1059Singapore real estate housing terms. Helping Expatriates Find Affordable Good Singapore Houses, Apartments, Condos, asiahomes.com, Asia USA Realty

Case 1.

Sunday, May 30, 1999 12:37 AM
Subject: Singapore house for rent - your email Apr 22

David,

Yes, we did receive your email and thank you for following up with us. We have received word that we will be arriving in Singapore on July 19 and will be staying in a hotel for a few days. We will then be moving into temporary housing in the Bukit Timah area until we are able to find permanent of our own. Below, I have listed some of the amenities that we will be looking for.

1. My husband's office will be in the Shenton Way area and we have a son who will be going to Singapore American School. We will not have a car so my husband will be taking the subway or bus to work. We currently do not have a car here so riding the subway or bus 30 minutes each way is no problem. We would like to have our residence to be within a 10 minute walking distance of the subway or bus.

MOST LIKELY A CONDO AS HOUSES TAKE MORE TIME 10 MIN WALK. But will show you houses near the Singapore American School.

2. We are also planning to join the American Club. Also, because of using public transportation, we would like to be in a convenient area for restaurants and shopping.

ORCHARD ROAD AREA WILL BE THE BEST.

3. Our housing allowance is $3,500 to $4,500 American dollars.

US$4,500 will be AROUND SINGAPORE DOLLARS $7,200.

4. We are interested in looking at houses with a pool. I know they are rather expensive in Districts 9, 10, 11 but maybe closer up towards the school would be more in our price range.

EVEN MORE EXPENSIVE NEARER THE Singapore American School DUE TO SHORTFALL AND HIGH DEMAND. DETACHED + POOL RENTING ABOVE $10,000. ABOVE-GROUND POOL. IS THAT SUITABLE? HOUSES WITH POOL RENT ABOVE S$8,000 but there may be a few outside the prime expat areas.

5. We will need something partially furnished as we have some of our furniture.

NO PROBLEM HERE.

6. We are currently living in an apartment and would also be interested in looking at condominiums as well. If in a condominium, we would like a large pool with possible gym facilities and tennis court. We plan to have a maid and want to have plenty of room in the house/condo to move about so we are thinking square feet needs to be over 2,500.

NO PROBLEM FINDING ONE CONDO OVER 2500SF. I

7. Our container should be arriving in Singapore around August 1 so maybe we can cut down on rent by leasing and moving in within a month. This is just a thought.

IT IS POSSIBLE IF WE PLAN AHEAD AS I HAD DONE FOR SOME EXPATS.

8. Could you please send us back your comments regarding the above, especially about our housing allowance and the type of housing we have requested. Are we out of our price range?

NOT POSSIBLE TO GET DETACHED WITH IN-GROUND POOL AT S$7,200 BUT DON'T GIVE UP HOPE FOR CERTAIN NON-EXPAT ENCLAVE AREAS.

9. If a house is not available, we would definitely not mind a high-rise condominium.

BIG CONDOS - NOT A PROBLEM. THE ARCADIA MAY BE A POSSIBILITY but you will be living in a big expat community isolated from the main shopping areas and convenient public transport. You do have a mini-mart.

FABER PARK+ POOL MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR AROUND $8,000. Much depends on timing and Landlord's wish to rent out fast.

10. One last question, what is the standard real estate commission? Here in Buenos Aires, the leasing party pays the real estate commission!!!!!

NO COST TO YOU AS PROSPECTIVE TENANT. The Landlord pays.

Thank for your help and we look forward to hear from you soon.

Expats!

We find you affordable homes
Free house-hunting services

Tel: Asia USA Realty (Singapore)
asiahomes.com Pte Ltd
+9668 6468, 254 2728.
Fax: +65 256 0501, 4545 843.
Email: judy@asiahomes.com

Date: Sat, 01 Aug 1998 06:45:13 +0000

From: David Sing <drsing@asiahomes.com>

Organization: Affordable homes for expats - www.asiahomes.com for tips/Singapore rentals/pets. Asia USA Realty Tel: (65) 9668 6468, (65) 254 2728, 254 3326, Fax: (65) 256 0501

To: <xxx@sema.co.uk>

Thank you for writing to me.

In reply,
Utility bills are excluded in the rental.
The Tenant has to pay for the cable vision and/or television licenses or car parking fees (UE Square Condos for example does charge S$110/month for car parking but most condos do not levy any fee).

P/f refers to "partially furnished".
"3+1" refers to 3 bedrooms plus a maid's room, utility room or store room.

Example: The Costa Rhu Condo has 2 types of 2-bedroom condos. The 980 sq. ft ones do not have the "+1" while the 1335 sq. ft has it.
If you have a maid, there may be a problem if the condo does not have "+1" as maids usually live in utility rooms.

Example: 3+1 means 3 proper bedrooms plus 1 utility or maid's room.
Some utility rooms in brand new condos are too small for the maid to sleep in. Some, such at the Costa Rhu and Pebble Bay ones are luxurious.

Example: $5,000 p/f refers to monthly rental of $5,000/month, partially furnished.

The industry's meaning of "partially furnished" refers to the Landlord providing

1. Lighting to all rooms.

2. Curtains to all rooms.

For Newcomer expats: You need to clarify that the Landlord provides 2 sets Of curtains - day and night curtains. Sometimes, only one set is installed. For new Landlords, Asia USA recommends as follows:

Day and night curtain sets are usually recommended for Caucasians and Japanese. They like the translucent white set plain (without fanciful Coloured flowers which actually cost more) and the pastel coloured set (with backing to block out sunlight for condos facing west).

