tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32547996909283414282024-03-13T07:48:48.143+08:00eats, shoots and livesproperty investment for the everyday foodieShoebox Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00883268877557265272noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254799690928341428.post-71800132067216383792022-03-31T21:21:00.000+08:002022-03-31T21:21:03.185+08:00It is 2022 my friend. I will say it again - it is 2022.<p>Whenever you come across that 50c price hike of your neighbourhood wan ton mee, you lament and 'kpkb' for a whole long day to every person you meet, from your spouse, your colleagues, that random PHV driver and even your cat!</p><p><br /></p><p>You still fondly remember the time when fishball noodles cost just $2... and that wasn't the school canteen fare. But the truth is, so has the price of everything risen. My relatives recently sold their 40 year old 5-room point block HDB for a cool $600K profit. But guess what? Do you hear them or people like them saying, 'OMG it rose too much!!' </p><p><br /></p><p>We increasingly come across millennials exclaiming how high home prices are, and how difficult it is to get that BTO from the seemingly ever over-subscribed situation from launch to launch. For some of us, it is but 'noise' until it hits us that these people crying out loud could well be our nieces, nephews, and even our own children. But let's not forget salaries and incomes rose too over the decades. These are the days of PWM and cleaning supervisors expecting to hit $3.2K monthly salary very soon. <br /><br />So no matter how in denial one can choose to be, the fact remains that everything is only going to go UP. And that there's no other way for this tiny island country.</p><p><br /></p><p>Enjoy that $3.50 wan ton mee while it lasts my friend.</p>Shoebox Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00883268877557265272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254799690928341428.post-49787246531892492862019-09-21T20:20:00.000+08:002019-09-21T20:25:56.281+08:00Same Same (taste) but Different (price)If you are an eastie, or maybe even if you aren't, but am a hard-core local foodie, you would surely have heard or patronised by now, that stall by the 'ex-xiaolongbao famous restaurant' chef in Bedok.<br />
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The same fare can be had for half the price at some may say, the exact same quality as the restaurant. For obvious reasons, that is possible due to the lower overheads of a kopitiam vs a shopping mall restaurant.<br />
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I'm sad to say that after 6 years, we are still in that 'austerity' mode when it comes to spending. What the heck happened to those rollin' good ol' times of insane profits and ups and downs~?<br />
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So if you were like me, looking at buying HDB flats (loosely termed 'downgrading') having sold off my condo abode, would you insist on NEW FLAT ONLY! or happy with a well-loved many-handed RESALE FLAT?<br />
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<i>(I didn't have a choice anyway, since I had no other place to stay to wait for 30 months)</i><br />
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Whether it is the ORIGINAL, first hand, NEW, LATEST design HDB, or an aged and basic one, it is still a public housing apartment with four walls and a roof. In fact, for the same space, old may be cheaper and better. Old may also be in well developed mature townships and have no lack of amenities. Old may even be near your aged parents. So Old may just be gOld. And you don't have to pay a premium for this gOld due to the general (mis)conception that RESALE = PRICEY.<br />
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Nothing a fresh coat of paint, minor rewiring, and a little bit of dressing up won't solve. It's all about de-cluttering and going back to BASICs. Though tiring, I truly enjoyed spending the whole afternoon repainting my iron gate. Finally, it felt real owning my first HDB flat. No matter how unbranded or basic it is.<br />
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<br />Shoebox Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00883268877557265272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254799690928341428.post-27038920803642937792013-10-22T17:10:00.000+08:002013-10-22T17:11:33.018+08:00Top 10 Tastiest Condos<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PGSP3fzC70g/UmZBRaAPjxI/AAAAAAAATIA/JnnZmzgQlNQ/s1600/image-793019.jpeg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PGSP3fzC70g/UmZBRaAPjxI/AAAAAAAATIA/JnnZmzgQlNQ/s320/image-793019.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5937504926028500754" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6l-Q1YbX23k/UmZBR8AMcJI/AAAAAAAATII/JjkYy3G7TVM/s1600/image-795154.jpeg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6l-Q1YbX23k/UmZBR8AMcJI/AAAAAAAATII/JjkYy3G7TVM/s320/image-795154.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5937504935155101842" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a-i2lzjRLJE/UmZBSBc5EoI/AAAAAAAATIY/WzjcuAea7P0/s1600/image-796645.jpeg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a-i2lzjRLJE/UmZBSBc5EoI/AAAAAAAATIY/WzjcuAea7P0/s320/image-796645.