Selling Tips
Buying Tips
Explore
Opinions
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,...
Advanced Search
Advanced Search
Your search results
Category Archives: Opinion
The Surprising Truths of Home Ownership: How Health Ch...
When thinking about staircases, light switch locations, selling our home, and similar topics, many plan for retirement, assuming these issues are less relevant to younger people. However, life can be unpredictable; health problems might require these changes sooner than expected. This was the case for KL, who was diagnosed with cancer in his late forties. Here’s how this affected his home ownership: When landed …
What Impact Will Decreasing US Interest Rates Have on ...
TLDR The Fed’s recent 0.5% rate cut is likely to lower Singapore’s SORA-based home loan rates, benefiting those with bank loans in the short term. However, not all borrowers will gain equally—those on longer SORA periods or locked-in fixed rates may not see immediate savings, and refinancing can incur penalties. HDB loan rates and loan qualification criteria (TDSR/MSR) remain unaffected as banks still use …
What Might Occur If We Ease Property Cooling Measures?
TLDR To assess if Singapore’s property cooling measures are working, compare our actions with China, which is applying the opposite strategy by trying to revive its real estate sector. China recently cut mortgage rates and raised the maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, while Singapore tightened borrowing criteria and reduced LTVs. If China’s moves spark a rebound in prices, it suggests Singapore’s cooling measures might be …
Reduced Lease Durations for HDB Flats: What Potential ...
TLDR Shorter lease HDB flats are typically about 22–25% cheaper than their 99-year counterparts, based on both resale and BTO market data. For example, a 4-room resale flat with 60–70 years left on the lease is around 22% less costly than one with nearly a full lease. Similarly, 2-room Flexi BTO flats show a 40% price drop for a 45-year lease compared to a …
6 Possible Risks of Purchasing a One-Bedroom Apartment...
TLDR One-bedroom condos in Singapore are attractive for their lower entry price and rental potential, but buyers should be aware of key risks. These units can lack flexibility for changing personal needs (like accommodating family or future life events) due to limited space. Resale and rental prospects depend heavily on location, supply of similar units, and market sentiment. Selling a private condo also triggers …
Navigating the 2025 Singapore Property Market: Why Inf...
TLDR Despite global economic uncertainties, Singapore’s property market remains resilient due to robust financial regulations, conservative loan assessments, and effective government cooling measures. Stringent lending policies like MSR and TDSR prevent over-leveraging, while new LTV limits ensure buyers have enough equity. Self-employed buyers face stricter income assessments, further safeguarding loan stability. Buyers can keep $20,000 in CPF OA as an emergency fund, and HDB …
Executive Condos in Singapore: Have They Outgrown the ...
TLDR The Executive Condominium (EC) scheme, once intended as affordable “sandwich class” housing, is now acting more like a lottery ticket due to rising prices and shrinking price gaps with private condos. Projects like Hundred Palms have shown huge resale gains, making ECs attractive for profit rather than genuine long-term living. Affordability is a growing concern, as even buyers at the income ceiling struggle …
HDB’s Policy Shift for Young Couples: Progressiv...
TLDR Starting July 2025, HDB will let young couples—where at least one partner is a full-time student or NSF—defer income assessment for BTO loans until flat key collection. This helps more young Singaporeans apply for flats earlier, basing loan eligibility on their future, likely higher incomes. While it makes homeownership more accessible and may boost family formation, it could also increase demand and competition …
Singapore Distressed Property Market in 2025: Separati...
TLDR Mortgagee sale listings in Singapore rose in Q1 2025, mainly due to higher interest rates in recent years. Despite more distressed properties hitting the market, bargains are rare—banks set reserve prices based on fair market value, not desperation. Only about 5% of mortgagee auctions end in a sale, as most buyers negotiate privately afterward. Desirable properties seldom reach auction; those that do often …
Why Are Singapore Property Agents So Keen on New Launc...
TLDR In Singapore’s 2025 property market, agents’ strong preference for recommending new launch condos is less about chasing commissions and more about adapting to current realities: commission differences between new launches and resale have narrowed, while limited resale inventory means fewer viable options for buyers. New launches also offer streamlined viewing experiences and more transactional certainty, reducing risks for both agents and buyers. Developers …
Three Singaporeans Share Their Experiences of Co-Ownin...
TLDR In Singapore, some individuals venture into property investments with unrelated partners, driven by opportunities and personal circumstances. Jim, leaving finance during the 2009 crisis, invested in real estate with an ex-colleague, turning an old apartment into a bed-and-breakfast. They maintain a stable business relationship, focusing on shared goals. John, unable to buy an HDB flat as a Malaysian, co-purchased a flat with a …
Is it Better to Sell Your Newly Launched Condo Before ...
TLDR Determining the best time to sell a newly launched condo involves weighing the benefits of selling before or after the project’s completion. Selling early can lead to quicker profits and less competition, while waiting until completion might attract more buyers and higher prices, albeit with potential risks like construction issues. Data from various condo sales since 2018 indicates that selling after the Temporary …
