Considerations when buying a property

There are several ways to make money from a property. Some owners may hold on to the property for a period of time and only sell when the value has appreciated. Others may choose to make money by renting the unit out. Regardless of the investment strategies, the considerations when buying a property are generally the same. In view of this, let me share my views of what you should look out for when you are choosing a suitable property.  

The first consideration is the property’s location. Buyers are usually interested in those that are situated in close proximity to schools, public transport facilities, recreational facilities and their places of work. Hence, the more accessible the property, the better the property’s potential for capital growth.

The second consideration is the living environment, which refers to a unit’s surrounding as well as the interior layout/design. Ultimately, emotions are involved when it comes to buying a property. When selecting a unit, you should try to choose one that has a comfortable living environment as it would in turn appeal to potential buyers when you try to sell it subsequently.  

The third consideration is upcoming developments/plans in the property’s vicinity. They can find out more on the government’s development plans such as the Concept Plan and Master Plan. For instance, when plans to expand Jurong to include recreational and transport facilities in the Jurong Lake district were announced, property prices there appreciated almost immediately. Thus, a property with upcoming developments in its vicinity is definitely a plus.  

As the saying goes, “Hope is not a method.” Property investing is not simply about buying a property and hoping that things will turn out fine. A bit of homework before a purchase can go a very long way and buyers who put in the time and effort to do their due diligence will ultimately have a better chance of profiting from their properties as compared to those who do not.  





By Getty GohJul 9, 2010

Getty Goh graduated from the School of Design and Environment from the National University of Singapore and is the founder of Ascendant Assets Pte Ltd. It is a boutique real estate research and investment firm that offers property investment consultancy services. Getty is also the author of Buy, Bye Property: Mistakes you want to avoid in Property Investing, and conducts seminars to provide the public with more information on investing in the property market.