Category Archives: General

Think out of the shoe box: Analysts

If you are thinking of investing in small apartments measuring less than 500 sq ft because they are cheaper, you may want to think again, according to property experts.

As there are only a few “shoe box” housing units available on the market, and with a popularity that’s still in the early stages, analysts said the returns on investment in these properties could be limited.

“This is a non-standard investment which, in terms of size, may not appeal to some tenants,” said Cushman and Wakefield Singapore managing director Donald Han.

“If you’re thinking of leasing out and holding this as an asset typical to any studio-sized residential apartment, then this is something very different.”

Such “shoe box” apartments have been popular with property buyers recently, as sales of such units this year have hit an all-time high of 412, up from 299 last year and 275 in 2007. In 1995, there was only one such transaction.

The investment returns for such small-sized apartments depend on tenants’ preference for these types of units. And analysts said that in times of a market downturn, potential tenants tend to hold the bargaining power. Continue reading

Conflict of interest when agent represents buyer and seller

I REFER to Ms Kwok Yoke Pui’s letter yesterday, ‘Agents shouldn’t take on dual roles‘. The practice of sellers paying 2 per cent and buyers 1 per cent of the transaction price of an HDB resale flat arose because the distinction between a seller and a buyer is unclear.

By representing both the seller and the buyer, an agent will be unable to show that he got the best price for either party, which is his fundamental duty.

The agent can offer only to perform an administrative service to handle the documentation, but that service should not be tied to the transacted price, because no matter at what price the flat is sold, the amount of administrative work would be the same. Furthermore, this offer of administrative service cannot be forced on the buyer.

The HDB conducts seminars on resale transactions in English and Mandarin for both sellers and buyers. Anyone interested to attend can register at HDB’s website.

Source : Straits Time – 9 Oct 2009