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...
How Can Real Estate Investment Help You to Combat Inflation?
TLDR When it comes to real estate investments in Singapore amidst rising inflation rates, consider strategies such as capitalizing on property price increases, adjusting rental rates, opting for fixed-rate mortgages,...
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The Perils of Subletting in Singapore: Why Paying Rent On Time Isn’t Always Enough
TLDR Subtenants often mistakenly believe that paying rent consistently guarantees security. However, their rights are limited since the main tenant holds the primary lease with the landlord. The Maxi Coffee...
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Say Goodbye to “Sell One, Buy Two” Approach in 2024
TLDR Summary: The "Sell One, Buy Two" real estate tactic, popularized in 2016-2017, involves selling a property and buying two others to avoid stamp duties. However, its appeal has waned...
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Four Things to Avoid When Renting Out an HDB Flat
TLDR Renting out an HDB flat in Singapore can be a lucrative source of secondary income. Key considerations include adhering to a minimum rental duration of six months, respecting the...
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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,...
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Buying a Second Property – 3 Key Factors to Consider
TLDR When navigating the complexities of purchasing a second property in Singapore, ensure you meet eligibility criteria, consider affordability factors like TDSR and LTV ratios, and understand the impact of...
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How Real Estate Professionals in Singapore Choose Their Own Homes: Lessons for Buyers
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...
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The Enduring Logic: Why a 3-Room HDB Flat Might Still Be a Strategic Starting Point in 2025
TLDR A decade ago, starting with the smallest resale 3-room flat was recommended for quick property upgrading due to shorter waiting times compared to BTO flats. Resale flats allowed earlier...
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How Much You Need to Earn to Afford a Condo 2023
TLDR When considering investing in a private property in Singapore, it's important to understand your borrowing capacity. Financial experts recommend that your monthly mortgage repayment should not exceed 30% of...
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The Cost of Housing – Affordability vs Premium?
TLDR The blog post discusses the challenges Singapore faces in housing affordability, particularly the rising costs of private homes compared to public housing. It examines the impact of wealth transfer...
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5 Reasons To Invest In UK Property In 2024 Instead Of Saving
TLDR Investing in UK property in 2024 offers significant advantages over saving due to the potential for long-term value growth, protection against inflation, stable investment opportunities, additional income streams, and...
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2024 Residential Property Market Outlook
TLDR The market outlook for 2024 suggests continued uncertainties affecting housing demand and risk appetite due to geopolitical tensions, macroeconomic headwinds, and high interest rates. Property cooling measures have slowed...
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Why Selling Your Own HDB Flat May Be More Challenging Than You Anticipate: 7 Hidden Challenges to Prepare For
TLDR Selling your flat can be a daunting task, not because of the paperwork but due to challenges in marketing and dealing with potential buyers. Handling numerous inquiries, dedicating weekends...
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Why En Blocs Often Fail to Succeed
TLDR In this blog post, the focus is on the challenges and complexities of en-bloc transactions in Singapore's property market. It highlights the emotional and financial aspects involved in such...
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6 Secrets Foreign Investors Are Rarely Told About Singapore’s Real Estate Market
TLDR The Singapore property market presents unique characteristics that foreign buyers should consider. From the high rate of homeownership to the different rules for foreign buyers, understanding the specifics is...
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What is Your Next Step in the Property Market?
When you flip open the papers or turn on the news nowadays, the common buzzwords are "INFLATION", " INTEREST RATE HIKES" & " LOOMING RECESSION". These aforementioned occurrences do intrinsically...
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The COV Conundrum: Navigating Singapore’s Property Premium
TLDR Cash Over Valuation (COV) is the difference between a property's official valuation and the price a buyer is willing to pay, and it must be covered in cash. In...
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6 Myths About Using Your CPF For Housing
TLDR When it comes to purchasing a house in Singapore using CPF funds, there are several myths that need to be debunked. From the misconception that grant money needs to...
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The Unexpected Choices: Why Some Singaporean Homebuyers Opt for Smaller Condos (Even When They Could Afford More Space)
TLDR In Singapore's property market, buyers often prioritize factors beyond just size. Many choose smaller units within their budget due to better layouts, locations close to MRT stations, or newer...
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Why Cash Over Valuation (COV) Doesn’t Matter Anymore
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...
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The 15-Month Wait-Out Period: An Unnecessary Burden in a Challenging Economy
TLDR The 15-month wait-out period introduced in September 2022 requires private property owners to wait before buying a resale or BTO HDB flat, aiming to curb million-dollar HDB transactions by limiting demand from private owners. However, despite reducing private owner purchases of million-dollar flats from 34% to 12%, the total number of such transactions rose...
