Second Property Investors serves 10,000 readers monthly and helped hundreds of homeowners to upgrade/restructure their property portfolio. Read through our case studies
All the case studies below are my clients whom I served recently. They come from various backgrounds and financial resources.
But what they have in common – a desire to improve their existing property portfolio to suit their current and future financial needs.
Case Study #21: Single Investor Buying First Property
I met this reader to do an assessment. She is single and planning to start with property investing. We met up because she was so confused. She visited many new launches showflats but didn’t know what worked best for her.
During the assessment to understand her needs better – I went through with her on the pros and cons of the resale market to see if it was something she was looking out for.
But it did not meet her requirements.
In the end, I introduced her to something that met her budget. Based on the land PPR value, the developer in this case will have a low profit margin. This helps to ensure that the chances of developer dropping the prices the prices in the future to be unlikely.
All risks considered and taken care of.
Next is to ensure that potential upside is secured by buying something a unit that people will wish to own for stay or invest in the future.
All doubts cleared for this lady and the directions set for her to take action.
Case Study #22: From 5-storey Landed property to 2 Private Condos
I met this family who wanted to downgrade to a smaller property. They were initially staying in a 5-storey landed property – the place was too big. It was also very inconvenient for their parents to climb up and down the stairs.
I did a clear financial plan for them to make sure that they can allocate the funds from their current place to the future property. I also helped them to set aside money for renovations and reserve funds.
They eventually bought 2 units in the same condo development. One for their parents to stay in. The other unit for their family of 4.
One of the units was bought at a price of $798k – a good deal for my buyer as the seller bought it about 6 years ago at $888k.
Case Study #23: From 5-year old HDB to 2 Private Condos
Sold this unit in 1 viewing immediately after MOP. The selling price was higher then many other units there.
Due to understanding the needs of potential buyers before everyone else- this prompted the seller to quickly take action.
I then helped this family move to a condo next door that was attractively priced in that region.
Managed the timeline smoothly by negotiating on late move-out upon selling house and early move-in with the buyer’s property.
Nice renovation was done to the unit and they moved in seamlessly to their new home.
They then bought another property for investment near the city. Location of the property is right next to MRT. All funds are nicely allocated for years to come.
This family now has a place to stay and an investment property on hand too.
Case Study #24: Helped this family buy a 2nd private property for investment
Meet this family about 1 year ago and shared with them the importance of how to buy a property in Singapore. After detailed planning and calculations, I noticed they need funds from their other investment. And they feel that it was better to offload the investment 1 year later.
The moment, they offloaded their investment – we arranged another meeting to identify which is the best investment that suit their family profile today.
We based this on their budget and the market needs in the future.
All finances done. We also simulated the worst scenarios possible.
Ready to go and now they are the proud owners of a SECOND property for their investment.
Case Study #25: Concerned about lifestyle distruption
I met this family a few months back to discuss about upgrading. Originally they intended to wait for their daughter’s schooling to be over before they move as they didn’t want to disturb her studies.
I was also thinking that if they waited awhile more – a small facility will be opened next to their place. The value should then appreciate.
I acknowledged all their concerns during my assessment with them. We also addressed their issues one-by-one. They understood the potential of their property and the potential of their next move.
They decided to take action earlier – after weighing all the pros and cons.
Regarding their daughter’s schooling – I managed to time the selling and moving out nicely to make sure they can stay till November. This means there will be minimum distruption of their daily routine.
Case Study #26: 5-room HDB Negative Cash Sale To Resale Condo
Sold this 5-room Sales of Balance (SBF) flat for the family at a NEGATIVE cash sale for the owner. They stayed here for 7 years.
Very sad for them as back then nobody will expect to make a loss in a place bought directly from HDB.
I helped them to upgrade to a resale condo that is good size for their family. It is the newest in the location they needed.
Most importantly – it was affordable for the family.
I ensured that they make a very seamless move them from their old place to their new place after they renovated their new place.
