Commentary

PPVC Construction : Why It Matters For Investors (The Good, Bad, And Ugly)

Let’s roll back time to the year 2017.  You are a savvy property investor, and have realised that the property market has bottomed out. So you believe it is now the right time to start buying your investment property. You’ve…

• 3 Apr 2021
• 5 min read
• 5

Why Old, Strata Malls Matter More Than You Think

Queensway Shopping Centre, Katong Shopping Centre, Golden Mile Tower…these old malls are often disregarded, or even considered eyesores. When it comes to “important old buildings”, Singaporeans tend to think of shophouses or historic bungalows; the concept of an old strata-titled…

• 25 Mar 2021
• 6 min read
• 0

SERS: What Is It, Where Has It Happened, And What Are Your Odds?

The Selective En-Bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) is often considered the next big “HDB lottery winner”, next to a central region BTO flat. In fact, one of the reasons many Singaporeans want a central region flat is because they believe there’s…

• 14 Mar 2021
• 5 min read
• 0

Why ABSD For Developers Needs To Be Tweaked And How It Affects You As A Home Buyer

Most home buyers are familiar with the concept of Additional Buyers Stamp Duty (ABSD) as it applies to them. What’s less commonly known is that property developers also have to pay ABSD; and this added tax shapes multiple decisions. From…

• 12 Mar 2021
• 7 min read
• 2

Humility Is The Greatest Investment Strategy. Here’re 5 Reasons Why.

I listened to the story with fascination as the property agent shared with me the story about how his seller turned down a record price for his unit. Why? Because the buyer had remarked that “the kitchen was ugly”. I…

• 24 Feb 2021
• 7 min read
• 0

What’s Behind The Surge Of New Launch Condo Purchases In January 2021?

At this point, the prediction of new cooling measures may have become a self-fulfilling prophecy. New condo sales surged month-on-month, between December 2020 and January of this year; and while the reasons are varied, one of them may ironically be…

• 16 Feb 2021
• 6 min read
• 0

URA Is Asking Questions About Property Agent Commissions; Here’s How It Could Affect You

Property developers have been grumbling of late, and we’re not talking about potential new cooling measures. The gripe has been about property agent commissions, and how they’ve been growing over the years. In recent news however, agents and market watchers…

• 9 Feb 2021
• 6 min read
• 0

Are Shoebox Units A Good Retirement Option? Here Are The Pros And Cons

To most Singaporeans, the term “shoebox unit” or “compact unit” is synonymous with property investment. Indeed, renting out a one-bedder is how many landlords get started on their property portfolio. What’s less commonly known, however, is that shoebox units also…

• 6 Feb 2021
• 7 min read
• 0

5 Common Scenarios In A Divorce Settlement: How Your Property Will Be Divided

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, marriages go wrong. In an ideal scenario, everyone involved parts ways amicably. In a realistic scenario, the division of assets gets messy; and the most serious complication typically involves the home we stay in. Most…

• 5 Feb 2021
• 9 min read
• 0

Are Sentosa Cove Bungalows Really Seeing A Turnaround?

If you’ve been reading the news lately, you may be surprised to hear about the “wave of regional buyers” that are expected to descend on Sentosa Cove. Yes, we’re talking about the same place where the prices of detached homes…

• 25 Jan 2021
• 6 min read
• 0

Could We See More Property Cooling Measures In 2021?

In an “oh no” moment on 18th January, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said the government is paying close attention to the property market; and that they “don’t want to see the property market run ahead of the underlying…

• 22 Jan 2021
• 7 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

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

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

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

Why Are Landed Home Sales Hitting New Highs Despite Covid-19?

If you’re like most people, you might guess the most expensive property segment – landed property – will fare worst in the downturn. After all, who would buy a bungalow or Semi-D in Singapore’s worst economic situation to date, right?…

• 20 Oct 2020
• 5 min read
• 2