Property Market Commentary

All The New Launch Condo Updates For 2021

It’s still early days in 2021, but it doesn’t look as if the property train will be slowing down much (we’ve detailed it more here). 2020 has ended with private residential prices rising by 2.2% for the whole of 2020,…

• 13 Jan 2021
• 7 min read
• 1

Why OCR Condos Might Dominate Rental Markets In 2021

A short while ago we pondered whether the Singapore rental market could stay its course. Given the impact of Covid-19, our rental market has held up remarkably well; at this point simply maintaining rental income / yields can be considered…

• 5 Jan 2021
• 5 min read
• 0

Why HDB And Private Home Prices Are Still Projected To Rise In 2021

“Crisis is opportunity”, we’ve heard time and again about Covid-19, the Global Financial Crisis, etc. For those eyeing the Singapore private property market, however, the saying over the past year has been “Where is the opportunity?” Despite the pandemic, not…

• 4 Jan 2021
• 7 min read
• 0

Resale Condos Were Underrated In 2020, But Might Take The Spotlight In 2021

You’ve been seeing one new launch after another for 2020; so it’s not surprising you may have missed the trend in the background. Resale condos have avoided the limelight despite sales volumes hitting a two-year high back in August, and…

• 26 Dec 2020
• 6 min read
• 0

Are New Launch Bigger Bedroom Units Getting More Expensive?

I’m sure most of you would know the drill by now when it comes to general new launch pricing.  Small units equals higher PSF, big units equals lower PSF.  In the past few years where there has been added emphasis…

• 16 Dec 2020
• 3 min read
• 4

How Much Would You Save By Buying An Assisted Living HDB Flat?

If you’re like most Singaporeans, you have at some point tried to plan out your “final home”, the property where you’ll live out your twilight years. And like most of us, you’ve probably found it quite tricky: is it better…

• 15 Dec 2020
• 5 min read
• 0

How Do We Keep Prime HDB Flats Fair? We Review Your Responses

Last week we asked you how we could keep prime area HDB flats fair, and we got a good number of answers. It’s also timely, as a little more information regarding new flat policies have come up: as of 12th…

• 14 Dec 2020
• 5 min read
• 0

How Big Of A “Windfall” Is A Prime Region HDB Flat?

Resale flat sellers have had some grim looks over the past few days. With potential new resale restrictions brewing, it’s been a big talking point over whether we’re seeing the end of high priced prime region HDB resale flats. We…

• 9 Dec 2020
• 7 min read
• 0

Can Singaporeans Really Afford Their Properties During Covid-19?

Last year, MAS issued cautions as new launches grew, side-lining resale units. Then the re-issue of Options To Purchase (OTPs) came to an end, ostensibly because it could contribute to “property fever”. As of yesterday, MAS has directly advised prudence…

• 8 Dec 2020
• 6 min read
• 0

How Do We Deal With The “Unfairness” Of Prime Region HDB Flats?

Before you fork out $20,000 or $30,000 in Cash Over Valuation (COV), you should pay close attention to what National Development Minister Desmond Lee has been saying. Amid various discussions on Covid-19, mortgages, and help for the construction industry, the…

• 1 Dec 2020
• 5 min read
• 0

Are The Ang Mo Kio And Tengah Residential GLS Sites Worth Waiting For?

Perhaps you’ve seen all of 2020’s launches and nothing appeals to you; or perhaps your timeline for getting that condo is a few years down the road. In any case, don’t just look for the named, upcoming developments. Sometimes, it…

• 30 Nov 2020
• 5 min read
• 0

Can You Afford A Sentosa Property Now That It’s “Cheap”?

Let’s start with some numbers that we’ve gathered on Sentosa. Number of Profitable/Unprofitable Transactions Condominium Detached House Terrace House Grand Total Breakeven 1 1 – 2 Gains 518 69 33 620 Loss 166 15 7 188 Average Gains and Losses…

• 27 Nov 2020
• 8 min read
• 0

Sign of the Times: Comparing An Old Resale HDB To A New BTO

Having stayed in an (old) resale flat for almost my entire life, I have grown accustomed to having sufficient space in my home.  However, as I’m at the stage where getting my own place is becoming a distinct possibility, I…

• 26 Nov 2020
• 7 min read
• 1

Can You Still Afford A Mature-estate HDB Flat In 2020?

It’s BTO launch time, and once again your eyes are being drawn to places like Bidadari and Bishan. But a part of you may be thinking: this is all a fantasy right? Even if the balloting works out, the flats…

• 23 Nov 2020
• 8 min read
• 0

Why You Should Rethink Any Expensive Property Investment Seminars

By now, you’ve probably seen the YouTube ads warning you about declining HDB flat values; or the older ads claiming you can own multiple properties with no money down. Most recently, a certain education company has come under fire for…

• 21 Nov 2020
• 8 min read
• 6

6 Fastest-Selling New Launch Condos: How Are They Doing Now?

New launches are a bit like the Premier League matches of the property market. Behind the scenes, there’s always an undercurrent of nerves as developers – and their marketing teams – see whether their multi-million-dollar ventures are going to pan…

• 20 Nov 2020
• 13 min read
• 3

6 Developer Pricing Strategies For New Launch Condos

One of the great mysteries in Singapore’s private property market is developer pricing for new launches. We’ve encountered few events that are more laden with myth, rumours, and outright falsehoods. In most cases, the only part that most people get…

• 18 Nov 2020
• 9 min read
• 0

Singapore’s Major Integrated Developments: A 5-year Update

The term “integrated development” is bandied about quite a bit in the Singapore private property market. Often, it’s confused with mixed-use developments, or as just a condo with a few shops.  In actuality, an integrated development is one that combines…

• 15 Nov 2020
• 8 min read
• 0