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5937504936617644674" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3hQT7zePCFs/UmZBSvUlq0I/AAAAAAAATIk/OCyTzXL_n8o/s1600/image-798692.jpeg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3hQT7zePCFs/UmZBSvUlq0I/AAAAAAAATIk/OCyTzXL_n8o/s320/image-798692.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5937504948930849602" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNYZTVM3pTQ/UmZBTCtQ6qI/AAAAAAAATIw/2W1pfRk3hPI/s1600/image-700234.jpeg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNYZTVM3pTQ/UmZBTCtQ6qI/AAAAAAAATIw/2W1pfRk3hPI/s320/image-700234.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5937504954134620834" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aNH-qg8eMbc/UmZBToTHacI/AAAAAAAATI4/S3aRuzPPpbE/s1600/image-702195.jpeg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aNH-qg8eMbc/UmZBToTHacI/AAAAAAAATI4/S3aRuzPPpbE/s320/image-702195.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5937504964225493442" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_KtbDEmc1aI/UmZBT59w77I/AAAAAAAATJE/7exido3jLaY/s1600/image-703417.jpeg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_KtbDEmc1aI/UmZBT59w77I/AAAAAAAATJE/7exido3jLaY/s320/image-703417.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5937504968967778226" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4WnRjvjhT2w/UmZBUV0FEQI/AAAAAAAATJU/V1P9ydH_77g/s1600/image-705200.jpeg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4WnRjvjhT2w/UmZBUV0FEQI/AAAAAAAATJU/V1P9ydH_77g/s320/image-705200.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5937504976443347202" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-deWO1adnYzk/UmZBU67mjSI/AAAAAAAATJg/0xC7bKBCAMI/s1600/image-707216.jpeg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-deWO1adnYzk/UmZBU67mjSI/AAAAAAAATJg/0xC7bKBCAMI/s320/image-707216.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5937504986407013666" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dpefGeG-VgI/UmZBVXraRdI/AAAAAAAATJo/zXr2AZTNGYg/s1600/image-709745.jpeg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dpefGeG-VgI/UmZBVXraRdI/AAAAAAAATJo/zXr2AZTNGYg/s320/image-709745.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5937504994123728338" /></a></p>Let's run a little quiz on the most 'delicious' looking condos! Finally, you can have your condo and eat it!
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<br>Can you guess all of them correctly?
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<br>1.Shoebox Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00883268877557265272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254799690928341428.post-40116023016408965972013-10-16T00:07:00.001+08:002013-10-16T00:07:07.506+08:00My Choice of Cooling Measure on a Hot Day<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l7Ypi5dAfac/Ul1oK0JNitI/AAAAAAAAS6o/p72H_QeXhQs/s1600/1843-300x183-727506.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l7Ypi5dAfac/Ul1oK0JNitI/AAAAAAAAS6o/p72H_QeXhQs/s320/1843-300x183-727506.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5935014418949442258" /></a></p><p dir="ltr">Recent days have seen sweltering heat interspersed with heavy thunderstorms. I happened to be around Vivocity at that time and out of the blue I developed a craving for ice cream. Since pay day was the day before, I reckoned I could afford to indulge in some Ben & Jerry's.</p> <p dir="ltr">As I approached the outlet, a boarded up shop greeted me. The sign read: Sorry, we're closed for renovation till November 15. Drat. I made my way to Giant next since I had to pick up some groceries.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the frozen foods section, I passed by the ice cream counters. I saw the good old 'potong' red bean ice cream blocks on sticks going on promotion pricing, and thought, why not, since my craving was still raging and so was the scorching heat outside. Nevermind that it is 'brandless' and not Ben & Jerry's. Walking out of Vivocity, I didn't wait long to feast on the 'potong'. The satisfaction was beyond compare.</p> <p dir="ltr">We have seen the challenges Sky Habitat in Bishan faced this past year and a half in selling off its units. To date, it is still less than 35% sold. Designed by the world renowned Moshe Safdie, it was positioned as a pinnacle in the developer's war chest, exemplified also by its price range. Fast forward to a few weeks ago, its sister project, Sky Vue, sold like hot cakes in no time with a stellar performance score of 85%. Apparently, without a brand name architect and sky high psf, it proved even more popular.</p> <p dir="ltr">I guess, when it boils down (pun intended) to a need to keep cool on a hot day, any ice cream will do, whether branded or not. Likewise, a home is but an abode and shelter to rest and recharge in, brand name architect and designer looks or not.</p> Shoebox Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00883268877557265272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254799690928341428.post-78221530148899715182013-06-10T09:03:00.001+08:002013-06-10T15:52:41.397+08:00A rose syrup by any other brand would taste as sweet<p dir=ltr>Me and a group of friends were preparing for a retro theme party the other day. We all agreed that rose syrup cordial was a must-have. However, we absolutely failed to agree on the brand.</p>
<p dir=ltr>A went, "Brand X has a more fragrant scent!"</p>
<p dir=ltr>And B went "But brand Y has a nicer color!"</p>
<p dir=ltr>C joined in the fray "Who cares about those! Brand Z tastes least artificial!"</p>
