6 Reasons Why New 3 Bedroom Condos Could Get Smaller Yet

A recent report from Property Guru states that the size of three-bedder units has fallen; from around 1,700 to 1,800 sq. ft. in the 1980s, to around 1,000 sq. ft. today. It probably won’t surprise anyone that, as a general…

• 31 Oct 2022 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 1

September 2022 Cooling Measures Announced: An Attempt To Cool The Hot Property Market And How It May Affect You

The Singapore government has announced new cooling measures, in response to rising interest rates and record-high home prices. Some of these, such as a higher floor rate for measuring debt servicing ratios, was long expected; but others, like an increased…

• 30 Sep 2022 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 11

5 Key Highlights That Will Impact The Property Market From The National Day Rally 2022

The National Day Rally Speech for 2022, like the past two years, has kept a cautionary tone. There’s not much in the way of optimism right now, not with geopolitical tensions at an all-time high, and the world having barely…

• 23 Aug 2022 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 1

Is Housing In Singapore Still Affordable To The Average Singaporean In 2022?

Home prices are at record highs in 2022, and now we face the threat of higher interest rates; we’re not surprised that home buyers are starting to get anxious. This leads us to that old battleground of divisive opinions: how…

• 29 Mar 2022 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 0

Cooling Measures Show Minimal Impact On Resale Flat Prices In 2022; What’s Going On?

The news of cooling measures in December 2021 came as a relief to many, but January’s numbers have thrown a wet towel over some homeowners’ hopes. Resale flat prices seem to be higher despite the cooling measures, and it begs…

• 14 Feb 2022 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 1

Why Are Singapore Property Prices Returning To Pre-Covid-19 Levels So Fast?

There’s been some recent buzz over a report by Colliers, predicting a return to pre-Covid-19 levels for Singapore property. Before we get too excited, this isn’t specific to Singapore’s residential property scene only; the prediction is based on real estate…

• 21 Apr 2021 by Ryan J
• 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 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 0

The Singapore Property Market 2020: Key Highlights And Trends

There’s a saying that there are decades when nothing happens, and there are weeks when decades happen. That feels about right for the roller-coaster year of 2020, which was unprecedented for the Singapore property market: from a never-before Circuit Breaker…

• 31 Dec 2020 by Ryan J
• 10 min read
• 0

Coronavirus and SARS: How It Might Affect The Singapore Property Market

Wuhan Virus, Coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, COVID-19, Coronavirus 2019. Call it whatever we want, but there’s no denying that it’s already wreaked havoc across our tiny island.  Empty grocery shelves and over-priced masks have been lining the news bulletins these past weeks,…

• 24 Feb 2020 by Reuben
• 8 min read
• 5

Singapore property market crash – When will the next crash be?

Ever since the last round of cooling measures on July 6, there has been much speculation about what will happen in the future. Will the Singapore property market crash? Or will prices dip down for a bit and rise back…

• 6 Sep 2018 by Stanley
• 8 min read
• 0

Singapore Cooling Measures – History of cooling measures since 2009

Could this be one of the most untimely Singapore cooling measures? For some time this year, it seemed like the property market was on the road to “recovery” and buying sentiment was on a brighter note before the news was…

• 30 Jul 2018 by Stanley
• 4 min read
• 4

New Launch Vs Resale: Which Is More Profitable? We Look At 3,612 Transactions Over 5 Years

There are some untested sayings that have been in the Singapore private property market for decades. One of the more persistent ones is that new launches are better for gains; largely on the basis of “early bird discounts”, or that…

• 11 Oct 2022 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 4

What I Regret Most After Buying My First Home: We Share 7 Most Common Regrets From Readers

The first time buying a home is an unforgettable experience. It’s a mix of anxiety and excitement, and almost always a tiny bit of cognitive dissonance. No matter how much you actually research, nothing can quite prepare you when you…

• 17 Sep 2022 by Ryan J
• 9 min read
• 0

Is The First-Mover Advantage For New Launch Condos Real? Here’re 4 Case Studies To See If It’s True

The “first-mover” theory holds that, if you’re the first to buy in a yet-to-peak area, you’ll see better capital gains. In theory, you would be buying before property values start to spike, in a classic buy-low-sell-high move. But depending on…

• 31 Aug 2022 by Ryan J
• 8 min read
• 0

10 Common Misconceptions About Home Buying In 2022 (You Don’t Want To Get These Wrong)

If you last bought a home a decade or more ago, today’s property market might give you a headache. A lot has changed since then, so brace yourself for some major differences. On top of that, there are some age-old…

• 11 Aug 2022 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 0

What To Look Out For At A Resale Condo Viewing: A Step-By-Step Walkthrough (With Pictures)

For any first-time homebuyer, looking to buy your first home is always going to be a daunting experience.  Especially if you are looking at the resale market, you absolutely have to make a trip down (or several) to see the…

• 12 May 2022 by Sean
• 17 min read
• 2

Do HDB Flats On Lower Floors Have Poorer Resale Value?

