Singapore Expats

Look like we'll be heading over in December and have seen cluster house properties we like over the web but still too expensive unless we move up North.

Worried will feel "isolated" and maybe too far from the action. Kids may well be going to school anywhere... but if is South then apparently it's 30 miles away - bit too far!!!

So, the nicer cluster houses in Holland area still pricey - anyone know if they're likely to come down?

Also, looked like quite a few units empty but the agents claim not to know who's handling the letting. Am tempted to go post my interest through the door.

Does a development not have a list of all the empty units and the owners' details???

Depends if the property is owned by a development company (i.e. Far East) - if not the property can have multiple agents handling the same unit. Unfortunately this can get messy if you have one agent and then go around them and look at another unit in the same building. Tho not technically wrong - the agents are in it for the money and it can all get ugly.
A good start if you see a development you like is to ask the security or building people. I did this on a couple of occasions of places I thought were interesting. They usually know who is moving out when and can find out who to call.
Also, try and get an agent who understands what you are looking for... not just what they think you want.

I forgot to add - if you are moving in December - don't be surprised if you don't sign a lease on a place until November. They tend to hold out until the end. We've moved 3x and have learned not to even start looking until at the earliest 4 weeks out.

queenie71 wrote:So, the nicer cluster houses in Holland area still pricey - anyone know if they're likely to come down?

Well, if anybody knows they'd be a millionaire, but my gut feel is that prices will go down again later this year once the current glut of condos under construction hits the market.

yes i noticed the rental prices coming back up in the last 2 months. i think because of a lot of speculative news coming out again. its funny how prices are quick to come up whenever any positive news comes out of the property market

napalm wrote:yes i noticed the rental prices coming back up in the last 2 months. i think because of a lot of speculative news coming out again. its funny how prices are quick to come up whenever any positive news comes out of the property market

We have moved into a new apartment afew weeks ago and was still able to negotiate a good price.

I definitely think the condo prices are going to fall further....since so many folks have lost their expat status (read perks......)
there aren't enough people who can afford to pay through the nose....plus too many new condos coming up...
Further now when u talk to agents they have all the time to show you around...obviously an indication that things are not so hot as they were before.
Just to give you an example...one of my friends is finalizing a deal for a condo (1200 sq feet) for Sgd 1,800.....nows that a good deal....

Cheers...