9 min read A few articles ago, a reader asked for a tour of Cheng Soon Gardens, an estate in the Toh Tuck vicinity- but I’ve already written about it a year ago! Hence, I decided to do a tour of another landed enclave close to Cheng Soon Gardens instead: Toh Tuck Place. Toh Tuck Place is across the road from Highgate estate, and next to Bukit Timah Primary School, Toh Tuck Forest, and Eng Kong Place. Here’s a map to better help you envisage it.As you can see, the forest is a large plot of reserve land, so it may not stay green and open forever. However, (most of) Toh Tuck Place is located on m ..read more

2 min read In this week’s episode, we explore a home with a unique blend of Japanese ryokan tranquility and the laid-back ambiance of an island resort. With a minimalist Zen aesthetic, the space exudes warmth and relaxation. Situated in SengKang, this 1,200 sqft, five-room resale HDB flat offers a welcoming entryway adorned with rustic stone pavement tiles, providing a textured feel and convenient storage for commonly worn shoes. The living room, bathed in natural light, features blinds that offer control over brightness, ensuring a comfortable atmosphere. A modular sofa, upholstered in bus ..read more

5 min read One way to lower prices is to take out the middleman, right? It used to be a no-brainer for me. But over the years, I’ve been forced to admit that some middlemen (and related fee collectors) are indispensable. Like when it’s raining at two in the morning and I’m pulling an all-nighter, I’m pretty grateful I can pay platform fees for someone to magically appear at my door, with fried chicken.  Those are the small things. But when it comes to real estate, it’s not just about convenience is it? A messed-up transaction is nowhere near your fries or large drink not arriving; it can ..read more

4 min read Property is one of the most unique asset classes, because of how each unit is so stubbornly independent. With other assets, one barrel of oil is the same as the next, and one dollar is the same as the next. But with real estate, the flat next door might end up going for $500,000 more, and sometimes for no fathomable reason (at least, on the surface). To show you how strange it can get, here are some true oddballs we’ve found: 1. A 4-room flat for $100,000 This was a transaction that caught the attention of many recently. An older 4-room flat (built in 1987) at Block 860A Tampines Av ..read more

7 min read Dear Stacked Homes, I have been a regular reader of your articles. I appreciate your efforts to put in much analysis in answering real issues faced by the community on property matters.  I seek your recommendations on my situation I just entered my 50th year and bought my first condo with a loan for 15 yrs. I didn’t use cash from hand effectively as condo cash portion was funded by cpf and sales proceeds of hdb. My agent is proposing to book a studio apartment for 1m as a second property in my wife’s name with the cash earmarked earlier and excess from the sale which is around ..read more

7 min read Today’s newer condos tend to be a bit, well, same-ish. In an era with ABSD deadlines and narrowing margins, developers just aren’t inclined to take risks or to try out the novel and exotic. Sometimes, it’s worth looking at the older condos, which are less uniform but perhaps more characterful; or comfortable, if you’re the sort who prefers old-school interiors. As such, here are some less common unit layouts you can find in the market today: 1. Island View Island View is a stepped terrace project, a form of condo that you seldom find beyond the early ‘90s as it obviously isn’t con ..read more

3 min read In this week’s episode, we explore a quaint walk-up apartment built in 1953, once the residence of Zubir Said and his family, famed composer of Singapore’s national anthem, “Majulah Singapura.” Nestled in Joo Chiat, this 1,432 sqft mid-century abode has been meticulously transformed by its current resident over six years. The layout boasts a distinctive angular shape, preserving its historical essence while undergoing sensitive modernisation. A testament to post-war architecture, this three-story reinforced concrete block was gazetted as part of the Joo Chiat Conservation area in ..read more

8 min read Typically, those on a budget would likely take the BTO route and deal with a longer waiting time. But for those who do not have the luxury of waiting for their new homes to be built, the next natural choice would be to consider units that have recently MOP-ed.  This week, we have shortlisted five units that have recently MOP-ed that can still cater to those with a lower budget to find the best of both worlds.  Missed last week? You can view the previous issue here.  You can also join our free weekly newsletter so you stay up to date on our latest curations weekly.&nbs ..read more

9 min read Last year, District 15 saw the launch of three notable residential projects: The Continuum, Tembusu Grand, and Grand Dunman, providing prospective homeowners with a variety of options in this sought-after area of the East. This year, anticipation surrounds a new project by Sim Lian Group, seemingly named “Emerald of Katong.” Given its proximity to the other three projects (it’s located next to Tembusu Grand), direct comparisons are inevitable. But perhaps what is of more interest to buyers would be its price. It was purchased at a lower land rate than the others and could spark keen ..read more

6 min read The resale flat shortage is slowly but surely coming to an end, and we might be seeing the start of a bigger influx of supply. Will this mean the end of high rent or high Cash Over Valuation (COV)? It’s unclear what the impact of the supply surge will be; but for now, it’s a good time to be looking for a flat. Here are some upcoming options to consider: Where are the most number of resale flats reaching MOP? The following shows where the units will be available, in 2024/5: Interesting developments to note We feel the resale options which can draw the most interest are: 1. The Bida ..read more