This article appeared in City & Country, the property pullout of The Edge Malaysia, Issue 820, Aug 23-29, 2010
The main Balestier Road has retained some of its charm with the presence of the Tua Peck Kong temple, Balestier Market and Food Centre, shophouses selling lighting fixtures and other home fittings, as well as popular eateries such as the famous tau sar piah shop, the Founder Bak Kut Teh Restaurant, the bak chor mee stall and Boon Tong Kee chicken rice restaurant. The greatest transformation, however, is happening on the side …

I read with the article published on Saturday, July 10 2010, “Some missing out on property boom” by Esther Teo with gratification. With the current properties surging sky high, and many articles ‘talking up’ the market, this article helps to remind to us the inherent risks in property market. The prices will not be going up forever. What goes up will come down.
For projects launched amid a property boom when speculative mood is high, you tend to get burnt easily especially if you are not financially strong. Just take a …

Many Singaporeans like visiting showflats. In many instances, the real genuine savvy buyers whom I do know purchase new properties without visiting the showflats. In actual fact, they told me that they do not want the showflat to sway their property judgement. Rather they rely on the type of developer, location and collaterals to get the feel of the project. More importantly, they study the layout plan in detail to make a judgement if the space is efficient and user friendly.
Of course, most of us would still visit showflat …

I have been always asked to give advice, either to certain specific development, or property market direction. And I have been always careful in giving out factual information, rather than giving advice and opinions in reply. Firstly, I do not think that I am an expert per say in real estate market. I do not analyse charts or dissect property information to project the market growth. Therefore I do not think that all my comments should be taken as advice. Secondly I am afterall a human who tend to have my …

I am not sure how many of us ever pay any attention to the URA Concept Plan which is being reviewed every 10 years. The Concept Plan is a strategic land use plan that will guide Singaproe’s development over the next 40 to 50 years in all land use such as housing, businesses, transport, infrastructure, recreation, and community needs. In real estate business, it is important to identify the gist of the Concept Plan which will mould and shape the Master Plan of Singapore in many ways.
Just in case that you are …

I have to admit it is always tough to have an impartial and unbiased stand in your profession when it comes close to conflict with your business. It is similar to asking a barber do you need a haircut.
I had once literally turned away a deal because I advised my clients to choose a new HDB flat rather than buying a new condominium unit. It was after long discussion with them on their financial planning and practicality of their lifestyle that we realized buying a private residential unit may not be …

I am grateful in setting up this keithyip.com. It has given me the chance to know many of you. Blogging is not easy; especially I have to squeeze out time on the content and the research. When time is really tight with market turning so heated, I sometimes find myself splitting between viewing, meeting up new clients, and blogging. And it takes lots of discipline in keep going.
And the discipline comes from the support of you:  Kelvin, Mr. Tan, and Mark gave me a ring just to tell me how …

HDB flat upgraders are making up 44% of private residential sales in March. This figure is considered very high considering the figure is only 33 to 34% in Jan & Feb, and even lower in the previous years.
Just take a look at the commentary in bold on the high percentage of HDB buyers in the appended article. Many HDB upgraders are rushing into the private property market thinking that they might miss the boat if they wait for longer. The fear of missing the boat is somehow amplified with the ever increase …

Hi SunShine,
I am by no means an expert. Nor am I able to tell you if you purchase the XXXXX now the price will surge further or drop in the months coming.
In property investment, it is important to identify your goal. If you are looking for solely price appreciation, it seems that the risk is on the higher end since there have been talks on property bubble building up in Singapore and several cities. If you are looking for rental income and long term return, there is no good or bad time (at least to …

Not sure if you still recall the NKF saga that happened years back. Often I bypass the NKF building along Kim Keat Road, and I would still recall the outrage of Singaporeans when the scandal involving the charity broke out following the collapse of a defamation trial against the reportor and SPH in 2005. It had subsequently led to the resignation of notorious CEO T.T. Durai and its board of directors. Remember the outrage of many donators cancelling their monthly contribution, and the NKF headquarter at Kim Keat Road was …