmental friendly workspace. The building is currently in the midst of approval for the BCA Green Mark certification scheme. ERA will continue to maintain and uphold its energy saving standards in all offices and will monitor and analyse its energy consumption patterns with the aim to lower the energy intensity ratio and greenhouse gas emissions.
The company has also made a significant progress in reducing its carbon footprint through the adoption of paperless submission of documents via e-Form, creation of personalised digital materials such as e-books, flyers, mailers and website for marketing purposes, as well as reduced usage of cheques.
PROMOTE ECONOMIC, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING OF ERA’S TRUSTED ADVISERS
Employee well-being has become a key issue for the ‘Social’ pillar under ESG, especially with the increased stress levels during the Covid-19 pandemic. Firmly entrenched in its sharing and caring culture, ERA’s network of trusted advisers are encouraged to support one another.
ERA has been making changes to further improve the economic, physical and mental well-being of their trusted advisers:
- ERA advocates gender equality and provides fair opportunities for all. As one of the few female C-Suite leaders in the real estate industry, Ms Doris Ong is breaking glass ceilings as the new Deputy CEO of ERA. She spearheads an integral division, Project Marketing, which secured ERA as Singapore’s first real estate agency to clinch projects from conglomerate developers. She leads a team that has planned and executed marketing launches for over 200 international and local residential projects.
- ERA believes in encouraging its trusted advisers to reach their full potential through motivational recognition programs. During the Q4 Career Advancement Day, ERA senior management handed out tokens of appreciation to the esteemed patrons who contributed towards the ESG at ERA funds, as well as awards for its existing and new trusted advisers who achieved outstanding performance in the last quarter.
- Continuing its annual Loyalty Growth Dividends initiative, ERA will be giving out approximately S$1 million in 2022 to appreciate and recognise its top-performing leaders in ERA and to share the fruits of the company. This initiative serves to underline ERA’s focus on investing on human capital – one that is heavily vested on recruitment and retention.
- To support the teambuilding efforts of ERA’s division directors, the company will also invest an average amount of $18,000 for each division director under DD Branch-Out Bonus Scheme.
- ERA’s CEO Mr Marcus Chu personally hosted a 4-hour long Positive Mental Attitude sharing session for its network of trusted advisers. The first session featured 4 ERA teammates as special guests who shared stories about pivotal moments and near-death experiences that changed their lives. Mr Chu plans to conduct the session regularly to guide and protect its trusted advisers from conditions such as depression and anxiety.
- A collaboration with CGS-CIMB, the #1 market share brokerage firm in Singapore for the last three years, to promote financial literacy and empowerment among busy ERA trusted advisers via their digital investment platform, ProsperUS. ERA’s trusted advisers are given complimentary access to all educational materials such as weekly charts, investment articles covering three major markets – Singapore, Hong Kong and the United States, as well as live webinars to help them achieve financial security through portfolio diversification in real estate and stocks. Both organisations will also integrate the ESG criteria into the collaboration to promote sustainable investment and long-term growth to safeguard their future.
- Featuring ample greenery, the ground floor of ERA APAC Centre provides a creative, conducive, and collaborative work space for its network of trusted advisers. It is named Everyday @ ERA, a tangible vision of the company to create a place to work, learn and nurture the OneERA spirit everyday amongst ERA trusted advisers.
CONSTANT DEVELOPMENT OF EVOLUTIONARY SOLUTIONS FOR BETTER EFFECIENCY
ERA continues to build stronger digital capabilities to mitigate risks, seize new opportunities and gain competitive advantage for its network of trusted advisers and clients. The company releases the 0.4 version of its RealtyWatch mobile app, highlighting the following new features:
- To address the current challenges faced by tenants when locating the right home, ERA will be introducing a game-changing innovation – Real-time Rental Home Finder. Utilising 50 millions data points, the Rental Home Finder is an integration of public transport directory and home search platform, allowing tenants to find properties based on public transport routes (Train and Bus) that match their budget.
- Integration of OneMap3D which allows users to experience a richer view of the surroundings of a particular property and shadow casting according to different time of a day for a particular property, as well as other useful capabilities such as location-based information, navigational services, and the use of open-source technologies.
