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A professional equities trader with a Hedgefund for 7 years before becoming a Real Estate Consultant.

Which district to invest in during Crisis?

These are just a few things to note when buying a property for investment. High volume of lease transactions - Just like trading, a high volume means that many Tenants/Buyers are looking at the particular project(s), it's easier to Rent/Sell when you required. Near to MRT for tenants who don't drive (>90%) Reasonable maintenance cost Preferably a condo where >50% of tenants are from the same country (e.g Japan, France, US etc). Usually, they would recommend their friends to stay in the same place so that they wouldn't feel home sick. This is based on personal experience, when I was doing my exchange programme in Finland, I prefer to stay in a place or near where all the Singaporeans are staying so that we can look after each other. Check the area competitor $psf and rental price and calculate the % yield returns. Take a look at the chart. Look at the volume of lease that is expiring in 2016 and 2017. You can find some interesting data from this chart provided by URA and squarefoot website. Good luck in searching for your GEM!  

By |2016-02-01T10:57:30+08:00February 1st, 2016|blog|0 Comments
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Singapore’s High Speed Rail terminus will be located at Jurong East

Jurong East area would be a good choice for investment as our Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today has confirmed the site to be our High Speed Railway station. However, is it a good time to enter the market now? Rushing in to buy a unit before the price goes up in this area again? I would think twice. Property market goes in cycle. Right now, we are at the peak and is coming down. Given that there is no time frame for completion, we would need to go through a few property ups and downs before the project will be completed. My humble opinion is to research on the area now, wait for the property market to correct and enter at the right time.. Do your homework diligently, save & invest wisely.. Existing clients will be given priority on my research and analysis on the area & condos to sniff out good deals and bargains.. ========================================================================================================================== The initial target of completion of the High Speed Rail project - which was the year 2020 - needs to be re-assessed due to the scale and complexity of the project, said the Prime Ministers of Singapore and Malaysia. No new time frame has been provided. SINGAPORE: The Republic's terminus for the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur High Speed Rail will be located at Jurong East. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced this on Tuesday (May 5) after the Leaders' Retreat with his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak. Jurong East was chosen as it dovetails with Singapore's overall plans to transform the area into a second Central Business District, according to a statement. Malaysia had earlier identified five terminus stations: Kuala Lumpur (at Bandar Malaysia), Seremban, Melaka, Muar, Batu Pahat, Nusajaya and [...]

By |2015-05-05T18:04:23+08:00May 5th, 2015|blog|0 Comments
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Thomson-East Coast MRT Line

Before the National Day Rally Speech, LTA announced that there will be a new MRT line that runs parallel to the current East-West line. Is this a good thing for the people staying around this area? Would their properties increase in value when the train stations are up? Looking at the stations, I think the ones gaining the most benefits would be  residents staying in Tanjong Rhu and Marine Parade area. Tanjong Rhu Currently, there are only 2 buses that travel into this quiet and peaceful place of Singapore. Most of the residents who stay there drive, and those who don't, always complain about the long waiting time for buses and taxi. The situation becomes worse when it rains.  But despite all these accessibility challenges, it's still a very popular place for expats (Esp. Professional Indians and British) who likes the unblock Kallang River view, City view and Parks. This is the only place in Singapore where you can jog and admire the Marina Bay Sands, Flyer and sky scrappers etc from a distance. With a new station coming up, I believe Tanjong Rhu would become an exciting place to live in/to invest. Marine Parade Marine Parade has always been well-connected by buses to many different parts in Singapore. I have many clients(/Tenants) who choose to stay in Marine Parade because of the East Coast Beach and the good network of buses. It's well-connected by buses to Serangoon, Raffles Place, City Hall, Paya Lebar, Toa Payoh and Ang Mo Kio etc. The only downside is that because there are no other options than buses and taxi, during the  peak hour (morning & evening), buses to Raflles Place (CBD area) are always packed full of people. Some [...]

By |2014-08-31T11:34:12+08:00August 15th, 2014|blog|0 Comments
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(D11, 21) For RENT – Astor Green

Designer Decoration house for Rental Total privacy - Corner Unit Very well-maintained and renovated house Big and spacious 3 bedrooms Greenery and swimming pool view Opposite Nexus International School 6 mins drive to Holland Village 13 mins drive to Orchard Shopping District Very quiet and serene environment Available Immediate Please call RAY @ 9-10-60-300 for exclusive viewing

By |2019-11-17T14:13:10+08:00August 1st, 2014|blog, For Rent|0 Comments
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Temporary extension of stay for resale flats (HDB)

Finally, HDB understand the difficulties for sellers who are doing contra to have a place to stay, before moving to their newly renovated house. This is indeed a good news for sellers. Press releases from HDB website: Sellers of HDB flats will, with effect from today, be able to negotiate with their buyers for a temporary extension of stay in their HDB flats, by up to three months. This is part of HDB’s regular review to respond to the needs of HDB resale flat sellers and buyers. This move will facilitate sellers who are transiting to their next homes, including those who may need more time for renovation or those awaiting funds from the sale of their current flats, eg. contra cases. Relaxed Rule to Help Flat Sellers Flat sellers who wish to extend their stay temporarily must have committed to buy a completed housing unit1 in Singapore at the time of the resale application, i.e. they must have exercised an Option to Purchase or signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement. The request for the extension of stay is to be submitted to HDB at the time of the resale application. The extension of stay will automatically cease at the end of three months. Any earlier termination must also be communicated to HDB, as this will impact flat buyers’ Minimum Occupation Period, which commences on the day when they take over the flat.  Private Agreement  Any such arrangements are, however, subject to the agreement of buyers. Details of the extension, including the duration and monetary compensation, if any, must be mutually agreed to by both parties. Enquiries  HDB estimates that 15% of total resale transactions, ie. some 2700 households a year, will benefit from this relaxed [...]

