The Ultimate Guide To FOREIGNER BUYING PROPERTY IN SINGAPORE

Why FOREIGNER BUYING PROPERTY IN SINGAPORE Is The Only Skill You Really Need

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Top 5 Mistakes Foreigners Make When Buying Condo

Top 5 Mistakes Foreigners Make When Buying Condo

1. Assuming high prices mean good amenities and a central location

In Singapore, the more accurate formula is high prices = space and privacy. It doesn’t always equate to accessibility or amenities; in fact, it could mean the opposite.

2. Assuming that older also means cheaper

Singapore has mature estates, which have been built up over a long period, and new estates, which looks like the landscape in Lord of the Rings movies. The mature estates, despite having older properties, are more desirable.

3. Using a local bank for a mortgage, and expecting perpetual fixed rates

There is no Singapore bank that provides a perpetual fixed rate home loan. In Singapore, when we say “fixed rate” we always mean for a certain amount of time only; typically three to five years. After that, the loan will revert to a floating rate.

4. Not checking the facing of the gigantic windows

If this is the first time you’re moving into a condo, or a country where it’s perpetually summer, we have a new concept for you: property facings.

5. Central locations ironically make travel slower at certain times

Singapore is a small country, with a lot of cars. During rush hour, roads in the Central Business District are more congested than a fat man’s arteries at a bacon buffet. It will no longer matter how central your property is, as your car will progress at about 60 inches per hour.

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Buying property in Singapore as a foreigner: Guide

Basically, everything a foreigner needs to know about the buying property in Singapore can be found in the Residential Property Act (Chapter 274) of the Singapore Law. Yet, seeing that a couple hundred pages of legal jargon could be a little overwhelming.

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What properties can foreigners in Singapore buy?

With property prices at its lowest in years, the time is particularly ripe to take that first dip into the local property pool. For foreigners in Singapore, however, it’s worth noting that strict government restrictions on foreign property ownership means that the pool that’s open to you is substantially shallower than what’s available to the average Singaporean.

But more on that later. Let’s tackle the most important question first: how to distinguish foreigners in Singapore?

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5 Mistakes Home Buyers Make – and how to avoid them?

Favourite Property Mistakes That Singaporeans Love To Make

Hot spots for foreign buyers in Singapore’s residential market

5 common mistakes foreigners make when buying Singapore property

So you want to buy a property in Singapore. Well, get ready to look deep – nothing here is how it appears on the surface. Sleepy Yishun has weird crimes, “industrial” Jurong is more green than many other estates, and “sea view” Sentosa is more like an observation platform for container ships. Besides those, here are some other things that get missed:

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“Rent-then-Buy” scheme? What’s the catch?

30 Minutes Guide for private residential property landlords Tutorial

Condo 101 – Buyer’s Guide

Do You Struggle With Buying Resale Condo?

5 Minute Tutorial. Buying foreign property!

How to buy landed property in Singapore

Guide to Buying Singapore Property as a Foreigner

A foreign person means any person who is not a:

  • Singapore citizen
  • Singapore company
  • Singapore limited liability partnership
  • Singapore society

Singapore Permanent Residents (SPR) are also considered foreign persons.

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Stamp duty: Common mistakes to avoid

For the past three years, more than 90% of taxpayers have complied with the requirements for stamp duty, which is paid on documents or agreements related to properties in Singapore as well as stocks and shares. These include tenancy or lease agreements, acceptance of options to purchase as well as sale and purchase (S&P) agreements.

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Foreign Ownership of Properties

All applications to be submitted online

A foreign person who wishes to purchase a landed residential property is required to seek approval under the Residential Property Act. A foreign person means any person who is not a –

  • Singapore citizen;
  • Singapore company;
  • Singapore limited liability partnership; or
  • Singapore society.

Each applicant is assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration, including but not limited to, the following factors: 

(a) You should be a permanent resident of Singapore for at least five years; and 

(b) You must make exceptional economic contribution to Singapore. This is assessed taking into consideration factors such as your employment income assessable for tax in Singapore.

The ownership restrictions are provided in the Residential Property Act.

You can apply online at www.sla.gov.sg/ldau.  

