Property Stories

Can You Afford A Sentosa Property Now That It’s “Cheap”?

Let’s start with some numbers that we’ve gathered on Sentosa. Number of Profitable/Unprofitable Transactions Condominium Detached House Terrace House Grand Total Breakeven 1 1 – 2 Gains 518 69 33 620 Loss 166 15 7 188 Average Gains and Losses…

• 27 Nov 2020
• 8 min read
• 0

Sign of the Times: Comparing An Old Resale HDB To A New BTO

Having stayed in an (old) resale flat for almost my entire life, I have grown accustomed to having sufficient space in my home.  However, as I’m at the stage where getting my own place is becoming a distinct possibility, I…

• 26 Nov 2020
• 7 min read
• 1

I Bought The Condo I was Renting; It Was My Best Move Ever

Singapore is a nation with 92 per cent home ownership, and most of us don’t rent. So when Erica and her partner moved into a two-bedder, it was intended to be temporary; they just wanted to get out from under…

• 24 Oct 2020
• 6 min read
• 0

Home Buying Stories #1: Buying A Condo At 25

Most Singaporeans imagine they’ll be in their 40’s – at least – before upgrading to a condo; and realistically speaking, this is the norm in Singapore’s private property market. Most of us are reliant on the proceeds from our first…

• 30 Sep 2020
• 6 min read
• 5

I Own Three Condos In My 40s: Here’s What It’s Like

For most Singaporeans, owning multiple properties is a classic “shake leg and collect money” scenario. This week, however, we talked to Jasmine (she prefers to exclude her surname), who explains how it’s anything but.  In her 40s, Jasmine owns three…

• 3 Sep 2020
• 8 min read
• 2

5 Questions with Kenneth Heng, Founder of The Open Home Network: Finding Fulfilment in Giving Back to the Community

Often we’re so caught up trying to figure our lives out that we fall into this endless habitual loop of self-preservation. A loop that’s spurred on by our high standards/costs of living here in Singapore.   Now if there’s one thing…

• 3 Sep 2020
• 8 min read
• 0

Shrinking HDB Void Decks: For Better Or Worse?

I forged some of my fondest childhood memories at the void deck. As an adventurous child, I spent many late afternoons there chasing the community cat around. It was a space I associated with freedom and safety, as it was…

• 29 Aug 2020
• 6 min read
• 3

How To Buy A Condo? Stacked Asks: Timothy Ho From Dollars And Sense

Letting you know how much a condo costs is easy – the hard part is figuring out how to actually get the money you need! For this reason, Stacked is approaching some of Singapore’s top opinion leaders in personal finance,…

• 10 Aug 2020
• 4 min read
• 1

Ask A Developer: 9 Questions With Qingjian Realty

I’m not sure if any of you share the same sentiments, but as a self-confessed property geek, I’ve always wondered what it’s like on the other side of the coin. In other words: what goes on in a developer’s mind….

• 8 Aug 2020
• 6 min read
• 2

Anything Is Possible Until It Is Not – The Dangers of Procrastination

“Am I on track?” is a question you should ask yourself at regular intervals. Knowing the money you have and where it is going is the core of a financial plan. And by the time you reach your 40s and…

• 22 Jun 2020
• 7 min read
• 0

The Allure Of Older Properties: Who Are Buying These Places?

“LEASE DECAY”, the ad screams, “DID YOU KNOW YOUR HDB VALUE IS $0 IN THE END, OMG”. It’s probably one of several dozen that you’ve seen on your Facebook feed, or something you’ve had screamed at you by some video…

• 24 May 2020
• 5 min read
• 4

How To React During Any Crisis – So You Can Thrive

I was a rookie real estate agent in 2008 – during the Great Financial Crash (GFC). I was only in my 2nd year in the business. I saw fortunes being made and lost during that crisis.  So, you know the…

• 19 May 2020
• 6 min read
• 0

Loss Aversion: Why Do People Fail To Act During Downturns

You’ve probably heard these phrases countless times: “Be Fearful when others are Greedy; and be Greedy when others are Fearful.” OR “Times of Crisis represent times of Opportunity.” Afterall, one of the strongest fundamentals of savvy investing is to ‘buy…

• 15 May 2020
• 7 min read
• 2

My Contractor Almost Cost Me A $10,000 Fine – Here’s What Happened:

When Jerry Sim saw the contractor’s sketches, he was hooked: the proposed changes to the interior of his 1,400 sq.ft. unit seemed to practically double it in size. From wood beams taking full advantage of the high ceiling, to the…

• 12 May 2020
• 6 min read
• 0

My Spouse Passed Away And I Still Have An Outstanding Loan; Here’s What Happened

Early in November 2017, Jesse (not her real name) received a call that her husband had passed away. Just a few hours earlier, at around 4am, he had been taken to the hospital with breathing difficulties; she had assumed it…

• 29 Apr 2020
• 5 min read
• 0

Why Property Agents Are Necessary For Your Property Transactions – Here Are 4 Good Reasons

At Stacked – we monitor the real estate market very closely. This means we are very aware of the business models of developers, real estate agencies and property agents themselves.  Our main concern today is that of the property agent. …

• 19 Apr 2020
• 5 min read
• 1

Taking a Long Term View on the Coronavirus

Why you shouldn’t fret.

• 1 Apr 2020
• 5 min read
• 2

How The Coronavirus Is Affecting Real Estate In Singapore

It has been a wild ride since we last wrote about the Coronavirus in February – so much has happened since then.  As of now, the spread of COVID-19 has worsened to a state that the World Health Organisation (WHO)…

• 28 Mar 2020
• 6 min read
• 2