5 Highest-Yielding Paya Lebar Condos (For Under $1.4 Million)

6 min read

Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ) has turned the area into a new commercial hub, and a major property hot spot. Unfortunately, it may be tough for a new investor to get a piece of the action now; prices in Paya Lebar have soared over the past few years, and seem set to go higher. 

If you are looking for the ultimate rental yields, here are the top 20 that we’ve found currently:

Project	Average Transacted	No. of Sale Transactions	Annual Rent	No. of Rental Contracts	Yield
Central Imperial 2 Bedroom	$560,000	1	$27,189	19	4.86%
The Sanctuary @ Geylang 1 Bedroom	$605,000	1	$28,533	9	4.72%
Suites @ Sims 1 Bedroom	$470,000	1	$20,543	23	4.37%
Grandview Suites 1 Bedroom	$477,667	3	$20,340	30	4.26%
Sims Green 2 Bedroom	$842,500	2	$35,280	5	4.19%
Central Imperial 3 Bedroom	$743,000	1	$31,100	12	4.19%
Casa Aerata 2 Bedroom	$610,500	2	$24,912	25	4.08%
The Octet 1 Bedroom	$535,000	4	$21,828	29	4.08%
Treasures @ G20 1 Bedroom	$480,000	2	$19,571	21	4.08%
Le Regal 1 Bedroom	$492,933	3	$20,040	50	4.07%
Royce Residences 1 Bedroom	$518,000	2	$21,027	22	4.06%
La Fleur 1 Bedroom	$510,000	4	$20,576	42	4.03%
Edenz Loft 1 Bedroom	$510,000	1	$20,575	24	4.03%
Pavilion Square 1 Bedroom	$542,000	1	$21,831	26	4.03%
28 Imperial Residences 2 Bedroom	$676,667	6	$26,700	12	3.95%
Centra Residence 1 Bedroom	$568,000	1	$22,383	36	3.94%
Canberlin Apartments 3 Bedroom	$814,000	2	$32,000	3	3.93%
Centra Loft 2 Bedroom	$617,194	4	$23,925	8	3.88%
Fern Lodge Na Bedroom	$820,000	1	$31,440	5	3.83%

While some of the yields are attractive (for Singapore at least), the realities are that some of these are not the closest to Paya Lebar Quarter. We also wanted to discount those that were between Geylang Lorong 8 to 24 – mainly because of the red light district and possible financing issues.

There are still some alternatives however: we found some condos that are within one kilometre of PLQ, but still have prices under $1.4 million. If you’re looking to invest in Paya Lebar, here are the ones with the current top gross rental yields:

A quick note on MRT access:

The Paya Lebar MRT station is located at PLQ, so the distance from the development to PLQ (indicated in the profile) is also roughly the same distance to the MRT station. 

1. Sims Residences

Location: Lorong 39 Geylang

Distance to PLQ: 300 metres (four minutes on foot)

Developer: MCL Land Ltd.

Lease: 99-years

Completion date: 2002

Number of units: 112

Best spotted gross rental income / yield: $39,055 per annum / 3.57% (3-room)

Most recent transactions below $1.4 million

Date	Unit Size	Price PSF	Price
7 Sep 2020	1,184 sq. ft.	$877	$1,038,000
24 Aug 2020	1,367 sq. ft.	$732	$1,000,000
16 Jul 2020	1,453 sq. ft.	$819	$1,190,000
15 May 2020	1,184 sq. ft.	$902	$1,068,000
31 Mar 2020	1,873 sq. ft.	$583	$1,110,000

In total, there have been 59 profitable transactions, and 15 unprofitable transactions.

Key highlights:

Sims Residences is next to Sims Dorado and D’weave (see below). While this condo is getting on in years (19 years old at the time of writing), it’s still one of the best kept secrets between Geylang / Paya Lebar. 

