Rental movement in Orchard / Novena / Newton

[hdhntr]

Hi,

New to all this since I'll be moving to Sing in January. Probably looking to rent a 2/3 bed apartment in the areas above and wondered if anyone had any specific examples of what's going on in the rental market? Press seems to be saying down 1-3% qoq, but then others are saying they are seeing large drops. If anyone has rented in the areas in the last month or so and has direct experience to relate it would be much appreciated.

Also, is there any general advice around negotiating rents? How much downward movement can I expect, and how low is considered rude?! I'll be working with a property search consultant so I don't want to mess them around.

Cheers in advance.

[durain]

have you check www.singaporeexpats.com?

[hdhntr]

Yep, very helpful! But just wondering if anyone had any information around what rents are being realised rather than advertised at the moment.

Cheers.

[sundaymorningstaple]

What was realized last week won't be indicative of next week so it's a catch as catch can situation. If you have read enough threads here you know that the best way is to go with your checkbook in hand and be prepared to negotiate. One landlord may negotiate and another may not. So, it would depend on whether you talk to 'attidude' who got relief or someone else who didn't. Using the URA/HDB data while useful is not updated rapidly enough in the rapidly changing landscape. It isn't even useful to see trends (this world recession is the worse since the great depression of '30's).

[mak003]

rentals depend on the following:

1) location: u want to stay central, so u can expect price floors. for 2 bedroom, price floor could be in the range of 2.4k - 2.8k.... for 3 bedroom, 3.2k (which is what im paying) to 3.5k....

2) age: older apartments in singapore tend to be bigger, and owners are willing to negotiate. new apartments are smaller but swanky, and owners/agents are relatively inflexible in negotiation.

3) agents / owners: they come in all shapes n sizes. some are nice and accommodating, others are stubborn n stiff. either way, make sure u dont get stuck with someone who's gonna bug u through the lease period, n not look out for ur welfare.



good luck!