Besides insurance agents, property agents are often one of the most “hated” professions. Whether it’s the hefty commissions or the sometimes less-than-transparent practices, many people have dreamed of a world where tech could completely replace the traditional property agent. But…
Commentary
Hi there, I’ve really enjoyed reading your real estate advice column and hope you can help us to think through our options. We are currently renting a 3 bedroom condo for $2800 and it’s about 1300 sqft. We have reason…
Advice
When it comes to landed property in Singapore, a few neighborhoods like Nassim, Cluny Park, and for those familiar with the eastern side – Frankel and Opera Estates, often steal the spotlight. Those are the famous ones, but there are…
Buying
In our ongoing quest to find budget-friendly homes in Singapore, we’ve zeroed in on 5-room HDB flats this week, designed for families who need more living space and easy access to public transportation. So if you’re bound by a tight…
Units Of The Week
Introduced in 2005 but discontinued in 2011, Singapore’s Design, Build & Sell Scheme (DBSS) remains a topic of conversation, even if it’s for its relatively short lifespan. This unique housing scheme aimed to elevate public housing by bringing in private…
Property Stories
Starting a renovation for your BTO flat in Singapore? The process can be as exciting as it is complex. We interviewed a couple who recently transformed their new BTO flat in Bidadari into a space they proudly call home. From…
Renovation Journeys
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30 Aug 2023
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10 min read
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In our last deep dive, Ryan talked about how most condos in Singapore hardly last more than a couple of decades before they go en bloc. The magic number? 19 to 24 years. So naturally, that leads us to the…
Commentary
Real estate is often touted as a sound investment, but the reality is that not all properties appreciate at the same rate. For those seeking stability and growth in their investment, certain freehold condos in Singapore have consistently delivered. Between…
Buying
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28 Aug 2023
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< 1 min read
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In this week’s episode, the focus is on a serene and retreat-like home that offers a calming oasis away from the city. The 2,400 square feet home, nestled in the east, captures both sea and Marina Bay Sands views, providing…
Living In
I have passed the Goldhill landed estate many, many times in my life and, I must confess, sometimes rather patronisingly thought, “It must be so noisy for the people living here!” Perhaps because it’s located right next to ACS and…
Editors' Pick
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27 Aug 2023
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11 min read
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I like to think of property valuation as a sort of fortune telling. Sometimes, I think property valuation is less like a science, and more like throwing a deck of tarot cards at a ceiling fan, and then reading whatever…
News
Singaporeans love freehold properties; and in many discussions, there’s an emphasis on the permanence of a housing asset. Many feel that a leasehold property is too transient, or complain that even a freehold property might be seized by the government….
Editors' Pick
Hi Team, I’m writing in to ask for some objective advise. My partner and I are below 30 yo, with a combined monthly income of $11.5k excluding bonuses. But as we are starting out in our careers, we both combined…
Advice
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25 Aug 2023
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11 min read
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What would you think of a realtor who, as his very first deal, managed to transact a $9 million bungalow? Impressive right? But this week I spoke about the incident to this very same (former) realtor, who has an odd…
Editors' Pick
Everyone wants to find the cheapest home, but naturally, the more affordable price will often come with limitations. This could be in the form of the location, the age of the property, or maybe even the size of the unit….
Units Of The Week
With ABSD rates as high as it is (recently increased to 20 per cent from 17), some Singaporeans have started to look for various other options. While going overseas is one possible route, not everyone wants to deal with learning…
Property Picks
There’s been a slew of interesting launches over the past decade. We’ve gone from an era when the shoebox craze was just dying down, to en-bloc fever, to the recent trend for larger condo units. This week, we’ve picked through…
Buying
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23 Aug 2023
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< 1 min read
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1
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Stories about sky-high profits are common in the property market – but fewer people talk about losing transactions. The fact is, some people do lose money when selling their homes, or make so little that they’d have been better off…
Analysis