With resale HDB flats continuing their relentless ascend to record prices in nearly a decade, it seems that owners can do no wrong, regardless of which floor their flats are located on. But did you know that there was a…

• 7 May 2022 by Ian
• 8 min read
• 0

7 Real Life Examples Of How Property Data Can Be Used To Mislead Home Buyers

Singaporean home buyers have an innate trust for graphs, charts, and anything that suggests “serious hard data”. But while it’s unlikely that any seller will outright lie to you, some will use selective presentation of data to mislead you. They…

• 8 Apr 2022 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 0

What To Look Out For At A Resale HDB Viewing: A Step-By-Step Walkthrough (With Pictures)

I know the pains of the first-time HDB homebuyer in Singapore. It’s true that information on resale flats can be a bit scant, and a lot of it comes down to legwork. But the bigger problem is really that you…

• 6 Apr 2022 by Sean
• 20 min read
• 0

Don’t Be A Noob First-Time Homebuyer: Here’s How To Deal Direct With Experienced Seller Agents

Just last week, I brought my car for servicing and found out that my in-car camera that came originally with the car was spoilt. The cost to replace it? A cool $1,400. I quickly Googled the price of an in-car…

• 1 Apr 2022 by Sean
• 10 min read
• 2

Buying A New Launch Condo Early Vs Late: Here’s How It Compares

You’ve done all your homework, and have finally found the right home after months of searching. It’s a popular new launch condo, and you submit your cheque to be part of the balloting process. There have been more than 1,000…

• 21 Mar 2022 by Ian
• 8 min read
• 10

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 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 0

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 by Ryan J
• 8 min read
• 3

Will My HDB Flat Be Worth $0 When The Lease Expires, And Should We Change Things?

Probably one of the biggest questions most HDB buyers have is: what happens when the 99-year lease is up? Does it just go down to zero? Or will you have an option of extending the lease? A recent discussion on…

• 9 Feb 2022 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 9

How Do Rising Interest Rates Impact Property Prices And How To Prepare For It

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard by now that 2021 saw the highest annual growth (10.6%) in around 10 years – beating the previous peak in 2013. The rise in property prices has been attributed to…

• 2 Feb 2022 by Ian
• 7 min read
• 0

8 Considerations For Newlyweds When Picking A First Home

As if the high cost of a wedding isn’t enough, the purchase of a home is often the next thing to follow. Or sometimes (uniquely reserved for Singapore) you’d need to bite the bullet and get a BTO first before…

• 18 Jan 2022 by Ryan J
• 8 min read
• 0

6 Major Property Trends To Watch In The Singapore Property Market In 2022

With the start of the new year, some first-time homebuyers in Singapore are understandably nervous: home prices are at record highs across the board, and it’s uncertain if late cooling measures from last December will have a significant impact. At…

• 8 Jan 2022 by Ryan J
• 9 min read
• 2

7 Commonly Missed Factors By Homebuyers That Could Be A Real Pain In The Future

I know of a friend who bought a condo a few years back. On paper, it matched all his criteria – the overall location, layout, facilities, and size was great. However, there was a small detail that he did not…

• 4 Jan 2022 by Ryan J
• 8 min read
• 0

Buying A Home In 2022? Here’s An 8 Step Preparation List

In light of new cooling measures, and an ever-changing property market, we’ve put together a new preparation list. Whether you’ve already shortlisted properties, or are just beginning to look, the following will help create a smooth transaction. Above all, look…

• 2 Jan 2022 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 1

8 Key Things Home Buyers Need To Know In 2022 To Be Prepared

2022 is just around the corner, and come January, most home buyers will be re-starting their search. The past two years have been a roller coaster due to both Covid, and rising home prices; so it’s important to dive in…

• 28 Dec 2021 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 0

Are Higher Floor Units Better In Terms Of Profitability? We Look At 3,569 Transactions.

