Property management is at the forefront of Covid preventing infections, and has become a high-risk industry. Bela Vista Property Services protects the safety of owners, users and management teams alike. The company has formulated detailed, efficient guidelines for health protection and is responsible for coordinating and handling infection prevention efforts by various teams. The purpose is to ensure that the properties managed by Bela Vista Properties meet stringent health and safety requirements. Under the company’s governance, responsibilities are effectively delegated to various teams and frontline employees. These measures are regularly reviewed and adjusted responsively to adapt to developments to maximise the degree of infection protection and prevention.
- Support for employees
Providing high standards of disease prevention and monitoring for frontline staff are at the heart of our pandemic control measures. Employees working in frontline roles are in constant contact with other people, exposed to higher health risks and required to undertake additional cleaning work. Employees have encountered varying degrees of difficulty and pressure. The company has provided a platform for interacting with employees to ensure that its entire team is performing accordingly. During the most severe Covid outbreaks in Macau, the territory’s borders were closed, so the company immediately provided accommodation for employees to enable them to stay safely in Macau.
- Purchasing and upgrading equipment
The company is committed to being the staunchest possible ally when it comes to protecting employees’ health and safety. It has purchased temperatures sensors and induction disinfection equipment as part of its measures to greatly reduce close contact between people. In addition, it has introduced disinfection and deep purification equipment to assist in the cleaning and disinfection of sofas, banquettes and office chairs, helping employees to perform their duties and improving their work efficiency. During this critical time, Bela Vista Property has also committed to carrying out large-scale internal optimization projects at The Waterside, including the replacement of floors, sofas, curtains and refrigerators, and providing residents with air-conditioner cleaning and pest control services to ensure they can enjoy a clean living environment.
- Infection prevention code for employees
The company has ramped up employee self-protection measures, enhanced Covid awareness and hygiene capacity, and has strictly enforced the wearing of masks at work, frequent hand washing, regular disinfection, temperature monitoring and entry registration. It has put measures in place for immediate action in the event of any abnormalities. The company accepts all Covid tests, in accordance with government regulations, and has implemented home isolation and observation measures for returnees to Macau. It has increased the frequency of disinfectant spraying in public areas and the regular disinfection of fittings and fixtures with which people frequently come into direct contact, such as door handles, handrails, elevator buttons, tables and seats in public areas. It has ensured supplies of essential items such as gloves, masks and disinfectants to cope with continued demand.
- Other operational adaptations
The company has enabled data-driven visitor logs, and visitors must undergo temperature checks, show valid health codes, and register basic personal information when entering or visiting properties in case future follow-up is required. When clients overseas wish to view The Waterside as potential long-stay accommodation but are in quarantine and unable to visit the property in person, the company provides video viewings.
Finally, the company’s measures to respond to a range of needs arising from the pandemic include new regulations and policies to support staff. In this most difficult time, safeguarding the physical and mental wellbeing of customers and colleagues, remaining mindful and conscientious, and maintaining a spirit of teamwork are a top priority.
The Macau SAR government has summarized its 2019 policy report and introduced its fiscal 2020 budget. In its housing policy, the government announced the provision of 3,011 affordable homes to cater for demand among Macau residents. However, in view of the fact that the number of applicants for housing far exceeds supply, and that most people still need to consider more suitable units in the private market, a large number of potential buyers remain in the territory’s property market.
Macau’s property prices have risen steeply in recent years. According to the Finance Bureau’s “Statistics for Residential Units Reporting Tax Transfer of Settlement Assets in 2019”, as of September 2019, the total number of transactions in Macau, including existing and uncompleted properties, was 6,074, with an average property price of HK$109,147 per square meter.
Most Macau citizens still rely on new rules to apply for mortgages of up to 90 percent of a property’s value. The new rules on mortgages for eligible first-time homebuyers who are Macau residents were formulated by the Monetary Authority of Macao. Young residents purchasing homes as first-time buyers are able to apply for mortgages of up to 90 percent on properties valued at or below 3.3 million patacas. Buyers in the same group seeking to acquire properties valued at between 3.3 million patacas and 8 million patacas are entitled to apply for mortgages equal to 80 percent of a property’s agreed value.
