Singapore Property News

Is Your Condo Management A “Hidden Dictatorship” In Singapore?

Don’t live in a dictatorship seems like common-sense advice, but sometimes that’s what local condo buyers get themselves into.  This week, I heard a story about a certain condo and dogs. I won’t name it, but it sounds a bit…

• 2 Feb 2025
• 2 min read
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• 417

What Happens To Your Home Loan In Singapore If Your Spouse Passes Away?

There are some pretty hair-raising ideas out there, about what happens when one co-borrower passes on.  This was a source of panic for an acquaintance last week, when that exact thing happened. He’d been under the impression that, when the…

• 26 Jan 2025
• 4 min read
• 0
• 1.5k

Property Cooling Measures In 2025: Here We Go Again

Much like the backside of a Secondary School delinquent, we’ve thickened our skin against the rotan of cooling measures. We just got a statement that the government is “not averse” to more cooling measures. But when I mentioned it to…

• 19 Jan 2025
• 4 min read
• 2
• 2.4k

Is The $16,000 Executive Condo Income Ceiling Still Relevant In 2025?

“False ceiling” is now a term we can apply to an interior design feature, and the cash minimums for Executive Condos (ECs). Right now the income ceiling to buy one is $16,000 per month, up from $14,000 (the previous ceiling…

• 13 Jan 2025
• 4 min read
• 4
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Would You Pay $900k For A 3-Room HDB? Let’s Break It Down

How much more would you pay for a very new (i.e., around five years old) resale flat?  You might figure it’s at a premium, since (a) you can move in immediately and skip the construction time, and (b) the lease…

• 5 Jan 2025
• 5 min read
• 2
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$900k Sale Of 3-Room HDB Flat In Bidadari Sets A New Record In 2024: Here’s Why

Usually, when a resale flat comes close to $1 million, the expectation is that it’s a big older flat; hence the higher square footage and quantum. Or perhaps we’d expect a rare DBSS unit, or other such “special” flats. But…

• 2 Jan 2025
• 3 min read
• 1
• 4.4k

Are More Property Cooling Measures Coming to Singapore In 2025?

Thanks to a recent newspaper article, many people are asking if new cooling measures have already kicked in.  Which is disappointing for so many reasons, not least being that so few read beyond the headline these days. Some of you…

• 29 Dec 2024
• 2 min read
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Why This Potential New Singapore Property Rule Could Be A Good Thing For You In 2025

“I’m not sure I want the ‘old bird’ agent,” was the phrase that surprised me this week. In most situations, people would want a veteran on their side. Most of us prefer the older and more experienced doctor, the 20-year…

• 22 Dec 2024
• 4 min read
• 0
• 878

3 “Secret” Upcoming HDB Sites That Have Already Started Construction (But Not Yet Announced)

Good news for potential homeowners: several upcoming HDB sites are already under construction, even though they’ve yet to be officially announced. This early progress means shorter build times could be on the horizon for these projects. While launch dates and…

• 16 Dec 2024
• 4 min read
• 1
• 2.5k

The Surprising Changes In Singapore Property Market Trends In 2024

Maybe there’s a use for those shuttered stores in old, empty malls. Integrated and mixed-use projects aren’t a new concept in Singapore; but here’s a spin we’re seeing in the US: turning some of those closed-down stores into small, single-bedder…

• 15 Dec 2024
• 5 min read
• 0
• 397

10 Upcoming GLS Sites In 2025 (Including 3 EC Sites): Which Sites Hold The Most Promise For Buyers?

Given the recent increased demand for new launches (and how many units were quickly sold), it seems reasonable to conclude that there are still a healthy number of buyers out there looking for their next home. So besides the upcoming…

• 9 Dec 2024
• 6 min read
• 0
• 2.5k

This Secret Hack Gets You The Best New Launch Units In Singapore

There’s a secret exploit for getting the exact unit you want at a launch  Here’s the thing, the real secret to getting a profitable property (other than identifying the right one) is to get a good ballot number. You may…

• 9 Dec 2024
• 4 min read
• 0
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Why The $16,000 Income Ceiling For Executive Condos Is Too Low

The minimum down payment on an EC can be more than 25 per cent. Consider this: as of 2024, ECs have an income ceiling of $16,000 per month. Now along with this income ceiling, there’s a Mortgage Servicing Ratio (MSR)…

• 1 Dec 2024
• 4 min read
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The Differing Sale Tactics Of Chuan Park And Emerald of Katong

Fast or slow: what’s the best way to sell a condo?  The answer seems obvious right? But not quite. Speed does count to some extent: condo developers work within tight time constraints – if the project isn’t completed and sold…

• 24 Nov 2024
• 4 min read
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Why Are New Launch Condos In Singapore Selling Like Hotcakes Again?

I’m told that US politics is badly affected by the “echo chamber,” but perhaps our property market is as well.  The echo chamber effect happens when algorithms match you up to people with similar views and concerns, so you end…

• 17 Nov 2024
• 5 min read
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Why This New HDB Rule Is A Big Win For Singles (After Years Of Being Overlooked)

Caring for singles is caring for seniors. Which is why I like the new family care scheme, starting in mid-2025. Under new rules coming next year, singles applying for BTO flats will get priority, so long as their intended home…

• 10 Nov 2024
• 4 min read
• 0
• 778

6 New Launch Condos In Singapore This Weekend… Which Is The Hot Favourite?

Watch out for the “surge in private home transactions” news report soon. Every quarter, the local media will publish a story on private home transactions; often one that sensationalises how high or low they are, while completely ignoring the number…

• 3 Nov 2024
• 4 min read
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Why This New Condo Rule Makes New Launch Condos More “Expensive”: GFA Harmonisation Explained

As we get more and more new launches with the new Gross Floor Area (GFA) harmonisation in effect, it may get more confusing for new buyers as they try to make sense of the new changes. On the surface, it…

• 31 Oct 2024
• 3 min read
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• 3k