<p dir=ltr>Suddenly it occurred to me, that a rose by any other name smells just as sweet. Likewise, a rose syrup by any other brand, would taste just as sweet.</p>
<p dir=ltr>No discussion about the property market in Singapore is complete without also looking at public housing. It forms the bedrock of foundation. The HDB resale price index is still on the rise. Any property investor worth his salt would tell you, HDB has hitherto been the highest yielding residential property asset class. The question now then, is: Is it still that?</p>
<p dir=ltr>Lets take a look at recent movements in the resale market for a matured estate HDB like Bedok.</p>
<p dir=ltr>Focus on Blk 214. From the recently resold pricing, you can tell that the yield is still very decent at above 5.5%.</p>
<p dir=ltr>Now let's look at a non matured estate Bt Panjang. Check out Blk 250. Similarly, a great yield is possible. This time even better at above 7%!</p>
<p dir=ltr>Those were the resale prices. Imagine what yield would be for the first hand BTO owner?</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-awHmS9yZGhM/UbUpva1pnnI/AAAAAAAASho/barCAH7Oks8/s1600/Screenshot_2013-06-10-08-39-38.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-awHmS9yZGhM/UbUpva1pnnI/AAAAAAAASho/barCAH7Oks8/s640/Screenshot_2013-06-10-08-39-38.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h0nwV2kJNdM/UbUpv_DFRVI/AAAAAAAAShw/2r0cSnp9C3k/s1600/Screenshot_2013-06-10-08-39-45.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h0nwV2kJNdM/UbUpv_DFRVI/AAAAAAAAShw/2r0cSnp9C3k/s640/Screenshot_2013-06-10-08-39-45.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SHF_rs5RE90/UbUpwfgU2uI/AAAAAAAASh4/2TlpSvSQQlo/s1600/Screenshot_2013-06-10-08-30-12.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SHF_rs5RE90/UbUpwfgU2uI/AAAAAAAASh4/2TlpSvSQQlo/s640/Screenshot_2013-06-10-08-30-12.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q5BuOisHhaQ/UbUpw-v8TOI/AAAAAAAASiA/h7zCC4qi8K0/s1600/Screenshot_2013-06-10-08-30-06.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q5BuOisHhaQ/UbUpw-v8TOI/AAAAAAAASiA/h7zCC4qi8K0/s640/Screenshot_2013-06-10-08-30-06.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LCJtFIuxTNw/UbWFxzQ_QbI/AAAAAAAASiQ/ek7oJbeZMyg/s1600/Rose-Syrup-300x300.jpeg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LCJtFIuxTNw/UbWFxzQ_QbI/AAAAAAAASiQ/ek7oJbeZMyg/s640/Rose-Syrup-300x300.jpeg' /> </a> </div>Shoebox Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00883268877557265272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254799690928341428.post-80595433430455074062013-04-27T09:11:00.001+08:002013-04-27T09:11:34.576+08:00Popiah and the Psychology of Paper Profit<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6usG-wVOy1g/UXslxnU6DrI/AAAAAAAARYg/cyTrghjPW7g/s1600/popiah3-794576.jpeg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6usG-wVOy1g/UXslxnU6DrI/AAAAAAAARYg/cyTrghjPW7g/s320/popiah3-794576.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5871328073508064946" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ikTrhZC45U/UXslyNdm7KI/AAAAAAAARYs/v_zN8-hPFIc/s1600/popiah1-796702.jpeg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ikTrhZC45U/UXslyNdm7KI/AAAAAAAARYs/v_zN8-hPFIc/s320/popiah1-796702.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5871328083745107106" /></a></p><p>There was a gathering coming up and it was decided we were all going to DIY and make popiah (chinese spring roll).</p> <p>As 5 out of 6 people in the group were retired or in between jobs, given the social atmosphere of austerity and belt tightening, we had a budget drawn up. I was tasked with the enviable responsibility of getting the popiah skin.</p> <p>With a price cap of $10 in mind (actually also in reality), I went about the co-op supermarket on my CSI popiah skin hunt. There were a few familiar brands and one popular (popiahlar?) one was going for just under the budget at 9.50. Thinking it was just 5 minutes into the hunt, surely I need to do more due diligence. Plus I would look even better in front of my jobless banker and auditor friends if I hit a lower price.</p> <p>After a few more encounters exceeding budget, I walked over to the next supermarket few blocks away. A ha! Same brand and cheaper by 50 cents! But... Seems like the expiry date was near. So I sheepishly went back to the co-op for the 9.50 branded one. Then I thought again, hey, we are having the gathering three days away, and it would most certainly still be within the month of expiry. Gloating with my realization, I trekked over back to the 9.00 skin supermarket just...</p> <p>To realise the last pack had already been bought. Darn! Could have...would have...should have... Yet I still felt sore that I simply couldn't bear to pay 50 cents more.</p> <p>Taken from Investorglossary.com:</p> <p>"A paper profit is a unrealized gain on a security or asset. For example, suppose 10 shares of Acme stock are bought at $8 and two months later the stock is selling at $12. The paper profit is (10X12)-(10X8), or $40. If the stock was sold, the paper profit would become a realized profit. A paper profit is just that - a profit on paper only - and should never be confused with a tangible gain. First, a paper profit is usually reduced significantly by both taxes and transaction costs upon realization. Moreover, a paper profit can become an important psychological obstacle to successful investing. Suppose Acme falls back to $10 and part of the paper profit disappears. Some investors will find it hard to sell the shares until they climb back to $12 and the full paper profit re-emerges. In this way, an historical paper profit can make an investor hold a stock too long and forego better investment opportunities."