The rules help people who have sufficient economic capacity to afford to buy homes, but who lack the sum typically required for deposits. The 3.3 million pataca ceiling has increased the number of residential units available worth below 8 million patacas. According to statistics, in the first half of 2019, there was a significant increase in transactions involving housing units worth less than 8 million yuan.
In recent years, the development of Macau’s property market has been insufficiently comprehensive, which has led to a more active market for lower-priced properties. This phenomenon has also driven some owners to sell units in which they have been living for long periods, and to consider buying larger units of new-build real estate to improve their quality of life.
Some developers have recently launched new properties in Macau and Taipa. Properties such as Nova Grand and Cotai Marina Bay are located in Taipa, in a quiet and spacious environment. Some of the newest properties on the Macau peninsula, such as Pride Oceania and Trust Legend in Wangxia district, and Sea Imax in Kou Si Tak district, are strategically located in traditional neighborhoods, affording them convenient transportation and good living facilities.
As a pioneer of asset management in Macau, Bela Vista Property Services Limited has always occupied a superior position as the first choice for homebuyers.
The Fountainside, a property we manage that is located in an historic district of Macau, enjoys a charming and peaceful environment near the coast. With its world-class architectural quality and design, The Fountainside has won an award as the city’s best low-rise residence. Its elegant architectural design is integrated with modern living facilities, such as private garages, landscaped gardens, fitness room equipment and environmentally-friendly roofs, to offer a perfect blend of modern life and cultural heritage.
The high-quality living environment saw Portuguese nobles make the property their home in the past. At the same time, The Fountainside is close to downtown and to schools, with convenient transportation and easy access to the central business area and entertainment hot-spots. It perfectly combines the characteristics of the Macau Peninsula and Taipa’s new properties, making it an ideal home purchase option.
The 55-kilometre Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB) has become a major transportation hub linking Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau since its opening in October 2018. The completion of the bridge has greatly facilitated the economic integration and development of neighbouring cities in terms of visitor arrivals, logistics and capital flows. Scholars have forecast that regional GDP may grow as much as several hundred trillion yuan, thanks to the benefits brought by the bridge.
Convenient cross-border travel via the HZMB not only makes it easier for people to move around the Greater Bay Area (GBA), including those employed in Macau, but also represents a positive development for youngsters when it comes to home ownership and job opportunities. Meanwhile, the governments of Hong Kong and Macau will gradually increase quotas for cross-border traffic. This will shorten transit time and make border formalities simpler, providing more flexibility for those who work frequently between Hong Kong and Macau.
The increasingly convenient transport link will stimulate business and created myriad commercial opportunities, attracting an increased number of companies in neighbouring cities to choose Macau as their business base. It will also boost personal retail and revenue-generating leisure activity. Those sated with Macau’s shopping choices will now be able to travel more easily to Hong Kong. A surge in the number of visitor arrivals to Macau has already begun, reflecting new lifestyle dynamics in the GBA.
Alongside increasing business opportunities, population growth and mobility, market demand for residential buildings is also gradually expanding. The Waterside, one of the premier addresses for quality living in Macau, is located in city’s prime district, representing the ultimate in convenience and luxury lifestyles for frequent travellers.
The Waterside is situated in the core area of the city’s new port, on the southern side of the Macau Peninsula. Surrounded by world-renowned five-star hotels and Grade A business centres, The Waterside links commerce, entertainment, leisure and shopping, further enhancing its superior location. Boasting stunning views of the city, The Waterside enjoys panoramic views of Nam Van Lake, also overlooking the landscape of Hengqin and city landmark the Macau Tower. Apartment sizes range from 2,265 to 4,741 square feet. They are elegantly furnished, featuring luxurious design and decoration, and fitted with the latest in smart electrical appliances. The Waterside offers a holistic experience of a quality, fashionable, elegant and chic lifestyle – an outstanding residence offering the last word in luxury living.
Tenants at The Waterside enjoy exclusive access an 118,000 square foot private clubhouse and infinity pool. The Waterside also offers fully equipped fitness rooms for residents, providing the opportunity for a healthy, active leisure away from the hustle and bustle of the city. A concierge service and 24-hour on-call technical team are complete the offering, providing second-to-none professional home care and service to each and every resident.