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6 Factors Making Singaporean Properties Difficult to Sell (Even in a Strong Market)
TLDR Properties in Singapore may linger on the market due to several key factors. Small boutique developments face price volatility, while mega-developments suffer from intense competition amid many listings. Tenanted...
The New Condo Rule: How GFA Harmonization Makes New Launches “Pricier” and What It Means for Buyers
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...
The Rise of New Launch 2-Bedroom Condos: Why Homebuyers are Prioritizing Them Over Resale Options in 2025
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...
2-Bedroom vs. 2+Study Units: A Decade of Performance Analysis
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...
Increased Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD) Rates in Singapore: Implications for Buyers and Sellers
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,...
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Category Archives: Opinion
Singapore’s En Bloc Landscape in 2025: Four Pote...
TLDR Developer confidence in Singapore’s property market is rising in 2025 despite global uncertainties, supported by strong sales in new launches. Key en bloc sites include River Valley Apartments, sold for $56 million and slated for luxury serviced apartments, signaling a possible en bloc revival. Thomson View Condominium, a large site near greenery and MRT, was bought for $810 million but is on hold …
Why Cash Over Valuation (COV) Doesn’t Matter Any...
TLDR HDB’s old strategy of hiding Cash Over Valuation (COV) data isn’t cooling Singapore’s resale flat market anymore. Prices keep breaking records, driven by cash-rich right-sizers from the private market and sky-high private property prices making million-dollar HDBs look reasonable. Without public COV data, buyers only see final transacted prices, pushing future prices even higher. Public perception is key—if $2 million HDB deals become …
My Dad’s Agent Utilised Misleading Information to Coer...
TLDR While Singapore’s real estate sector is more regulated, some agents still use high-pressure tactics that make buyers uncomfortable. Common strategies include giving unverifiable information about unit availability, exaggerating price trends, pushing unclear or short-lived promotions, and framing situations as urgent crises to pressure decisions. Buyers are often left unable to verify these claims, leading to rushed or costly choices. Not all agents do …
Rise In Private Home Ownership Among Those Under 35
TLDR Youth homeownership in Singapore’s private housing sector is rising, with residents under 35 living in private properties hitting 380,459 in 2023—up from 375,651 in 2022. Modern amenities, exclusive communities, and investment potential attract young buyers. With median household incomes at $10,689 monthly, private condos have become more accessible, especially for those targeting two-bedroom units in the $1.2M–$2M range. A disciplined savings plan—$10,000 to …
Fresh Take On What Singapore Condo Buyers Want In 2025
TLDR 2025 property buyers in Singapore are more discerning, prioritizing transparency, smart design, and real quality over flashy gimmicks. They care about accurate move-in dates, as delays can create major financial headaches, especially for HDB upgraders balancing timelines and costs. Families want real spaces for kids to play and grow—not just token amenities. Small homes must have flexible, functional layouts that suit modern lifestyles. …
Should You Buy An Older Resale HDB Flat If You Are In ...
TLDR Younger Singaporeans are increasingly drawn to older resale HDB flats due to their larger size and central locations, without the heavy restrictions of newer Plus or Prime flats. However, these flats come with significant considerations: potential lease decay, costly renovations (especially if little has been updated in decades), and inconsistent build quality. Exiting options are limited due to low SERS/vers rates and poor …
8 Untold “Savings” Hacks You Need To Know ...
TLDR Undervalued properties in Singapore are those priced at least 10% below market value, often due to urgent sellers, developer ABSD deadlines, or less-desirable locations catching up in value. To find such properties, compare prices of similar developments nearby, look for motivated sellers, monitor projects nearing ABSD deadlines, and check older or long-unsold listings. Auctions and rental listings may also reveal good deals. Always …
Navigating the Unique Landscape of the 2025 Singapore ...
TLDR The 2025 Singapore property market faces distinct challenges, including a shift toward Core Central Region (CCR) new launches, limited resale HDB supply, and the impact of strict cooling measures like the 60% Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) for foreigners. Older buyers face tighter borrowing limits due to Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) and loan tenure restrictions, often needing substantial savings to upgrade. New …
What Is An Affordable Home In Singapore?
TLDR Affordable housing in Singapore is about more than just having a roof over your head—it’s about survival and opportunity. Rising home prices near workplaces and good schools force tough choices, trapping families in cycles where moving for better jobs isn’t financially viable. Gentrification pushes locals out of their own neighborhoods, and shrinking flat sizes mean every extra room comes at a huge cost. …
Is It Better To Purchase A Larger HDB Or A Smaller Con...
TLDR When comparing a large, centrally located resale flat (e.g., 5-room HDB) with a small condo around the $1 million mark, the key trade-offs are space versus facilities and investment potential. Flats offer more living space, access to grants, better local amenities, and lower monthly fees, but have stricter resale rules and limited appreciation potential. Condos provide greater flexibility for resale, fewer restrictions for …
Should You Pay For A Buyer Agent?
TLDR The idea of making buyers pay their own property agents in Singapore, as suggested by SEAA, makes sense in theory but faces big hurdles in practice. While splitting commissions seems fair, human nature means most buyers will choose free services over paying out of pocket. Agents aren’t likely to change unless everyone is forced to do so, creating a collective action problem. Voluntary …
How En-Bloc Sales of Condominiums Turned into a Specul...
TLDR En-bloc sales—where owners collectively sell an entire property for redevelopment—have become a key feature of Singapore’s private property market, but this wasn’t always the case. The first such sale was likely five bungalows turned into Anderson 18 in 1979/80, not Cosy Mansions as some believe. The en-bloc trend accelerated when the government began sharing future urban plans via Development Guide Plans, highlighting redevelopment …