For more information on foreign ownership of residential properties, please refer to the FAQs

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5 common mistakes foreigners make when buying Singapore property

 ShareSo you want to buy a property in Singapore. Well, get ready to look deep – nothing here is how it appears on the surface. Sleepy Yishun has weird crimes, “industrial” Jurong is more green than many other estates, and “sea view” Sentosa is more like an observation platform for container ships. Besides those, here are some other things that get missed…. Continue Reading

5 things you should know before thinking about skipping the property agent

Foreigner’s Guide to Buying a Property in Singapore

Definition of Foreigner

So when are you classified a foreigner under the Singapore law? For expats buying property in Singapore, you are considered a foreigner if you are NOT a:

1. Singapore citizen

2. Singapore company

3. Singapore limited liability partnership; or

4. Singapore society

In addition to the above, fiscal residents or those who are living for tax purposes are likewise classified as foreigners. Bear in mind that not all foreigners can acquire property in Singapore, you need to make an adequate economic contribution to the country to prove your worthy of the property.

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Property Buying Guide – Top 4 Mistakes You Want To Avoid

Knowledge that can be gleaned from a property buying guide is often ignored by Singaporeans as they felt that buying property is easy as everyone around them owns a property. A strong cornerstone of what it means to be a Singaporean is to own a property (in property crazed Singapore) which we call our home. From generation to generation, we have been instilled with the mindset that getting a roof over our heads is essential. It is a good mindset to instil in the younger generation.

However, while our parents have instilled the right mindset in us, they have failed to impart the mistakes that they have made during their search for their desired property. These mistakes are vital in helping us learn from their mistakes to make better property buying decisions in our property search.

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The 7 deadly sins of Singapore property buyers

Singapore is a property-crazy nation and Singaporeans are property-obsessed.

What is the Singapore dream?

Firstly, apply for an HDB or BTO flat. Then upgrade to an executive condo or private condo after five years. Next, save enough money for a second private property for investment.

Can you see that the whole life of a Singaporean revolves around properties? As we upgrade from one type of property to the other, we are also paying off one mortgage to another until the day we retire.

Property is our life goal. Property is what we live for. We pin ours hopes on property ownership and investment. Every time after we buy a property, we pray very hard that its value will go up.

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6 Steps in Buying a Condo in Singapore for Foreigners

Singapore tops the ranks in Asia as the city with the best quality of living. The well planned infrastructure promotes efficient public transportation, minimal traffic congestion and steady availability of international flights, plus an abundance in supply of electricity, drinking water and quality phone services makes it an idyllic place for a foreigner to settle.

So, how does one get started in settling down in this heart of Asia?

Of course, buying your own home when moving to Singapore is the ideal solution. However, there are multiple ownership restrictions as stated in the Residential Property Act and it is highly regulated by the Singapore Land Authority. Let’s take a look at a simple guide to get you started.

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Eligibility to Buy Private Property

In the year 1973, the Singapore Government has imposed restrictions on foreign ownership of all private residential property in Singapore. Such ownership is governed by the Residential Property Act.

The Act aims to give Singaporeans a stake in the country by being able to buy and possess their own residential property at an affordable price and also encourage foreign talent by allowing permanent residents and foreign companies who make an economic contribution to Singapore to purchase such properties for their own occupation.

The Residential Property Act (RPA) is then amended on 19 July 2005 to allow foreigners to purchase apartments in non-condominium developments of less than 6 levels without the need to obtain prior approval.

For restricted property such as vacant land, landed properties such as bungalows, semi-detached and terrace houses, prior approval is still needed if foreigners wish to buy. Landed properties is a special class of residential property that Singaporeans aspire to own, and should remain restricted. Foreigners need to apply for approval from Singapore Land Authority before buying.

If you are a foreigner (or expatriate) and you wish to purchase a restricted residential property, you need to download the application form at http://www.sla.gov.sg/htm/ser/ser0307.htm#d You can submit the form together with the relevant supporting documents such as your entry and re-entry permits and qualifications to:

Land Dealings (Approval) Unit

No. 8 Shenton Way,

#27-02 Temasek Tower,

Singapore 068811

What are the non-restricted residential properties?