</p> <p>Indeed, the same can be said of property.</p> <p>Well, I guess I had nothing much to shout about to my popiah friends then.</p> Shoebox Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00883268877557265272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254799690928341428.post-41495101825335053492013-04-27T09:08:00.000+08:002013-04-27T09:09:00.410+08:00Passe is the new Posse<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A31Td0arZ-o/UXslLOXoNQI/AAAAAAAARXw/72oKT0NeW_U/s1600/Screenshot_2013-03-31-11-38-18-1-740411.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A31Td0arZ-o/UXslLOXoNQI/AAAAAAAARXw/72oKT0NeW_U/s320/Screenshot_2013-03-31-11-38-18-1-740411.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5871327413973562626" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9CUeSSdRHU/UXslLvoGYtI/AAAAAAAARX8/c7ZqlJXFaGE/s1600/12839072629917-1-742403.jpeg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9CUeSSdRHU/UXslLvoGYtI/AAAAAAAARX8/c7ZqlJXFaGE/s320/12839072629917-1-742403.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5871327422901019346" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t0lIXdWTKts/UXslMAmw1gI/AAAAAAAARYI/9o7pJA0cIMI/s1600/320558848_f34f5ec1ba-1-744294.jpeg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t0lIXdWTKts/UXslMAmw1gI/AAAAAAAARYI/9o7pJA0cIMI/s320/320558848_f34f5ec1ba-1-744294.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5871327427458815490" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ooz1_NmQ2qU/UXslMos8vkI/AAAAAAAARYU/dgnPOcLHcX4/s1600/Screenshot_2013-03-31-11-23-34-746608.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ooz1_NmQ2qU/UXslMos8vkI/AAAAAAAARYU/dgnPOcLHcX4/s320/Screenshot_2013-03-31-11-23-34-746608.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5871327438222179906" /></a></p><p>The steamboat is a traditional old fashioned 'must have' for every Chinese New Year reunion dinner. Piping hot broth cooked to perfection with pork bones (and MSG if you are having it outside). You then dump raw veges and yam in it while cooking your own servings of meat, fish, quail eggs or whatever you fancy in a netted ladle dipping it in to the bubbling soup.</p> <p>That was the classic way, and rarely eaten outside of reunion gatherings. There then was a period in time when fish head steamboat became popular. This was where fish head and sliced fish formed the main dish to be cooked in the steamboat. Recent years have seen a resurgence of the steamboat. I am not sure if our candid and friendly migrant workers from China had anything to do with it - since they were the main patrons of steamboat eateries sprouting up along Geylang and Chinatown - but the young and happening don't call today's versions 'steamboat'anymore. They go by import sounding names like Shabu Shabu and Korean hotpot. Many even offer a choice of soup in 'yuan yang' (yin yang?) settings, where a pot is split into halves, each having different broths. So now those allergic to seafood or intolerant of spicy tom yam (like me) can enjoy the meal with other so called more normal friends.</p> <p>Balestier has always been known as a diverse and culturally rich, yet poorer cousin of Novena. Light shops, seedy budget hotels and good food abound, with a splattering of beautiful conservation shophouses and terraces here and there. With the new Zhong Shan Park and branded business class hotels under construction, interest has been returning to this vicinity the past year. Both pure residential and mixed commercial projects proved to be hot cakes. One Dusun was sold out in a mere 2 days (<a href="http://sg-realestate-sg.blogspot.sg/2012/08/another-successful-launch-one-dusun.html">http://sg-realestate-sg.blogspot.sg/2012/08/another-successful-launch-one-dusun.html</a>). And shoeboxes have even been pushing 2000psf lately. We are going to see a gradual rejuvenation of the entire stretch with new projects topping out along nicely. Finally, the old dame has awoken with a whole new dress, and we might not even be seeing her full potential just yet.</p> Shoebox Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00883268877557265272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254799690928341428.post-70808051987767627332013-03-30T10:04:00.001+08:002013-03-30T21:24:03.625+08:00Donuts and Doormats<p>I remember fondly years back, how my bff would tell me exciting stories about how he finally managed to get his hands on those donuts at the shop in the basement of his office building in town. He would snap photos of the multi colored rings and share on his fb page for all to see.</p>
<p>Although never quite the donut fan, I marvelled how some can queue for hours just for...well, donuts.</p>
<p>Perhaps they injected some addictive compound into their goods? :-)</p>
<p>These could cost as much as ten bucks for half a dozen. The good old ordinary donuts sold in bakeries were probably less than half the price. </p>
<p>Fast forward to today.</p>
<p>Pavillon Square, a 'brand new' retail concept gracing Geylang, just sold out on a Saturday. All 90+ units of mostly MM sized shops. Now there was even mention of one sold at a staggering $10xxx psf. Almost the price level of high traffic Orchard Rd shops!</p>