Did you know that in the UK, it wasn’t too long ago that living in a tall building was considered to be the opposite of luxurious living? But that’s slowly changing. Increasingly, tall buildings are being regarded as a sign…

• 15 Nov 2021 by Ian
• 6 min read
• 2

Freehold Doesn’t Always Mean It’s Better: A Case Study Between Jardin And Gardenvista

Let’s start with a scenario. Condo A – freehold, nearer to an MRT station, and new. Condo B – leasehold, further away from an MRT station, and 6 years older in age. Now, based on these characteristics, which development do…

• 9 Nov 2021 by Sean
• 7 min read
• 11

Freehold VS Leasehold Landed Property: Exploring The Gap And How Prices Have Moved Over The Years

Over the past year, demand for landed homes has gone through the roof. Around $2 billion in transactions have already been recorded for 1H 2021, with 245 sales. This is the highest amount we’ve seen since the last peak in…

• 29 Sep 2021 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 4

10 Useful Tips First-Time Homebuyers Should Know Before Buying In 2021

It’s always a huge challenge when first-time homebuyers ask “what do I need to know?” The Singapore private property market is so unique, and so dynamic, that what you know today may not apply tomorrow; and there’s just so much…

• 11 Sep 2021 by Ryan J
• 9 min read
• 0

BTO-To-Resale Price Gap: Are They Always The Same? A Look At 19 Years Of Data

Resale flat prices are at their highest in around eight years, and it’s painful for first-time flat buyers. In this Covid-19 environment, with high risks of construction delays, picking between BTO and resale is the proverbial “rock and a hard…

• 3 Sep 2021 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 0

4 Key Lessons We Learned From Analysing 2,480 Transactions From The 2007/08 Property Highs

Is it possible to make money from your property, even if you buy it at a peak? We last looked at this among buyers from 2013; but to corroborate it, we also looked at the 2007/8 peak. The results are…

• 30 Aug 2021 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 0

Is This A Bad Time To Buy A Property? We Analyse 264 Transactions From The 2013 Peak To Find Out

With home prices rising across the board, it seems the Singapore private property market is headed for another peak. In recent history, each major peak has been ended by cooling measures, resulting in a price decline soon after. You might…

• 21 Aug 2021 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 0

6 Potential Money Wasters To Avoid When Buying Property

Property is one of those purchases where “small extra costs” do matter. Even a few extra square feet can run up to thousands of dollars, so the Singapore property market rewards the detail-oriented. However, most new buyers only know to…

• 21 Jul 2021 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 0

Don’t Be Fooled By “Official” Developer Sites: 7 Tell-Tale Signs To Uncover The Knock-Offs

It’s a common source of headaches for home buyers: you do a web search for a new launch condo, and you get a slew of pages all labelled “official”. Clicking on one takes you to a minefield of misinformation, irrelevant…

• 26 Jun 2021 by Ryan J
• 8 min read
• 1

10 Essential Home Hunting Tips That’ll Help In A Hot Property Market

Despite Covid-19 – or some would say because of it – home prices are soaring. The Singapore private property market is up another 3.3 per cent as of Q1 2021, while resale flat prices have been rising for nine straight…

• 12 Jun 2021 by Ryan J
• 8 min read
• 0

Are New Launches A “Sure Win”? We Analyse 450,000 Property Transactions

“Buy new launch, sure make money!” You may have heard of this statement before, whether it’s unsolicited advice from your friends, family, or from agents trying to push a new launch unit to you. And why not? This belief is…

• 12 May 2021 by Sean
• 13 min read
• 4

Are 1 Bedroom Units A Good Investment? Analysing 3,834 Transactions From 2011

It’s probably no surprise to hear that 1 and 2 bedroom units in a new launch are always the first to sell out. You don’t even have to look too far for evidence on this either. To give you an…

• 26 Apr 2021 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 0

10 Free Property Research Tools To Boost Your Chances Of Buying The Right Property

For such a small country, Singapore sure has a lot of property options and nuances – which can certainly be overwhelming for new home buyers and first-time investors. It doesn’t help that you can sometimes find contradictory information, from different…

• 24 Mar 2021 by Ryan J
• 10 min read
• 4

6 Developer Pricing Strategies For New Launch Condos

One of the great mysteries in Singapore’s private property market is developer pricing for new launches. We’ve encountered few events that are more laden with myth, rumours, and outright falsehoods. In most cases, the only part that most people get…

• 18 Nov 2020 by Ryan J
• 9 min read
• 0

What Is Cash Over Valuation (COV) And Why Would You Pay It?

We’re seeing a resale flat revolution. As of Q3, resale prices are rising at their fastest pace since around 2012, and transaction volumes are at a 10-year high. We have a more detailed discussion of this in our previous article. …

• 9 Nov 2020 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 0

Shoebox Units: A Performance Review Over The Past 10 Years

Go into any showflat as a single, and the first unit you’ll be guided to is the shoebox units; more pleasingly called a “compact unit” these days.  These units – which are typically defined as 500 sq. ft. or under…

• 8 Nov 2020 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 0

4 Practical Ways To Use Supply And Demand For Property Research

Supply and demand – it’s basic economics. It’s the reason why Hermes can sell $10,000 Birkin bags (which may sound incredulous to some), and yet still garner a long waiting list along with a booming resale market.  Or why certain…

• 10 Oct 2020 by Sean
• 8 min read
• 2

How To Use The URA Master Plan To Do Your Own Research

You’ve just read the dozenth article, guide, blog post, etc. telling you to “check the URA Master Plan”. We even do that here on Stacked, as it’s good advice. But as you navigate to the URA home page, you may…

• 4 Oct 2020 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 2

How Do You Pick An HDB flat That Will Hold Its Value?

