Singapore Property Blog
Glossary
37 articles
Progressive vs Deferred Payment: New Launch Options
The Progressive Payment Scheme is the standard payment method for new launch properties in Singapore. Buyers pay in stages as construction reaches mil
Strata vs Non-Strata Property: Key Differences
Strata-titled property gives the owner individual title to their unit plus a proportional share of common property. Most condos and apartments in Sing
GCB: Good Class Bungalow in Singapore
Good Class Bungalows (GCBs) are the most prestigious category of landed property in Singapore, located in 39 gazetted GCB Areas. They must have a mini
Caveat and Title Search: Protecting Your Property Purchase
A caveat is a legal notice lodged with the Singapore Land Authority to protect a buyer's interest in a property. Once lodged, it alerts any third part
HFE Letter: HDB Flat Eligibility for Financing
The HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter is a mandatory document for all HDB flat buyers (BTO and resale). It confirms your eligibility to purchase, the
LDAU: Land Dealings Approval for Foreign Buyers
The Land Dealings Approval Unit (LDAU) under the Singapore Land Authority reviews applications from foreigners seeking to purchase landed residential
GFA and Plot Ratio: Development Density Explained
Gross Floor Area (GFA) is the total area of all covered floor space in a building, measured to the outer edge of external walls. GFA determines the ma
HIP and SERS: HDB Upgrading Programmes Explained
Home Improvement Programme (HIP) is an HDB upgrading programme that addresses common maintenance issues in ageing flats, including repairs to spalling
DLP: Defects Liability Period for New Condos
The Defects Liability Period (DLP) is typically 12 months from the date of vacant possession (TOP/key collection). During this period, the developer i
Capital Gains and Appreciation: How Values Grow
The estimated annual increase in property value, expressed as a percentage. Historical Singapore condo appreciation has averaged around 2-4% per year
Property Expense Ratio: Rental Costs and Deductions
The percentage of gross rent set aside for vacancy periods, repairs, agent fees, and other recurring costs. A typical expense ratio is 10-20% of gross
Moving Averages: Reading Property Price Trends
A Moving Average smooths out short-term price fluctuations to reveal the underlying trend direction. ShiokNest uses moving averages on property price
Singapore Cooling Measures: History and Current Rates
Cooling measures are government policies designed to moderate the property market and prevent speculative bubbles. Key measures include ABSD rate hike
Lease Decay: How 99-Year Leasehold Values Decline
Lease Decay refers to how a 99-year leasehold property loses value as the remaining lease shortens. The decline is not linear — values hold relatively
Cash-on-Cash Return: Measuring Your Cash Investment
Cash-on-Cash Return is the annual pre-tax cash flow divided by the total cash invested (primarily your down payment and acquisition costs). It measure
DSCR: Debt Service Coverage Ratio for Rental Properties
Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) is the monthly rental income divided by the monthly mortgage payment. A DSCR above 1.0 means your rental income cov
SSD Explained: Seller's Stamp Duty and Holding Periods
Seller's Stamp Duty (SSD) applies when you sell a property within 3 years of purchase. The rates are 12% if sold in the first year, 8% in the second y
BSD Explained: Buyer's Stamp Duty Rates in Singapore
Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD) is a progressive tax on all property purchases in Singapore. Rates range from 1% on the first $180,000 to 6% on value above $
IRR: Internal Rate of Return for Property Investors
Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is the annualised return that accounts for both rental income and capital appreciation over the entire holding period. I
SORA: Singapore Overnight Rate Average Explained
The Singapore Overnight Rate Average (SORA) is the volume-weighted average rate of unsecured overnight interbank Singapore Dollar cash transactions, p