<p>I think the next CM (on commercial units) is not far... but URA has already released guidelines to prevent a repeat showing, so perhaps not. Let us all focus on the upcoming BTO for singles in July for the time being, shall we...</p>
<p>So if the donuts craze was a fad, it sure lasted a while.</p>
<p>How long do you think this shoebox shop fever will last?</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-baqHROh2qL4/UVbncE1CLbI/AAAAAAAAQpk/f2CkGwxI3YI/s1600/Screenshot_2013-03-28-23-11-18.png' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-baqHROh2qL4/UVbncE1CLbI/AAAAAAAAQpk/f2CkGwxI3YI/s640/Screenshot_2013-03-28-23-11-18.png' /> </a> </div>Shoebox Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00883268877557265272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254799690928341428.post-20460897503926180912013-01-17T17:36:00.000+08:002013-01-17T17:36:40.305+08:00Relativity and Bubble TeaLong long time ago, but not nearly as far back when mata wore shorts, we were happy drinking our ice lemon tea and kopi c. Whether in the school canteen or kopitiam, they were always home brewed and prepared, served by moody uncles or pissed looking aunties fighting pms. No preservatives.<div>
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Fast forward to today, in a modern aircon stall in a busy shopping mall, served by giggly youths, we have the same thing - fruit flavored or coffee and milk cold drinks, except at 3x the price and nicely packaged in air tight spill proof high tech packaging. Add to that a dose of 'bubbles', essentially gelatinous balls, for a nice chew, which gives a nice 10% add on to the already wonderful profit. A nice large diameter thick straw completes the offering. Hey, you even get to pick your color!</div>
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So the smart kopitiam uncle and auntie buys the bubble tea cup sealing equipment and supplies, sets up a corner at their drinks stall, and sells their own brand of bubble tea at 30% off the shopping mall brands. They even concocted chinchow and bandung bubbles. I probably have never seen them smiling from cheek to cheek endless with the throngs of school kids lining up for their fix.</div>
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Now apply that formula to property projects. Have you ever wondered how some new projects can actually help pull up the price of older ones in the vicinity?</div>
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Take for example, the Echelon launched in Dec 2012, saw impressive takeup in a matter of days. Packaged with the latest bells and whistles in luxury fittings and facilities, the average psf hit was as high as 1700psf. </div>
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Contrast that to Ascentia Sky, launched few years back at 1200psf. It has since completed building and how much do you think the owners are now asking for?</div>
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That's the power of relativity and vicinity. So as you make your next killing, be sure to do your research on your target projects' vicinity. If there are announced government plans for plots of land sales, whether reserved or confirmed, you can be quite sure you have one leg in the bank vault already.</div>
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Meanwhile, I will head for my kopitiam bubble tea with attap chee pearls...</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254799690928341428.post-27907431244259581802012-08-27T10:23:00.001+08:002012-08-27T10:29:24.330+08:00Food Courts and Agents (Property, and then some)<br />
A friend from Germany recently visited me and asked me how he could try all sorts of local delights in one sitting. Cheap (for obvious reasons, considering the financial turmoil of the EU). Instantly, I thought of food courts. We have Kopitiam, Food Republic, Food Junction... the list goes on.<br />
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Food courts are usually operated by a third party who brings together various local stallholders creating a mish-mash menu of local food variety on a single platform. Many even have their own cash card and reward points system. They are like an agent, or middleman, so to speak. Just imagine if you had to try all the char kuay teow, rojak, yong tau foo, chai tow kueh, satay, bee hoon goreng, roti prata, tau suan in one sitting. It would have probably taken you one whole day across the island.<br />
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Actually, mankind survived eons ago without such agents or "in-betweeners".<br />
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Today, we rely on agents all the time.<br />
<br />
Buy/sell houses - property agents<br />
Send letter - postal agent<br />
Daily newspaper - news agent<br />
Get milk - milkman<br />
Send money - money transfer agent<br />
Get insured - insurance agent<br />
Get a (new) job - recruitment agent!<br />
<br />
... and then some.<br />
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Question then: Why do we pay extra for all these?<br />
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Imagine a world without agents. On a typical day, this happens.<br />
<br />
07:30-08:00 - Wake up, walk over to the convenience store to get milk.<br />
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08:00-08:30 - Wash up and breakfast.<br />
