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The Paradox: Why New Launch Condos in Singapore Are Flying Off the Shelves Despite Affordability Concerns
TLDR Despite widespread online complaints about housing affordability, new launch condos in Singapore continue to sell rapidly. HDB resale prices climbed another 2.5% last quarter, with over half of transactions...
Singapore Property Prices in 30 Years: Understanding Their Unique Inflationary Trajectory
TLDR Singapore’s property market has shown a unique inflationary trajectory over the past 30 years, consistently outpacing general consumer inflation. While everyday goods like meals or medical bills rose at...
Navigating the Transition: Right-Sizing from a Condo to an HDB Flat in 2025
TLDR Right-sizing from a condo to an HDB flat in 2025 requires careful planning beyond lifestyle adjustments. Sellers face a mandatory 15-month wait before buying resale flats (30 months for...
The Hidden Realities of Mega-Development Condo Living: Five Overlooked Issues
TLDR Mega-developments in Singapore—condos with 1,000+ units—promise affordability, abundant facilities, and lower maintenance fees, but they come with hidden challenges. High resident density means constant foot traffic near popular amenities,...
Beyond the First Glance: What Astute Buyers (and Agents) Look for During Property Viewings
TLDR Property viewings are most valuable when strategically timed, not just repeated. Buyers often revisit homes at convenient hours, but this risks missing critical insights. Key factors to assess include...
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Category Archives: Selling Tips
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 …
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 …
A Timeline of Property Cooling Measures in Singapore T...
TLDR Since 2009, Singapore has implemented over 15 rounds of property cooling measures to curb speculation and keep homes affordable. These include tightening loan-to-value (LTV) ratios, raising Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD), introducing the Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR), shortening loan tenures, and imposing higher taxes on foreign buyers and those with multiple properties. Despite these steps, both HDB and private home prices have …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Singapore Homebuyers: Finding Hidden Value in ‘U...
TLDR Many perceived drawbacks in Singapore’s property market—such as mortgage lock-ins, leasehold status, west-facing units, nearby construction, inefficient spaces, and older car parks—can actually become opportunities for savvy buyers. For example, mortgage lock-ins can secure lower interest rates if you don’t plan to refinance soon; leasehold properties offer strong rental yields without the premium of freehold status; and west-facing units may not matter for …
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 …
The Importance of Caution Regarding Property Oversuppl...
TLDR Recent challenges in China’s real estate sector reveal valuable lessons for Singaporeans, emphasizing the importance of understanding governmental interventions in property markets. While China’s cultural preference for home ownership and speculative investments mirrors Singapore’s, policy changes in both countries highlight potential risks for homeowners. Singapore’s history of significant policy shifts, such as the Built-To-Order system and en-bloc sales facilitation, showcases the delicate balance …
Is Lifelong Renting a Viable Option in Singapore?
TLDR In Singapore, while the majority aspire to own homes, a small segment opts for lifelong renting, driven by personal preference or necessity. Lifelong renters enjoy freedom of mobility, superior investment opportunities, and flexibility in adapting to life changes. Renting allows them to keep their capital liquid and avoid the hassles of home maintenance. However, it requires financial acumen and is feasible mainly for …
