7 min read We know some of you are die-hard boutique condo fans, who don’t want big crowds around your pool or other facilities. Unfortunately, a lot of these smaller projects tend to be less aggressive with their marketing; and some of them never appear much throughout the entire launch. It’s more word-of-mouth than anything, for these smaller developments. There are reasons for this, which we’ve detailed here before. So to give you a heads-up, here’s a look at the boutique options for this year in 2024: 1. Koon Seng House Koon Seng House is a freehold, 17-unit project located close to the ..read more

7 min read More often than not, having convenient access to an MRT station would be something most home buyers would have high on their priority list. But understandably, this also comes with its limitations – ranging from higher cost outlays and higher traffic and noise levels.  To find a good balance of these opposites, this week we look at five of the most affordable 5-Room HDB flats located under a 10-minute walk to the nearest MRT station.  These flats are priced under a $600K budget and ideal for families with these three considerations in mind: budget, location and space.  ..read more

3 min read The perspective on leasehold condos has been changing in recent years. Homebuyers are a little less hung-up on freehold status; that’s thanks to the high freehold premium and the realisation that many condos go en-bloc long before it matters. But this doesn’t change the fact that leasehold condos do depreciate over time – and many buyers still want to know what they can expect. So we took a look at the performance of older leasehold condos over the years: Looking at older leasehold condos For the following, we looked only at condos with 99 to 103-year leases. This covers 355 condos ..read more

9 min read For those who can recall, 2019 was an interesting year for District 2’s real estate landscape. This included the mega-development Avenue South Residence, the iconic Pearl Bank Apartments revival through the launch of One Pearl Bank and the smaller freehold Sky Everton, along with the proposals announced for the Greater Southern Waterfront in the DMP 2019.  In this resident’s review, we speak to K, who has recently collected his keys and moved into his new apartment in Sky Everton in December 2023. He shares his experience and insight into living in the neighbourhood, as well as ..read more

3 min read The perspective on leasehold condos has been changing in recent years. Homebuyers are a little less hung-up on freehold status; that’s thanks to the high freehold premium and the realisation that many condos go en-bloc long before it matters. But this doesn’t change the fact that leasehold condos do depreciate over time – and many buyers still want to know what they can expect. So we took a look at the performance of older leasehold condos over the years: Looking at older leasehold condos For the following, we looked only at condos with 99 to 103-year leases. This covers 355 condos ..read more

5 min read For some people, the impact of a duplex, double-volume unit is worth the maintenance effort. Singapore homes are getting more cramped as the years go by, so just like the preference for bigger condos, we’re also starting to see more buyers interested in impressively high ceilings – at the very least, it allows for some design themes that wouldn’t fit a smaller home. For those who prefer these layouts and are looking to buy one, here are some condos with recent duplex transactions where you can find fitting units. Note: This is not an exhaustive list of duplexes with recent transacti ..read more

3 min read In this week’s episode, explore a unique home nestled in the SengKang area, boasting a blend of old-world charm and modern design. With a land area of 2,160 sqft and a build-out of around 3,000 sqft, this residence offers a spacious retreat for its inhabitants. On the ground level, discover a car porch leading to a welcoming living hall, seamlessly connected to the dining area and kitchen, complemented by a cozy guest room. Ascend to the second level to find a captivating man cave adorned with collectables, accompanied by two additional guest rooms. The journey continues to the ..read more

10 min read My Mother spent over 30 years of her life staying with and caring for her own mother. When she was no longer needed, she had to move out of the house in which she had stayed for almost half her life and suddenly learn to live alone. After so many years of being part of “a pair,” and doing many things together, suddenly staying alone in a new place would have been extremely difficult since she was already in her 70s. And, so, I moved back from London to live with her. Kicking and screaming, no doubt, and in desperate need of a suitable multi-generational home but nonetheless, I “dut ..read more

3 min read In this week’s episode, discover a unique home in Bukit Merah, a 5-room HDB flat spanning 1280 sqft. Designed with a mindful approach, this space embraces imperfections and celebrates the beauty of raw authenticity. Upon entering, guests are greeted by a minimalist foyer adorned with an antique yoke chair, setting the tone for the space’s eclectic charm. The common areas, including the dining, living, and kitchen, boast an open-plan layout conducive to interaction, anchored by a striking waterfall island crafted from natural granite. The kitchen features black cabinets juxtaposed ..read more

5 min read Yet another luxury condo fire sale You’ve probably heard: The prices at The Residences at W Singapore Sentosa Cove are being slashed by over 40 per cent. But as great as that may sound, here are a few things that haven’t made their way into some media articles: The 99-year lease starts from 2006, and this project was completed in 2011. It still hasn’t sold out its 228 units, which is a really long time. The one recorded transaction we can find here, on 7th September 2023, shows a loss of $1.46 million.  The maintenance fee of just a two-bedder unit is $1,200+ per month. For th ..read more