These will value-add its salient features including 24/7 notifications on neighbourhood property transactions, comprehensive property calculators, intelligent property portfolios personalised by Robo Advisor, generating instant estimated valuations of properties, instant search of new launch homes with real-time availability, and viewing of up-to-date mortgage packages from major banks. Individuals can download RealtyWatch Mobile App on the App Store; or get it on Google Play.
Collaboration is a key success factor when it comes to sustainability. With that in mind, ERA has collaborated with leaders from various sectors, such as Redbrick, EdgeProp, EcoProp and Singapore Land Authority, since July this year to build an integrated and sustainable digital ecosystem for the benefits of real estate trusted advisers and the community.
The company will also be signing an MOU with Endowus, the country’s first and only digital advisor for CPF, SRS and cash savings, to further consumer literacy on real estate progression and wealth planning.
To read the full speech by Senior Minister of State Dr Amy Khor: https://www.mse.gov.sg/resource-room/category/2021-11-11-speech-at-the-era-q4-career-advancement-day-2021/
To read news articles:
Taiwan News: https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4342051
Taiwan Business News: https://news.taiwannet.com.tw/c8/75512/ERA-Singapore-Management-and-Trusted-Advisers-Raised-%24231K-to-Lead-ESG-Efforts-in-Real-Estate-Industry-and-Community-Outreach.html
Yahoo Finance: https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/era-singapore-management-trusted-advisers-071500482.html
Vulcan Post: https://vulcanpost.com/media-outreach/?release_id=104280
Global Banking and Finance Review: https://www.globalbankingandfinance.com/category/news/era-singapore-management-and-trusted-advisers-raised-231k-to-lead-esg-efforts-in-real-estate-industry-and-community-outreach/
These initiatives will guide consumers, especially young adults, on building sustainable and diversified financial portfolios
SINGAPORE, 29 October 2021 – Giants in the finance and real estate industries have joined forces in a bid to improve financial literacy among local communities and empower consumers to make informed decisions at different stages of their lives. Singapore’s largest international real estate agency ERA Singapore (ERA) and CGS-CIMB Securities (CGS-CIMB), the #1 market share brokerage firm in Singapore for the last three years, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which aims to provide guidance to individuals so that they can build a more diversified and sustainable portfolio that fits their long-term financial goals.
Amidst health risks and market volatility, sound financial planning has become more essential than ever. According to a survey by Franklin Templeton, the ongoing pandemic has not dampened investor sentiment among young adults aged 18 to 35 years old. Eighty per cent of the respondents already have investments while 88 per cent are considering investing in at least one product in the coming year.
The MOU will comprise two prongs:
- Webinars and regular educational programmes will be held to help consumers achieve financial security through portfolio diversification in real estate and stocks.
- Integrating the Environmental, Social and Governance criteria into the collaboration to promote sustainable investment and long-term growth to safeguard our future.
The partnership will further expand the companies’ outreach in the Asia-Pacific region and China through ERA’s strong network across 10 countries in the Asia Pacific region, as well as CGS-CIMB’s global network in over 20 countries and its joint venture with China Galaxy International.
“We are honoured to collaborate with established financial service providers such as CGS-CIMB and help individuals steer their financial empowerment journeys in a secure investment environment,” said Marcus Chu, CEO of ERA Singapore. “One of the biggest financial decisions an individual will make – property purchasing – requires meticulous planning that goes beyond budgeting. For its part of the collaboration, ERA will empower home buyers and sellers with the right knowledge and know-how to transact in real estate. They can access professional, personalised property advice before approaching ERA’s trusted advisers for in-depth analyses.”
Carol Fong, Group Chief Executive Officer of CGS-CIMB said, “I am excited about this partnership with ERA. At CGS-CIMB, we understand that investing for the future is a high priority for many individuals. We are here to help them take a multi-dimensional approach in their journey to achieve financial freedom. As part of our financial literacy efforts, CGS-CIMB will be rolling out comprehensive programmes on investing in financial products including stocks and shares. In addition, if they require customised service, they can always approach our trusted financial advisors. I have the utmost confidence that our work in our respective industries, and society at large, will create new opportunities and enable us to build a future that will benefit one and all.”
