Homeowner Stories

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

Retiring On A Cruise Ship In Singapore For $4.4k Per Month: Does It Make Sense?

To many, living on a cruise ship after retiring, and touring the world sounds like a dream. It’s somewhat similar to being on a permanent holiday! The fact that it comes with a thriving social scene, which many people lack…

• 1 Dec 2024
• 9 min read
• 0

Why We Bought A 4-Bedroom Unit At The Arden For $2.4m

In the world of property, two things tend to draw the most attention: the priciest projects and the most affordable.  As we approach the close of 2024, The Arden in Bukit Panjang* falls firmly into the latter category as one…

• 14 Oct 2024
• 6 min read
• 4

The Unexpected Realities Of Home Ownership: How Health Issues Caused A Homeowner To Move

When we think about staircases, the height of lightswitches, when to sell our home, etc. most of us plan for retirement – there’s an assumption that such concerns may be less relevant to younger people. However, we shouldn’t forget that…

• 24 Sep 2024
• 5 min read
• 0

From Landed House To Condo: A Family’s $300k Renovation Journey To Create A Spacious Home

For larger families, moving from the spaciousness of a landed property to a condo can be challenging; but it also brings new opportunities – and with the right kind of layout and design, a smaller condo unit can still feel…

• 16 Sep 2024
• 8 min read
• 4

Why I Chose To Buy My Dream Studio Apartment In France (As A Singaporean)

Many people would have argued that I started my apartment hunt in France a tad prematurely. I barely had any substantial savings, I just met the minimum requirements of securing a bank loan, and to top it off, I just…

• 4 Sep 2024
• 14 min read
• 2

“My Dad’s Agent Used Misleading Data To Pressure Him To Sell His HDB” 4 Pushy Sales Tactics You Need To Know

While real estate is a much more regulated industry these days, there are always the grey areas of…well, let’s call them “aggressive negotiation tactics.” A number of buyers have even told us they dislike going to show flats or calling…

• 17 Aug 2024
• 5 min read
• 1

From Large Condo To Small Flat: Homeowners Share Their Downgrading Regrets In Singapore

The post-Covid era is generally regarded as a good time for sellers. Home prices were at a high, so those looking at property gains for retirement (or other investments) would theoretically have done well. But as we’ve found out, not…

• 29 Jul 2024
• 5 min read
• 0

“I Bought A Property With My Friend” 3 Singaporeans Share Their Experience Co-Owning A Property

When it comes to home ownership, the “default” mode is to buy with your spouse, parents, or siblings. However, we’ve come across some Singaporeans who have purchased properties with totally unrelated people; and some have even done so as business…

• 20 Jul 2024
• 5 min read
• 1

Why We Bought An Old 1970s Resale HDB In Holland V In Our 20s

Since the pandemic, it’s been a noticeable trend that more people have been willing to pay for old resale HDB flats. This was typically due to a variety of reasons – the need for more space or time constraints that…

• 11 Jul 2024
• 4 min read
• 3

I’ve Been Renting Since I Was 20 In Singapore, Here’s Why I Don’t Regret It

Those who knew me growing up wouldn’t be surprised that I moved out of my parents at the not-even-legal age of 20. There’s no major family drama or anything like that, but it is known that I prefer my independence…

• 29 Jun 2024
• 6 min read
• 0

“I Left My Condo Vacant For 7 Years” Here’s What Singaporeans Who Stay Abroad Do With Their Homes Here

Workforces are increasingly global, and given our high levels of education and competitiveness, Singaporeans are quite in demand. This results in a number of us working abroad, anywhere from months to years at a time. But what do these Singaporeans…

• 25 Jun 2024
• 5 min read
• 0

“My Dad Didn’t Let Me Sell Our Old Walk-Up” 3 Biggest Regrets Of Home Buyers Who Used The Bank Of Mum And Dad

Given how high property prices are today, it’s not surprising that more home buyers are turning to their parents for help. It’s also part of the great wealth transfer that’s happening in Singapore; and culturally, parents are anxious if their…

• 5 Jun 2024
• 5 min read
• 0

Finding A Better Alternative to Old Folks Homes in Singapore Part 2: Exploring Country Clubs, Surprisingly Viable?

In my previous article, I discussed the future living arrangements of older adults who do not fit the traditional Singaporean model. For example, people who do not have children to live with or do not want to live with their…

• 19 May 2024
• 6 min read
• 2

I’m A Young Singaporean Who Decided To Buy Property Overseas Instead, Here’s Why

I have always dreamed of owning property before I turned 35. As someone huge on personal finance, it was a really big deal to get one of the biggest life purchases out of the way so I could start optimising…

• 18 May 2024
• 7 min read
• 8

5 Lesser-Known Condos With Unique Duplex Units (From $2.08m)

For some people, the impact of a duplex, double-volume unit is worth the maintenance effort. Singapore homes are getting more cramped as the years go by, so just like the preference for bigger condos, we’re also starting to see more…

• 16 Apr 2024
• 5 min read
• 0

My Search For A Better Alternative To Old Folks Homes In Singapore: Are Overseas Retirement Homes Better?

My Mother spent over 30 years of her life staying with and caring for her own mother. When she was no longer needed, she had to move out of the house in which she had stayed for almost half her…

• 14 Apr 2024
• 10 min read
• 12