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08:30-09:00 - Prepare letter and get dressed for work.<br />
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09:00-10:00 - Commute to office from Bedok to Jurong and drop by IRAS to hand deliver (remember, no postal agent) letter. And oh boy, I'm already late for work!<br />
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11:00 - In a meeting but not paying attention. I need to plan for the next days' schedule - obviously - as I do everything MYSELF! (Oh man, I just asked the boss to repeat his question TWICE!)<br />
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13:00-14:30 - Sneak out during lunch to handle house viewing myself. Because my house is in Bedok and office in Jurong, the to and fro commute and viewing already ate into my work time!<br />
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15:00 - Get big scolding by boss for coming in late and having super long lunch. :(<br />
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16:00-16:45 - Sneak out during tea break to attend interview for new job. Realised only after that it was a waste of time as the job description had little detail and they did not mention they really wanted a MBA holder!<br />
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16:50 - Called into boss office again and given warning letter. "Come in late, super long lunch, can still go for long tea break!?" :( :(<br />
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17:00 - Feeling sorry and miserable. 8~(<br />
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18:00 - Knock off time, and I need to visit Western Union to send money to my retired parents in Australia. Really tired and zero energy. Maybe another day. They are sure to call me and scream.<br />
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18:30 - Just realised I have not visited the insurer to discuss my medical coverage extension... :( :( :(<br />
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19:00 - Sitting at home completely dazed. Hungry but no mood to make dinner. Knocked out on the sofa from sheer exhaustion.<br />
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Now I know why we need agents.<br />
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For the uninitiated, it's because as typical Singaporeans, we like to pack as much as we can into a single day. Hey, we even use 'agents' (foreign domestic help) to take care of our children! What else can't we accomplish?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254799690928341428.post-16558002063778677802012-06-13T22:34:00.000+08:002012-06-13T22:35:24.989+08:00Groceries Management Part IIIf you are one of the fortunate (or unfortunate, depending on the market cycle) few to own a couple of properties, you would have had first hand experience at managing and letting them. After a while, especially if you hold a day job, it can get rather nerve wrecking. I'm talking about needy tenants and those who are not used to taking care of stuff with their own hands.
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"Oh, the bulb just blew, and I'm scared of heights. So can you please make a trip and help me replace it?"
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"There was a power trip! What should I do! HELLLLLLLLLLLLLPP!!!!!!!!"
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"Secondhand smoke from the neighbour kept drifting into my bedroom, can you come down and speak to them a bit?"
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Sometimes, making the trip and spending the money on cabs (if you are lucky to get one quickly) for groceries shopping can make one feel weary and drained. Thank goodness for the internet - major grocers have an online presence so much so you can easily find most if not all of the goods for your shopping pleasure. All you need is a few clicks and your credit card and what you need will appear at your doorstep soon enough. Just pay for the nominal delivery fee.
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Likewise, if you do not want any of the hassle dealing directly with needy tenants, you can spend some on commissions and engage a real estate agent to handle the whole process from soliciting, viewing, closing and all the follow up after moving in. You will still get your rental income right on time and you never even have to meet your tenant ever, if you prefer!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254799690928341428.post-10749050890621004422012-06-13T22:21:00.000+08:002012-06-13T22:23:45.444+08:00Of Being A Landlord and Groceries ManagementThere are indeed similarities between managing your investment properties and groceries.
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If you know that you're gonna use the same brand or kinds of flour, oil, seasoning and spices to prepare your meals every other day or so, it makes sense to buy in bulk a month's supply at one go. Many grocers have bulk discounts or special 'day of week' promotions. Once you have enjoyed the economy of scale of bulk purchase, obviously as foods are eventually perishable and have expiry dates, you will need to use them up within that certain time period. Otherwise stuff goes to waste. In the example above, if you're say sick of bread, the ingredients may be used to dish up something quite different, for example, pies or even cakes. Just so they don't go to waste.
