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Why One Family Chose a New Launch 4-Bedroom Unit at Lentor Mansion Over a Resale Condo
TLDR NM’s family chose to buy a 4-bedroom unit at the new launch Lentor Mansion despite elevated condo prices, after weighing practical needs, personal preferences, and financial considerations. They needed...
Selling Your Singapore Condo? Don’t Overlook This Critical Factor
TLDR When selling a condo in Singapore, the number of units listed in the same development plays a crucial role. High listing volume can reduce buyer urgency and extend the...
Integrated Developments and Condo Values: A Look at Sengkang Grand Residences
TLDR The impact of the new integrated development, Sengkang Grand Residences, on nearby condo prices was studied by comparing it with neighboring developments like The Quartz and Jewel @ Buangkok....
The Real Impact of Industrial Areas on Condo Prices: A Tale of Two Towns
TLDR A case study comparing condos near light industrial areas in Yishun and Bishan found that proximity to these zones does not negatively impact condo prices or profitability. In fact,...
The Myth of Cheaper New Condos from Lower Land Prices in Singapore
TLDR Lower Government Land Sales (GLS) prices do not automatically lead to cheaper new launch condos in Singapore. Developers base pricing more on market demand and willingness to pay, often...
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Category Archives: Buying Tips
Uncovering Hidden Details: Key Questions to Ask at a N...
TLDR Show flats can be impressive but may hide important details. Buyers should ask about room sizes, furniture fit, balcony usability, appliance spaces, and bathroom plumbing. Check countertop materials, ceiling heights, and lift availability to avoid future issues. Sales teams highlight strengths, so verify facts across projects and seek independent advice to make informed decisions. Show flat visits are often exciting, and sales teams …
The Unsung Importance of Property Finishing: More Than...
TLDR Many homebuyers overlook the importance of high-quality finishes in properties, assuming they will renovate later or that tenants won’t pay more for premium materials. However, poor finishes can lead to costly premature renovations, reduced rentability due to unattractive units, safety hazards like rust or broken tiles, pest infestations from water seepage and gaps, and poor noise insulation. New launch properties with inferior finishes …
Navigating Property Purchases in Singapore: Why Going ...
TLDR Many homebuyers hesitate to engage their own real estate agent due to misconceptions about costs and conflicts of interest. However, having a dedicated buyer’s agent offers key benefits, such as spotting critical contract issues, preventing avoidable expenses, identifying unauthorized property modifications, and streamlining the property search with verified data. Without an agent, buyers risk missing crucial details in paperwork, paying extra costs from …
Timing the Market: Lessons from Singapore’s Prop...
TLDR Singapore’s property market has seen price declines during major crises such as the 1985-1989 pre-recession, 1996-1998 Asian Financial Crisis, 2000-2004 dot-com bubble and SARS, 2008 Global Financial Crisis, and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. However, timing these dips is difficult because recovery periods are often quick, and market windows for buying at the bottom are short. Cooling measures like Loan-to-Value caps and Additional Buyer’s …
Leasehold vs. Freehold Condos in Singapore: A Decade o...
TLDR In Singapore’s property market (2014-2024), leasehold condos often outperform freehold in short-term holding (around 10 years) due to lower prices and stronger gains. Freehold properties show better returns mainly over longer periods, especially for older buildings. Newer freeholds are more volatile and don’t guarantee quick profits. Leasehold leads in new-to-resale sales, while older freeholds do better in resale-to-resale deals. The belief that freehold …
Timing the Singapore Property Market: A Data-Driven An...
TLDR Historical data of Singapore’s property market shows seasonal trends: Q1 (January to March) often has price dips, making it a potentially better time to buy, while Q2 (April to June) tends to see price gains, favoring sellers. Q3 sees demand rebound after the Hungry Ghost Month, contributing to price increases, and Q4 also shows price dips as sellers rush to close deals before …
Will Property Owners Earn More By Keeping Residential ...
TLDR In Singapore, holding a residential property longer typically yields higher profits—averaging $665,000 after 20 years, versus $200,000 for 5–10 years. Most owners sell within 10 years, but freehold and landed homes are kept longer and tend to be more profitable. However, holding an unprofitable property too long can increase losses. Executive condos often deliver strong short-term gains due to government subsidies. The best …
$1.5 Million HDB Flats: Their Locations and Reasons Be...
TLDR Singapore’s HDB resale market has entered a new phase, with at least 13 flats sold for $1.5 million or more—most transacted between May and July 2024. These record-breaking flats are usually large (jumbo, maisonette, or 5-room DBSS), in central locations like Tiong Bahru, Bishan, Toa Payoh, and Pinnacle@Duxton, and often situated on upper floors of mega developments. Demand is driven by scarcity, size, …
5 Warning Signs of New Launch Condominiums That Certai...
TLDR When buying a new launch condo, don’t just rely on show flats or sales pitches—look deeper. Watch out if nearby land plots have been sold for less, as this may affect your resale value. High agent commissions and sudden spikes in advertising could signal slow-moving projects. Be cautious with claims about school proximity; not all blocks may qualify for priority enrolment. Always ask …
HDB Owners Have Identified This Reason as the Primary ...
TLDR High property prices in Singapore make it difficult for most to upgrade from HDB flats to private condos, despite periodic calls to relax policies like the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) for upgraders. The ABSD controls demand and helps prevent runaway price increases by discouraging rushed upgrades and encouraging realistic resale pricing. Executive Condominiums (ECs) are an exception, as they don’t require upfront …
5 Frequently Heard Sales Pitches from Agents Encouragi...
TLDR While some agents may discourage resale condos due to personal incentives, the difference in profits between resale and new launches is minimal—91% of resale buyers and 89.8% of new launch buyers made profits in recent years. Arguments against resale condos, such as higher renovation costs, less efficient layouts, and greater mortgage expenses, are often overstated and depend on individual projects and circumstances. Renovation …
Is It Wise to Make a Partial Prepayment on Your Home L...
TLDR Partial prepayment of your home loan means paying off a chunk of your mortgage early to lower future monthly repayments, especially as interest rates have risen since 2022. This strategy isn’t for everyone—it depends on factors like lock-in penalties, CPF usage, remaining loan tenure, and your financial goals. While prepaying can help reduce debt faster and manage higher monthly payments, you should be …
