Your search results

Discover 7 Reasons to Sell and Right-Size Your Property

Posted by Jayson Ang on April 9, 2023

| 0

TLDR

The increasing trend of right-sizing properties in Singapore is driven by various factors such as lifestyle changes, financial gains, practicality, location preferences, investment opportunities, lease considerations, and preemptive measures. Homeowners are downsizing to better suit their evolving needs and circumstances, whether it be for convenience, financial benefits, or to capitalize on market conditions. Making informed decisions based on individual situations and market insights can lead to successful property transitions and optimized outcomes.

After being settled in their homes for a while, many homeowners become content with their surroundings, dismissing the idea of selling up and moving to another house, or even downsizing to something more suitable.

While not everyone who purchases a property initially has plans to be a seller at some point in the future, certain external and internal pressures may cause them to rethink this.

Older couples often choose to downsize in order to be closer to their grandchildren.

When their children age, marry, and move out, many homeowners recognize they’re living in a big, empty house. They spend too much time cleaning (or repairing) it and little time for other activities – so they may choose to downsize and move closer to their grandchildren, making it easier to spend quality time with them.

Right-sizing your property has become a popular trend nowadays, and for good reason! Not only do older homeowners downsize to a smaller space, but singles, couples and young families are doing the same for a variety of reasons.

Here are seven of the top reasons why right-sizing your property might be a great idea!

1. Lifestyle

As life circumstances evolve, homeowners may find themselves in need of downsizing.

Maybe they initially married and bought a larger property with plans to fill it with children and furry friends, but eventually, their career paths or family size changed, leaving them with too much room and too little need for it.

Whatever the cause, right-sizing can help to readjust their living environment to better suit their lifestyle.

If your job now calls for you to travel more, a huge home you hardly live in may not be the best idea. You may be far from the airport, so considering downscaling to a more compact place near the airport might be a wiser choice.

If frequent flying is now part of your job or lifestyle, it might make sense to downsize and buy a smaller home closer to the airport.

As your family grows, you may find yourself in need of more bedrooms and study spaces, but if you have already made the unfortunate decision to make irreversible changes to the structure of your home, such as converting bedrooms into larger living rooms or walk-in wardrobes, then you could be left with no other option than to consider another lifestyle change.

Realize that it’s time to downsize and find the perfect apartment with the ideal number of bedrooms and bathrooms for you and your family – sell your current home and make it happen!

2. Financial

One homeowner found financial success after right-sizing; they bought a 3,864-square-foot apartment at the Citylife@Tampines executive condominium nine years ago and recently sold it, netting a profit of S$1.38m! Not only did they time the sale perfectly, but they also managed to reap the benefits of right-sizing while earning a windfall.

In August, someone at Marina Bay Suites made a huge profit after holding onto their 2,691-sqft EC unit for almost 9 years. They sold it for S$3.25m less than they paid, an impressive return on investment! It’s likely timing played a part in this decision, plus a need for additional liquidity.

Not only that, the cash from the sale could go towards downsizing to a smaller apartment and having extra funds to save. There could be many reasons to right-size beyond just financial gains.

If you’re looking for a new home, it’s important to consider more than just the monthly mortgage payments – larger apartments usually mean higher maintenance fees, property taxes, and energy costs too, particularly with the COVID circuit breaker having seen more residents staying at home and making use of extra air-conditioning.

Additionally, larger condos often have higher quarterly maintenance fees depending on the size of the unit, so right-sizing your home could be a great way to save money.

Moreover, if you’re over the age of 55, you could be eligible for grants and subsidies, making this an even more attractive option!

If you’re ready to downsize to a 3-room HDB flat or smaller, you could be eligible for the Silver Housing Bonus scheme. You could receive a cash bonus of up to S$30,000 and be required to deposit some of the proceeds of your existing flat into your CPF Retirement Account in order to benefit from the life annuity scheme which provides monthly retirement payouts.

3. Practical

As a homeowner, it might be wise to downsize if your house is demanding more of your time and attention than you can give. Maintenance issues such as cleaning and repairs can take up a great deal of energy and money.

For instance, perhaps you realize that the upkeep of your roof, flooring, and drainage systems is taking too much out of you; downsizing to an apartment could be a great solution.

Additionally, if your house is located far from essential facilities such as malls, wet markets, and transportation hubs, it could be a good idea to consider selling it and relocating somewhere closer to these amenities.