To watch the full Official Signing Ceremony between ERA and CGS-CIMB Securities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qUdHuSd_2g
Related Articles:
The Edge Singapore: https://www.theedgesingapore.com/news/deals-joint-ventures-alliances/era-and-cgs-cimb-sign-mou-promote-financial-literacy
Yahoo Singapore Finance: https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/era-cgs-cimb-securities-sign-050500880.html
Money FM 89.3: https://www.moneyfm893.sg/media-outreach/era-and-cgs-cimb-securities-sign-mou-to-promote-financial-literacy-and-empowerment-7260
Vulcan Post: https://vulcanpost.com/media-outreach/?release_id=102151
SME Magazine Asia: https://sme.asia/era-and-cgs-cimb-securities-sign-mou-to-promote-financial-literacy-and-empowerment/
Weekender: https://weekender.com.sg/mediaoutreach/?release_id=102151
SINGAPORE, 22 October 2021 – Singapore’s largest international real estate agency ERA Singapore (ERA) and Singapore Land Authority (SLA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the aim of which is to enhance the smart property viewing experience as well as augment the geospatial feature of SLA’s OneMap3D initiative.
Under the MOU, ERA will incorporate SLA’s OneMap3D data into its iERA and RealtyWatch mobile apps, which allows ERA trusted advisers and clients to experience a richer view of the surroundings of a particular property and shadow casting according to different time of a day for a particular property, as well as other useful capabilities such as location-based information, navigational services and the use of open-source technologies.
Launched in August 2021, the RealtyWatch mobile app has assisted many potential home buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords to get an accurate property market overview of the neighbourhoods they are residing in. With the addition of data from OneMap3D, it will offer users a more seamless experience during their property search journey from identifying suitable properties, seeking professional guidance from ERA trusted advisers, valuations of properties to financing the property.
To further the development of geospatial technology, ERA will explore untapped possibilities by providing new data collection avenues that will benefit OneMap3D. Examples of the data to be collected include selected features within selected developments in Singapore, such as correlated lift lobby locations with unit numbers. The collaboration will also include the potential creation of customised APIs for usage by ERA, SLA and the public.
“The development of OneMap3D marks an important milestone in Singapore’s geospatial journey which coincides with ERA’s vision of providing evolutionary solutions and services to our clients and trusted advisers. We’re honoured to be a key partner of SLA, who is the authority in geospatial information and technologies in Singapore, in this digital transformation journey for the benefits of the community,” said Mr Marcus Chu, CEO of ERA Singapore.
“The real estate sector has a lot of potential to make use of geospatial data to enhance productivity and customer service. We see ERA, which is one of the largest real estate agencies in Singapore, as a good partner to collaborate in this aspect. Through this collaboration we hope to expand on our offering of hyperlocal and granular data on OneMap, to bring about more value-added services to the businesses as well as general public,” said Mr Colin Low, CEO of Singapore Land Authority.
Related Articles
Singapore Business Review: https://sbr.com.sg/commercial-property/news/era-sla-enter-mou-strengthen-geospatial-co-innovation
MSN Singapore: https://www.msn.com/en-sg/money/topstories/era-sla-enter-mou-to-strengthen-geospatial-co-innovation/ar-AAPUFnz
Yahoo Singapore Finance: https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/finance/news/era-incorporate-smart-property-viewing-090147218.html
Vietnam Explorer News Channel: https://vnexplorer.net/era-sla-enter-mou-to-strengthen-geospatial-co-innovation-ei20211806577.html
For the group photo: From L-R: Thomas Tan, COO of ERA Agency Business; Marcus Chu, CEO of ERA; Guan Wenbing, Founder of MixGo; Doris Ong, COO of ERA Project Marketing
SINGAPORE, 14 October 2021 – ERA Singapore enters into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MixGo and announces their collaboration today. The MOU aims to enhance users’ experiences in their property search journey and optimise property leads for the company’s network of over 8,100 trusted advisers in Singapore using mobile applications in this digital world.
Under the MOU, ERA trusted advisers will enjoy first-hand features on MixGo’s newly developed project information sharing mobile app, EcoProp. EcoProp covers 99.9% of the new projects and launches in Singapore in the past 3 years, as well as the hottest selling projects in the past week. Utilising MixGo’s expertise in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), the mobile app is also completed with the biggest library of drones, sales galleries, show units and 3D floor plans in Singapore. To provide clients with a better usability from the front (sales illustration) to end (internal user functionality) user’s experiences, ERA trusted advisers will be featured for direct messaging enquiry.