Foreigners are not restricted from acquiring:

  • Developments approved as a condominium development under he Planning Act
  • A flat in a building of 6 levels or more including the ground level and any level below the ground level including HUDC Phase I, Phase II flats and privatised HUDC Phase III and IV flats
  • A leasehold estate in restricted residential property (refer to A) for a term not exceeding 7 years including any further term which may be granted by way of an option for renewal

What are the restricted residential properties?

Foreign persons (including natural persons, foreign companies and societies) are restricted from purchasing:

  • Vacant land
  • Landed residential property, such as bungalows, terrace houses, semi-detached houses
  • Residential property in a building of less than 6 levels

Other restricted properties

  • A HDB Shophouse
  • A HDB flat purchased directly from HDB
  • A resale HDB flat where HDB has consented to the sale
  • Executive Condominium bought under the Executive Condominium Housing Scheme Act, 1996

Eligibility to Buy HDB Property and Executive Condominiums

HDB Flats are apartments built and maintained by the Housing Development Board (HDB). More than 80% of Singaporeans live in HDB housing estates. HDB housing estates are usually self-contained towns with clinics, schools, supermarkets, food centres, as well as sports and recreational facilities. For the classification of HDB flats, the living room is counted as one room.

To buy a flat directly from HDB, you must be a Singapore citizen, must include another Singapore citizen or Singapore permanent resident to form a family nucleus. To buy a flat from the resale market, you must be a Singapore citizen or Singapore permanent resident. Include at least one listed occupier who is a Singapore permanent resident or Singapore citizen. Please visit the HDB website for more details.

Executive Condominiums (EC) were introduced to cater to Singaporeans, especially young graduates and professionals who can afford more than an HDB flat but find private property out of their reach. ECs are comparable in design and facilities to private condominiums as they are developed and sold by private developers.

The first owner of a Executive Condominium are not allowed to re-sell their unit in the secondary market within the first 5 years. After the initial 5 years, owners are allowed to sell their units to Singaporeans. Foreigners can be only buy a Executive Condominium after 10 years, in which all restrictions will be lifted.

For HDB flats, HDB shophouse and Executive Condominiums, eligibility is subjected to the Housing And Development Board. Interested purchasers can approach HDB directly to enquire on their eligibility to purchase a HDB unit or Executive Condominium unit.

For more information/queries, please contact:

Housing and Development Board

HDB HUB 

480 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh,

Singapore 310460

Tel : (65) 6490 1111 

Tel : (65) 6397 2477 

Email: hdbmailbox@hdb.gov.sg

Property Investments for Permanent Resident Application

Under the Global Investor Programme (GIP) administered by the Economic Development Board (EDB), foreigners can be considered for Permanent Resident (PR) status if they invest a certain minimum sum in business set-ups and/or other investment vehicles such as venture capital funds, foundations or trusts that focus on economic development.

Private residential properties investment will be considered for application for Permanent Resident application. A foreigner can be considered for PR status if he invests at least S$2 million in business set-ups, other investment vehicles such as venture capital funds, foundations or trusts, and/or private residential properties. Up to 50% of the investment can be in private residential properties, subject to foreign ownership restrictions under the Residential Property Act (RPA). This is to attract and anchor foreign talent in Singapore.

Read more…

What properties can foreigners in Singapore buy?

With property prices at its lowest in years, the time is particularly ripe to take that first dip into the local property pool. For foreigners in Singapore, however, it’s worth noting that strict government restrictions on foreign property ownership means that the pool that’s open to you is substantially shallower than what’s available to the average Singaporean.

But more on that later. Let’s tackle the most important question first: how to distinguish foreigners in Singapore?

Read more…

4 Questions For Expats To Consider Before They Buy Or Rent In Singapore

When expatriates move to Singapore, they are often faced with sticker shock – rental prices for housing are often higher than what they might expect, and are on par or even higher than cities like San Francisco, New York, and Tokyo. They might therefore inquire about buying a property instead, only to be further shocked by the sheer cost of buying a piece of property in Singapore.

Yes, real estate in Singapore isn’t cheap and like most immovable assets, require a time commitment. However, our property market does have relatively lower barriers of entry for foreigners and good long term capital appreciation, factors which continue to tempt expatriates and other foreign buyers.

If you’re an expat, and are thinking about about this question, here are four questions you should consider when thinking about buying or renting in Singapore.