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The Unexpected Choices: Why Some Singaporean Homebuyers Opt for Smaller Condos (Even When They Could Afford More Space)
TLDR In Singapore's property market, buyers often prioritize factors beyond just size. Many choose smaller units within their budget due to better layouts, locations close to MRT stations, or newer developments offering efficient designs and fewer renovation costs. Older homeowners may downsize strategically to better match family needs and boost retirement savings. Investors might prefer...
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Love Across Borders: Navigating Singapore’s Housing Choices for Mixed-Nationality Couples
TLDR Marriages between Singaporeans and foreigners now make up about 20% of all marriages, but housing options for these couples remain limited. Mixed-nationality couples face challenges owning HDB flats, as only the Singaporean spouse can officially own resale flats, with the foreign spouse as an “Essential Occupant.” Rising resale prices and uncertain Permanent Resident status...
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Punggol Northshore HDB Flats Reaching MOP: Navigating the Resale Window
TLDR In 2025, around 1,765 HDB flats from Northshore Residences I & II and Northshore StraitsView in Punggol’s Northshore will reach their Minimum Occupancy Period (MOP), flooding the resale market. This creates a brief “MOP window” where early sellers can command higher prices due to limited lease decay and fresh conditions. However, the market will...
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The Integrated Living Experience: Benefits and Drawbacks of Condos Above an MRT
TLDR Integrated developments in Singapore combine residential units with commercial spaces and direct MRT access, offering convenience and car-free living. Residents appreciate easy access to amenities and increased social visits. However, common complaints include confusing layouts with multiple lobbies and lift systems that complicate navigation for visitors and deliveries. The success of these developments also...
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Beyond Profit: Singaporean Homeowners Share Stories of Purpose-Driven Property Purchases
TLDR In Singapore, some homeowners prioritize personal comfort, convenience, and family needs over financial gains in property purchases. YC bought a familiar condominium she had rented for years despite its aging lease and less attractive location, valuing emotional connection and space. Aaron chose a less appealing walk-up apartment near his workplace for convenience, accepting minimal...
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New Condo Sales Surge: Decoding Singaporeans’ Enthusiasm Despite “High” Prices
TLDR Recent strong condo sales in Singapore, including Emerald of Katong’s 99% take-up during launch, challenge perceptions of unaffordability. Key reasons include pent-up demand after limited launches in early 2024, attractive mega-developments in strategic locations near MRTs, and optimism fueled by US interest rate cuts lowering borrowing costs. Additionally, investors are redeploying gains from stocks...
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Purchasing Older HDB Resale Flats: Key Considerations When the Flat Outlives You
TLDR HDB flats have a 99-year lease, and key housing schemes require the lease to cover the youngest owner until age 95. If the flat is five or more years older than the buyer, CPF usage, HDB grants, loan amounts, and eligibility for the Lease Buyback Scheme are all reduced or restricted. Buyers should be...
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Dispelling Common Myths: Navigating Singapore’s Property Market in 2025
TLDR Singapore’s property market in 2025 is fast-moving and different from five years ago. Buyers often overestimate available options due to multiple listings and rapid sales of new launches. Comparing price per square foot (PSF) can be misleading because of recent changes in floor area calculations. Property agents now offer varied services with different commission...
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Uncovering Hidden Details: Key Questions to Ask at a New Launch Condo Show Flat
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....
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The Unsung Importance of Property Finishing: More Than Just Aesthetics
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...
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Navigating Property Purchases in Singapore: Why Going Without an Agent Can Be Risky
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...
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Timing the Market: Lessons from Singapore’s Property Price Fluctuations
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...
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Leasehold vs. Freehold Condos in Singapore: A Decade of Data
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...
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Timing the Singapore Property Market: A Data-Driven Analysis
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...
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Will Property Owners Earn More By Keeping Residential Properties For An Extended Period?
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...
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$1.5 Million HDB Flats: Their Locations and Reasons Behind Being Singapore’s Priciest Public Housing
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...
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5 Warning Signs of New Launch Condominiums That Certain Property Agents Might Not Disclose to You
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...
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HDB Owners Have Identified This Reason as the Primary Barrier to Upgrading in 2024. Surprising? Not Really.
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...
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5 Frequently Heard Sales Pitches from Agents Encouraging You to Choose a New Development Instead of a Resale Condo: How Accurate Are They?
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...
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