There are many tactics deployed by property developers and their marketing agents during the launch of off-plan properties. The five most commonly seen marketing gimmicks are: 1. Gather a crowd; 2. Create the urgency; 3. Make some noise; 4. Dangle the carrot; and 5. Promise good return. Gimmick 1: Gather a crowd When it comes to buying big ticket items like … [Read more...]
Dealing with renovation contractors (part II)
There are other tips of managing your working relationship with renovation contractors. Some of them I learned from experience, others simply by trial and error. Be firm with contractors I echo with the advice in Margaret Heffernan’s The Naked Truth: A Working Woman's Manifesto on Business and What Really Matters, Once you’ve hired a contractor and negotiated a budget, … [Read more...]
Dealing with renovation contractors (part I)
Are you renovating your house to make it in time for Chinese New Year? I have done four major renovations and countless fixing projects for my properties in Singapore. Over the years, I manage to find at least one good electrician, plumber, carpenter, handyman, etc. But for whatever reason – perhaps it's because I'm unlucky, or maybe it's simply the nature of the … [Read more...]
Buying properties in your child’s name
With soaring property prices and unceasing cooling measures, more buyers are considering buying their second or third property under their children's names. Here are some of the reasons: 1) Buy for the next generation just in case they can't afford one in the future. 2) Buy it under a child who hasn't bought any property to avoid paying ABSD (Additional Buyer Stamp … [Read more...]
To let: by agent or by yourself? (part II)
I would definitely engage the service of my property agent every time I rent out my properties, for the following reasons: 1) Why waste the time to advertise, to arrange viewings, and to take the risk of showing strangers around, when a professional can do it for you? 2) Your tenant (especially in a company lease) is mostly likely represented by his/her own agent. You … [Read more...]