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5 foreign nationalities snapping up Singapore property 

Foreigners are making a comeback in Singapore’s residential property market after pulling back from it in 2012, following the implementation of the additional buyer’s stamp duty (ABSD).

Based on the number of caveats lodged, statistics by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) show that purchases by foreigners increased by 48% to 794 units in 1H2017 compared to 535 units in 1H2016, while those by permanent residents (PRs) rose by 32% to 1,876 units in 1H2017 from 1,416 units in 1H2016.

To provide a comparison, private property purchases made by Singaporeans rose by 69% to 8,950 units in 1H2017 from 5,297 units in 1H2016.

In this article, we will look at the top foreign nationalities who have been snapping up private residential properties in Singapore, as well as where they are buying in 2017, based on URA statistics.

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Buying property in Singapore as a foreigner

What are the steps to buying a property as a foreigner?

When you’re buying a property in Singapore you’ll need to take proper legal advice from a qualified local lawyer. You’ll need to:

  • Decide which mortgages might suit you, and get an offer in principle so you have a budget in mind
  • Find a local property lawyer who you trust
  • Select the property you want to buy
  • Make an offer the seller agrees to
  • Go back to the bank and finalise the mortgage
  • The lawyer will draw up the option, confirm the property ownership and that it can be legally sold
  • Pay the 1% optional fee to reserve the property
  • Pay the remaining deposit within the next 14 days to move on with the process
  • The lawyer will prepare the documents transferring title of the property, which are signed by buyer and seller
  • The lawyer will then arrange documents transferring the title of the property, and ensure the sale is registered properly

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General: No More Mistakes With FREEHOLD Vs. LEASEHOLD: Which is Better?

No More Mistakes With FREEHOLD Vs. LEASEHOLD: Which is Better?

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In land-scare Singapore, space is a luxury. A spacious property that can house three generations comfortably is increasingly rare. While many remember the brisk sales and popularity of “mickey mouse” apartments a few years ago, President Halimah’s jumbo HDB flat has brought the spotlight to larger units. So what is the attraction of a larger home?

For starters, a larger residential property will allow the homeowner to age in place; allowing them to go through all stages of life without the hassle of constant moving. On the other hand, the owner of a small unit is likely to have to move several times to cater to his changing housing requirements as his family structure changes.

While a young couple can live quite comfortably in an apartment of 500 square foot (sq ft.), it will hardly be comfortable when the little ones arrive. A larger unit will not only provide individual bedrooms for each child but also give the parents some much needed privacy. When the children get older and move out, their grandparents can move in thus allowing the couple to look after their elderly parents easily.

A larger unit gives the homeowner the option of renting out the extra rooms for additional income when the homeowner retires. The possibility of rental income also acts as a buffer against financial hardship if the homeowner finds himself in need of some additional income.

Many buyers choose a smaller unit over a larger unit purely because of the lower total price. However, this may prove to be penny wise pound foolish especially when the buyer can well afford the larger unit. The price per square foot (psf) is usually higher for a smaller unit compared to a larger one.

A quick analyst of caveats lodged with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) over the last three years will easily prove this point. Smaller units of 500 to 1,000 sq ft. in The Interlace transacted at an average price of $1,407 psf while larger units of 3,000 to 4,000 sq ft. were sold at a significantly lower $868 psf.

The same can be seen for d’Leedon. Units of 500 to 1,000 sq ft. fetched at an average price of $1,787 psf while units of 3,000 to 4,000 sq ft. transacted at $1,065 psf. These two condominiums are located in the central region of Singapore but an analysis of transactions for mass market condominiums indicates that the trends also holds true for suburban projects.

Smaller units of below 500 sq ft. for Sky Vue, The Santorini and Parc Riveria sold for at least $100 psf higher than larger units of 1,000 to 2,000 sq ft. It is quite clear that a larger unit gives the buyer more bang for his buck.

Source: URA, PropertyGuru

Many investors buy smaller units for investment but the savvy investor should not blindly follow the herd. The lack of space means that only singles or young couples with no children will rent a studio or one-bedroom apartment. However, a two-bedroom unit can comfortably accommodate a family of four. A single or a smaller family who want more space will also look for larger units. As such, a larger unit actually widens the potential tenant pool for the investor.

While the case for a larger unit can easily be made, the argument is less clear-cut for freehold or leasehold properties.