This collaboration furthers ERA’s vision to provide evolutionary solutions and services to its trusted advisers and clients. Earlier in August 2021, ERA launched an integrated consumer-facing mobile app, RealtyWatch, which assists potential home buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords to get an accurate property market overview of the neighbourhoods they are residing in. The app also incorporated MixGo’s technologies to allow users to find latest new launch homes with real-time availability, alongside various proprietary prop-tech tools such as property calculators powered by iERA Robo Advisor, instant estimated valuations of properties powered by EdgeProp’s Fair Value, latest mortgage packages powered by Redbrick and more – all in one mobile app.
“We are excited to collaborate with MixGo to enhance users’ experience while researching for their next property or dream home. We aim to enhance and bring the best experiences to our clients while removing pain points during their decision-making journey in real estate,” says Mr Marcus Chu, CEO of ERA Singapore. “This collaboration expands the possibilities of digital content and how it can help to provide useful and essential information in the real estate industry. We strive to lead the forefront of a technology revolution with our trusted advisers and help them navigate a rapidly changing world.”
“We are thrilled to be working with ERA. For years, there has been no platform catered to new local launches. Being the pioneer in property collateral, we took upon this challenge to serve as the bridge between agents and home seekers with our expertise and years of experience. Utilising our precise search engine, and state-of-the-art VR technologies, we are confident the implementation of the EcoProp will improve home seekers’ decision making and help agents streamline their work productivity,” said Guan Wenbing, Founder of MixGo.
Download RealtyWatch Mobile App on the App Store; or get it on Google Play.
Download EcoProp Mobile App on the App Store; or get it on Google Play.
APAC Realty, better known as the leading property agency franchise under the ERA brand, has doubled both its earnings and revenue for the 1HFY2021 ended June 30, thanks to better showing for both the new sale and resale market segments.
Revenue jumped 121% y-o-y to $358.4 million, while earnings surged 107.4% in the same period to hit just over $17 million.
Executive chairman Jack Chua (picture, right) says that the company improved its market share for new home sales from 27.91% a year ago to 32.1%.
“Whilst market conditions remained conducive with strong local buyer demand and a favourable interest rate environment, our good performance is credited to the commitment and dedication of our future-ready ERA trusted advisors,” says Chua.
“Equipped with the latest ERA digital technologies, professional development and real estate data analytics, our trusted advisors continue to ensure our position as the preferred marketing agency for new home launches amongst leading developers,” he adds.
Marcus Chu, recently promoted CEO of APAC Realty, says that the company has secured mandates to help developers market 25 projects with a total of more than 9,000 units to be launched this year.
To reward shareholders, APAC Realty plans to pay an interim dividend of 3.5 cents per share, plus a special dividend of 3 cents, for a total of 6.5 cents, representing a payout ratio of 73%.
This time last year, the company’s interim dividend was 0.75 cents.
The company is also putting in place a dividend policy of distributing between 50 and 80% of its earnings every half a year, subject to various factors such as level of cash, results and near term capital needs.
In addition, APAC Realty is giving a special one-month bonus for all its employees next month.
APAC Realty shares closed Aug 12 at 82 cents, down 1.21% for the day but up 85.23% year to date.
Read the full story and related press coverage here:
APAC Realty Newsroom: http://investor.apacrealty.com.sg/newsroom.html
APAC Realty doubles 1HFY2021 earnings, special dividend for shareholders and special bonus for staff, The Edge Singapore, 12 August 2021:
https://www.theedgesingapore.com/capital/results/apac-realty-doubles-1hfy2021-earnings-special-dividend-shareholders-and-special
APAC Realty logs 119.7% profit jump on the back of buoyant residential property market, The Business Times, Breaking News, 12 August 2021:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/apac-realty-logs-1197-profit-jump-on-the-back-of-buoyant-residential-property-market
投资者观望 股市持平作收, Lianhe Zaobao, Corporate Round-up (Mention), 13 August 2021:
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/finance/singapore/story20210813-1181428