If you want to retain your flat – even after you buy a condo unit – it often means paying the 20 per cent ABSD (for Singapore citizens; it’s even higher for PRs). There may be some ways around it, like using careful planning with the owner occupier scheme, using a dual-key unit as an […] The post Is It Worth Paying ABSD To Keep Your HDB Flat And Own A Condo In 2025? first appeared on TheFinance.sg.

When the Design, Build, and Sell Scheme (DBSS) was around, there were a lot of negative comments. Complaints about poor finishing, and excessively high prices, meant the scheme was short-lived: we saw only 13 DBSS projects enter the market before the entire scheme was suspended. And yet, DBSS flats today often set new price records, despite their initially rocky reception. […] The post Have DBSS Flats Outperformed Regular HDBs? We Analysed The Data first appeared on TheFinance.sg.

Last week, we visited Jago Close and Chapel Road – I found the heritage houses there very charming but the area was quite densely built up. This week, we’ll be visiting Peach Garden, a landed estate also in the East that feels miles apart from Jago Close and Chapel Road. Unlike Jago Close and Chapel Road, Peach […] The post Touring A Spacious Freehold Landed Estate In The East Near Tanjong Katong MRT (From $7.2m) first appeared on TheFinance.sg.

Don’t live in a dictatorship seems like common-sense advice, but sometimes that’s what local condo buyers get themselves into. This week, I heard a story about a certain condo and dogs. I won’t name it, but it sounds a bit like “Win-Pew” and it’s a condo in the West. There’s an ongoing issue about where […] The post Is Your Condo Management A “Hidden Dictatorship” In Singapore? first appeared on TheFinance.sg.

When it comes to high-rise living, most Singaporeans have a preference for the highest floor. It’s associated with privacy, a better view, and fewer pest issues (allegedly!). But for the same reasons, top-floor units are almost always priced higher, and even HDB units can get pricey the higher up you go. This week, we looked […] The post 30 Cheapest Top-Floor HDB Units In 2025 (From $590,000) first appeared on TheFinance.sg.

When it comes to high-rise living, most Singaporeans have a preference for the highest floor. It’s associated with privacy, a better view, and fewer pest issues (allegedly!). But for the same reasons, top-floor units are almost always priced higher, and even HDB units can get pricey the higher up you go. This week, we looked […] The post Where To Find The Cheapest Top-Floor HDB Units In Singapore (From $590,000) first appeared on TheFinance.sg.

Whether you’re a young couple buying your first home or someone looking for a property upgrade, understanding the key differences between BTO and resale flats can help you make a decision that fits your lifestyle, financial goals, and future aspirations. Let’s break down the essentials to help you determine which option is the right one […] The post BTO vs. Resale Flats: Which Is Right for You? first appeared on TheFinance.sg.

One fire is one too many. According to statistics from Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), the number of fires in residential buildings increased by 3.7% in 2023. In particular, unattended cooking and electrical origin made up the top two causes for residential fires. Casualties and significant damage occur as a result so these incidents underscore the importance of being […] The post What Does the HDB Fire Insurance Scheme Cover and Is It Enough? first appeared on TheFinance.sg.

Some homebuyers may feel an agent of their own is unnecessary. Some want to avoid paying commissions (though for private properties, the seller usually pays both agents). Others worry about the buyer and seller agents colluding to raise the price, for higher commissions on both sides (although the reality is most agents would rather close […] The post Buying A Property Without An Agent? Here Are 6 Things That You Should Watch Out For first appeared on TheFinance.sg.

Everyone wants to stay in a convenient location, which is why homes in the centre of Singapore typically are priced at a premium. As such, this makes affordable options in this area a bit of a rarity. That’s why, this week, we’re spotlighting five of the cheapest 5-room HDB flats in Central Singapore. Sure, they’re […] The post 5 Cheapest Yet Spacious 5-Room HDB Flats in Central Singapore From $690k first appeared on TheFinance.sg.