Ask any homebuyer and it is likely that most of them will tell you that they will prefer to buy a freehold property. This is because they think that the freehold tenure allows them to own the property forever unlike a leasehold property which reverts back to the government after the tenure expires. However, freehold does not always mean forever.

In Singapore, land is often compulsory acquired by the government for the construction of infrastructure works such as roads, expressways and MRT rails. In such cases, the homeowners will have no choice but to sell their property to the government. Compulsory acquisition by the government affects both freehold and leasehold properties.

Older freehold properties are also more likely to be put up for en-bloc sales. En-bloc sale of a freehold development tend to fetch better prices for their owners compared to the en-bloc sale of their leasehold counterpart. Developers who purchase such freehold developments do not need to pay a development premium to the government to top up the tenure back to 99-years unlike a leasehold development.

As such, the developer may have more money in the kitty to pay the owners of a freehold development. The development premium can be a hefty sum. Calculation of development premiums is based on development charges. URA just announced that development charges for the six months with effect from 1 September 2017 have been revised upwards. According to URA, development charges for non-land residential land has increased an average of 13.8% compared to the earlier rates.

Freehold properties have an advantage when it comes to financing. Banks generally restrict the duration of the loan if the property being mortgaged has a short remaining tenure. However, this has no impact on newer properties regardless of their tenure. The impact can be truly felt only when the property has less than 60-years of remaining tenure. In Singapore, it is uncommon to find such properties due to an active en-bloc market.

However, it is not all roses for freehold properties. For a buyer who is purchasing the property to rent out, it will make more financial sense to invest in a leasehold property. For starters, a leasehold property is generally less expensive than a comparable freehold property which means less initial capital outlay for a leasehold property. Secondly, leasehold properties can potentially generate a higher rental yield.

Tenants are not concerned about the tenure of their rental property. They are more concerned about its location and surrounding amenities. So a well-located leasehold property with many nearby amenities is likely to fetch a higher rent than a freehold property in a less desirable location. Even if both properties are in the same location, the leasehold property will still give the investor a higher rental yield because of the lower capital outlay.

So does it make more sense to buy a freehold or a leasehold property? That will depend greatly on the intentions of the buyer. If the buyer plans to live in the property with his family for the long term, then a freehold property is the way to go. However, if the buyer is purchasing an investment property for rental income, then the leasehold property may be a wiser choice.

Read more…

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3 Rules Not To Follow About FREEHOLD VS LEASEHOLD: WHICH IS BETTER?

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5 Essential FREEHOLD VS LEASEHOLD: WHICH IS BETTER? Smartphone Apps

5 Ways You Can Get More THE LEAST PAINFUL WAY TO SELL YOUR PROPERTY DURING A DOWNTURN While Spending Less

5 Ways You Can Get More THE LEAST PAINFUL WAY TO SELL YOUR PROPERTY DURING A DOWNTURN While Spending Less

The Least Painful Way to Sell Your Property During a Downturn

Cooling measures may be great for buyers, but they’re terrible news for some sellers – there’s little you can do if prices start to drop due to cooling measures, or if the economy tanks. Sometimes though, you have no choice and must offload your property, even if times are bad. When that happens, minimise the damage by doing the following:

It’s not impossible to avoid losses, even during a property downturn.

  1. First, verify that a low price is due to the overall market, and not a specific factor of your property

Ensure your low valuation / offers are not due to a specific factor of your property, rather than the overall market.

One sign of this is when your property has a valuation that’s notably lower than surrounding units; this suggests a problem specific to your house, rather than the overall market.

For example, your property may be getting low offers because it looks more run down, or because it has more maintenance problems (broken water heaters, warped flooring, etc.) These are all fixable issues.

  1. Work out your holding power, and develop a plan around it

Your holding power refers to how long you can keep paying for the property (i.e. pay the mortgage, maintenance fees, and taxes), before you are forced to offload it, even at a losing price. This is especially important during a property downturn.

This is one reason we repeatedly tell buyers to save up at least six months’ worth of the mortgage – it gives you much more holding power, so you don’t need to settle for a low price right away.

As a loose idea of how this works:

You can divide the time you have into two halves – for the first half, you can persist in trying for the price you want. When you get to the second half, drop your asking price to what your agent says is more realistic.