If you’re an eligible senior, why not downsize to an HDB Community Care Apartment and move into a convenient, car-lite neighbourhood with nearby medical facilities – where all your needs are just a stone’s throw away?

Have you been paying the monthly maintenance fees without taking advantage of the amenities in your condo? Maybe it’s time to reevaluate why you’ve chosen to stay in that condo if you don’t often use the facilities or participate in the AGM decision-making process.

During the pandemic, many have come to the realisation that they have not been using the amenities as much as they had expected, yet still paying for them nonetheless.

4. Location

Due to changes in the neighbourhood, right-sizing may be necessary – a new building potentially obstructing your breathtaking unblocked view, or disrupting the feng shui in your home. Plus, roadworks and developments could create an uproar of construction noise over the next few years, completely shattering the peace of your residence.

Downsizing is a great option for those looking to move closer to desired amenities such as medical facilities, transport hubs, schools, or even wet markets; it also allows people to be near (or far from) the hustle and bustle of the city.

For example, a family could transition from a larger 5-room suburban condo to a more intimate 4-room HDB resale flat located in a bustling urban center, making the most of their newfound convenience and proximity to the city.

5. Investment

It seems that for some homeowners, owning multiple apartments is quite common – with one for themselves, and the rest to invest and rent out.

For instance, after spending years living in a 4-bedroom condo, a family may now decide to downsize and return to their 4-room HDB flat, offering their condo up for sale.

Minister for National Development Desmond Lee recently shared that approximately 3% of HDB flat owners also own private property, with around 45% renting out their entire HDB flats.

With the significant jump in property prices over the last year, some private property owners may choose to cash out by selling their larger apartments and downsizing to their existing HDB flats.

This provides them the flexibility to opt for a life of comfort and convenience in the home they already own.

6. Lease

When a homeowner’s lease is close to running out, they often decide to put their property on the market. With the property’s value increasing, it can be the ideal time to sell and downsize to a newer, more compact flat with a fresh 99-year lease.

This is especially true for HDB flat owners with shorter leases, who may have to sell their property within 6 months of collecting the keys to their new BTOs.

By taking advantage of HDB’s Contra Payment Facility or Temporary Loan Scheme, you can fund your BTO flat without stress while waiting to sell your current flat.

When the sale is done, the money can be used to repay the loan. Keep in mind, though, that the Contra Payment Facility is an extra loan on top of your HDB housing loan if your CPF Ordinary Account funds are not enough, and TLS is a temporary loan which is intended to be repaid using the proceeds of the sale of your existing flat without needing to get a housing loan.

7. Preemptive

Some homeowners choose to list their properties for sale due to the potential of future complications, in order to make the most of their asset’s value while they still can.

An example of this is the possibility of implementing cooling measures, which could come into effect at any time. These regulations tend to limit the buying and selling process, making it more difficult for a seller to find a purchaser who will agree to their asking price.

In this current climate of geopolitical uncertainty, inflation, and higher mortgage rates, savvy home sellers are recognizing the importance of listing their properties early.

By doing so, they can take advantage of appreciated gains and downsize to a smaller home, positioning themselves to weather potential financial difficulties or a loss of income.

Acting ahead of the curve, these well-informed home sellers can turn a significant profit.

Should You Buy, Sell or Wait?

If you’re reading this, you must be trying to figure out the best course of action right now: is it the right time to buy or sell?

It’s difficult to give an exact answer since everyone’s situation is unique and what works for one person may not necessarily work for you.

I can bring you a wealth of on-the-ground experience and a data-driven approach to provide clarity and direction. From beginners to experienced investors, our top-down, objective approach will help you on your real estate journey.

I can help you by:

Offering Strategic Real Estate Advice – I can help create a comprehensive plan to guide you through your property journey.
Connecting Your Home with the Perfect Buyers – Through stunning visuals, an effective communication strategy, and an in-depth knowledge of the market, we’ll ensure your home is presented in the best possible way to fulfill your goals.

You May Also Like …

All Blog Posts Buying Tips

Exploring the Resale Condo Market? Here’s What to Watch Out For!

Jayson Ang – March 22, 2023 –

TLDR The impact of COVID-19 on Singapore's real estate market has been significant, leading to a surge in demand for...

Buying Tips Mandarin Top 5

5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Investing In Singapore Real Estate

Jayson Ang – August 1, 2023 –

TLDR Investing in Singapore real estate offers attractive tax incentives, low cost of living, high rental yields, market reliability, diversification...

