Property Market Commentary

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

Where Do These Million-dollar Flats Keep Coming From?

It is quite crazy if you were to think about it. The very first HDB flat to hit this magical million dollar mark was an executive apartment at Block 149 Mei Ling Street in Queenstown. This unit was sold for…

• 13 Nov 2020
• 6 min read
• 0

How Does 2020’s Low Interest Rates Impact Your Property Purchase?

If you have been on the lookout for a home this year, you’ve probably heard this many times by now. Now is a good time to buy, as the costs of borrowing money is so much lower. Put simply, a…

• 12 Nov 2020
• 6 min read
• 0

What Is Cash Over Valuation (COV) And Why Would You Pay It?

We’re seeing a resale flat revolution. As of Q3, resale prices are rising at their fastest pace since around 2012, and transaction volumes are at a 10-year high. We have a more detailed discussion of this in our previous article. …

• 9 Nov 2020
• 6 min read
• 0

Is It Time To Refinance From An HDB Loan To A Bank Loan?

After almost seven years of consecutive decline, the HDB resale market seems to have turned a corner. They hit a 10-year high as of Q3 2020; and there’s a good chance the momentum will continue.  Perhaps you’ve been tempted into…

• 5 Nov 2020
• 7 min read
• 0

Neighbourhood Of The Week: Yishun (District 27)

Yishun is one of the most meme-worthy neighbourhoods in Singapore. It’s nicknames include “The Devil’s Ring” and to date, it’s the only neighbourhood to have inspired a website entirely about its strange happenings. It’s also one of the rare non-central…

• 1 Nov 2020
• 5 min read
• 0

Margin Calls: Possibly The Most Overlooked Risk In High-quantum Properties

You could say that the Singapore private property market has left many people puzzled. Despite Singapore seeing its worst recession in over 55 years, home sales and prices are rising across the board.  HDB resale flats are at a 10-year…

• 30 Oct 2020
• 5 min read
• 0