For example, if you have sufficient holding power for a year, then for the first six months you can persist in asking for the price you want. Your property agent should be doing her best to get you a sale at this price, even if she says it’s high.

  1. Know about the possibility of private contracts (and also the risks involved)

Sometimes, a buyer is willing to pay your price, but cannot secure the funding. One possible solution is to use a private contract. For example, you can have a contract for them to pay you regularly, if they can’t get a bank loan.

You’ll definitely need a law firm to do more work for this, so brace for additional legal costs.

Also, before you agree to such situations, be aware of the risks involved. Consider what will happen if, for example, the buyer fails to continue payments (and why the buyer can’t secure a bank loan in the first place).

  1. Prioritise how much you need, not how much you can get

Have a clear idea of how much you absolutely need to make from the sale (especially if you’re a genuine home owner and need a new place to live). Don’t obsesses too much over the capital appreciation of surrounding units, and how much you could potentially get.

Remember, your situation is different from that of a regular seller. If you’re selling in a property downturn, you are acting on need rather than profit – it’s better to be realistic and accept some degree of loss, than to hang on to a house that’s become a liability.

  1. If you absolutely cannot accept the price you’d get, then don’t forget renting

There may be a situation where the price you get is insufficient to find a new home, but you also cannot afford to keep paying for the house. In this dire situation, you may have to consider the discomfort of renting out rooms, or renting out the house.

  1. Don’t use multiple agents

When times are bad, or you’re in a rush, you especially need an agent that will prioritise your sale and be aggressive about it. If you get multiple agents, all of them will prioritise the sellers who give them an exclusive deal first – and yours will fall on everyone’s backburner.

You may see more listings for your property*. But listings alone are meaningless, if agents don’t conduct regular viewing and only send the coldest prospects toward your house.

Besides, quality matters more 

Read more…

5 Things You Need To Know Property Market 2019

5 Things You Need To Know Property Market 2019

Singapore Property Market 2019: 5 Things You Need To Know

With the New Year now upon us, many are wondering what lies ahead in the coming months.

In this article, we’ve rounded up 5 things you need to know about how the Singapore property market could pan out in 2019.

1) There’ll be a spike of new launches in the residential market

In the pipeline for launch in 2019 are about 60 new residential projects

In the pipeline for launch in 2019 are about 60 projects. Several developers have already lined up previews in January, ahead of Chinese New Year on February 5.

They include Roxy-Pacific Holdings’ Fyve Derbyshire and RV Altitude; TEE Land’s 35 Gilstead (the former Casa Contendere); One Meyer by Sustained Land; and Jervois Prive (former Jervois Green) by a consortium led by the owner of Spring Court restaurant. Meanwhile, bigger projects such as SingHaiyi’s The Gazania (former Sun Rosier) and The Lilium (former How Sun Park) are slated to launch after Chinese New Year.

2) Mortgagee sales are expected to rise

Mortgagee sales are expected to rise in 2H2019, as more owners are choosing to list their properties on the auction market. Including re-listings, the number of properties put up for sale at auctions totalled 1,087 last year (as at Nov 30, 2018). This was 35.4% higher than the figure in 2017. According to Colliers International, the figure is the highest recorded since 2008.

In the biggest transacted residential mortgagee sale for 2018, a semi-detached house at 25 Pasir Ris Way in the eastern corner of Singapore was sold for $5 million ($505 psf) in May. With a land area of 3,999 sq ft and a built-up area of 9,892 sq ft, the unit attracted 15 bids. The mortgagee sale was brokered by ET&Co.

3) Larger plots and higher prices for Good Class Bungalows (GCBs)

GCBs are restricted properties and coveted by foreigners. Some of the recent purchases were by newly minted Singapore citizens from China, Taiwan and India

SIR’s Leong attributes the strength of the GCB market to the profile of the owners and buyers: ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals with strong financial backing who are also long-term property investors.

4) Increased demand for shophouses

The property cooling measures in July 2018 have influenced the super-rich to switch from luxury homes to an alternative asset class: conservation shophouses

5) Limited new supply and rising rents brighten outlook for office sector

Grade-A office rents in the CBD have been rising at 2% to 3% a quarter over the last 12 months

The office sector was the one bright spot in the real estate market in 2018. Average gross monthly rents for Grade-A office space in the CBD rose 10.8% in 2018, according to preliminary estimates by JLL Research — from $9.17 psf in 4Q2017 to $10.16 psf in 4Q2018.

