Given the higher prices compared to previous years, getting a condo as your first home is less viable in 2024. In a market where even fringe region condos can reach $2,000+ psf, the options have narrowed somewhat for sandwiched Singaporeans. If you don’t qualify for an HDB flat or EC, here are some resale possibilities that might suit your budget (note: they may not be the nicest looking condos, but you may be surprised at how conveniently located some of them are):

A shortlist filtered by price, size or tenure is a useful way to narrow your options, but it won't tell you which property is the best fit for your finances, lifestyle or long-term plans.

That's where the real evaluation begins: comparing the trade-offs between each option to decide which one makes the most sense for your situation.

Over time, that's also why we decided to work with agents who shared the same data-driven and advisory-led approach behind our editorial, consultants who could help readers think through decisions more objectively, rather than simply push transactions.

Today, the team has worked with more than 2,000 clients across over $5B in property transactions.

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Cheapest options for one-bedders

Project NameTenureCompletion YearDistrictRegionArea
PEOPLE'S PARK COMPLEX99 yrs from 25/03/196819721Central RegionOutram
THE HILLFORD60 yrs from 19/02/2013201621Central RegionBukit Timah
THE INFLORA99 yrs from 25/05/2012201617East RegionPasir Ris
KOVAN GRANDEUR99 yrs from 10/08/2010201119North East RegionHougang
LE REGALFreehold201514Central RegionGeylang
GRANDVIEW SUITESFreehold201614Central RegionGeylang
SUITES @ KOVANFreehold201019North East RegionHougang
CASA AERATAFreehold201214Central RegionGeylang
PARC ROSEWOOD99 yrs from 07/09/2011201425North RegionWoodlands
TREASURES@G19Freehold201214Central RegionGeylang

While People’s Park Complex and The Hillford top the list, these are tough to recommend. People’s Park Complex is better suited to tenants, such as those working in the various shops below; while you can live here, expect most of your neighbours to be foreign workers from the travel agencies, restaurants, foot reflex parlours, etc. downstairs. 

People’s Park Complex is also not well maintained, and is notorious for situations like lift breakdowns (sometimes all three lifts at once), and security that’s paranoid about vice activities. So despite the fantastic location in the heart of Chinatown and the low price, this property is only suited to a niche group of buyers. 

If you intend to rent out the unit in future though - and like paying minimal maintenance (as low as $100 per month, excluding parking) - you might actually find it viable. We wouldn’t count on resale value though; most that are buying here are hoping for a collective sale outcome in the future.

The Hillford is unusually cheap because of its 60-year lease, which started in 2013. This makes it inadvisable for young buyers, even if it’s one of the cheapest ways to live near Beauty World. If you’re older, however, or don’t need to worry about a replacement property, this could be a viable option.

parc rosewood one bedder

Parc Rosewood is good for homebuyers who like greenery, and don’t mind having to use cabs or buses. It might even be of interest as an alternative to Norwood Grand, as both are in the Woodlands South area. While Norwood Grand is closer to the Woodlands South MRT station (TEL), Parc Rosewood is more affordable and has the same good access to walking trails, park connectors, etc. It isn’t within walking distance of an MRT station though, and surrounding amenities are mainly from the adjoining HDB enclave; hence the lower price point.

Finally, for those who are all about the location, the tiny (16-unit) Suites @ Kovan shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s overshadowed by projects like Stars of Kovan (across the road from it), but this apartment is still within walking distance of Kovan MRT station (NEL), and hence Heartland Mall. It’s also smack in the middle of a food stretch, many of which are open late or even 24 hours (take note, late-night workers). It is, unfortunately, a letdown in the aesthetics department; the facade is better suited to a budget hotel than a private residence. 

If you want a combination of low cost and a highly convenient location though, this is one of the few options in the highly desirable Kovan/Serangoon area.

Cheapest options for two-bedders

Project NameTenureCompletion YearDistrictRegionArea
CENTRAL IMPERIALFreehold201414Central RegionGeylang
KOVAN GRANDEUR99 yrs from 10/08/2010201119North East RegionHougang
HOUGANG GREEN99 yrs from 01/12/1994199819North East RegionHougang
ISUITES @ TANI999 yrs from 19/02/1883201219North East RegionHougang
ESCADA VIEWFreehold199714East RegionBedok
SPAZIO @ KOVANFreehold201619North East RegionHougang
ICON @ PASIR PANJANGFreehold20155Central RegionQueenstown
ORCHID PARK CONDOMINIUM99 yrs from 01/09/1991199427North RegionYishun
MELVILLE PARK99 yrs from 01/09/1992199618East RegionTampines
THE WISTERIA99 yrs from 27/04/2015201827North RegionYishun

Hougang Green stands out as a convenient choice, as it’s right next to Hougang Green Shopping Mall. There’s a range of small shops and eateries right downstairs, which can cover day-to-day meals (if you eat out), or small necessities (there’s a Giant supermarket located here as well). The surrounding HDB enclave is also quite mature, so there’s the usual slew of convenience stores, coffee shops, and other heartland conveniences.

Hougang Green floor plan

Hougang Green also has bus services right outside (e.g., bus 43) that provide a direct connection to Serangoon MRT station (NEL, CCL). This also means easy access to NEX Megamall, which is one of the largest shopping centres in District 19. Buangkok MRT station (NEL) is technically the closest MRT though, and you can also get there with buses like 114 or you can also walk in 12 to 15 minutes.

Overall, it’s a convenient location, so some may find the two-bedders (764 sq. ft.) that are still transacting for below $800,000 good value.