Mandarin Top 5

Top 5 Places to Buy Local Art in Singapore

Jayson Ang – August 27, 2024 –

Singapore, a melting pot of cultures and traditions, is not only known for its breathtaking cityscape, delectable food, and shopping...

Mandarin Top 5

5 Tips : Riding the Wave: How to Profit from the Upcoming Boom in Singapore’s Property Market

Jayson Ang – August 5, 2024 –

Singapore's property market has always been a hot topic among investors and homebuyers alike. With million-dollar HDBs being sold and...

Mandarin Top 5

Top 5 Places to Watch Fireworks in Singapore

Jayson Ang – August 3, 2024 –

Singapore is known for its stunning skyline and vibrant celebrations, especially during events like National Day and New Year's Eve....

Mandarin Top 5

Top 5 Museums in Singapore for Art and History

Jayson Ang – February 29, 2024 –

Singapore, known for its vibrant culture and rich history, is home to a plethora of museums that cater to art...

All Blog Posts Buying Tips Opinion

A Executive Summary Guide to the Singapore Real Estate Market 2023 and Beyond …

Jayson Ang – December 10, 2022 –

TLDR The Singapore real estate market is vibrant, driven by a strong economy, stable business climate, and attractive investment opportunities....

All Blog Posts Buying Tips

What Hidden Costs Are There When Selling Your House?

Jayson Ang – July 7, 2023 –

TLDR When selling your house, be prepared to cover expenses such as outstanding home loans, legal fees, property agent commissions,...

Mandarin Top 5

The Secret Strategies of Singapore’s Property Tycoons: Lessons You Can Learn

Jayson Ang – April 26, 2024 –

The Singapore property market has always been a hot topic for both locals and foreign investors. With its stable economy,...

Mandarin Top 5

5 Most Common Property Investment Scams To Watch Out For In Singapore

Jayson Ang – June 12, 2024 –

Property investment scams are unfortunately prevalent in Singapore, and unsuspecting investors can fall victim to these scams, leading to significant...

All Blog Posts Opinion

5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Hiring an Agent Instead of DIY-ing It

Jayson Ang – June 9, 2023 –

TLDR Understanding the complexities of the real estate market and transactions can be overwhelming. Enlisting the help of a real...

Mandarin Top 5

Top 5 Emerging Trends in Singapore Real Estate: What Investors Need to Know

Jayson Ang – November 1, 2024 –

The Singapore real estate market has experienced significant growth in recent years, attracting investors from around the world. As the...

All Blog Posts Buying Tips

An Essential Guide to Buying a Home in Singapore 2023

Jayson Ang – January 17, 2023 –

TLDR When navigating the complexities of purchasing a property in Singapore, ensure you meet eligibility criteria, consider affordability factors, and...

All Buying Tips

Why It’s Not Financially Sensible to Pay Off Your HDB Flat Home Loan in Advance

Jayson Ang – April 29, 2024 –

TLDR When deciding whether to repay your HDB flat loan early, consider the limitations of not being able to obtain...

Mandarin Top 5

Top 5 Best Unique Nighttime Experiences in Singapore

Jayson Ang – December 13, 2024 –

Singapore, a vibrant city-state known for its stunning skyline and diverse culture, truly comes alive at night. As the sun...

Mandarin Top 5

The Top 5 Impact Of Singapore’s Ageing Population On The Property Market And Investment Opportunities

Jayson Ang – July 26, 2024 –

Singapore's ageing population is having a significant impact on the property market and investment opportunities. The top five effects include:...

Mandarin Top 5

The Top 5 Reasons To Invest In Singapore Property

Jayson Ang – August 13, 2024 –

Singapore, a small island nation with a thriving economy, has long been considered an attractive destination for property investment. The...

All Buying Tips Opinion

Are Early Bird Discounts At New Launches Genuine Or A Marketing Gimmick?

Jayson Ang – November 20, 2023 –

TLDR When considering investing in new property projects, understanding developers' pricing strategies is crucial. Early bird discounts are not just...

All Blog Posts Opinion

Case Study : With Income Of $180K per Annum, Which Options Should I Choose?

Jayson Ang – February 28, 2023 –

TLDR When making property decisions in Singapore, it's crucial to consider various factors like affordability, loan-to-value ratios, and CPF requirements....