Of all the tasks you have when moving to Singapore, finding the right home is the most important. Getting it right can mean the difference between having a wonderful expat experience and one that is so-so. Whether you’re dreaming of a resort-like oasis, a funky urban pad, or a spacious family home, you need to put in a bit of time and effort into the search. This handy guide will help you tick all the boxes along the way. Happy hunting!
1. Choose a housing type
Most expats live in modern condominiums or condos. These apartment developments are mostly high-rise, and allow residents access to shared facilities such as a pool, gym, barbecue area, playground and gardens. Cluster houses are a series of attached, or semi-detached houses, that take up little land space, but can rise to four- or five-storeys high. Again, residents will often share facilities within the development. A landed property is a fully detached house on its own land. It may or may not have its own pool.
If you’re looking for something historic, shophouse living could be for you. These are narrow, small terraced houses in inner-urban areas. If you’re thinking of staying long-term, it may be worth trying to secure one of the much-admired Black & Whites. These charming colonial houses date back to the early 1900’s.
2. Choose an area
Your choice of area will be influenced by the type of home you’re seeking. If you’re looking for a landed house with a garden, for example, you will probably need to look in suburban areas. If you’re happy to live in a condo, you’ll be able to look at inner-city areas. If you have children, you’ll consider the location of their school, although reliable school bus services are making it easier for kids to commute from nearby areas.
Not sure where to start? Your best source of information will be other expats. Log into expatgogo and use the Ask an Expat feature to discover the most popular expat areas and why other members choose to live there. Most of our members live in one of the areas below;
- Orchard Area – Central to a wide variety of restaurants, shops, entertainment and transportation links.
- Tanglin – One of the most sought after areas, Tanglin features landed houses with gardens and low-rise condos that are great for families. Also home to the wonderful Tanglin Mall.
- Holland Village – The village has a few great shopping strips with family-friendly restaurants aplenty. Features popular condo developments and a choice of landed houses in quieter streets.
- Novena – A convenient location that offers good value for money. Has several high-quality condo developments and excellent transport links.
- Bukit Timah – An older neighbourhood with a good selection of semi-detached homes for those looking for a bit more private space.
- City Centre – Choose from luxury high-rise condos in the Marina Bay area and older developments along the Singapore river.
- Robertson Quay, River Valley – Popular with younger expats with lots of cafes and late-night bars and clubs at Clarke Quay.
- Sentosa Island – A scenic island suburb that boasts white sand beaches and a luxurious (if expensive) resort lifestyle.
- Woodlands – This long-time American enclave offers roomy homes and easy access to shops and restaurants.
3. Find an agent and negotiate
Go to expatgogo and use the ‘Ask an Expat’ feature to gather recommendations for good agents in your chosen area. You can also find a list of preferred property agents on PropertyGuru. You want a knowledgeable agent who is happy to show you a selection of properties in your price range and let you know how negotiable the asking price is.
PropertyGuru has data on recent rentals across Singapore. You can also see the price trend (per square foot ) for the area you’re interested in. This information is crucial to your negotiations. If a landlord is asking for a price that is higher than the current market average, you can ask your agent to negotiate a lower price. Once a price is agreed, your agent will submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) on your behalf and you will pay one month’s rental to secure the property.
4. Sign the tenancy agreement and attend the handover
On the day you sign, you will need to provide a cheque for the security deposit, which is usually equal to two months rent. On the day you move in, you and your agent will fill in a condition report. This will be compared to a separate condition report that will be completed when you vacate, and the landlord has the right to deduct expenses for any repairs required. It’s therefore really important that you check the condition of the house and ensure your agent takes photos.
5. Move in and enjoy
Time to embrace your new life in Singapore! When you sign up to expatgogo, you can ask other expats for recommendations for schools, restaurants, stores and everything else your new neighourhood has to offer. We’ll also keep you up to date with the latest events and happenings in this amazing city. See you online!
This article was written as part of a content partnership between PropertyGuru and expatgogo.