Orchid Park is another standout at its price point, and it's well-suited to buyers who like greenery views. This project overlooks Lower Seletar Reservoir and the scenic park that adjoins it. This area is a favourite among nature lovers, cyclists, and bird watchers. It’s also within walking distance of Khatib Central. This is where you’ll find Khatib MRT (NSL), as well as a Sheng Siong, NTUC, and the usual heartland amenities. So even if it’s a fringe location, it doesn’t have the associated inconveniences. 

The Wisteria is not too far from Orchid Park, so you might also consider this an alternative. Wisteria is a little less private, as it’s mixed-use and has a commercial component. Wisteria Mall has an NTUC and a food court, which is convenient to have right downstairs (retail seems to be utterly absent though, we found only food and services). 

Cheapest options for three-bedders

Project NameTenureCompletion YearDistrictRegionArea
PARC ROSEWOOD99 yrs from 07/09/2011201425North RegionWoodlands
SPAZIO @ KOVANFreehold201619North East RegionHougang
THE WOODGROVE99 yrs from 26/06/1996199825North RegionWoodlands
SYMPHONY SUITES99 yrs from 10/06/2014201827North RegionYishun
SIMEI GREEN CONDOMINIUM99 yrs from 14/11/1996199918East RegionTampines
REGENT GROVE99 yrs from 17/05/1997200023West RegionChoa Chu Kang
PARKVIEW APARTMENTS99 yrs from 01/05/1994199823West RegionBukit Batok
MELVILLE PARK99 yrs from 01/09/1992199618East RegionTampines
WOODSVALE99 yrs from 22/09/1997200025North RegionWoodlands
YISHUN SAPPHIRE99 yrs from 16/02/1998200127North RegionYishun

Parc Rosewood again appears here, making it a decent value for first-timers seeking family-sized units (see above). We should add here that Parc Rosewood has good school access, with six schools within a one-kilometre radius: Si Ling, Innova, and Woodgrove Primary, and Christchurch and Fuchun for Secondary schools; also nearby is the Singapore Sports School (which will be moving).

Regent Grove floor plan 11

For die-hard westies, take note of Regent Grove in Choa Chu Kang. The 1,173 sq. ft. units here transact at below $1.2 million, despite a very convenient, family-friendly location. The condo is within walking distance of Yew Tee MRT station (NSL). The station’s surroundings are the neighbourhood hub and include Yew Tee Point Mall, as well as the heartland amenities from the surrounding HDB enclave. Yew Tee is also just one stop from Choa Chu Kang MRT, where you’ll have access to Lot One, the major mall for the neighbourhood. 

Cheapest options for four-bedders

Project NameTenureCompletion YearDistrictRegionArea
YISHUN EMERALD99 yrs from 16/02/1998200227North RegionYishun
SYMPHONY SUITES99 yrs from 10/06/2014201827North RegionYishun
NINE RESIDENCES99 yrs from 30/04/2013201527North RegionYishun
PALM GARDENS99 yrs from 12/08/1996200023West RegionChoa Chu Kang
EVERGREEN PARK99 yrs from 01/10/1995199919North East RegionHougang
PALM GARDENS99 yrs from 12/08/1996200023West RegionChoa Chu Kang
SIGNATURE AT YISHUN99 yrs from 25/08/2014201727North RegionYishun
SEA HORIZON99 yrs from 25/02/2013201618East RegionPasir Ris
ROSEWOOD99 yrs from 20/06/2000200325North RegionWoodlands
URBAN VISTA99 yrs from 05/11/2012201616East RegionBedok

Nine Residences is something of a mixed bag, but interesting as most large units in mixed-use projects are pricey. Nine Residences is the residential component of Junction Nine. It’s versatile enough for most day-to-day needs, with a Sheng Siong, a gym, enrichment centres, and eateries. It’s certainly convenient to have it all right downstairs. 

While Yishun MRT (NSL) is too far to be a comfortable walk, there are buses right outside (take 811) that get you there quite fast. Northpoint City is also here, giving you access to a bigger mall.

The issue that most people will notice is the unit sizes: they’re on the small side, with many (not all) being below 1,000 sq. ft. The four-bedders just barely go past that, at around 1,173 sq. ft. It'll be okay if the floor plan was efficient, but there's a lot of space lost to unnecessarily large AC ledges and balcony space. So while it is convenient for the price, it’s not for those for prize spaciousness overall.

Nine Residences floor plan 4

Urban Vista is the next entry that gets our attention, mainly because it's so close to the recent launch Sceneca Residence. The Tanah Merah Kechil area was previously sparse on amenities, but since Sceneca is mixed-use, it introduces a mall component that makes this area much more interesting.

Urban Vista is just across the road from Tanah Merah MRT station (EWL). This is significant because Tanah Merah is the interchange at which passengers switch to go to Changi Airport, and this could be valuable to aviation workers (both tenants and owner-occupiers). Changi Airport is also a major amenity: with places like Changi Jewel, our airport may as well be considered a shopping mall with airstrips. 

The flip side is that being near Tanah Merah MRT station is not a very unique trait. Besides Sceneca Residence, there’s a slew of nearby condos like the Tanamera, Optima, The Glades, etc. that are also clustered near the train station. Competition is quite likely, for resale or tenants. 

It is, nonetheless, a very affordable condo that’s both next to an MRT station, and which has excellent airport access. 

A shortlist sorted by one variable is a fast way to narrow your options, but the pick that's cheapest, biggest, or most convenient isn't always the one that fits your situation best.

If you'd like to discuss how this applies to your own circumstances, you can reach out for a one-to-one consultation here.

And if you simply have a question or want to share a thought, feel free to write to us at stories@stackedhomes.com. We read every message.