After years of hard work, you have nearly reached the pinnacle of your career. But just as you start thinking about acquiring your next home or making that long-awaited ascent up the property ladder, reality hits! Home prices have risen substantially in recent years, and it feels like your dream of owning a home is further away.

And then it dawns on you: despite your high salary, juggling financial obligations and commitments has left you exhausted. You start to wonder if there are still ways for you to chase your property dream. In case you are curious, there is a specific term for it: High Earner Not Rich Yet, or simply, HENRY.

The Government has announced two changes to the Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD) for residential properties:

1. An increase in the holding period from three to four years, and

2. Increase of the SSD rates by four percentage points for each tier of the holding period.

These changes will take effect for all residential properties purchased on and after 4 July 2025, 12.00am. The revised SSD will not affect HDB owners due to the Minimum Occupation Period for HDB flats.

This reversion to the pre-2017 SSD holding period of four years aims to reduce speculative demand by lowering the number of sellers who flip their homes after just three years.

The Financially Independent, Retire Early (FIRE) movement is not new to Singaporeans. In fact, many older Singaporeans might even assert that they were raised to be frugal and financially independent.

Today, however, the FIRE movement has taken on a new name and gained worldwide momentum, particularly among younger Singaporeans who are embracing it with fresh enthusiasm.

Originally published in The Straits Times on 1 April 2025 - “Leasehold condos gain ground, profitability gap with freehold shrinks.”
Co-written with Stanley Lim.

From choosing an HDB or bank loan to deciding between a new launch or a resale unit, today’s homebuyers have no shortage of important decisions to make. Likewise, choosing between a freehold and leasehold property is another key consideration, given the potential bearing on investment yields.

The world may be “shook”, but the firm economic fundamentals ensure that the Singapore’s residential market is well-positioned to weather the storm.

Owning a condo in Singapore is often aspirational, with many homebuyers drawn to the unbeatable mix of ample facilities, modern amenities and prime locations that such dwellings offer. These perks come at a cost, but the potential rewards do justify the investment.

Previously, we touched on how the extension of the Central Business District Incentive (CBDI) and Strategic Development Incentive (SDI) schemes matter in the CBD’s revival, serving as catalysts for the redevelopment of older buildings in the city. In much the same way, we believe that Marina South – the extension to Singapore’s CBD – will play a pivotal role in transforming our country’s landscape.

It’s often said that location is the most important factor when buying a new home. While that is almost always the gospel truth, price is undeniably the next-most crucial point of consideration for any aspiring homeowner. 

Amidst the current market where prices for private properties are on the uptrend, it’s more important than ever to carefully evaluate what you’re able to afford. Naturally, this process warrants checking out the sticker prices for condos (both new and resale), however you’ll also need to account for other considerations – not least your current financial commitments, interest rates, and borrowing limits. 

We’ve witnessed an interesting shift in the HDB resale market in recent years—an increasing number of homeowners are turning their attention to older flats, specifically those that are at least 40 years old. These older flats, once considered less desirable due to their age, have gradually become more prominent in the resale market.