Guides

An Updated List Of New Launch Condos With Units Left (Broken Down By Unit Type) In 2022

So you’ve been told to “act fast” and buy, but you’re not sure if you’re being told the truth. It’s quite the sales tactic. Fortunately, we’re here to give you back the edge by highlighting which projects are actually about…

• 25 Mar 2022
• 8 min read
• 0

Your Monthly Interest Payments Are Set To Spike In 2022: Here’s What You Need To Know

Since around 2008/9, bank home loans have been significantly cheaper than HDB Concessionary Loans. Homebuyers have been warned repeatedly that bank loans could one day be pricier than HDB loans again – but that concern has been diminished, after being…

• 23 Mar 2022
• 7 min read
• 0

Inside A Genuinely Authentic HDB Home With An Eclectic Mix Of Pre-Loved Furniture

Whatever your views are on older HDBs in Singapore, there’s always been a certain charm about them. Whether it is a unique maisonette or a fan-like layout, you do get more flexibility or creativity with how you’d want it to…

• 21 Mar 2022
• 7 min read
• 0

The Housing Struggles Of Singles Below 35: Should We Be Easing Restrictions?

Homes for singles continue to be a hot topic, on sites from Reddit to coffee shop talk. Of late, we’ve seen discussions about lowering the age requirement, as mentioned by Member of Parliament Pritam Singh (check out a Reddit discussion…

• 19 Mar 2022
• 8 min read
• 0

Here’s The Next Mega Development: Why This Dunman Road Site Could Attract Developer Bids Of $1.3 Billion

Property developers are plagued by depleted land banks this year; so it’s not surprising we’ll see more competition for GLS sites. However, the upcoming Dunman Road site is likely to come with a daunting price tag – at potential prices…

• 16 Mar 2022
• 6 min read
• 0

Japan Vs Singapore: Why Japan’s Zoning Laws Make Sense And What We Can Learn

It’s no surprise that space constraints are a major factor in Singapore. However, Japan – while admittedly bigger – often has the same issues, with most of the country consisting of islands. And as Singapore’s population grows, and we seek…

• 16 Mar 2022
• 6 min read
• 2

Should You Pick A Property Agent Based On The Type Of Car He Or She Drives?

If you hang around social media long enough, you would have seen it – the supercars, the high-end watches, and other displays of material wealth. And more often than not, it comes from… drumrolls Property agents. (And maybe some financial…

• 14 Mar 2022
• 7 min read
• 4

Stop Blaming Just The IDs: Here’s The Less-Talked About Side Of The Renovation Industry

I last wrote about the inside track on the construction industry in Singapore.  But as I ended off – it takes two hands to clap, and customers also have to take a fair share of the blame for how rotten…

• 13 Mar 2022
• 11 min read
• 12

8 Shady Real Estate Practices To Look Out For In Singapore

As a whole, Singapore’s real estate scene is much improved from decades ago; some of our parents probably remember when the rules were more like suggestions than laws. But while the rise of CEA has weeded out most of the bad…

• 12 Mar 2022
• 8 min read
• 0

A Black & White Lover’s Guide To Choosing Colours For Your Home

Picture this: I’m reclining on my sofa in my recently-renovated living room. I’m reading Joyful by designer Ingrid Fetell Lee. I read, “Few people would name their favourite color as gray or beige, yet our homes are often cloaked in…

• 9 Mar 2022
• 8 min read
• 1

Freehold Vs Leasehold: How Have New Launch Condos Performed Since 2014

It’s a common question many homebuyers ask when looking to buy a new launch condo: is freehold or leasehold a better choice? While it may sound like a simple question on the surface, it is actually a very nuanced and…

• 3 Mar 2022
• 6 min read
• 0

5 Practical Ways To Manage Rising Home Loan Interest Rates In 2022

The United States Federal Reserve is indirectly behind home loan interest rates in Singapore. During the ’08 financial crisis, and Covid-19, they set interest rates to record lows, making home loans cheaper than ever in Singapore. But starting this March,…

• 1 Mar 2022
• 6 min read
• 1

4 Key Factors That Could Impact The EC Market In 2022

With prices hitting new peaks since 2021, first-time homebuyers are at a bit of a loss; this is especially true for the sandwiched demographic, who are slightly above the HDB income ceiling. Executive Condominiums (ECs) seem a natural choice here…

• 27 Feb 2022
• 6 min read
• 3

5 Common Financing Issues For HDB Upgraders (And How To Solve Them)

Ever since 2019, HDB upgraders have made up the bulk of private home buyers. A combination of rising demand, with record-high resale flat prices, has further made the past 2 years seem like an ideal time for those seeking condo…

• 25 Feb 2022
• 6 min read
• 3

4 Awkward Layout Challenges In Singapore Apartments And Stylish Solutions To Solve Them

While most new launches that you’ll see today have pretty regularly shaped and efficient layouts (these are naturally easier to sell), some are truly quite the oddball. If you’ve been shopping around in the resale market too, you might have…

• 23 Feb 2022
• 9 min read
• 0

Budget 2022 Property Tax: How Much More It’ll Cost You + What It Means For The Market

In the recent budget 2022 announcement, the government said it would raise property taxes starting next year. While the increment isn’t significant for most homeowners, it adds to a series of mounting costs for investors and landlords; and we expect…

• 21 Feb 2022
• 5 min read
• 3

An Inside Look Into The “Shady” Renovation/ID Industry In Singapore: Here’s How It Really Works

We recently wrote about a horrible renovation story in Singapore, and it was clear it struck a chord with many of you.  Many wrote in to share similar experiences, and some had helpful tips and advice for homeowners who are…

• 20 Feb 2022
• 11 min read
• 2

The Pros And Cons Of Buying A Private Property As Your First Home: Is It A Smart Move?

With home prices high across the board, there will be some buyers who are now wondering if 2022 is the right time to commit to a private property. A resale flat can seem to offer more space at a lower…

• 19 Feb 2022
• 8 min read
• 3