Read more…

Property Investors Never Told You

5 Tips Successful Property Investors Never Told You

Why Singapore Property Investors Fail?

Watch Video: 60 New Condo Projects in 60 Seconds

REITS: What Are They And How You Can Find The Best

The 13 Biggest Mistakes Made by Property Investors

Is there more to it than rental yields and transaction histories?

We’ve all heard the usual rules about calculating yield and returns; but successful investors have the secret ingredient that goes beyond that: they have acumen and experience. Here are some of the less common secrets that they’ve shared:

  • Follow a plan, not your gut
  • Buy with a specific type of tenant in mind
  • Look at the businesses moving in
  • Minimise the number of family-as-co-owners
  • Focus on buying low, not selling high

1. Follow a plan, not your gut

Succesful property investors go in with a concrete plan. We don’t mean vague ideas about what they’ll do with the property when they grow old – these people have quantifiable targets that their property asset has to meet (e.g. generate annualised returns of four per cent over the next 20 years, to contribute $X to your retirement fund).

Their plans include specific details such as:

  • When to sell (this is usually based on quantifiable conditions, such as if vacancies stretch to a certain number of months, or if the property value falls or rises to a given sum).
  • When to refinance
  • When to renovate, and how much to spend each time
  • Multiple exit strategies

Having a fixed plan, with quantifiable targets, takes emotion out of the picture. If the property becomes a liability later, for example, an investor with a plan will find it psychologically easier to sell.

2. Buy with a specific type of tenant in mind

Successful property investors will case the area, and buy only if they can clearly visualise what sort of tenant would want to move in. This is more important than vague notions like “there’s a coffee shop nearby”.

Consider the following situations:

  • If a property is near a university, foreign students unable to find a dorm will be a source of constant demand, even if the area has limited shops or nightlife.
  • If the property is high-end, it will mainly cater to expatriates with big housing allowances. That could mean vacancies if the overall economy turns bad, and big companies lower said allowances.
  • Properties near high-end restaurants may not mean anything to middle or lower income tenants, who need a cheaper form of dining.

This sort of acumen takes time to develop. But for new investors, a good practice is to ask yourself who would want to live in the area. If you can’t think of a clear answer, you should either (1) consult a property agent, who can “read” the area for you, or (2) rethink your decision to invest.

Some of the most successful property investors focus on a single demographic (e.g. students, expatriate workers at a certain income level), and invest with this group in mind.

3. Look at the businesses moving in

These days, the challenge is finding a mall without a Din Tai Fung

A good way to tell if a neighbourhood is picking up is to look at the businesses moving in. It’s best if you can do this over time, such as note the brands moving in over five years. But even if you don’t have that information, you can look for the following:

Remember, businesses conduct extensive research on location before moving in. A successful property investor will consider the insight these companies have.

4. Minimise the number of family-as-co-owners

If you need to involve too many family members as co-owners, perhaps its best not to invest. Remember that they all have a say, when it comes to issues such as who to rent the unit out to, or whether to sell the unit.

There are many situations where some family members disagree with a profitable sale – or even worse, move in and decide to use it as a residence (thus eliminating any rental income).

If these are just your business partners, you can at least resort to legal action. But it gets messy when the person involved is, say, your father-in-law, or your aunt who partially raised you.

You can live with them and love them, but sometimes you just can’t invest with them.

5. Focus on buying low, not selling high

When you buy low, you ensure that you have more holding power. That means you won’t be forced to sell during an emergency. On top of that, you also borrow less and hence pay less interest (assuming you make the effort to find the cheapest loan. Consult a mortgage broker).

Even if the property doesn’t sell for as much you hope, you will at least have your finances in better shape.

You could also be facing better odds: if the properties in the area have been $1,800 psf for the past 15 years, and you bought at $1,780 psf due to a dip in the market, all it takes is for you to profit is for things to go back to normal.

Between buying low and being forced to sell low, and buying high and being forced to sell high, the former is the safer course. That’s why successful property investors are more focused on looking for discounts, rather than speculating on appreciation.

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