And the funds was nicely moved over without additional costs involved too.
They are now staying in a high floor, unblocked view unit bought at a price that is slightly below last transacted price at the same condo.
Case Study #27: From HDB EA to Undervalued Private Condo
The seller sold this unit to my buyer with $200k loses even though he bought the unit directly from the developer.
My buyer managed to sell their HDB EA and upgraded to this unit seamlessly with renovation done – within just a few weeks.
I was able to negotiate an early move-in for buyer and a long completion to make sure the funds are ready on-hand from the sales of the HDB flat.
No additional funds involved.
Happy buyer and happy seller.
Seller managed to sell on time and avoided paying $600k ABSD for his purchase too.
All this cannot be done without first understanding all parties’ intentions and having clear proper communication.
Case Study #28: From 5-room HDB flat In Anchorvale to 2-bedder condo near Great Southern Waterfront
Helped this family of 3 to sell off their 5-room HDB flat Anchorvale and upgrade to a 2-bedder unit condo that benefited from the Greater Southern Waterfront.
I really love the view of the unit when I first visited their place.
Helped them to plan their purchase move first before discussing about selling.
Originally the plan was to buy in 2021. But after looking at the overall market opportunities… we decided to bring forward the plan.
Brought a lower floor unit at $17xx psf and today the highest PSF sold for a 2-bedder in the same condo is $25xx psf.
Their HDB price is only $18k cheaper than the highest transaction in the same block.
Sometimes we just need to look at the overall perspective to make sure all aspects are protected.
Not only about trying to achieve a good price in the selling process.
The next home purchase should be in the picture too – in order to make a clearer final decision.
Luckily they decided to take action earlier. Otherwise, they would have to buy at $25xx psf instead of $17xx psf.
They took up the challenge with this approach – they know that future units in the same condo would have to sell at much higher prices – especially when we analyzed the overall price list.
They also applied the strategy of buying at prices that is closer to the developer’s breakeven price.
This is done to safeguard themselves from developer who might be choosing to reduce prices due to uncertainty in the market back then.
Case Study #29: Helped client to purchase an investment property
After settling down from their 1st purchase property, this reader contacted me to buy their 2nd property.
They decided to go for the 2nd purchase that we originally planned few years ago.
But due to limited good units that suit their budget – they decided to hold on for awhile more.
Finally a good opportunity came out and we took action immediately.
We went down to a developer launch balloting.
Before that, we did a lot of homework to make sure we knew what was going on. I even told them to prepare to walk away if events did not unfold according to what we planned for.
They proceeded because we know that in the same condo – there is a high chance that developer will have to sell the rest of the units at much higher prices in the future.
So this is 1 of the strategy we applied in this purchase.
Helped them to secure a unit at $18xx psf.
Today the same condo has units being sold at at $25xx psf for 1 bedroom.
And we got it at slightly above $900k. Today similar units have transacted at $1.3xM.
Photo taken when doing research – wanted to find where is the better facing units and how to get protected with the right unit.
It was for our reference before the balloting day.
Case Study #30: Helped a referral to secure a good condo unit in the west side of Singapore
My reader introduced his family member to me.
The family member has been been searching for a property for many years.
But was never sure what to look out for and worried that she would make a bad decision.
I analyzed her finances and came out with a safe plan for her.
The development I helped her to select was a big development with a location that is next to a popular school.
It is a good school where I am sure many families in the west side will look forward to enroll their kids.
I helped her to choose a nice 3-room unit for her – which I can foresee families will be keen to buy over in future.
Took action by buying something at a location that she is familiar with.
She bought at 3-room unit at $15xx psf for a nice unblocked landed view.
Today looking at the transactions – a 3-room unit of almost similar size was sold at $18xx psf. Plus it was a lousier facing unit.
I took this photo from the actual site when I visited the enbloc site.
I wanted to make sure the noise level from the highway will not affect the unit that we chose.
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