May - 2021

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

4 Crucial Steps Towards Choosing The Best Property

Buying properties isn’t a simple game. In fact, it is a huge investment of your money, and should not be treated lightly. Follow these 4 crucial steps, and soon you’ll be one step closer towards buying that dream piece of property! Step 1: Look to the future This is the golden first step towards shortlisting any piece of property. Before even diving into the individual units, first take a look at the property’s location. Ensure it is in a good location both now and in the fut

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

Three Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Buying In a Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way the world functions. In fact, many of my clients have asked me this: is now the best time to buy property? Before racing ahead to buy a piece of property during these pandemic times, first answer these three questions to truly decide if buying now is the best decision for you. 1. Do you have job security? First things first, do you have the job security and financial capability to afford a new piece of property? COVID-19 h

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

Three Dirty Secrets You Never Knew of the Singapore Property Market

Today, I’m going to spill the beans and share with you top three dirty secrets you never knew about the Singapore property market. 1. “Ah Beng” Flyers Ever received an enticing flyer in your mail box informing you of your property’s great sales value? Seems too good to be true? Well, you’re right! This is an under-the-table method of leads generation; a ploy for property agents to get you to call them in order to obtain your number. These handwritten flyers are called ‘ah ben

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

4 Characteristics of Great Property Agents for All Your Property Needs

Whether you are buying or selling your property, I only have one message for you: find the best agent who ticks all these boxes. 1. Engage agents with a strategy There are two types of agents – those who have a strategy, and those you don’t. Some agents don’t have a strategy when marketing properties and don’t understand whether this price will sell. They simply follow what the customer says without offering expert advice and expertise. No effort is taken to present the unit

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

Identifying the right sellers to get the best price in resale property

What’s the first step in buying your first piece of resale property? Identifying the right sellers! Knowing how to identify the right sellers is crucial towards beginning your property hunt, and nabbing that dream piece of resale property. 1. There’s a difference between HDB resale sellers and private resale sellers The difference is clear. In HDB resale, sellers sell because they need to sell. There could be a variety of circumstantial reasons – death, divorce, and more. Non

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

Property Is Hard To Liquidate? Property Is A Bad Investment?

Summary Good investment units are easy to liquidate because there will be demand on the resale market. The pros and cons of a resale unit will be amplified during the buying process. You must visualise the new launch unit from the resale buyer’s perspective to determine the quality of investment. Article Some people believe that property is a bad investment because it is hard to liquidate. I agree and disagree. A good unit to invest in will be easy to liquidate. A unit that f

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

Layout Is More Important Than Sqft. Focus On Layout.

Summary Sqft only gives you a theoretical perspective of house size. Efficient layouts can make the house feel larger, while poor layouts can make the house feel smaller. Developers have come up with more efficient layouts in new-launch projects. Article Across the houses I have viewed, I realised that the sqft should not be the focus. When you compare the sqft of houses, you only get a theoretical sense of the house size. However, sqft is not an accurate representation of th

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

Return HDB Grant After Selling? Understand Levy!

Summary You don’t have to return your HDB grant to the government when you sell your property. Purchasing a BTO or taking a grant to buy a resale flat counts as a first-time privilege. As long as you don’t buy a BTO after your first-time privilege, you don’t have to pay a levy. Article Many have the misconception that receiving an HDB grant means that you have to return it to the government when you sell your property. However, in reality, the grant you take will be deposited

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

Are You Ready To Sell Or Buy Property?

Summary Many buyers lack the motivation to purchase a house. It can be difficult to decide to purchase for various reasons. Casual buyers are likely to be out-competed by more serious buyers with a strong motivation to purchase. Article Many buyers in the property market are not motivated enough to purchase. They are interested in looking at houses but will not purchase eventually. It can be difficult to make a decision to purchase for various reasons. For younger buyers, the

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

Can’t Find My Dream Home? Reality VS Expectation?

Summary Many buyers enter the property market with unrealistic expectations. Buyers should recognise and accept the reality of the market. Be prepared to adjust your expectations according to the reality of the property market. Article Many buyers enter the property market with a fixed idea of the houses and prices they expect to find in the market. They would then try to match the reality of the market to their expectations of it. This is the wrong way to look for a house. W

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

Are You Focusing On The Right Thing During A Property Viewing?

