The grandeur of ancient Khmer architecture in Cambodia’s Beng Mealea, and other stories

For PropertyGuru’s news roundup, Cambodia’s Beng Mealea Temple offers a unique glimpse into the grandeur of ancient Khmer architecture. In more news, learn more about Singapore’s housing plans for its rapidly greying population. Lastly, here are some useful negotiating tips when selling a house in India.

Cambodia’s Beng Mealea: A hidden gem offering a glimpse into ancient Khmer architecture

At the foot of Kulen Mountain in Beng Mealea village in Siem Reap province’s Svay Leu district lies a hidden gem as ancient as it is mysterious – Beng Mealea (lotus pond) Temple. The structure, often overshadowed by its more famous cousin, Angkor Wat, offers a unique window into the grandeur of the Khmer Empire.

Around 70km from Siem Reap town, the temple, largely left in its natural state, beckons modern explorers with its wild beauty and enigmatic ruins. As stated in The Phnom Penh Post, the temple showcases classical Khmer architecture with a cruciform layout and intricate carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.

However, unlike Angkor Wat, Beng Mealea has not undergone extensive restoration, allowing the natural environment to reclaim the site. The result is a dramatic interplay of nature and human ingenuity.

How much do HDB studio apartments for the elderly in Singapore cost? (2024)

“HDB elderly studio apartment in Singapore… how much is it?” You must be wondering. As per PropertyGuru Singapore, the Housing and Development Board (HDO) senior citizen flat prices are typically heavily subsidised, especially for brand new Build-To-Order (BTO) senior HDB flats that could cost less than SGD100,000 in non-mature estates.

In addition, the government’s Budget 2024 announced that SGD3.5 billion will be set aside for Age Well SG initiatives over the next decade. This will influence the HDB elderly studio apartment price, as the plans include more assisted living options (i.e. Community Care Apartments), more inclusive amenities in residential estates, and even improved commuter infrastructure for seniors for better accessibility.

Currently, there is also the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme that subsidises senior-friendly items/enhancements installed in HDB flats.

Ageing is indeed a key issue, seeing that the government is also studying how different types of senior housing influence the quality of life of seniors. The view is that in the long run, these accessible and inclusive amenities would greatly benefit Singapore’s rapidly greying population, especially as more people remain unmarried, have fewer children and are also living by themselves.

How to negotiate when selling your house in India

Selling a house needs prior planning as the process can take several months. After you have prepared your home for selling and found a prospective buyer, the next crucial step is negotiation so that you earn a decent profit. Effective negotiation will help you get the price you want, but one must remember that it is a skill and requires other supporting skills, such as good communication. At the same time, selling a house can be an emotional decision for many. So, it becomes even more necessary to know how to negotiate effectively and not allow emotions to let you settle for a lower price.

Typically, sellers have the upper hand when negotiating the price of property. However, dealing with buyers who try to push back or go overboard can be difficult when you are not prepared or in urgent need to sell your property.

Housing.com’s guide discusses some useful tips on negotiating when selling a house.

The Property Report editors wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].