It’s hard not to see HDB owners frowning this past decade. Ever since the last property peak in 2013, resale HDB flats have mostly been locked in a long downward trend, with little light ahead: the dream of SERS, the…

• 24 Sep 2020 by Ryan J
• 8 min read
• 4

Couldn’t Get Your BTO Flat Of Choice? Here Are 5 Alternative Steps To Take

The BTO launch exercise is over, and the dust has settled. Amid the debris, you get the dreaded email, telling you in a few curt lines that your application is unsuccessful. Before you throw something at the screen, know that…

• 20 Sep 2020 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 2

Here’s What Happens When You Buy A New Launch At The Peak Of The Property Cycle

When is the right time to buy a house?  It’s a million-dollar question, both literally and figuratively.  Buy low and sell high is the mantra that everyone chants, but anyone experienced in real estate will know that it is impossible…

• 10 Sep 2020 by Sean
• 8 min read
• 17

Is Buying A BTO Flat First A “Waste Of Time”?

If your property investment plan ends with “…and then my children will own 10 condos”, you probably grasp the idea of wealth progression in property assets (and if you don’t, there are several hundred YouTube ads that will force-feed it…

• 7 Sep 2020 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 0

4 Insider Tips To Buying Property In Singapore

“Overwhelming…” “Stressful…” Ask anyone about buying property in Singapore and I can assure you, these would usually be the first few words that come out of their mouth.  Because buying a home isn’t like buying a fridge from Harvey Norman. …

• 31 Jul 2020 by Ryan
• 5 min read
• 2

Does Buying The Best Stack Always Mean The Highest Appreciation?

If you’ve ever bought a Mac before, you’d know that speccing one out can be a slippery slope to a big hole in your wallet.  32gb ram? Check. 2TB SSD hard drive? Check. Final price? $6,549 SGD.  The only consolation…

• 17 Jul 2020 by Ryan
• 4 min read
• 0

Should You DIY Or Use A Property Agent?

So like every other person, you’ve probably dwelled on the thought of doing the real estate transaction yourself – after all, a DIY sale can save you enough to pay for the renovation of your next property. And can we…

• 1 Jul 2020 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 0

13 Key Questions To Ask At A Showflat

When the salesperson at the showflat asks “do you have any questions?” you can immediately spot the first-time buyers.

• 23 Jun 2020 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 0

The Essential Guide To Read And Compare A Floor Plan

This is Part 14 of our 18-part first-time home buyer series. You may refer to the full table below: First Time Home Buyer Guide Financing Approval-in-Principle: Why It’s Your First Step for a Home Loan/Mortgage How Much Can You Borrow…

• 17 Jun 2020 by Ryan J
• 8 min read
• 0

6 Creative Discount/Payment Schemes That Developers Offer

For those expecting property sales to fall, you might be surprised to learn that new private home sales in Singapore actually increased 74.7 per cent in May, to 484 units. Of course, any increase would be magnified, given that April…

• 12 Jun 2020 by Reuben
• 4 min read
• 2

10 Free Property Research Tools To Boost Your Chances Of Buying The Right Property

For such a small country, Singapore sure has a lot of property options and nuances – which can certainly be overwhelming for new home buyers and first-time investors. It doesn’t help that you can sometimes find contradictory information, from different…

• 24 Mar 2021 by Ryan J
• 10 min read
• 4

Are Dual Key Condos Profitable? Here Are The Results From All 193 Transactions So Far

It’s easy to see why Singaporeans like dual key condo units. They are functional, offer flexibility, and are good options for having a little rental income without having to fork out additional cash for the ABSD. So it is of…

• 25 Apr 2020 by Sean
• 7 min read
• 5

One Way To Find Undervalued Property

One of the most common lead up questions I usually get asked at a consultation meeting is this: “Can you find me an undervalued property?” That’s the million-dollar question isn’t it, because who doesn’t want to buy a property today…

• 15 Apr 2020 by Ryan
• 3 min read
• 0

Freehold vs Leasehold: 3 Tests To Determine Which Is Better (Part 2)

Let’s try something different for Part 2 of our Freehold vs Leasehold debate.  I’ll start by asking you directly – Freehold vs Leasehold: Which do you think makes more money? Of course I could be wrong, but I’d wager that…

• 20 Mar 2020 by Sean
• 6 min read
• 6

Freehold vs Leasehold: Can You Really Prove Which Is Better? (Part 1)

