Homeowner Stories

Why These Buyers Chose Older Leasehold Condos—And Have No Regrets

Why did three homeowners buy older leasehold condos despite the stigma? Their stories reveal surprising advantages—and trade-offs—they accepted.

• 28 May 2025
• 5 min read
• 0
• 639

Why We Chose A $2.7M 4-Bedder At Lentor Mansion Over A Resale Condo

In 2025, high prices for new launch condos have resulted in more families choosing resale projects. This was not the case for NM, however, who settled for a Lentor area condo after much consideration. Their process was quite analytical and…

• 21 May 2025
• 5 min read
• 1
• 312

Why We Chose A Walk-Up Apartment (Yes, With No Lift) For Our First Home

When SL and her spouse picked their first home, they selected something a little less common: not a flat or a condo, but an old-school walk-up apartment, with a fantastic Holland V location and greater privacy. Their story explains why…

• 12 May 2025
• 6 min read
• 0
• 611

How a 57% Rent Spike Drove Flor Patisserie Out — And What It Says About Singapore’s Retail Scene

In 2001, Singapore abolished the Control of Rent Act—a move that changed the landscape for commercial tenants. In 2025, a beloved Japanese-inspired bakery named Flor Patisserie announced the closure of its Siglap Drive outlet after facing a 57% rent increase…

• 10 May 2025
• 8 min read
• 1
• 1.9k

Buying A Walk-Up Apartment In Singapore? Don’t Overlook The Shops Below – Here’s Why

It’s not uncommon to have commercial spaces below walk-up apartments. These are often overlooked by buyers, who typically focus on other details like layouts and nearby transport; but that can be a mistake. The type of commercial business downstairs also…

• 29 Apr 2025
• 5 min read
• 0
• 138

I Almost Sold My Home In Singapore—Here’s Why I’m Glad I Rented It Out Instead

The blunt truth is, most Singaporeans are not enticed by the idea of renting out their home. Some are intentional, dedicated landlords for sure – but for the majority, the thought of chasing rental income, dealing with tenants, having strangers…

• 24 Apr 2025
• 5 min read
• 0
• 170

Why This Singapore Homeowner Wakes At 5AM To Commute – And Has Zero Regrets

When you’re buying a property, what’s one of the first things you look for? Besides schools, we bet its proximity to work. No one relishes the thought of living an hour or more away from their workplace, and making that…

• 20 Apr 2025
• 4 min read
• 0
• 269

“We Treated Our Flat As A Liability” How One Couple Paid Off Their HDB In 15 Years

Paying off the home loan early isn’t the universally right move for everyone: it can tie up a lot of money in a property asset. But there are homeowners who aim to do just this, and some have ambitious goals…

• 18 Apr 2025
• 4 min read
• 0
• 311

Why This Architect Chose A Dual-Key Condo (Even Though He Was Set On A BTO)

Dual-key units are something of a niche property. On the one hand, having a subunit opens up many different possibilities. On the other hand, some might complain that it restricts interior design possibilities and uses more space for utilities. This…

• 16 Apr 2025
• 6 min read
• 0
• 465

The Hard Truth About Buying A Home With Your Partner In Singapore (Most People Don’t Talk About This)

When my partner and I started discussing marriage, one of the things we brought up was a prenup. Not exactly the most romantic conversation (and maybe even one that rubs some people the wrong way), but a necessary one. Because…

• 16 Apr 2025
• 7 min read
• 0
• 242

I Owned A Store In My Condo In Singapore For 10 Years: And Here’s Why I’d Never Recommend It Today

It’s not uncommon to find some small convenience stores, clinics, cafes, etc. within the grounds of some condo projects. Not enough to consider them mixed-use, but enough to provide small amenities; usually to condos that are (or were) further from…

• 13 Apr 2025
• 4 min read
• 0
• 2.4k

“We Saved Money By Living Above An MRT” 5 Homeowners Share The Good And Bad About Integrated Developments

Integrated projects, like mega-developments, are currently an “in” thing in the Singapore property market. However, not everyone shares the same opinion: for every resident who loves having a 24-hour hot pot or NTUC right downstairs, there’s another who loathes the…

• 1 Apr 2025
• 5 min read
• 0
• 33

The Surprising Truth About Dual-Key Homes In Singapore: 3 Homeowners Share Their Stories

Dual-key units are undeniably a niche property type, with many developers struggling to move these units in recent new launches. However, our research shows that – contrary to certain beliefs – dual-key units aren’t worse for resale gains (they just…

• 13 Mar 2025
• 4 min read
• 0
• 219

Why Some Homebuyers Stay Away From Top-Floor Properties In Singapore

Top-floor units are often associated with luxury and price premiums. But as they say, one man’s ceiling is another man’s… Okay, that cliché doesn’t work here. The point is: not everyone appreciates top-floor units. This is a minority view, as…

• 14 Jan 2025
• 5 min read
• 2
• 2.3k

“Why I Bought My Property Even Though I Might Lose Money” Singaporean Homeowners Share Their Stories

Is your property a way to make money, or just a roof over your head? Well, the most honest answer from most Singaporeans is “Why not both?” But every now and again, we encounter true owner-occupiers; genuine home buyers as…

• 13 Jan 2025
• 7 min read
• 0
• 916

The Surprising Property Deals That Closed On Christmas Day In Singapore

Does anyone sell their home on Christmas? The answer appears to be yes! Some surprisingly profitable transactions occur on Christmas day, so maybe someone got a gift-wrapped new condo. Not literally, because that would take a lot of wrapping paper….

• 24 Dec 2024
• 5 min read
• 0
• 154

My Search For A Better Old Folks Homes In Singapore: A Review Of A Spa-Like Retirement Home In London

Some time ago, I wrote an article about my search for a better retirement home (as compared to what we currently have in Singapore.) It seems I’m not the only middle-aged Singaporean concerned about his/her housing situation post-retirement, as the…

• 22 Dec 2024
• 8 min read
• 3
• 330

Why We Chose A Ground-Floor Condo In Singapore: The Unexpected Perks Beyond Price

Most Singaporean property buyers associate higher floors with better value. It’s why “all-floors-same-price” promotions are a favourite sales tactic when sales are slow, and if the price stays the same most people would choose a high-floor unit. Some buyers believe…

• 18 Dec 2024
• 6 min read
• 1
• 1.7k