Buying Tips

The Dilemma of Retaining Your HDB Flat While Owning a Condo in Singapore (2025)

Jayson Ang – June 23, 2026 –

TLDR Singaporean citizens can own both an HDB flat and a condominium if the HDB was purchased first and after the 5-year Minimum Occupancy Period, but buying a condo after often incurs a 20% Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD). Generally, paying ABSD to keep the...

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The Dual Impact of Rising HDB Flat Prices in Singapore: A Balanced Perspective

Jayson Ang – June 20, 2026 –

TLDR HDB flat prices in Singapore have nearly doubled every 16 years, reflecting a long-term trend of appreciation averaging about 4.5% annually. Rising prices generally benefit existing homeowners by creating wealth, offering retirees options like downsizing or monetizing their property. However, this trend makes it...

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How CPF Adjustments in 2025 May Influence Your Homebuying Decisions in Singapore

Jayson Ang – June 17, 2026 –

TLDR In 2025, significant CPF changes in Singapore impact homebuying decisions, especially for older homeowners. The Special Account (SA) for those 55+ was closed, with funds moved to the Retirement Account (RA) or Ordinary Account (OA), affecting how older buyers can use CPF for property...

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Finding Your Ideal Home: Strategies for Discovering Alternatives After Missing Your First Choice

Jayson Ang – June 14, 2026 –

TLDR When your preferred property becomes unavailable, broaden your search beyond immediate location and reconsider priorities like transport access, school zones, unit layout, and condition. Identify and remove the least critical factor, such as resale potential, to discover more affordable options. Explore properties just one...

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How Real Estate Professionals in Singapore Choose Their Own Homes: Lessons for Buyers

Jayson Ang – June 11, 2026 –

TLDR Real estate agents in Singapore approach their own home purchases with practicality, often relying on expert advice rather than solely their own knowledge. Personal needs usually take precedence over market timing or popular theories. Agents consider future buyers’ preferences to maximize resale value, even...

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First-Time Homeownership After 40 in Singapore: Navigating Unique Risks

Jayson Ang – June 8, 2026 –

TLDR Older first-time homebuyers face unique challenges including lease decay risks, stricter loan-to-value (LTV) limits, and shorter loan tenures leading to higher monthly repayments. Properties with advanced lease decay may be harder to sell during emergencies due to reduced financing options. Age affects financing terms,...

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6 Ultra-Private Condominiums in Singapore Offering Unparalleled Seclusion

Jayson Ang – June 5, 2026 –

TLDR This article highlights six luxury condominiums in Singapore that offer exceptional privacy by having no direct neighbors on the same floor, appealing to buyers seeking tranquility and exclusivity. Skypark @ Somerset has 56 units with private lifts and large layouts, ideal for multi-generational families....

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The New Condo Rule: How GFA Harmonization Makes New Launches “Pricier” and What It Means for Buyers

Jayson Ang – May 30, 2026 –

TLDR GFA Harmonization standardizes Gross Floor Area measurements across Singapore government agencies, removing non-usable spaces like oversized planter boxes, air-con ledges, and strata voids from condo floor area calculations. This change encourages more efficient layouts, improving usable living space despite smaller nominal unit sizes. Early...

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The Rise of New Launch 2-Bedroom Condos: Why Homebuyers are Prioritizing Them Over Resale Options in 2025

Jayson Ang – May 27, 2026 –

TLDR Two-bedroom condominiums are shifting from primarily rental investments to popular family homes, especially among small families and HDB upgraders, due to rising home prices forcing size compromises. New launch two-bedroom units priced around $1.8 to $2 million attract more buyers than cheaper, often larger...

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The “Sell One, Buy Two” Strategy in 2025: Real Stories from Singaporean Homeowners

Jayson Ang – May 24, 2026 –

The "Sell One, Buy Two" strategy gained popularity in Singapore after the Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) was introduced in 2011. This approach involves selling an existing property and using the proceeds to acquire two new properties under separate ownership (typically between spouses). The common...

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2-Bedroom vs. 2+Study Units: A Decade of Performance Analysis

Jayson Ang – May 21, 2026 –

TLDR Over the past decade, 2+Study units (compact 3-bedroom layouts) consistently outperformed standard 2-bedroom units in resale gains across most projects, both for long-term and short-term holdings. Examples include Stirling Residences and Parc Esta, where 2+Study units recorded significantly higher profit margins. Rental yields, however,...

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Increased Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD) Rates in Singapore: Implications for Buyers and Sellers

Jayson Ang – May 18, 2026 –

TLDR From July 4, 2025, Singapore reinstates Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD) rates to 2017 levels, with rates of 16%, 12%, 8%, and 4% for properties sold within 1, 2, 3, and 4 years respectively. No SSD applies from the fifth year onwards. This change aims...

