HONG KONG (Dec 15): Vivien Chan, the chairwoman of Hong Kong's Estate Agents Authority (EAA), is determined to tighten regulations governing the sale of new homes during her tenure.

HONG KONG (Dec 15): Office landlords Sino Land and South China Holdings plan to release 11 floors in their jointly owned commercial tower The Centrium for sale — a new choice for investors.

Sources said the companies have appointed Jones Lang LaSalle as the agent for the strata sale of the floors. Neither Sino Land nor South China would comment.

HONG KONG (Dec 15): Hong Kong's residential market is facing weaker demand next year as a result of the "China effect", where a slight deterioration in the mainland economy has translated into reduced numbers of homebuyers coming to the city, at least in the short term, according to CB Richard Ellis (CBRE).

SHANGHAI (Dec 15): Buying homes online is not common practice on the mainland. But will a forthcoming attention-grabbing online auction organised by a group of 20 developers change buying habits in the property market there?

On Sunday the group, including major players China Vanke, Soho China, and Huayuan Real Estate, will offer 95 properties for sale through an online auction.

HONG KONG (Dec 15): Rents in Causeway Bay — the third-most expensive retail precinct in the world — look set to rise further as more big-name international brands are drawn to open for business in three new upmarket developments destined for the area.

KUALA LUMPUR/SHANGHAI (Dec 15): Moody's Investors Service has maintained its negative outlook on Chinese property developers as the sector will continue to face a challenging operating environment over the next 12-18 months.

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 14): UDA Holdings Bhd will review the Finance Ministry's plan to divide the former Pudu Jail site into three plots in a move to maximize the value of the 20 acres site.

UDA chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said on Wednesday, a study was underway to look into the proposed development of the site which is better known as Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC).

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 14): Mithril Bhd is selling 29 parcels of commercial office space within Menara MAA in Kota Kinabalu for RM43.2 million cash to repay its redeemable convertible secured loan stock (RCSLS).

TOKYO (Dec 14): Cushman & Wakefield, a commercial real estate broker, expects its revenue in Asia will grow 30% next year, surpassing its global growth rate, as its clients target expansion overseas, the company's top executive said on Wednesday.