By |2014-08-06T00:22:29+08:00July 24th, 2014|blog|0 Comments
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Things to note for Tenancy Agreement (TA)

I have a case of disputes between Landlord and Tenant when the lease ends. Landlord wants to deduct my client's (Tenant) security deposit as he complained about the dirty house, air-conditioner leaking, washing machine faulty etc. Luckily, I have always keep a copy of the emails as proof of evidence to protect my Tenant since the day he moved in. House was not cleaned when my client moved in, and all the items were not repaired despite asking the Landlord countless times to take a look and rectify it. In the end, the Landlord lost the case and returned back my client's security deposit.  Most of the Tenants/Landlords do not know what to do when they meet nasty Landlords/Tenants during the tenancy period. How to protect themselves in the Tenancy Agreement contract. I guess it's good to share with everyone (Agents, Owners, Investors etc) to protect yourself when you meet an ugly and nasty Landlord/Tenant. ================================================================================================================== 1. What are the key factors to note when reading through a Tenancy Agreement (TA)? - No. of occupiers of the tenant. (This is important for expatriates who have families or friends who might come by to visit them frequently) Landlord will have a good idea and control on the number of people staying in the house. - Subletting. (Most of the Landlords would not allow subletting in order to keep the number of tenants in the house under control. However, some of the Tenants prefer a subletting clause so that they can reduce the burden of the rental. Thus, before signing the Tenancy Agreement (TA) contract, it is best to indicate the intention upfront. If no, Landlord should state clearly the penalties of failure to comply, to ensure transparency and [...]

By |2015-05-27T00:14:40+08:00June 18th, 2014|blog|25 Comments
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Rental Procedure in Singapore

Many expats do not know what is the procedure to rent a house in Singapore. Hopefully, this article is able to help many expats to better understand the rental procedure in Singapore. This is just a general summary of what we (agents) do during the rental process in Singapore. Call me @ 9-10-60-300  to have a detailed understanding of the procedure. 1) Tenant has to provide a Letter of Intent (LOI): To inform landlord on the intention to rent the property, together with the requests/requirements and the rental price. For a 1 year lease, 1 month deposit (cheque to owner) is required. For a 2 year lease, 2 months deposit is required. Tenant’s agent will present the LOI together with the cheque to the owner/owner's agent. Owner will decide whether to accept or reject the offer. 2) Once Landlord ACCEPTS the LOI: Landlord’s agent will prepare the Tenancy Agreement (TA) contract. Tenant’s agent will explain the TA to the Tenant on the clauses and things to take note in the contract (like minor repairs, diplomatic clause etc). 3) If Landlord REJECTS the LOI: Landlord will need to return the deposit back to the Tenant. There will be no binding contract. 4) Both Landlord and Tenant AGREES on the contract Both will sign the contract and each party will get a original copy. Tenant’s agent will go through the house inventory together with the Landlord’s agent. Tenant’s agent will send the TA for stamping by Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) to legalize the contract. COSTS INVOLVED 1) Deposit (1 year will be 1 month deposit ; 2 years will be 2 months deposit) 2) Rental (First month rental has to be paid upon signing of the [...]

By |2014-09-08T11:47:33+08:00April 8th, 2014|blog, For Rent|0 Comments
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BUC (Building under Construction) Payments

1. What is BUC? UC (Building under Construction), refers to private residential properties that are newly launched, that an interested Client wishes to buy a unit from the Developer directly. Payments are according to stages of the aforementioned development.  2. What to take note of in BUC?  - All payments must follow through in this format:- Cash payments --> CPF --> Bank Loan. For further Breakdown in 1st Property as an example:  5% OTP (Option-to-Purchase) - Cash Payment 15% S&P (Sales & Purchase Agreement) - CPF 80% Remainder - Bank Loan  - Upon TOP (Temporary Occupancy Permit), there will be 12 months of warranty for clients to inform Developer accordingly for the rectification works for any sighted defects.  - Upon TOP, before collection of key(s); Clients are to pay Developers (aka Vendor) the Survey Fee + 6 months of Maintenance Fees.   - Property Tax to commence upon TOP.  3. Any important details pertaining to S&P?  It is very important to take note of some particular details pertaining to the exercise period of S&P. Details are as follows:  Date to Exercise S&P = 3 weeks from the date of receipt of S&P. (Can be indicated in the Developer's lawyer's letter, or the date that document was couriered over.)  Missing the date would cause the clients to be subjected to deduction by Vendor of 25% of the amount paid at the OTP.  Do not exercise last minute. (Reasons are that CPF takes a long time to process [Probably 3 weeks], especially if client wishes to pay BSD (Buyer's Stamp Duty) via CPF, and the maximum due date for BSD payment is 14 days only.  Exercising period --> 10 days. (Reason is due to waiting for the approval of [...]

By |2014-08-31T11:50:53+08:00March 25th, 2014|blog|0 Comments
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HDB SELLING PROCEDURES

  Many of the HDB owners (sometimes agents!!) are confused by the HDB timeline. Hopefully, this picture can help to address their concerns. Picture speaks a thousand words.

By |2014-08-31T11:53:32+08:00March 22nd, 2014|blog|0 Comments
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