11 min read Dear Stacked team, We’re huge fans of your editorial and have been following for years, and are looking to dip our toes in Singapore’s property market – we’re hoping to lean on your well informed advice. My partner and I are in a bit of a predicament; we both earn about S$30k per month, have S$600k in cash each and are first-time home buyers. We’re both 28, live in our parents’ home and don’t have an immediate need to live in a place of our own (although we don’t mind). Our current thinking is: 1) Purchase a resale HDB under the essential-owner and occupier scheme; in 5 years’ time ..read more

7 min read 2022 and 2024 may only be two years apart, but there’s been a tremendous change in that short time. We’ve gone from a major housing shortage to a huge influx of new condos and flats; and on top of that, we still haven’t grasped the full extent of how much the new ABSD rules might change things.  If you are looking to sell your property this year in 2024, here are some major things that you need to know: Major changes that are impacting sellers in 2024 Based on conversations with realtors, some of the major issues are: 1. High cost of replacement properties  2. Co-broking ..read more

3 min read In this week’s episode, we step into the charming home of Brian and Audrey, nestled in the heart of Whampoa. Their abode, a haven of comfort and style, offers a glimpse into their unique blend of creativity and practicality. One of the defining features of Brian and Audrey’s home is its seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces. Strategically positioned windows and glass doors invite natural light to flood the interiors, while framing views of the lush greenery that surrounds the property.  Moving into the living area, we find a cozy retreat where modern furnishings m ..read more

3 min read In theory, freehold condos should continue to appreciate well over the years. One common argument you’ll hear, for example, is that because developers won’t need to top up the lease, freehold projects have better en-bloc value and potential. But there’s growing skepticism these days, as some ponder whether maintaining a condo for 40+ years is truly viable – and with new projects appearing nearby, could a very old condo still appreciate well, even if it’s freehold? We took a look: Average freehold condo prices based on age: This shows the average price per square foot of a freehold c ..read more

6 min read Whilst private home prices seem to be stabilising a bit, we’re still coming off a high point in property prices – and with new launch and resale condo prices both at a high quantum, many homebuyers may still be considering an Executive Condo instead. These condos are still cheaper than their private counterparts; and the later you buy, the closer they are to full privatisation (if they’re not fully privatised already).  Cheapest to priciest ECs in 2024 Note that ECs come with a five-year Minimum Occupancy Period (MOP) for the first batch of buyers only. If you see transaction r ..read more

6 min read Whilst private home prices seem to be stabilising a bit, we’re still coming off a high point in property prices – and with new launch and resale condo prices both at a high quantum, many homebuyers may still be considering an Executive Condo instead. These condos are still cheaper than their private counterparts; and the later you buy, the closer they are to full privatisation (if they’re not fully privatised already).  Cheapest to priciest ECs in 2024 Note that ECs come with a five-year Minimum Occupancy Period (MOP) for the first batch of buyers only. If you see transaction r ..read more

5 min read Cluster homes are in that weird spot between landed housing and condos. On the one hand, they’re landed; on the other hand, you still have an MCST, and common facilities. But next to walk-up apartments, this may be one of the least studied and understood housing segments: besides being relatively few in number, they tend to have small unit counts with more volatile pricing. This week, we took a look at how these rare properties have been performing: Average price growth for cluster housing (freehold)  From 2013 to the present, freehold cluster homes have seen an average gain o ..read more

3 min read In this week’s episode, we delve into the unique features of a ground floor apartment nestled within the charming residential area of Joo Chiat. Spanning 1,900 sqft and steeped in history, this home boasts a lineage tracing back to the 1950s, originally serving as a dormitory for foreign workers. Upon stepping inside, visitors are greeted by an abundance of natural light, courtesy of a captivating skylight that graces the communal space. The thoughtful renovation has seamlessly merged modern elements with the original red brick architecture, creating a harmonious blend of old-wor ..read more

8 min read Not to be confused with Phoenix Park in the Tanglin area, Phoenix Estate is a landed enclave in Choa Chu Kang. I’ll be honest and confess that I wasn’t expecting much before I visited: Choa Chu Kang isn’t exactly known for its landed houses and it’s also fairly far out. When I’d visited Windermere EC and Pavilion Park landed estate in the past, the time taken to get there made commuting seem a bit of a trek. There also weren’t many amenities in the immediate vicinity at the moment. (Yes I know ACS is slated to move to Tengah soon but when I visited, there wasn’t much around.) Howeve ..read more

5 min read Do you like cruises? Do you really really like them, to the point you can stay on that ship for months or years?  Then you’ll be glad to know you can, in fact, buy a cruise ship cabin and live in it. Now I don’t know when exactly this started, but in the past, it was a thing for the uber-rich. I know of at least one person (indirectly) who’s done this: the mother of an American friend, who intends to spend her retirement cruising around the world, only coming off the ship a few days at a time.  These days though, prices are dropping – and of late, the MV Narrative has bee ..read more