On the surface it’s unremarkable – but if you walk a short distance down Lorong 39, you’ll run into a huge stretch of eateries (some open 24 hours), convenience stores, and minimarts. There are even three supermarkets within 500 metres of this development: the FairPrice at Lorong 8, and the Giant outlets at Tanjong Katong Complex and Paya Lebar Square. This is in addition to being just a few minutes away from PLQ’s malls, and also KINEX mall. 

It’s also worth noting the size of the units here. Being an older condo, the three-bedders are huge, averaging 1,184 sq. ft. That’s not an easy size to find for under $1.4 million these days.

The drawbacks to Sims Residences and its neighbours are noise, and the densely built-up area. There’s a place of worship nearby; and Sims Residences, Sims Dorado, and D’weave are tightly packed together – it can feel quite enclosed.

2. Aston Mansions 

Location: Lorong 42 Geylang

Distance to PLQ: 600 metres (eight minutes on foot)

Developer: Far East Organization 

Lease: 99-years

Completion date: 1998

Number of units: 159

Best spotted gross rental income / yield: $37,029 per annum / 3.56 per cent (3-room)

Most recent transactions below $1.4 million:

Date	Unit Size	Price PSF	Price
18 Mar 2021	1,012 sq. ft.	$949	$960,000
4 Dec 2020	1,227 sq. ft.	$864	$1,060,000
10 Feb 2020	1,141 sq. ft.	$857	$978,000
15 Jan 2020	1,227 sq. ft.	$884	$1,085,000
14 Jan 2020	1,012 sq. ft.	$946	$957,000

In total, there have been 120 profitable transactions, and 65 unprofitable transactions.

Key highlights:

It often surprises viewers to learn that Astons Mansions is a Far East Organization project, as it doesn’t have the grandeur associated with their work. To be blunt, the route into Astons Mansions – all the way at the end of Lorong 42 – is unappealing; you have to turn into a street between a hodgepodge of stainless-steel supply shops, housing accessor shops, shady looking KTVs, etc. 

(As a trade-off, there’s a good coffee shop right around the corner where it turns into Astons Mansions). 

Astons Mansions itself still looks decently well-kept, especially for a condo of 22 years; it’s just unfortunately at the end of a, well, grubby street.

If you can overlook this, Astons Mansions is well-priced for a condo so close to PLQ. The units here are huge by today’s standards: the two-bedders average 1,012 sq. ft., while three-bedders range from 1,141 to 1,195 sq. ft. 

The pool and tennis court are pristine for a condo this age, although they’re all in one corner rather than being in the middle (the four stacks clustered around the facilities are clearly better located, compared to the ones near the entrance). 

3. Sims Dorado

Location: Lorong 39 Geylang

Distance to PLQ: 350 metres (five minutes on foot)

Developer: Bravo Building Construction Pte. Ltd. 

Lease: Freehold

Completion date: 2008

Number of units: 35

Best spotted gross rental income / yield: $31,600 per annum / 3.33 per cent (2-room)

Most recent transactions below $1.4 million:

Date	Unit Size	Price PSF	Price
19 Jan 2021	861 sq. ft.	$1,138	$980,000
12 Nov 2020	1,055 sq. ft.	$1,090	$1,150,000
30 Jan 2020	861 sq. ft.	$1,103	$950,000

In total, there have been 32 profitable transactions, and 2 unprofitable transactions.

Key highlights:

Sims Dorado is across from Sims Residences (see above), so location wise the two are comparable. However, there are some big differences.

First, Sims Dorado is a truly tiny development, with only 35 units. It doesn’t have the full suite of condo facilities like its neighbour; you get a pool, and that’s mostly it. Second, Sims Dorado is a freehold development. This makes its advancing age (13 years old at the time of writing) more palatable than Sims Residences – it is after all, freehold too. 

Overall, this is an alternative for buyers who want a longer-term investment, as Sims Residences is getting on in years. However, the low number of units translates to low transaction volumes; and the small number of units doesn’t fully relieve how densely packed this area is. 

