Homeowner Stories

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

How This Singaporean Homeowner Transformed A 1,818 Sqft Maisonette Condo

High-ceiling, double-volume units hold a fascination for many homeowners. It’s impressive, gives a sense of space, and has twice the impact in Singapore. Huge homes aren’t exactly the norm here, and going double volume is a major flex. But it…

• 4 Apr 2024
• 5 min read
• 2

I Chose To Pay The ABSD To Buy A Condo And Keep My HDB: Here’s Why

With the ABSD for a second property now at 20 per cent (for Singapore Citizens), the decision to retain one’s HDB flat has become quite rare. However, that’s precisely what our reader YX did. In April last year, he bought…

• 6 Mar 2024
• 5 min read
• 5

We Gave Up The $20k Proximity Housing Grant To Stay Further Away From My Parents: Here’s Why We Made This Tough Choice

Most Singaporeans are eager to shave $20,000 off the price of their flat, which is why for most, the Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) is attractive. However, there are a surprising few who intentionally choose to give it up. Sometimes this…

• 8 Feb 2024
• 5 min read
• 0

“My Agent Didn’t Think My HDB Was Worth His Time Selling” 5 Stories Of Horrible Property Agents From Homebuyers

There’s probably no more hated profession in Singapore than the real estate agent. While there are certainly good agents out there, the problem is with more than 30,000 agents (although the active number is much lower), the quality of the…

• 17 Jan 2024
• 7 min read
• 2

I Bought My First Property In My Mid-20s: Here’s All The Mistakes I Made

CX is what Singaporeans might call a “high-flyer”. He owned a car and a condo in his mid-twenties, was a top performer in his company, and managed it all before he became a degree holder. However, his experiences as a…

• 15 Jan 2024
• 5 min read
• 1

I Bought My First Home In My Mid-40s, Here’s What I Went Through

We’ve all had different circumstances in life, and some of us begin our home ownership journey a bit later than 35. This week we spoke to KS, who “married later” and only bought his first home in his mid-40s. He…

• 4 Jan 2024
• 5 min read
• 0