Homeowner Stories

How a 57% Rent Spike Drove Flor Patisserie Out — And What It Says About Singapore’s Retail Scene

In 2001, Singapore abolished the Control of Rent Act—a move that changed the landscape for commercial tenants. In 2025, a beloved Japanese-inspired bakery named Flor Patisserie announced the closure of its Siglap Drive outlet after facing a 57% rent increase…

• 10 May 2025
• 8 min read
• 1

Buying A Walk-Up Apartment In Singapore? Don’t Overlook The Shops Below – Here’s Why

It’s not uncommon to have commercial spaces below walk-up apartments. These are often overlooked by buyers, who typically focus on other details like layouts and nearby transport; but that can be a mistake. The type of commercial business downstairs also…

• 29 Apr 2025
• 5 min read
• 0

I Almost Sold My Home In Singapore—Here’s Why I’m Glad I Rented It Out Instead

The blunt truth is, most Singaporeans are not enticed by the idea of renting out their home. Some are intentional, dedicated landlords for sure – but for the majority, the thought of chasing rental income, dealing with tenants, having strangers…

• 24 Apr 2025
• 5 min read
• 0

Why This Singapore Homeowner Wakes At 5AM To Commute – And Has Zero Regrets

When you’re buying a property, what’s one of the first things you look for? Besides schools, we bet its proximity to work. No one relishes the thought of living an hour or more away from their workplace, and making that…

• 20 Apr 2025
• 4 min read
• 0

“We Treated Our Flat As A Liability” How One Couple Paid Off Their HDB In 15 Years

Paying off the home loan early isn’t the universally right move for everyone: it can tie up a lot of money in a property asset. But there are homeowners who aim to do just this, and some have ambitious goals…

• 18 Apr 2025
• 4 min read
• 0

Why This Architect Chose A Dual-Key Condo (Even Though He Was Set On A BTO)

Dual-key units are something of a niche property. On the one hand, having a subunit opens up many different possibilities. On the other hand, some might complain that it restricts interior design possibilities and uses more space for utilities. This…

• 16 Apr 2025
• 6 min read
• 0

The Hard Truth About Buying A Home With Your Partner In Singapore (Most People Don’t Talk About This)

When my partner and I started discussing marriage, one of the things we brought up was a prenup. Not exactly the most romantic conversation (and maybe even one that rubs some people the wrong way), but a necessary one. Because…

• 16 Apr 2025
• 7 min read
• 0

I Owned A Store In My Condo In Singapore For 10 Years: And Here’s Why I’d Never Recommend It Today

It’s not uncommon to find some small convenience stores, clinics, cafes, etc. within the grounds of some condo projects. Not enough to consider them mixed-use, but enough to provide small amenities; usually to condos that are (or were) further from…

• 13 Apr 2025
• 4 min read
• 0

“We Saved Money By Living Above An MRT” 5 Homeowners Share The Good And Bad About Integrated Developments

Integrated projects, like mega-developments, are currently an “in” thing in the Singapore property market. However, not everyone shares the same opinion: for every resident who loves having a 24-hour hot pot or NTUC right downstairs, there’s another who loathes the…

• 1 Apr 2025
• 5 min read
• 0

The Surprising Truth About Dual-Key Homes In Singapore: 3 Homeowners Share Their Stories

Dual-key units are undeniably a niche property type, with many developers struggling to move these units in recent new launches. However, our research shows that – contrary to certain beliefs – dual-key units aren’t worse for resale gains (they just…

• 13 Mar 2025
• 4 min read
• 0

Why Some Homebuyers Stay Away From Top-Floor Properties In Singapore

Top-floor units are often associated with luxury and price premiums. But as they say, one man’s ceiling is another man’s… Okay, that cliché doesn’t work here. The point is: not everyone appreciates top-floor units. This is a minority view, as…

• 14 Jan 2025
• 5 min read
• 2

“Why I Bought My Property Even Though I Might Lose Money” Singaporean Homeowners Share Their Stories

Is your property a way to make money, or just a roof over your head? Well, the most honest answer from most Singaporeans is “Why not both?” But every now and again, we encounter true owner-occupiers; genuine home buyers as…

• 13 Jan 2025
• 7 min read
• 0

The Surprising Property Deals That Closed On Christmas Day In Singapore

Does anyone sell their home on Christmas? The answer appears to be yes! Some surprisingly profitable transactions occur on Christmas day, so maybe someone got a gift-wrapped new condo. Not literally, because that would take a lot of wrapping paper….

• 24 Dec 2024
• 5 min read
• 0

My Search For A Better Old Folks Homes In Singapore: A Review Of A Spa-Like Retirement Home In London

Some time ago, I wrote an article about my search for a better retirement home (as compared to what we currently have in Singapore.) It seems I’m not the only middle-aged Singaporean concerned about his/her housing situation post-retirement, as the…

• 22 Dec 2024
• 8 min read
• 3

Why We Chose A Ground-Floor Condo In Singapore: The Unexpected Perks Beyond Price

Most Singaporean property buyers associate higher floors with better value. It’s why “all-floors-same-price” promotions are a favourite sales tactic when sales are slow, and if the price stays the same most people would choose a high-floor unit. Some buyers believe…

• 18 Dec 2024
• 6 min read
• 1

I Stayed in Quincy House Singapore for 2 Nights: Here’s My Experience Living in A Brand New Serviced Residence in Holland V

Remember when coffee shops were just quick pit stops for caffeine? Over time, they’ve transformed into curated spaces with distinct personalities: from matcha bars, animal-themed cafes, and even HDB-inspired hangouts. I recently came across an HDB-themed café and couldn’t help…

• 17 Dec 2024
• 10 min read
• 0

How My Home Loan In Singapore Was Rejected (And How I Fixed It)

It’s not just the festive season, it’s also home loan season: with interest rates cooling a bit, quite several Singaporeans are seeking to refinance into cheaper mortgages. At the same time, we’re seeing strong transaction volumes as condo sales pick…

• 14 Dec 2024
• 5 min read
• 0

“I Said No to My Condo’s En-Bloc Sale” Why These 3 Singaporeans Said No To En-Bloc Millions

Most Singaporeans see their condo’s en-bloc sale as a windfall. For many, it may even be a planned exit strategy: ask around, and some investors will tell you it’s the specific reason they like older condos (i.e., buy cheaper because…

• 5 Dec 2024
• 4 min read
• 0