In the wake of the Falkland Campaign that waged between Argentina and the United Kingdom 38 years ago, Margaret Thatcher said this.  “There is no prouder word in our history than ‘freeholder’”. And that is a notion that has rung…

• 15 Mar 2020 by Sean
• 6 min read
• 2

Why Knowing The Singapore Property Cycle Can Make You A Better Investor

I do believe most people are aware that the value of property will grow over time. It may not grow consistently, or uniformly, but it will trend upwards.  On the flip side, there is such a thing as being on…

• 23 Feb 2020 by Sean
• 8 min read
• 14

Ultimate Guide to Master Plan 2019

Now if I were in the shoes of Back to the Future’s superstar, Marty McFly – the first thing I would probably do would be to head straight for the Toto counter.

• 3 Dec 2019 by Reuben
• 15 min read
• 4

The Essential Guide to Integrated Developments: An In-Depth Analysis of 14 Exclusive Projects

If you have read our latest review on Sengkang Grand Residences, you might have realised the lure of integrated developments.

• 22 Nov 2019 by Reuben
• 20 min read
• 1

Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Judge A Property Purely On It’s “HIGH” PSF

In May 2018 last year, a research report by DBS forecasts new private homes to cost between $2,300 to $2,900 per square foot (PSF) on average by 2030.  Shocked? Well, judging by the number of shares on that post (5766…

• 11 Oct 2019 by Stanley
• 4 min read
• 0

Plot Ratio – Why you need to know (and how to calculate it)

Living in a place as small as Singapore, it is only natural that space is at a premium and that housing is all we talk about. So with a limited land area, careful planning of the use of the land…

• 8 Feb 2018 by Stanley
• 3 min read
• 9

99-year leasehold: What happens when the lease runs out?

99-year leasehold properties in Singapore have been the subject of intense debate this year. In June 2017, the first of its kind for residential properties in Singapore, 191 private terraced houses at Geylang will be returned to the State at…

• 27 Oct 2017 by Stanley
• 2 min read
• 0

10 Things a First Time Condo Buyer Should Look Out For To Avoid Regret

If you are a first time condo buyer, congrats on reaching this milestone! In land scarce Singapore, it is very much a Singaporean dream to own a private property as majority of the population live in public housing. There are…

• 24 Oct 2017 by Druce
• 6 min read
• 0

How Much Do You Need To Buy A Condo In Singapore

Let’s face it, if we want to be prudent to the point of necessity, all we need to live is a cave, a fire, and a big club to whack our prey to death. But life is about aspirations; and…

• 13 Sep 2017 by Druce
• 5 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 by Ryan J
• 5 min read
• 3

An Ultimate Guide To Using Your CPF To Buy Property: How Much Can You Really Use?

Most Singaporeans will use their CPF in some form, to purchase their property. This has resulted in some debates over the years, regarding how much of our CPF we should use; or whether HDB upgraders should be using more cash…

• 24 Oct 2021 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 0

Buying A Property With A Foreign Spouse In Singapore? Here’s All You Need To Know

One of the most overlooked groups of buyers is Singaporeans with foreign spouses. From stamp duty rates to housing type restrictions, this group faces more headaches than the typical home buyer. Did you know that as of 2019, nearly 1…

• 7 May 2021 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 6

How To Be Prepared For Your First New Launch Condo Booking Day (Ballot Process + Timeline)

So we’ve seen a number of guides on what to do when hunting for the ‘most suitable’ new launch unit.  We’ve also touched briefly in the past on the timelines of purchasing both new launch and resale condo units.  But…

• 14 Feb 2021 by Reuben
• 7 min read
• 1

New OTP Re-issue Restrictions: What Does It Mean For Property Buyers?

As of today (28th September 2020), the URA has put a stop to the re-issuing of an Option To Purchase (OTP) to prospective home buyers. We can’t call it a sudden move, as just last month the URA was already…

• 28 Sep 2020 by Ryan J
• 5 min read
• 0

The Stacked Guide for Foreigners Buying Property in Singapore

Singapore private property is both literally and metaphorically a safe port in the storm. This may be one of the few countries where demand for luxury properties can climb to 11-year highs, precisely because of economic downturns.  But despite its…

• 31 Aug 2020 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 0

The Stacked Guide To Property Tax And Stamp Duties

Many first-time home owners overestimate the price of their first property. It’s probably due to constant conditioning over social media, news, etc. that remind you how “Singapore is the world’s most expensive city”, etc. But here’s the bit that’s often…

• 28 Aug 2020 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 0

New Launch & Resale Condo Timeline: Everything You Need To Know

This is the final part of our 18-part first-time home buyer series. You may refer to the full table below: First Time Home Buyer Guide Financing Approval-in-Principle: Why It’s Your First Step for a Home Loan/Mortgage How Much Can You…