4. SimsVille 

Location: 8 Geylang East Ave 2

Distance to PLQ: 650 metres (nine minutes on foot)

Developer: DBS Land 

Lease: 99-years

Completion date: 1998

Number of units: 522

Best spotted gross rental income / yield: $32,607 per annum / 3.32 per cent (2-room)

Most recent transactions below $1.4 million:

Date	Unit Size	Price PSF	Price
11 Mar 2021	1,238 sq. ft.	$1,075	$1,331,000
17 Feb 2021	1,238 sq. ft.	$1,058	$1,310,000
4 Feb 2021	1,238 sq. ft.	$1,065	$1,318,000
15 Jan 2021	980 sq. ft.	$1,021	$1,000,000
4 Dec 2020	980 sq. ft.	$1,062	$1,040,000

In total, there have been 272 profitable transactions, and 181 unprofitable transactions.

Key highlights:

SimsVille is probably the best-known rental option on this list. It’s simply the largest and most noticeable development on the list (522 units), and quite a few people can identify it as “that condo facing the MRT tracks”. 

The two-bedders will probably be the main draw. These units barely cross the $1 million mark; but at 980 sq. ft., they’re still sizeable enough for smaller families (for reference, a 4-room flat averages 968 sq.ft). As such, even home buyers might be interested, if they’re willing to overlook the age. 

What some buyers may not like is how, as we mentioned above, this condo is close to the MRT tracks. That can result in some noise pollution, although that should always be expected with a centrally and conveniently located spot. Also, do note that there’s a place of worship nearby (although tenants we spoke to barely realised it, so it’s safe to assume it’s quiet). 

5. D’Weave

Location: Lorong 39 Geylang

Distance to PLQ: 400 metres (five minutes on foot)

Developer: Teambuild Properties Pte. Ltd. 

Lease: Freehold

Completion date: 2014

Number of units: 71

Best spotted gross rental income / yield: $21,060 per annum / 3.19 per cent (single-bedder)

Most recent transactions below $1.4 million:

Date	Unit Size	Price PSF	Price
1 Mar 2021	1,410 sq. ft.	$936	$1,320,000
1 Mar 2021	893 sq. ft.	$996	$890,000
15 Jul 2020	441 sq. ft.	$1,495	$660,000

In total, there have been 18 profitable transactions and no losses so far. 

Key highlights:

D’weave is the newest property on this list, completed only in 2014. It’s also a boutique freehold development, with only 71 units. Location wise, it’s comparable to Sims Residences (see above), as it neighbours both Sims Residences and Sims Dorado.

As with most small developments, facilities are spartan: a single pool, gym, and a small BBQ area. However, D’weave is noticeably newer than its two neighbours on this list, and wins out in terms of façade and initial impression. 

Despite its young age, units are still quite large for their price point. To put this in perspective, D’weave has 3 bedroom units sized at 893 sq. ft that are under $900,000. Just minutes away, at Park Place Residences, a 667 sq.ft. leasehold unit would cost you about $1.35 million. 

As such D’weave has become a price-driven alternative, for investors who want a foot in Paya Lebar without paying newly risen PLQ prices. 

D’weave shares some of the same drawbacks as its two neighbours though; it’s facing a narrow road and solid walls, making it feel very enclosed. It’s also the closest to the place of worship.

PLQ has been a game changer for these older Paya Lebar condos, which are still finding their place in the new scheme of things.

Tenants, investors, and home buyers are all beginning to look at the fringes of Paya Lebar – places where prices have yet to rise to astronomical levels, but where PLQ facilities are close by. 

The success of Parc Esta and Penrose, for instance, can be traced to Paya Lebar’s transformation. The older condos on this list are within walking distance of PLQ, so it’s unsurprising they’ve come on the radar again. It helps that PLQ has over a million square feet of lettable office space, providing plenty of prospective tenants. 

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