News

Are We In A Property Buyer’s Or Seller’s Market?

The theme for the 2024 property market is “good news, bad news” It’s almost as if the universe wants to perfectly balance the forces that push property prices up, as well as down; so I’m not surprised that 2024 has…

• 10 Mar 2024
• 4 min read
• 0

Is This New ABSD Rule A Sign?

Changes to ABSD for developers are a sign of the times. When we started seeing runaway prices after Covid, there was a sense of “not this again,” and most market watchers had flashbacks to 2009 to 2013, or the 2017…

• 3 Mar 2024
• 4 min read
• 0

Why I Look For Old Malls Before I Buy Property

I look for old, “run-down” malls when I shop around for property The typical response I get to this is “siao ah, what’s so good about that.” But hear me out: old, strata-titled malls are a more valuable amenity than…

• 25 Feb 2024
• 4 min read
• 0

Are Singapore Property Prices Set To Drop In 2024? Here’s A “Surprising” Prediction

This may not come as a surprise to most, but according to a report by Savills prime properties (e.g., the high-end luxury stuff, like you’ll find in our Core Central Region) might dip by around 3.9 per cent this year….

• 12 Feb 2024
• 5 min read
• 7

This $92 Million Dollar Lawsuit Exposes A Problem In Singapore’s Property Market

The notorious furniture rebate deal UOB is suing a developer over 38 units at the Marina Collection. The developer allegedly gave rebates of 22 to 34 per cent, resulting in UOB now claiming $92 million in losses from the loans….

• 4 Feb 2024
• 4 min read
• 3

Buying Land At A 30% Discount At Marina South: A Good Deal Or A Sign Of Weak Demand?

Sometimes, winning comes with a sense of apprehension That’s how I would feel, if I were the consortium of developers that won the recent bid for a Marina white site. GuocoLand, Intrepid Investments and TID Residential recently put in a…

• 28 Jan 2024
• 4 min read
• 0

Do We Really Need 35,251 Property Agents In Singapore?

All hail the digital generation (of property agents) As of this year, we have around 35,251 property agents, up from 34,427 last year; which when we consider how much they like flyers, makes it amazing there are any trees left. …

• 21 Jan 2024
• 5 min read
• 0

Will We Start Seeing More 60-year Lease Condos Soon?

There are two types of people who buy freehold properties, and they don’t realise they should hate each other. Not until the en-bloc meeting happens.  You see, for some people, the benefit of a freehold condo is they think that…

• 14 Jan 2024
• 5 min read
• 2

Here’s Why You Should Consult An Architect Before Buying A Landed Home (Don’t Make This Same $18m Mistake)

Sometimes, not being seen as a property expert is an advantage In a recent case, a buyer’s attempt to sue a real estate agency over an $18.6 million Good Class Bungalow (GCB) didn’t go well. The issue? A drainage reserve…

• 8 Jan 2024
• 4 min read
• 0

How Singapore’s New Rental Rules May Benefit Landlords (And Tenants)

Sometimes, we need to remember who depends on who, when it comes to foreign workers.  Domestic helpers aside, I’m also talking about foreign workers of the non-Sentosa-Cove variety. From Malaysia, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, etc., we rely on foreigners for…

• 23 Dec 2023
• 4 min read
• 4

The Curious Case Of Multi-Million Dollar Coffeeshops In Singapore

If anything will make me believe in Feng Shui, it’s coffee shops Take, for instance, this coffee shop which I frequent, which was sold for $40.5 million. To begin with, I personally disagree with most of the comments on why…

• 17 Dec 2023
• 4 min read
• 1

The Main Reason Why En Blocs Don’t Go Through..

Singapore’s most talented diplomats are wasted in the property market. When the government needs expert negotiators, they should be looking for the en-bloc specialists in property firms. Because if anyone can pull off even one successful en-bloc negotiation, they’ll have…

• 10 Dec 2023
• 4 min read
• 0

What Is The Impact Of The Upgrades To Bayshore?

Well, there goes the seaview. For decades, the residents in the Bayshore Road cluster (three condos: Costa Del Sol, Bayshore Road, and Bayshore Park) have tolerated poor public transport access, and limited amenities, in exchange for one of Singapore’s best…

• 3 Dec 2023
• 4 min read
• 0

How The Inevitable Decline Of Petrol Stations May Affect Your Property In Singapore

We tend to overlook petrol stations, when it comes to analysing real estate. The humble petrol kiosk is not something we look for, when scouting out the surroundings of a condo; and most brochures would never bother to mention these….

• 26 Nov 2023
• 5 min read
• 0

Will New Upfront Property Agent Fees Scare Homebuyers Away?

We have the solution to the co-broking problem (because hopeless optimism is still a kind of solution) 16 property agencies have signed a Memorandum Of Understanding, on how to resolve co-broking disputes.  If you’re not sure why this is a…

• 19 Nov 2023
• 5 min read
• 0

Will Singapore Property Prices Drop In 2024?

For Singapore’s property market, the writing’s on the wall for analysts and realtors alike. In an opinion that managed to surprise exactly zero people, Morgan Stanley has shifted its position on two key developers from overweight and equal weight to…

• 12 Nov 2023
• 5 min read
• 2

When My Condo Maintenance Bill Tripled: A Cautionary Tale For Future Condo Buyers 

The maintenance fees for Dairy Farm Residences are a “bit” higher than the original quote. Quoted maintenance fees are only an estimate, I get that. But when the difference is off by 150 to 200 per cent, it makes you…

• 5 Nov 2023
• 5 min read
• 5

What Would It Take To See Cooling Measures Lifted In Singapore

It’s nice to see somebody is easing off their cooling measures But sadly it’s not us. This is happening in Hong Kong right now, where the added taxes on properties for foreigners has been halved to 7.5 per cent.  Interestingly,…

• 30 Oct 2023
• 5 min read
• 0