A most common mistake of Landlords is to install deep blue, green, orange, pink or grey dull coloured floral curtains which make the room look blue, green, orange and pink. Some Landlords install fanciful flowery curtains which are not pleasing to the eye of many Caucasians. Pastel colour refers to lighter shade of colours e.g. light brown to match the marble floors.

3. Air-conditioning to all rooms (except the maid's and the kitchen). Usually the Developer of new condos released in the past 3 years provides air conditioning to all rooms. However, new comer expatriates and realtors must be observant.

For example, the Melville Park Condo in Changi area does NOT have air-conditioning in the living and dining room although it is relatively new. Many Landlords stinge on the installation. Those who install find it easier to attract Tenants in this difficult market.

4. Refrigerator. Here, the expat must state that the fridge should be family-sized otherwise he may get a small one as some Landlords of brand new condos try to economise.

5. Washing Machine. There are 2 main types. Top loading and front loading. Japanese prefer the Japanese top loading. Caucasians are used to the front loading European and American brands.

6. Dryer. Usually not considered in partially furnished apartments to Japanese but most Caucasian expats can negotiate for one.

7. Washing Machine-cum-Dryer.
In some one or 2-bedroom condos, the space in the utility room is so small that a combined machine is the only option. Sometimes, in small units, it is possible to stack on top of each other separate washing machine and separate dryer but it costs the Landlord more.

8. Dish washer. This is not the industry's practice to provide one. Caucasians, especially American expats may negotiate for a dish washing machine even though they may have maids. There may not be space to install the dish washing machine in the smaller new condos. However, there are small models available.

9. Conventional oven. This is usually present in many new condos. Expats have to be observant as some Developers do not provide one. I believe the Tanglin Regency in Tanglin Road does not have one. Many Caucasian and Japanese wives do appreciate the oven. However, many Tenants do not regularly clean the oil after cooking and at the expiry of lease, the oven is in a big oily mess.

10. Microwave Oven. This item is not usually provided unless asked for. Most Landlords will oblige. Get one of sufficient size to roast a turkey? Single expats and couples without children appreciate having one. Some are worried about the microwave radiation leaks!

11. Wardrobes to all rooms.
This is often overlooked by the new Expats and then it is too late after the lease has been signed. In brand new condos like the Tanglin Regency, the Developer does not provide wardrobe in the 2nd bedroom and this can be easily overlooked in a 2-bedroom 710 sq. ft apartment.

Many new 3-storey houses in the vicinity of the American School e.g. Oakwood Grove and Pinewood Grove, do not provide wardrobes to all bedrooms. Some Landlords provide real classy built-in wardrobes; some buy off the rack. Much depends on how alert the Tenant is and on negotiations.

12. Barbecue set. This item is definitely not provided. This costs over S$1,500 for a decent American-sized type although in the US, it costs Probably US$300 (S$500). Again, the expat can always ask for one and there may be one Landlord who may be willing to provide one. For condos, check out the balcony size if you are bringing your own set. For example, the balconies of the Spring Grove Condo are so small that once you put your set in, you may have to barbecue from the living room!

13. Television is not included but many Landlords do not mind providing one on request. A 29-inch TV costs around S$1,000 but there are cheaper ones.

14. Video-cassette recorders are not included but you may negotiate for one.

15. Hi-fi systems are out but you may negotiate for one.

16. Living and dining sets, beds and mattresses are definitely out, if we are talking about a partially furnished place. Sometimes, the Landlord may provide one bed.

17. Gas cooker hob and hood usually present in all housing. Electric hobs are rarely available as electricity costs more than gas.

Much depends on negotiations and a good realtor. I hope this report provides the info you require. Please let me know the name of your hotel and if possible, 2 days in advance to inspect rental housing.

Expats
Free house-hunting services.
Email: judy@asiahomes.com or
My mobile tel: 65 9668 6468
+65 254 2728, 254 3326, 9668 6469.
http://www.asiahomes.com

David,

1. A quick question for you. In regards to utilities, are there set fees charged each month or are they charged on an individual usage basis?

INDIVIDUAL USAGE BASIS on a monthly basis.

2. Are any included in the rent?

CONVENTIONAL PRACTICE- NO, BUT YOUR REALTOR MAY BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE FOR YOU TO INCLUDE IN THE RENT.

3. I also wanted to know if we would be able to afford the cluster homes with communal pool with our budget?

CHEAPEST TYPE IS AROUND S$7,000 RENT PER MONTH IN DISTRICTS 9, 10 & 11.

4. What about terraces or semi detached homes with pools?

THERE ARE A HANDFUL AVAILABLE.

5. I think no matter what, we are going to want a four bedroom. If we do get into a condo, are there many available with swimming pool and tennis facilities?

YES.

6. Also, what type of facility is provided for a live in maid in both houses and condos?

A MAID'S ROOM near the kitchen, with separate bathroom. In some brand new condos, you have to be careful as the room is so small (less than 50sf) that it will be tough to squeeze in a person.

7. Here in Buenos Aires, all the houses and apartments provide a bedroom to accommodate a single bed and dresser and a bathroom. Is that similar over there?

YES, except that the MAID'S ROOM in some new condos are more a store room of less than 50sf. Yet there is a separate bathroom.

8. I guess that is all for now. My husband is checking with his company in regards to using a specific realtor and we will get back with you.

Thanks again,