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In the same vein, once your investment property is ready to let, every day it is empty is money down the drain, especially if it's mortgaged. It's money out and nothing in. So instead of insisting on getting a tenant that is willing to pay the rent you expect, why not consider dropping it by say 10% - who knows, you may seal a deal right away. Dollars and cents become much more sensitive issues to the average tenant in tough times like now. The month or months of vacancy would be more than made up for with the mere 10% drop in income, more so if the signed lease is for more than year.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254799690928341428.post-25344758038544182632011-03-28T14:48:00.004+08:002012-06-14T18:16:15.840+08:00Location, Location, Lor Mai KhaiLor Mai Khai is usually seen as a quick snack when you are in a rush and have no time for a sit down proper meal. It costs probably only half to one third of a normal meal but supplies the needed calories and carbs (and fats). Made of glutinous rice, you will likely find that it can help you last another 3-4 hours before the next feeding. <br /><br />Yet to some, Lor Mai Khai can be a guilty indulgence or even regular tea break staple. I know that for a fact as I have a colleague back in the army like that, and a few 'guilty as charged' ex colleagues too. So you see, a seemingly common thing as Lor Mai Khai can mean very different things to different people.<br /><br />One often wonders about the true relevance of Location when it comes to deciding on a home purchase. Is it important that it must be in the prime district? A quiet residential enclave? Somewhere you cannot see public housing in view? Must it be near the family? Near the in laws? To good schools? Walking distance to public transport and mrt stations? The fitness center? Your regular soccer buddies pitch? Pubs and clubs where you hang out? Convenient stores and supermarket? Eateries? Posh restaurants to entertain visitors? Clinic and hospitals? The vet or pet supplies store? The list goes on...<br /><br />Depending on your priorities, you will find Location could mean very different things to different people, just like Lor Mai Khai. Good luck in your search for that ultimate house or snack that fulfils most of your (if not all of your) desires.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254799690928341428.post-72282213238188070882010-05-11T09:48:00.004+08:002010-05-11T09:57:49.304+08:00Tapas as Bite-sized Mickey Mouse Apartments<p>Lunching a few days back at the Pu Tien restaurant for Mother's day, the first dish was the quintessential cold dish with food samplings of interesting stuff. I shall not go into detail what those were, but little bite-sized morsels are often the starters or even the main course in many cuisines. I'm sure many of you would instantly think of Spanish tapas.</p><p>The trick is - if you're hungering for more yet want variety, tapas often do the trick. You get the fill, and you get the variety. Heck, you even get the choice. Choose what you want - when you want. Variety is great as a man without a choice is a dead man in a dead end.</p><p>That is the same reason why sales of MM apartments (or Mickey Mouse apartments - size of which are 500sf and below - as they are affectionately called) have continued to skyrocket. The magic word nowadays is 'low quantum' - nevermind if that meant 1600psf for a MM unit in Siglap. The absolute amount you can bite on, is still 500k! Developers (smart ones) will take heed and reconfigure the projects into more bite-sized quantum units. Even major condo grade projects can't resist including bite-sized MM units for the specu-vestors or maybe there is really too many lonely singles wanting to live on their own these days, what with the gradual westernization of asian culture. In any case, if you're hungry and have limited pocket depths, you will still have to eat. At least you can now choose something that won't give you indigestion.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254799690928341428.post-37839762441471314712009-09-08T13:48:00.003+08:002010-05-11T09:48:32.819+08:00Up Up and Away!<p>Last Sunday while collecting mail at my tenanted apartment, I figured since it was lunch time I might as well make my way to the Lavender food court for a change since my favorite Killiney kopitiam opposite my apartment is no longer in business. There, I ordered duck rice, and noticed the (famous) wanton mee store has nobody in the queue. I thought it was not open yet. Then at 12:03pm, a queue started to form and in 5 minutes it has grown from 5 people to like 15-20 people.</p><p>Locals will know this is typical of Singapore and Singaporeans. I have ever even been in a queue and someone join it behind me asking me what I'm queueing for after others have joined in behind him. And therefore the perfect display of 'herd mentality' which stems from the Singaporean essential attribute of 'kiasu' (afraid to lose out).</p><p>Look at the recent launches since Alexis / Caspian, and you will notice almost every project SOLD OUT in days if not hours. Optima even had queues form before the showflat is officially open. Can you imagine this madness - in a recession? Or are we already so sure prices are only going to go up with the impending completion of IR. Soon, 600psf in Bedok new launches will be a thing of the past - if not already - when Optima in Tanah Merah has seen prices of 900psf-1000psf. AMK had launched at 1200psf. Balestier is being launched for 1400psf as we speak. Soon, nothing will be below 1000psf.</p><p>Sure, one can say, the mata (policemen) also had to start wearing pants instead of shorts as Singapore progresses through the decades, so why not property prices? I'm just wondering whether this pace is too fast. Anyway, I'm not fast to complain, considering this market upswing helped me to 'get rid' of my odd shaped apartment at a very decent price - enough to buy 2 new better and regular-shaped ones.</p><p>Heck, for every willing buyer, there is a willing seller. Same goes for wanton mee even if the price is $5 - when everyone seems to be just queueing (or killing) for it.<br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254799690928341428.post-88572090740036138842009-06-09T10:03:00.005+08:002009-09-08T14:04:41.193+08:00Fish Maw Masquerade<p>My newly discovered haunt lies somewhere along Changi Rd, in an inconspicuous noodle house whose original owner still waits and serves customers after more than 30 years in the business. I personally have always liked fish maw - the springy texture and raw fishy taste is just irresistable. Be it expensive restaurants or road side stalls, none of those I've ever tasted matched neither the quality nor the quantity of the Fish Maw soup based noodles served by this noodle house. I've seen much better presentation and color of this dish in the past, but the true value and wonderful aroma of this Changi Rd shop chef's creation is truly bar none.