First time home buyer in Singapore: Condo viewing checklist
This post is part of a series that covers our experiences on buying our first resale condo in Singapore:
- First time home buyer in Singapore: Our personal home buying experience
- First time home buyer in Singapore: Why we chose to look for a central resale condo
- First time home buyer in Singapore: Our first viewing at Regency Suites
Now that we have done our first viewing at Regency Suites and put up the post on it, I have received some queries from people on what questions to ask the real estate agent and what are some things to look out for during a viewing. So I decided to put together a condo viewing checklist that will answer all those questions. But before we go into it, just to throw a caveat out there that this is not the checklist to end all condo viewing checklists. I do not think that there can be a perfect checklist, but checking off the boxes for these basic steps will certainly help you to know what to look out for and the right questions to ask. So here goes!
The challenge for many buyers today isn’t access to information.
It’s interpreting that information in a way that makes sense for their finances, goals, and stage of life.
Over time, that’s also why we decided to work with agents who shared the same data-driven and advisory-led approach behind our editorial, consultants who could help readers think through decisions more objectively, rather than simply push transactions.
Today, the team has worked with more than 2,000 clients across over $5B in property transactions.
Singapore Condo Viewing Checklist
Before the viewing
- Request for floor plan from the agent to study more carefully
- Search for the property on Google maps to find walking distances to transport and amenities
- Is the property fully paid for? Are there any encumbrances?
- What is the reason the owner is selling?
- Is it currently tenanted?
Location
- How near is public transportation? (MRT/Bus)
- Are they convenient for you to get to work?
- How long will it take you to get to work?
- How far is it to the nearest highway?
- Is the traffic heavy during rush hour?
- Nearby schools/preschools/kindergartens?
- How far and safe are the routes to the schools
- Availability of food options nearby?
- Amenities like wet market/supermarket?
- Medical care in the area? Clinics/hospitals
Surroundings
- How is the unit situated in relation to its surroundings? Is it secluded, central or quiet?
- How is the view? Are any buildings planned that could take away your view in the future? (Check URA Master Plan)
- Neighbourhood: Are there more older people or young couples with children? Is this the type of surroundings you would like?
- Are there spaces for young children to play? Would there be playmates in their age group?
- How is the access and entrance to the condo? Is there just one way to access?
The Unit
- Any specific conditions with the unit?
- Facade: Are there cracks or damp areas that you can immediately see?
- Enough carpark lots/visitor lots?
- If you are moving previous furniture, will it fit in the new space?
- Possibility of adding or removing walls?
- What fittings or built-in items will be included in the sale price of the house?
- If you are intending to do minor renovation, are the tiles/floors/walls in satisfactory condition?
- Are there any required repairs that you need to do in the interior?
- Is the layout functional for your needs?
- What is the facing of the house? Would you get morning/afternoon sun?
- Is it sufficiently windy?
- What is the maintenance fees plus sinking fund?
I do hope this helps! Please let me know in the comments should you feel there is anything that I have missed out that would be useful in this condo viewing checklist.
Read more on Jared’s journey:
Part 1: First time home buyer in Singapore: Our personal home buying experience
Part 2:Why we chose to look for a central resale condo
Part 3: Our first viewing at Regency Suites
Part 4: Condo viewing checklist
Part 5: Our personal condo list
At Stacked, we like to look beyond the headlines and surface-level numbers, and focus on how things play out in the real world.
If you’d like to discuss how this applies to your own circumstances, you can reach out for a one-to-one consultation here.
And if you simply have a question or want to share a thought, feel free to write to us at stories@stackedhomes.com. We read every message.
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