Singapore Property News

Is This New ABSD Rule A Sign?

Changes to ABSD for developers are a sign of the times. When we started seeing runaway prices after Covid, there was a sense of “not this again,” and most market watchers had flashbacks to 2009 to 2013, or the 2017…

• 3 Mar 2024
• 4 min read
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Why I Look For Old Malls Before I Buy Property

I look for old, “run-down” malls when I shop around for property The typical response I get to this is “siao ah, what’s so good about that.” But hear me out: old, strata-titled malls are a more valuable amenity than…

• 25 Feb 2024
• 4 min read
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How Budget 2024 Will Affect Singapore Homeowners: New Property Tax Changes And ABSD Remissions

Budget 2024 was announced today, with an emphasis on “enhancing education and training”, and on financial aid to target groups. Some of the handouts include $1.9 billion in household support (in assorted forms), changes to CPF; and assistance for Singaporean…

• 16 Feb 2024
• 6 min read
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Are Singapore Property Prices Set To Drop In 2024? Here’s A “Surprising” Prediction

This may not come as a surprise to most, but according to a report by Savills prime properties (e.g., the high-end luxury stuff, like you’ll find in our Core Central Region) might dip by around 3.9 per cent this year….

• 12 Feb 2024
• 5 min read
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3 Exciting Upcoming Residential Sites To Look For In The Near Future

From old schools to former SERS sites, Singapore is constantly renewing its residential landscape (and increasing the supply) – and the latest upcoming batch is one to watch. It includes some hotspots like Clementi, as well as land parcels that…

• 6 Feb 2024
• 4 min read
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This $92 Million Dollar Lawsuit Exposes A Problem In Singapore’s Property Market

The notorious furniture rebate deal UOB is suing a developer over 38 units at the Marina Collection. The developer allegedly gave rebates of 22 to 34 per cent, resulting in UOB now claiming $92 million in losses from the loans….

• 4 Feb 2024
• 4 min read
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Buying Land At A 30% Discount At Marina South: A Good Deal Or A Sign Of Weak Demand?

Sometimes, winning comes with a sense of apprehension That’s how I would feel, if I were the consortium of developers that won the recent bid for a Marina white site. GuocoLand, Intrepid Investments and TID Residential recently put in a…

• 28 Jan 2024
• 4 min read
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3 Interesting Upcoming Residential Sites You May Likely See In 2024

The past few days, there’s been news of three upcoming residential sites being cleared for future residential use; and one of them is even next to an MRT station. Now that we’ve seen the consequences of a tight housing supply,…

• 22 Jan 2024
• 4 min read
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Do We Really Need 35,251 Property Agents In Singapore?

All hail the digital generation (of property agents) As of this year, we have around 35,251 property agents, up from 34,427 last year; which when we consider how much they like flyers, makes it amazing there are any trees left. …

• 21 Jan 2024
• 5 min read
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Will We Start Seeing More 60-year Lease Condos Soon?

There are two types of people who buy freehold properties, and they don’t realise they should hate each other. Not until the en-bloc meeting happens.  You see, for some people, the benefit of a freehold condo is they think that…

• 14 Jan 2024
• 5 min read
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Will We Finally Have “Affordable” Homes In Singapore In 2024?

News reports, HDB block notice boards, and every other outlet seem to be putting out the message that prices are coming back down, supply is back up, etc. It’s almost like some big upcoming event is driving the need to…

• 10 Jan 2024
• 5 min read
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Here’s Why You Should Consult An Architect Before Buying A Landed Home (Don’t Make This Same $18m Mistake)

Sometimes, not being seen as a property expert is an advantage In a recent case, a buyer’s attempt to sue a real estate agency over an $18.6 million Good Class Bungalow (GCB) didn’t go well. The issue? A drainage reserve…

• 8 Jan 2024
• 4 min read
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How Singapore’s New Rental Rules May Benefit Landlords (And Tenants)

Sometimes, we need to remember who depends on who, when it comes to foreign workers.  Domestic helpers aside, I’m also talking about foreign workers of the non-Sentosa-Cove variety. From Malaysia, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, etc., we rely on foreigners for…

• 23 Dec 2023
• 4 min read
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The Curious Case Of Multi-Million Dollar Coffeeshops In Singapore

If anything will make me believe in Feng Shui, it’s coffee shops Take, for instance, this coffee shop which I frequent, which was sold for $40.5 million. To begin with, I personally disagree with most of the comments on why…

• 17 Dec 2023
• 4 min read
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The Main Reason Why En Blocs Don’t Go Through..

Singapore’s most talented diplomats are wasted in the property market. When the government needs expert negotiators, they should be looking for the en-bloc specialists in property firms. Because if anyone can pull off even one successful en-bloc negotiation, they’ll have…

• 10 Dec 2023
• 4 min read
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What Is The Impact Of The Upgrades To Bayshore?

Well, there goes the seaview. For decades, the residents in the Bayshore Road cluster (three condos: Costa Del Sol, Bayshore Road, and Bayshore Park) have tolerated poor public transport access, and limited amenities, in exchange for one of Singapore’s best…

• 3 Dec 2023
• 4 min read
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How The Inevitable Decline Of Petrol Stations May Affect Your Property In Singapore

We tend to overlook petrol stations, when it comes to analysing real estate. The humble petrol kiosk is not something we look for, when scouting out the surroundings of a condo; and most brochures would never bother to mention these….

• 26 Nov 2023
• 5 min read
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Will New Upfront Property Agent Fees Scare Homebuyers Away?

We have the solution to the co-broking problem (because hopeless optimism is still a kind of solution) 16 property agencies have signed a Memorandum Of Understanding, on how to resolve co-broking disputes.  If you’re not sure why this is a…

• 19 Nov 2023
• 5 min read
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