Cost of HDB rental - overstated???

[pagophilus]

Reading through various expat forums the standard answer regarding the cost of HDB rental seems to be that you can't get anything for under around $2000. However, looking on soem sites, I regularly come up with search results for 3-room HDB flats for $1400 and even lower. And that's for the flat, not a room. Some of them don't even mention a locked common room. So what's with the "nothing under $2000" brigade? Trying to put off potential foreigners from moving to Singapore???

I sometimes feel that people answering these and other questions feel that all foreigners are expecting to maintain the same lifestyle and comforts as they do in their home country.

So, let me ask and please answer truthfully, is it possible for a foreigner to rent a 3-room HDB flat for under $1500?

(And how about JTC's SHiFT scheme?)

Leo H

[nakatago]

...the lowest I heard is 1600 and that's in the boondocks. and having gone through several searches myself, it's usually 2200-3000 for a 3-bedroom flat within reasonable distance from places of work. going farther would be the 1600 (very, very rare) to <2200 range. at least, those are what's posted everywhere. and sometimes, it's 200 less than what they'll really say when you speak to someone.

under 1400? if it's too good to be true, it probably is.

[pagophilus]

3-room (2 bedroom)?

[sundaymorningstaple]

I guess you will just have to go and look as some of them for that price. After having done so, come back here and let us know how you found them.

[SGBoyxxx]

3-room (2 bedroom)?

Yup , but some 3 room flats are upgraded with one small room behind the kitchen.

[thismyvoice]

I have come across property agents who put misleading data in their advertisement. The objective is to get buyers to call them and leave their contact.

Advertise $1500. When you call, they will tell you their sad story of how the owner back out or already rented out or need to wait another 2 weeks to confirm because owner out of town. However, they have another unit that is higher floor renting out at $2000 only. Want to take a look? It is very difficult to get anything less than $2000 in this market.

[revhappy]

Yeah I was in the market looking for a 3 room flat. JTC flats are unfurnished, no warddrobes , no stove , no AC, no nothing and they currently cost 1550-1600. Yet they get taken up with minutes of the listing appearing on the website.

So that should give you an idea about the market.

If you are really lucky you might be able to get a house in "Simple" condition for 1.6k-1.7k.

1.8k is the magic figure at which both supply and demand match and most of the deals take place at this point in time.

And do note that here the rental/property market is as nimble as the stock market. You can draw a graph and the property price index here with match the stock index.

[dpot]

Yes, I'm wondering the same thing. It isn't hard to find 2br condos advertised for 2500/mo or less on the property search tab on this site, yet I hear similar things about how impossible it is to find places for that much. Therefore, I wonder whether the agents are playing tricks with places like these:

http://www.singaporeexpats.com/housing- ... by=DLASTAD

I also find similar ads in the papers. I've accepted a job offer predicated upon the assumption that it would be possible to find a decent place in either Woodlands or Bukit Timah for $2300-2500. I've also seen low prices toward the airport and prison.

We've already decided to bring our family (Singapore locals) when we look for a flat, and plan to tell the agent that we'll drop them if they pull anything fishy.

[dpot]

x9200 just set me straight about the costs in BT...looks like the east and north coasts are the best bet for finding something in our budget. My guess is that the east coast would be better to live in if I'm working in dist 13?

[ksl]

x9200 just set me straight about the costs in BT...looks like the east and north coasts are the best bet for finding something in our budget. My guess is that the east coast would be better to live in if I'm working in dist 13?

You may be better off around paya leba, or Kovan MRT close to MRT and its cheaper than east coast, several newly built condo's in the area. My neighbour would have been happy with 2k for his 5 room 148 sq mtr Maisonette 25 years old though the agent said it was too cheap, so it went for 2500$.

You must remember the older condo's 10 years or so are normally cheaper than the new. Also the owners that have lived all their lives in the places have normally finished paying for them, so they are happy with a monthly income. It's agents you have to be careful of, they will push up the price. So word of mouth is quite often used to avoid agent fees by Landlords as well.

[nakatago]

i'd like to add that newer buildings' individual units are smaller AND more expensive.

[beppi]

It IS possible to find a spacious, well-renovated 3BR apartment right in the center of Bukit Timah below S$2.5k/month - we live in one. However, you have to be VERY lucky to find it, and of course there are some disadvantages (like no common facilities and five floors without lift - keeps us fit!). Also, you will never find such good deals with an agent - you have to do the legwork yourself!

[Strong Eagle]

It IS possible to find a spacious, well-renovated 3BR apartment right in the center of Bukit Timah below S$2.5k/month - we live in one. However, you have to be VERY lucky to find it, and of course there are some disadvantages (like no common facilities and five floors without lift - keeps us fit!). Also, you will never find such good deals with an agent - you have to do the legwork yourself!

Or S4.4K/month to live in a semi detached, 2000+square feet, 4 bedrooms, 3 bath, maid quarters, living, dining, kitchen, and wonderful patio and yard. We were very lucky to find... one of the oldest houses in the neighborhood and very comfortable to live in.

Beppi is right... cannot find with agent... only through friends and neighbors.

[nakatago]

like i said on the other thread...you lucky bastards

[pagophilus]

I have come across property agents who put misleading data in their advertisement. The objective is to get buyers to call them and leave their contact.

Advertise $1500. When you call, they will tell you their sad story of how the owner back out or already rented out or need to wait another 2 weeks to confirm because owner out of town. However, they have another unit that is higher floor renting out at $2000 only. Want to take a look? It is very difficult to get anything less than $2000 in this market.

Aren't there any laws in Singapore against false advertising, bait & switch or the like?