</p><p>Since I'm on the topic of presentation and value, it occurred to me that shopping for a house for the main purpose of investment is not that much different.</p><p>There is this ultra modern and super luxuriously finished smallish (sub 500sf) apartment right smack in District 09, just 2 mins stroll to Somerset MRT, going for 2000psf. That is a cool $1 million. However, realistically, it can only be leased out for about $2500 max.</p><p>Then there's this shabby looking walkup apartment over 30 years of age, no where really near any MRT station, along a busy main road in East Coast, all 1200 square feet of it in original condition asking only $500K or 416psf. Surprisingly (or not), it is fetching the same amount of rental - $2500. How so? Well, it's got 5 bedrooms and each has been leased to individuals for $500 each.</p><p>There you have it. At half the price, you get the exact same rental revenue. Not only that, you mitigate your risk (lessen by 5 times) as your lease income is spread across 5 parties vs just 1. Imagine if your ultra-lux condo tenant bails out all of a sudden - you'd be left with $0 rental income until you find a replacement tenant, whereas it is quite unlikely all 5 tenants in your shabby walkup bail out at the same time.</p><p>You may say the capital gain is higher for ultra-lux Orchard apartments. Yes, for sure, but don't forget the possibility of your 30-year-old walkup being purchased en bloc. That is substantial capital gain opportunity for you.</p><p>So as they say, same for people, don't judge a dish by its mere presentation - the same goes for investment properties.</p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254799690928341428.post-91963838365764245342009-05-11T09:37:00.014+08:002009-05-11T11:58:19.636+08:00One 'So-So Char Kuay Teow' Leads to a 'Lor Mee Discovery'Just the other day, I was queueing up for the famous Char Kuay Teow stall (I shall not say which) at Old Airport Road hawker centre. Based on what I heard so far, almost everyone sang praises. So I decided to pay the stall a visit. There were tons of (used) plates at the front of the stall. Interestingly, the stall opposite also had a similar kind of presentation. Anyway, the standard Char Kuay Teow I ordered was so so, nothing to shout about, nothing to complain about either. <br /><p>Unfulfilled, I pranced over to the other side of the hawker centre. There I sighted a long queue - a Singaporean kinda 'quality seal'. It was Lor Mee. And so I took my chances and queued like any other deserving Singaporean would. Sure enough, when it was my turn, I finally realised what the Q was about. One of the best Lor Mee's ever...<br /></p><p>Of course, that is not the story. Yet the lesson learnt was representative of how the market is today. Not the wet market. The property market.<br /><br />Recent news about some 'ideal' property management company (you would know who if you're in the business) partitioning en-bloced condo units up resulting in no access to washing or garbage disposal facilities led to the authorities turning up the heat on checks. Some other "park complex" - a long standing iconic building in Singapore history - has also been earmarked as abuse potential. In fact, abuse has already been occuring for a long time with the influx of foreign labour in recent years - particularly the Chinese. Apartment units were partitioned and then rented out, often on short term leases too. This brought the legislation to the light - that private apartment units are not to be leased on daily, weekly or month-to-month basis. The minimum lease according to IRAS is one year. (Obviously, if short term lease was allowed, they would directly compete with the hotel industry - like one 'Soho'-style condo in one of the culturally rich areas in Singapore.) In fact, there is even a new term coined - Condotel. Actually, if you have been to Europe, the concept of Condotel, Apartotel or even Boatel is not new. I am sure you have heard of B&B (bed and breakfast) too. <br /><br />Anyway, so thus luck knocks on my leisure boat house - now the expat who either has been priced out of the market or cannot commit to stay longer than a month or two has an option. And a pretty cool option at that.<br /><br />So what does this teach us? People may say "one good thing leads to another". I say, one bad thing may open up the opportunity for a good one.<br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254799690928341428.post-59230861646349237892009-03-30T10:25:00.002+08:002009-03-30T11:00:48.438+08:00PSF and Prata<p>PSF is like Roti Prata.<br /></p><p>If you think a bigger prata is always a better investment, think again.</p><p>At first, you may think a bigger house is going to have a higher PSF.</p><p>But, on the contrary, due to simple economies of scale, a 3 BEDROOM apartment in the same project, on the same level, is in fact going to be at a LOWER PSF than a 1 BEDROOM.<br /></p><p>Let's just say you bought a XL prata at 3 bucks. </p><p>You could have bought 2 L prata at 1.50 each. And that, would possibly feed two.</p><p>So if you have money to buy a 3 BEDROOM, why not spend the same amount on TWO 1 BEDROOM's.</p><p>For one, you can fetch a higher rental yield on them vs a single 3-bedder. (Note: Privacy has its privileges and thus, you can monetize that off two separate tenants)<br /></p><p>In the same vein, if you were to resell those two L prata, you could have earned a neat 1.00 each if you sell them for 2.50 each. Imagine if you were to sell the XL prata at 5 bucks? Would that be easier?</p><p>Not to mention keeping to the ethos 'not keeping your eggs in one basket', if you buy TWO 1-bedders in separate development projects. If one of the project's developer goes bust, or workers' quarters start sprouting around it and undermine its value, you still have the other to milk to its full worth.</p><p>In the prata case, if you had bought two L prata and taken a bite of one of them, establishing that it is not fresh - or worse, saw (half) a flattened cockroach - at least you could return this and even if not, you might be luckier on the other piece. Imagine if this happened with the XL prata?</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0