Looking for rent $1500, 30 minutes from expo

[plattfus]

Hi

I'm having difficulties finding a suitable place.

I'm looking for a small apartment, I don't care about the size. It just needs a kitchen and I would like a pool.

And it needs to be reasonably close to the Singapore Expo, 30 minutes by public transport would be ideal, 45 minutes max.

My budget is S$ 1500 max.
I have found a few apartments like that but they are all 1 hour away, I need something closer.

Can anyone recommend me anything?

[rajagainstthemachine]

difficulties in these market conditions? have you looked properly at all?

[plattfus]

I should have been more specific.
The places I found were not exactly very welcoming looking. I keep finding lots of places like this:
http://www.theedgeproperty.com.sg/listi ... g-avenue-5
That looks rather depressing to me, many of these places are so dark you apparently need to turn on the lights even during the day.

I'm looking for something bright, nice, reasonably modern.

[ecureilx]

I should have been more specific.
The places I found were not exactly very welcoming looking. I keep finding lots of places like this:
http://www.theedgeproperty.com.sg/listi ... g-avenue-5
That looks rather depressing to me, many of these places are so dark you apparently need to turn on the lights even during the day.

I'm looking for something bright, nice, reasonably modern.

If you can afford 3k or so .. your wish will be fulfilled.

Oh, do let us know if you did find a place within your budget.

[JR8]

Do a search via the property tab at the top.

I just did, criteria: Anywhere, any size, +pool, max budget =1500. Results = 0

From that I think you need to consider either a condo flatshare, or perhaps you might [*?*] find a small HDB flat, though that won't have a pool.

re: the *?* - I didn't do a search on this possibility.

[BBCWatcher]

You'll have to be a bit clever with those parameters. For example, I see a small but whole HDB unit currently listed at $1500/month at 213 Bedok North Street 1, a short walk away from the massive Bedok Swimming Complex. There's plenty of shopping there, including a Fairprice, and you're rather close to Expo.

[thismyvoice]

Hi

I'm having difficulties finding a suitable place.

I'm looking for a small apartment, I don't care about the size. It just needs a kitchen and I would like a pool.

And it needs to be reasonably close to the Singapore Expo, 30 minutes by public transport would be ideal, 45 minutes max.

My budget is S$ 1500 max.
I have found a few apartments like that but they are all 1 hour away, I need something closer.

Can anyone recommend me anything?

You can try Geylang / Paya Lebar / Balestier area. Example Casa Aerata, The Ebony, Ness, Suites@Topaz, Eight Riversuites. May need some negotiation and persuasion since your price is on the low side.

[rajagainstthemachine]

I think there was even a three bedroom condo I found on a popular website for 1400$ odd and that too on d8, of course it wasn't on a prop guru or , was on Craigslist
Look properly, you'll find what you want

[PNGMK]

There are several good property listing search tools. Make sure you use them all. Also consider engaging an agent to help if you are short on time.

[plattfus]

Thanks for those tips.
Now I wonder, often times it says the price is negotiable. I take it that means the price shown is rather high. How much can I expect to reduce that price? If for example the asking price is 2000, what would be a realistic bid? Can I get it down to 1600 or is that unrealistic?

[rajagainstthemachine]

it depends on how good your negotiation skills are... no harm in asking is there?
if not you always have the option to walk away and try another place.

[PNGMK]

Thanks for those tips.
Now I wonder, often times it says the price is negotiable. I take it that means the price shown is rather high. How much can I expect to reduce that price? If for example the asking price is 2000, what would be a realistic bid? Can I get it down to 1600 or is that unrealistic?

Absolutely.... try to go some reverse engineering on their pain point. If you can guess the price paid for the unit and when - deduct 20% - that gives you the amount the LL borrowed. Calculate out his payments at 1.8% over 30 yrs and add approx $250 pm for the condo fees. Anything close to that in the current market should suffice. (Oh and some LL use CPF to help pay - that can be as high as $1000 pm approx).

To give you a rule of thumb - a $1MM mortage runs at about $3500 pm now. Deducting $1000 pm CPF means the lowest the LL can go before using dreaded cash is about $2500 to $2800 pm on a $1.2MM unit. Of course they'll want more but beggars...

[rarkins]

Unfortunately $1500 is not going to get you a condo apartment within 30 minutes of Expo. Setting budget to 1700-1800 gives you a better chance nearby (eg Bedok or Pasir Ris) or extending travel time to 40 minutes might give you a chance in Geylang at close to 1500. Otherwise, look at HDB options.

No matter which you choose, you probably won't have a lot of options so best to check every site, as someone already said above.

[thismyvoice]

Thanks for those tips.
Now I wonder, often times it says the price is negotiable. I take it that means the price shown is rather high. How much can I expect to reduce that price? If for example the asking price is 2000, what would be a realistic bid? Can I get it down to 1600 or is that unrealistic?

The Singapore government has a website that publish rental transaction. You can check out historical prices at www.ura.gov.sg for the various condominiums you have in mind. Apply a suitable discount. Factors affecting rental price includes whether it is renovated, property facing, how high is the unit, the length of contract and whether it is furnished.