Summary During a viewing, get a feel of the house and focus on what you want to see in the house. Try not to get distracted by the agent’s commentary about the house, since it might not be objective or complete. Pay attention to the fittings and fixtures as well as the view and direction of the house. Article During a property viewing, it is important that you get a feel of the house and see whatever you want to see. You should also take this time to identify the pros and con

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

Agent Sale Talk? Agent Not Helping? Are You Identifying The Blindspot?

Summary The Council of Estate Agencies prohibits conflicts of interest. An agent cannot represent two parties at once. The seller’s agent is responsible for helping to sell the house, while the buyer’s agent should help the buyer find a house that suits his needs and preferences. Seek advice from a good property consultant instead of an agent who can only give sales talks. Article Some agents only highlight what is good about the unit no matter how undesirable the unit actual

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

5 Year Newly MOP-ed HDB Is Your Best Buy!

Summary HDB flats that have just reached their Minimum Occupancy Period (MOP) are usually in better condition than older flats. You should not be misled into thinking that a younger flat is always more ideal. Younger flats are more expensive, and the difference in price can be used to cover the renovation costs of older flats. Article Many buyers prefer viewing newer resale HDB flats that had recently passed the Minimum Occupancy Period (MOP). Such units are typically 5-6 yea

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

Things To Take Note Of During Defect Checks For New Condos or HDB Flats

Summary Activate your water and electricity supply before your visit so that you can check if all appliances are in working condition. Dents and scratches are relatively smaller issues that can be fixed easily. Spending a longer period in the house before moving in allows you to conduct a more thorough inspection. Article Defect checks are done for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats and condos, although there are more fittings and fixtures to check for the latter. One thing that is N

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

2 Must-dos After Purchasing Your Property (HDB and Condo)

Summary Bank statements can be used to compute the profits made from your property. It is important to regularly monitor the market price of your property and properties in the vicinity. Even within the 3 years that you are liable to pay a Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD), you can still keep track of the market for your property. Article What you should do after purchasing your property is an important question to ask. Firstly, it is important to keep track of the profits made from

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

Understanding Condo Layout Trends

Summary Condo layout trends have shifted significantly over the years. Condos in recent years tend to have more liveable space although they are smaller. Knowing the features or layouts that are unique to condos of different eras can improve your search for a condo that suits your preferences. Article Condo layouts have changed over the years. From bomb shelters and bay windows to perfectly rectangular layouts with high ceilings, some design features that were common in older

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

The Secret to Comparing Property VS Property. Are You Comparing Property Correctly?

Summary Comparing properties with vastly different characteristics is a common mistake among potential buyers. A fair comparison can only be made between properties that are roughly equivalent in terms of their broad features, as in the case of comparing a resale flat with another resale flat of a similar age. Considering the relative features of properties helps us to determine the fair value of a property. Article Many buyers tend to make unfair comparisons between properti

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

Get Cheated By Data? Why I Don’t Always Use Data In My Videos

Summary Data is not presented neutrally—it is used to lead people into adopting a particular view or perspective about a given matter. Statistics can have a direct impact on people’s decisions and should be analysed holistically. There are two sides to a coin. Sales agents might interpret a piece of data differently from a consultant for instance. Article Graphs and figures are useful sources of information. However, the way that data is presented can be affected by one’s age

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

How To Plan Retirement Using Property?

Summary As long as the property value is appreciating, you do not lose money when you pay instalments for the property. Purchasing property can be seen as forced savings; you will receive a higher return eventually. Renting out HDB may earn you passive income, but it might be an overall loss when factoring in property and income tax, as well as the depreciation of HDB value. Article When you buy insurance, you will be advised to do retirement planning and lock in an amount of

Aaron Lin

May 31, 2021

Property Or Cash For Next Generation? Asset Or Liability? Legacy Planning?

Summary If you want to leave a property for your children, the value of the property should be appreciating. Investing in assets that are appreciating may be a better alternative to buying a depreciating property. Without a robust plan for where and when to shift, it might be better not to sell. Article Many homeowners intend to leave their property for retirement or for their children to inherit. However, there are a few factors to consider when leaving the property for the