With property prices rising across the board for resale HDB flats, condominiums, and landed properties in Singapore, it is a rough time for those looking to buy a new home now. Let’s take a look at the current trends and figure out why are Singapore property prices rising in this COVID-19 climate. Trend for resale HDB flat prices The Resale Price Index (RPI) of resale HDB flats increased by 3 per cent in Q2 2021, according to data from the Housing Development Board (HDB). The RPI is an index used to compare the overall price movements of HDB flats’ resale prices. Meanwhile, resale transaction ..read more

Singaporeans have a long-standing love affair with owning private property. What if there is a way to buy a private property, complete with government grants? Enter Executive Condominiums (ECs). With a 99-year leasehold, Executive Condos in Singapore are a hybrid mix of public and private housing. They are built and managed by private developers, with the land costs subsidised by the government. This is why they are cheaper than private condominiums, despite having the same facilities such as swimming pools, gyms, and function halls. The only catch – an EC is subjected to public housing rules ..read more

Rising Cash Over Valuation (COV) trend in Singapore: What does this mean for prospective HDB resale flat buyers and sellers? With the recent news of more buyers paying higher Cash Over Valuation (COV) in 2021, many prospective flat buyers are concerned that they’d pay higher resale prices and cough up more cash for the COV as well.   Let’s explore some of the factors that caused this trend and how to avoid overpaying more than necessary.   What is Cash Over Valuation (COV) As the name suggests, Cash Over Valuation (COV) literally means that the flat is sold above the HDB’s valuation ..read more

You've found a house of your dreams and are ready to make it yours. But first, you need a mortgage to buy your house in Singapore. If you’re a first-time home owner, don’t make the mortgage for your first home a nightmare. Here are five important home loan factors to consider before you commit to one. Find out which type of loan to take and how much you can afford? You’ll find different types of loans offered by the HDB, banks, mortgage brokers, and financial institutions. The two most common loans that Singaporeans take up are the : HDB est rate: Rate is pegged to interest rate of CPF O ..read more

At some point in our lives when we purchase a house, we’ll eventually need to take up a home loan in Singapore. Choosing the right home loan package in Singapore is important as you’ll be servicing the loan for the next few decades of your life. The two most popular types of interest rates in Singapore for home loan packages are the following: fixed interest rates and floating interest rates. The interest charged is what the bank earns from lending you a loan to pay for your house in Singapore. How do fixed rate packages work? In fixed rate packages, the interest rate that you pay for your ho ..read more

Moving from a flat to a landed property means more freedom as a homeowner. However, there are new expenses and responsibilities that you'll need to take into consideration to enjoy these properties to the fullest. Landed properties, from terrace houses to good class bungalows (GCBs) are coveted for many reasons, including steadier capital appreciation, more space (including outdoor space) and better privacy. However, while the upsides can convince you to pay the extra million or two, landed properties also come with added responsibilities that weren't required when you were living in a condo ..read more

Which Loan Do You Choose Now That COVID-19 Has Affected the Housing Loan Market in Singapore? Buying a house in Singapore is a big financial commitment. However, many first-time homeowners are often confused which type of mortgage loans they ought to get. Do you choose the HDB loan or the bank loan? What are the advantages of choosing one over the other and vice versa? Let’s take a look at the comparison below. Advantages Of Applying For A HDB Loan Over A Bank Loan Less upfront cash is needed You are allowed to pay your down payment fully using CPF if you have enough savings, compared to bank ..read more

This guest post was contributed by ValueChampion Since working from home is becoming a norm, setting up your home to make it conducive and noise-free so that you can focus on your work and video calls without interruption is becoming more than essential. Just for a cost estimate, getting professional help to apply sound insulation materials on the ceiling and wall to effectively reduce sound transmission can cost anything from S$113 m² to S$248 per m². Based on these estimates, applying such material on the four walls and ceiling of an HDB bedroom of size 13.5 m² can cost S$5,932 to S$13,020 ..read more

Looking to add some vintage pieces to your home? Here's how to do so regardless of your budget. This guest post was contributed by ValueChampion What do some of the top interior design trends like Japandi, Grandmillennial and Art Deco have in common? Besides being increasingly popular year after year, they rely on a healthy dose of carefully curated vintage and antique items. Whether it's an antique vessel to hold your perfectly imperfect branches in your Japandi home or an elaborate vintage dresser to match your brightly wallpapered Grandmillennial living room, antique and vintage furniture ..read more

One of the most exciting milestones for couples and new families is buying their dream home. How much will you need to save in order to afford your dream HDB flat? "This article was contributed by ValueChampion" Since your home will be your most expensive purchase, a proper financial plan will be imperative when it comes time to buy your first flat. But with real estate prices on the rise, it may seem like it can be difficult to keep pace even with stringent savings. Luckily, Singapore's HDB flats provide opportunities for even low-income families to own their homes thanks to subsidies and gr ..read more