Useful iPhone and iPad applications(HDB & URA) for Agents

Just released: for private sales: search under applications search : URA PMI Also released for HDB, search HDB MOBILE

How to sell your house within a week?

Now that I have made some sales, and been in the market for awhile, here are some thoughts that I think I should share with you, and especially to some “jaded” agents, who have been in the market. Not that I am experienced enough to “advise” anybody, but i have seen the slack of some [...]

How to save money without engaging a housing agent?

Read the headline again, it’s a rhetorical question. I have had questions like “Why should I pay you 2% while other agents only charge 1.5%?”..Actually I can even show you agents who charge 0.5%. And also, this other question, “This looks simple to do. I can do this deal myself, no need to engage agent.” [...]

MEASURES TO MAINTAIN A STABLE AND SUSTAINABLE PROPERTY MARKET

1      The Government announced today the following measures to maintain a stable and sustainable property market: Increase the holding period for imposition of Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD) from the current one year to three years. For property buyers who already have one or more outstanding housing loans1 at the time of the new housing purchase: Increase [...]

Buying an HDB flat – Resale or brand-new?

There are two methods through which one can buy an Housing Development Board (HDB) flat: Either purchase a new flat directly from the HDB, or a resale flat on the open market. A new flat from HDB tends to be much cheaper than resale flats in the same area due to subsidies from the HDB. [...]

The visible hand

A new era in property market governance Residential property demand has surged in many Asian cities as speculators and homeowners alike clamour to get a piece of the action before prices exceed their threshold buying level. We have seen volume and prices of new launches in Singapore rising unabated. In 3Q09, the Property Price Index, [...]

Auctions fast becoming more popular with both property owners and buyers

“Going once, going twice, sold!” This is a phrase commonly heard at property auctions in Singapore, which have – over the years – gained favour with both sellers and buyers. Auction houses, such as Colliers International, DTZ, Jones Lang LaSalle and Knight Frank, typically conduct auctions on a monthly basis in a hotel. About 200 [...]

Buy from developers or in resale market?

With the interest rate on savings near zero and not able to beat even Singapore’s benign inflation, forecast at 2.5 to 3.5 per cent by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, many are looking to work their savings harder by buying an investment property. Having decided that, the next question is whether to invest in a [...]

Fine art of mortgage refinancing

A PROPERTY is, perhaps, one of the most expensive items a person will purchase in his lifetime, and the mortgage debt is often a big concern for many. However, there are various means through which one can significantly manage such debt and gain financial freedom quickly. Besides cultivating sharp financial habits to spend less and [...]

Buy within your means

IN THE rush to secure a home amid escalating property prices, first-time homebuyers, especially young adults, may inadvertently commit themselves to properties beyond their means. Since mortgage payments and other home bills take priority over other basic necessities, rising mortgage rates may push some homebuyers to suffer a housing-induced fall in their standards of living. [...]