THERE was a recent Singapore news report about steps taken by the government to “cool” down the real estate market. There was concern that speculative fever might be heightened, especially when forecasts seem to indicate a more challenging and subdued economic environment.
How can the Singapore property market run up so significantly on the back of the worst global financial crisis in history?
Some attribute this to the liquidity available in the banking system, while others are quick to point to a low interest rate environment. It was also highlighted that many buyers were home upgraders who are cash-rich, and of course, some were speculators hoping to make a quick profit within a year or two. There are certainly many types of players in the real estate market, and it is not easy to fully comprehend the dynamics.
In a recent discussion that I had with some colleagues, an interesting trend surfaced – a person is likely to own about three to four properties in his or her life time! Mapping that to one’s life stages, it is easy to identify the four possible stages. Such life stages are similar to those used for investment planning as well. Continue reading