• 24 Jun 2020 by Ryan J
• 5 min read
• 0

Condo Progressive Payment in Singapore – All you need to know

With many new developments slated to launch in Singapore in 2019 after the en bloc spree, it is definitely a buyers market right now. If you are currently looking out for all the new condo launches, one crucial aspect that…

• 5 Mar 2019 by Druce
• 2 min read
• 1

HDB Conservancy Charges – All the costs in one place

If you are looking to buy a HDB or already own one, one of the costs that you will have to contend with as a homeowner is the HDB conservancy charges. In June 2018 this year, it was announced that…

• 24 Aug 2018 by Sean
• 3 min read
• 0

ABSD remission in Singapore – Everything you need to know

Once the latest cooling measures was announced, there was a mad last minute scramble as thousands of prospective homebuyers rushed down to the showflats to beat the dateline. To say it was a chaotic scene would be an understatement. And…

• 18 Jul 2018 by Druce
• 2 min read
• 2

Additional Buyer Stamp Duty: How does this affect you?

Unless you have been living under a rock, you would have heard by now of the new cooling measures that were announced on July 5th. Although we cannot say we are surprised that measures have been taken to counter the…

• 6 Jul 2018 by Druce
• 3 min read
• 2

3 tips you absolutely need to know before using your CPF to buy your HDB

Even though Singaporeans talk about CPF all the time whether it be their appreciation or grudges for it, it still comes to a shock to many when they discover things that were not communicated to them upon purchasing their home….

• 28 Jul 2017 by Sean
• 3 min read
• 0

Understanding SIBOR, Board Rate, And Fixed Deposit Home Loans

This is Part 5 of our 18-part first-time home buyer series. You may refer to the full table below: First Time Home Buyer Guide Financing Approval-in-Principle: Why It’s Your First Step for a Home Loan/Mortgage How Much Can You Borrow…

• 4 Jun 2020 by Ryan J
• 5 min read
• 0

How You Can Compare Home Loans And Get The Best Deal

This is Part 6 of our 18-part first-time home buyer series. You may refer to the full table below: First Time Home Buyer Guide Financing Approval-in-Principle: Why It’s Your First Step for a Home Loan/Mortgage How Much Can You Borrow…

• 4 Jun 2020 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 3

Here’s How To Read Your Credit Report For Your Home Loan / Mortgage

This is Part 4 of our 18-part first-time home buyer series. You may refer to the full table below: First Time Home Buyer Guide Financing Approval-in-Principle: Why It’s Your First Step for a Home Loan/Mortgage How Much Can You Borrow…

• 3 Jun 2020 by Ryan J
• 5 min read
• 0

How Much Income Do You Need To Get A Home Loan / Mortgage?

This is Part 3 of our 18-part first-time home buyer series. You may refer to the full table below: First Time Home Buyer Guide Financing Approval-in-Principle: Why It’s Your First Step for a Home Loan/Mortgage How Much Can You Borrow…

• 29 May 2020 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 3

How Much Can You Borrow For A Home Loan / Mortgage?

This is Part 2 of our 18-part first-time home buyer series. You may refer to the full table below: First Time Home Buyer Guide Financing Approval-in-Principle: Why It’s Your First Step for a Home Loan/Mortgage How Much Can You Borrow…

• 29 May 2020 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 0

Approval-in-Principle: Why It’s Your First Step for a Home Loan/Mortgage

Always get your Approval-in-Principle first.

• 28 May 2020 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 0

Buy 3-Room Flat Now, Own 2 Properties Later: 7 Reasons Why These Flats Are An Underrated Choice

Among Singaporeans, there’s an unspoken agreement that – if you buy an HDB flat – you should go for the largest flat type you can get. It’s not always just about having more space or for future family planning; it’s…

• 9 Sep 2022 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 0

7 Most Commonly Neglected Issues When Buying Landed Homes

Landed housing is a dream for many Singaporeans – the crème de la crème of the private housing market. It’s quite clear from our cheapest freehold landed homes series just how popular these homes are. However, living in a landed…

• 24 Jan 2022 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 1

New EC vs MOP EC vs Privatised EC: Which Is Right For You?