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The Evolving Landscape of HDB Upgrading in Post-COVID Singapore

Jayson Ang – May 12, 2026 –

TLDR The post-COVID Singapore property market has grown more complex, especially for HDB upgraders facing higher interest rates, cooling measures, and tighter resale supply. Two-bedroom condos, especially those with two bathrooms, are gaining popularity among small families, challenging traditional preferences. The Core Central Region (CCR)...

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A First-Time Condo Buyer’s Guide to Evaluating Property Developers in Singapore

Jayson Ang – May 9, 2026 –

TLDR When buying a new launch condominium in Singapore, a developer’s reputation is crucial since buyers rely on trust and projected quality. The BCA Developer Quality Banding assesses developers’ workmanship over six years, with Band 1 or 2 indicating high quality. Buyers should check both...

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Pasir Ris: A Quiet Transformation into a Family Hotspot

Jayson Ang – May 6, 2026 –

TLDR Pasir Ris has transformed over the past decade from a quiet beach town into a family-friendly hotspot, driven by comprehensive upgrades in education, amenities, transport, and green spaces. New MOE kindergartens, school mergers with improved facilities, and the Overseas Family School campus have enhanced...

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Most Buyers Miss This Condo Checklist Item — Until It’s Too Late

Jayson Ang – April 18, 2026 –

TLDR When buying a condo, many overlook the importance of the Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) and its finances. Beyond location and facilities, the MCST’s competence, the state of the sinking fund, and the developer’s track record directly affect long-term costs and living standards. Reviewing...

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Should You Pay Extra for a Private Condo When the EC Next Door Looks Identical?

Jayson Ang – April 16, 2026 –

TLDR Singapore’s executive condominiums (ECs) have improved significantly, now matching private condos in design and facilities but at lower prices. In some areas like Punggol, EC resale prices are even higher than nearby private condos, challenging the traditional price hierarchy. This shift pressures private condo...

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Why Older Freehold Condominiums Are Losing Their Edge in En‑Bloc Deals (2025)

Jayson Ang – April 14, 2026 –

TLDR Older freehold condominiums in Singapore are losing their edge in en‑bloc deals due to several structural shifts. Developers increasingly prefer Government Land Sales (GLS) sites, which offer certainty, lower costs, and faster timelines compared to the complexities of collective sales. Rising replacement-home prices push...

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Singapore’s Priciest Districts Are Shifting—4 Key Buyer Trends Driving the Change in 2026

Jayson Ang – April 8, 2026 –

TLDR The Core Central Region (CCR) property market in Singapore is shifting from luxury trophy assets to practical, lifestyle-driven homes. Buyers now prioritize affordability, family-friendly amenities, and functional layouts over freehold status and large sizes. New developments near schools and community spaces, like Great World...

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Fresh Take: Old vs New Condos in District 15 — Which Gives Better Value in 2026?

Jayson Ang – April 6, 2026 –

TLDR District 15 condos show a nuanced split between old and new developments. Freehold projects have driven much of the district’s outperformance, with stronger annualized growth compared to national averages. Newer condos generally outperform older ones in two- and three-bedder segments, offering higher $PSF growth...

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Can You Skip the 15-Month Wait When Selling Private and Buying Resale HDB?

Jayson Ang – April 2, 2026 –

TLDR The 15-month wait-out rule requires private homeowners to sell their property and wait 15 months before buying a resale HDB flat, with exceptions for seniors aged 55+ purchasing 4-room or smaller units. Introduced to cool surging demand and prevent private owners from outbidding first-time...

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Are We Going Into Recession? What It Means for You—and Singapore Property

Jayson Ang – March 28, 2026 –

TLDR Singapore faces rising recession risks as global trade slows, with GDP contraction and cautious sentiment signaling economic headwinds. For property, downturns typically bring short-term price dips, fewer transactions, softer rentals, and mortgage stress for over-leveraged owners. Yet history shows resilience: after crises like 2008...

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Understanding Property Investment in Singapore: Residential vs. Commercial Properties

Jayson Ang – March 26, 2026 –

TLDR Singapore’s real estate market offers distinct differences between residential and commercial properties. Residential properties typically have longer leases (up to 999 years), allow CPF use for purchase, but come with higher Buyer’s and Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duties (BSD and ABSD), stricter loan-to-value (LTV) limits,...

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Why Singapore Families Are Opting for Two-Bedroom Homes in 2025

Jayson Ang – March 24, 2026 –

TLDR By 2025, Singapore families are increasingly choosing two-bedroom condos as practical long-term homes rather than temporary stepping stones. This shift is driven by four main factors: affordability, smarter layouts, shared facilities, and smaller household sizes. Developers now design compact two-bedders (500–600 sq ft) with...

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Mega Developments vs. Regular Condos in Singapore: A Data-Driven Comparison

Jayson Ang – March 22, 2026 –

TLDR Mega-developments (1,000+ units) in Singapore, once seen as chaotic, now offer competitive pricing and extensive facilities, making them attractive investments. Data shows smaller units (1- and 2-bedroom) in mega-developments yield up to 3% higher returns than similar units in regular condos. Early buyers of...

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