Face is a core element in Singapore’s culture. It is a highly valued commodity in our society. If a person has face, he or she has dignity, reputation and honor. Having or losing face during CNY Singaporeans are particularly sensitive to retaining face in all aspects of our lives. We treat somebody well because we... [read more] The post Buying a home for face appeared first on Property Soul ..read more

Retirement is a big topic in life. Retire cheap is a popular topic these days. The banks have been printing money for years. Until one day we all face runaway inflation. We complain that everything becomes so expensive. It is particularly hard for those who have retired. They must find ways to cut costs. As... [read more] The post So you plan to retire cheap? appeared first on Property Soul ..read more

2024 is a significant year. It marks the commencement of Period 9 (九运) in the Chinese calendar. On February 4 precisely at 4.37 pm, we welcomed the arrival of spring (立春). From that moment, we officially entered Period 9 that will last for 20 years until the end of 2043. What is three cycles and... [read more] The post Wealth not in properties next 20 years in Period 9? appeared first on Property Soul ..read more

New project sales galleries and their showflat are very quiet these days. At most times, there are only a handful of cars parked in front, most likely driven by the agents. That is why we were in disbelief when the media told us that Hillhaven and The Arcady at Boon Keng drew 2,000 and 3,000... [read more] The post The showflat in my dreams appeared first on Property Soul ..read more

Which is the most honest property developer? In 2012, former CapitaLand chief executive Liew Mun Leong urged the government to regulate the building of shoebox apartments. He criticized shoebox developers for wasting Singapore’s limited land. Besides, these homes are “almost inhuman” and not good for the welfare of the family. Apparently, Liew himself grew up... [read more] The post The most honest property developer appeared first on Property Soul ..read more

Our home is under renovation. We are living there. Imagine the mess and inconvenience with the ongoing work! I have been planning to renovate the house for years. Then came the outbreak of Covid-19. When the pandemic finally stabilized, the two children were sitting for their public exams. At times, I would frown at the... [read more] The post Renovation of our house appeared first on Property Soul ..read more

Yesterday, I joined 38,088 parents to wait for their child’s PSLE result. The experience was an emotional roller coaster. Worries of a parent about PSLE result Exactly six years ago, I wrote the blog post “Thoughts from the release of PSLE results”. That was for my elder child who was sitting for her A-level exam... [read more] The post Another PSLE result release day appeared first on Property Soul ..read more

When Chinese developers go bust, how will it affect us? After Evergrande, this Tuesday (September 19) another leading China property developer Sunac filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection in the US. The country’s second largest developer Evergrande is estimated to be US$340 billion in debt. The company lost US$81 billion last year. Similarly, China’s biggest... [read more] The post How will bankruptcy of Chinese developers affect us appeared first on Property Soul ..read more

2023 is another year of high interest rates. Borrowers with outstanding debts from the banks are constantly under pressure. With four more months to go, the Federal Reserve shows no sign of decelerating the engine of rate hike. The big question is: How much longer can individuals, SMEs, corporations and governments hold onto their high-interest... [read more] The post Can we repay our debts? appeared first on Property Soul ..read more

Singapore’s pandemic-fueled home buying fever is cooling faster than what everyone has expected. Last week ended with the shocking news that three new launches sold a total of merely 53 units in their first weekend: – TMW Maxwell sold 7 units out of a total of 324 units (2.2 percent sold) – The Arden sold... [read more] The post Home buying spree is fading fast appeared first on Property Soul ..read more