Through our different social media channels, we are able to see on the ground what is the sentiment when it comes to Executive Condominiums (ECs). Some people will insist that only resale ECs are worth buying. Others will only want…

• 23 Aug 2021 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 0

6 Actionable Steps To Compare Between A New Launch And Resale Condo

We’ve covered the basics of new versus resale condos before, but now let’s get further into specifics. In practice, you’ll end up choosing between a mix of new and resale condos in a given neighbourhood; or you may have to…

• 6 Jul 2021 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 0

HDB Landed Terrace Houses: 5 Factors You Must Consider Before Buying One

If an HDB property is 49-years old, you’d expect nothing but depreciation. But what if it’s a landed home? This week, one of the rare HDB terrace houses in Whampoa sold for a whopping $1.268 million, making it the most…

• 28 Jun 2021 by Ryan J
• 5 min read
• 2

When Is It Worth Buying A 3Gen HDB Flat?

With the current trend toward larger homes, it’s inevitable that some Singaporeans will think of 3Gen flats. After all, these larger flats are designed for those who want to accommodate their parents; and that’s a growing need in our ageing…

• 21 Jun 2021 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 0

New Launch Or Resale Property: 4 Considerations To Think About In 2021

2021 is shaping up to be an interesting year, for those choosing between new and resale condos. A number of unusual factors (such as Covid-19 related delays) pose a risk for new launches, but new private home volumes still managed…

• 18 Jun 2021 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 0

Shoebox Versus Resale Flat: Which Is A Better First Home?

So you’re a “sandwiched Singaporean”, and earn enough to buy a small private home or a resale flat; but not a BTO. It’s a common conundrum for those who earn just above the income ceiling for new flats. Before you…

• 26 Feb 2021 by Ryan J
• 8 min read
• 2

Choosing Between A Cluster Home Or Landed? Here Are 7 Questions To Ask Yourself

You’ve viewed penthouses, five-bedder condo units, and all the largest property types out there. Still, there just isn’t anything with enough room. It’s time to look at landed properties, which are as big as they come. This is also when…

• 12 Jan 2021 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 0

What To Look For In An Older Condo Before You Buy

New launch condos have a lot of psychological appeal, until you hear the horror stories – like Laurel Tree and Sycamore Tree condos going unfinished, or the $32 million lawsuit over defects at The Seaview.  Or maybe you’d love to…

• 22 Jul 2020 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 14

Should You Buy A Resale Flat Or New Launch Condo First?

Even with HDB income ceilings raised ($14,000 per month for new flats and $16,000 per month for Executive Condominiums), there’ll always be a group of sandwiched Singaporeans who’ll feel trapped.  These are the ones who earn too much to buy…

• 17 Jul 2020 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 6

Cluster House: All You Need To Know + 25 years of Price Trends

Massive Upside Potential?

• 12 Jul 2020 by Reuben
• 12 min read
• 11

Walk-Up Apartments: Treasures or Traps?

More than one Singaporean (or expatriate) has been ambushed with a walk-up apartment. You’re told a particular property is spacious, it’s got a great location, low price, etc. but then you arrive and find out the one problem: no elevator….

• 8 Jul 2020 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 2

When Should You Consider A Dual-Key Unit?

This is Part 16 of our 18-part first-time home buyer series. You may refer to the full table below: First Time Home Buyer Guide Financing Approval-in-Principle: Why It’s Your First Step for a Home Loan/Mortgage How Much Can You Borrow…

• 20 Jun 2020 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 0

Shoebox Units: Key Factors You Need To Consider

This is Part 15 of our 18-part first-time home buyer series. You may refer to the full table below: First Time Home Buyer Guide Financing Approval-in-Principle: Why It’s Your First Step for a Home Loan/Mortgage How Much Can You Borrow…

• 19 Jun 2020 by Ryan J
• 6 min read
• 2

7 Key Questions To Ask About Condo Facilities

This is Part 12 of our 18-part first-time home buyer series. You may refer to the full table below: First Time Home Buyer Guide Financing Approval-in-Principle: Why It’s Your First Step for a Home Loan/Mortgage How Much Can You Borrow…

• 14 Jun 2020 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 2

Big Condo vs Small Condo: Which Should I Pick?

This is Part 10 of our 18-part first-time home buyer series. You may refer to the full table below: First Time Home Buyer Guide Financing Approval-in-Principle: Why It’s Your First Step for a Home Loan/Mortgage How Much Can You Borrow…

• 10 Jun 2020 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 1

New Launch vs Resale Condos: Here Is What You Should Consider

This is Part 9 of our 18-part first-time home buyer series. You may refer to the full table below: First Time Home Buyer Guide Financing Approval-in-Principle: Why It’s Your First Step for a Home Loan/Mortgage How Much Can You Borrow…

• 9 Jun 2020 by Ryan J
• 9 min read
• 0

How Do I Choose Between A Freehold Or Leasehold Condo?

This is Part 8 of our 18-part first-time home buyer series. You may refer to the full table below: First Time Home Buyer Guide Financing Approval-in-Principle: Why It’s Your First Step for a Home Loan/Mortgage How Much Can You Borrow…

• 7 Jun 2020 by Ryan J
• 8 min read
• 1

Executive Condos Singapore: Key Differences Between An EC And Private Condominiums

This is Part 7 of our 18-part first-time home buyer series. You may refer to the full table below: First Time Home Buyer Guide Financing Approval-in-Principle: Why It’s Your First Step for a Home Loan/Mortgage How Much Can You Borrow…

• 6 Jun 2020 by Ryan J
• 8 min read
• 0

Resale Condo vs New Launch vs HDB Resale: A Case Study On Which Is The Best Option

Of the numerous large-scale purchasing options we go through in life, setting aside the downpayment for your new house has to rank up there as one of the most impactful.

• 13 Dec 2019 by Reuben
• 4 min read
• 5

How To Identify A Good 1 Bedroom Layout: We Review 8 Different Condo Layouts To Show You

Whether you are looking at a 1 bedroom unit for an investment or to stay, there’s no question that having an efficient layout is one of, if not the most important aspect to consider. Especially in the case of a…

• 21 Jun 2022 by Sean
• 7 min read
• 5

Resale HDB or Condo: Comparing Floor Plans for Young Couples

Let’s get real. Purchasing a home is daunting, especially for young couples that are priced out of buying a BTO and can only “afford” to look at a resale HDB or condo. Yes, this is for the sandwiched crowd out…

• 25 Aug 2020 by Celine H
• 8 min read
• 3

An Analysis Of 5 Shoebox Units Floor Plans From An Architecture Student

For many young singles in Singapore, purchasing and owning a property might be the biggest hurdle to overcome in their late twenties or early thirties.  Looking around me, the conversations have indeed shifted.  Although most of my peers are in…

• 19 Aug 2020 by Celine H
• 10 min read
• 0

7 Factors To Help You Decide On The Best Location For Your Home

This is Part 13 of our 18-part first-time home buyer series. You may refer to the full table below: First Time Home Buyer Guide Financing Approval-in-Principle: Why It’s Your First Step for a Home Loan/Mortgage How Much Can You Borrow…

• 16 Jun 2020 by Ryan J
• 7 min read
• 2

11 Considerations To Pick The Best Condo Unit For You

This is Part 11 of our 18-part first-time home buyer series. You may refer to the full table below: First Time Home Buyer Guide Financing Approval-in-Principle: Why It’s Your First Step for a Home Loan/Mortgage How Much Can You Borrow…

• 13 Jun 2020 by Ryan J
• 16 min read
• 4

7 Tested Ways To Select The Perfect New Launch Condo Unit

“XXX condo has sold 75% of its units on launch day” Ever seen this familiar headline? Or better yet, these photos that are usually plastered over all the new launch condo articles in the newspaper. Can you imagine the mayhem…

• 25 Oct 2019 by Stanley
• 8 min read
• 2

Best House Facing Direction: Here is how you should choose which is the best condo stack

If you are looking at a new condo launch in Singapore, it could get quite overwhelming in your buying journey. After all, not only are there all the cooling measures to contend with, numbers to think about, you still have…

• 26 Apr 2019 by Druce
• 4 min read
• 9

A Buyer’s Case Study With Stacked: JadeScape

Project Case Study: JadeScape Client Details Buyer’s Brief Challenges They Faced First Consultation Our first call started was in mid-July 2020. As always, our first priority was to know each other better and explain our working process. We also use…

• 14 Oct 2021 by Ryan
• 8 min read
• 2

A Buyer’s Case Study with Stacked: Principal Garden

Project Case Study: Principal Garden Client Details Single, early 30s Working in advertising Buyer’s Brief Looking for first home/investment 2 bedroom minimum in Bukit Timah/Holland/CBD Liveability was a focus Challenges They Faced Afraid of pushy agents Needed more hand holding…

• 29 Mar 2021 by Ryan
• 10 min read
• 4

A Buyer’s Case Study With Stacked: Fourth Avenue Residences

Project Case Study: Fourth Avenue Residences Client Details Couple in their early 30s One was working as a consultant and the other in a tech firm Buyer’s Brief Looking for their first home Used to the Bukit Timah/Holland area Medium…

• 7 Dec 2020 by Ryan
• 11 min read
• 11

A Buyer’s Case Study With Stacked: Kopar At Newton

Project Case Study: Kopar Client Details Couple in late 20s Baby Boy less than a year old Buyer’s Brief Currently staying in the West Looking for a minimum 3 bedroom condo in the Newton/Novena area Within 2km of SJI for…

• 3 Oct 2020 by Ryan
• 10 min read
• 0

A Buyer’s Case Study With Stacked: Eco Sanctuary

An in-depth case study into a buyer’s journey with Stacked

• 6 May 2020 by Ryan
• 5 min read
• 0