9511Singapore real estate, three bedroom for $3500 apartments educational stories for asiahomes.com realtors, March 3, 2001. Excerpts from "The Internet Realtors, Singapore", sponsored by  AsiaHomes Internet.

To go house hunting or not?

"I want to rent a new three bedroom condo fully furnished for $3,500. It must be near Orchard Road, subway or a short bus ride to Centrepoint Shopping Mall. Do you have any available?" said the prospective expatriate lady. 

She had seen condos with other agents and was close to making a decision on a shortlist of 3 (see below).  I was feeling uneasy.  Should I show her more apartments, knowing that it will not be easy to find something matching her specifications and her shortlist?

New condos are always on the minds of 99% of the relocating expatriates. I did not have much to offer at $3,500, a rental budget below market rates for good downtown new 3-bedroom condos. A budget of $4,500 to $5,000 would have been good, but then, she would not have the need to contact me for help. The first day was uneventful. The expatriate cancelled the 2nd day appointment as she probably had decided on the shortlist. 

I took this difficult case and lost out.  The apartments shown did not fit her specifications and did not have a good-sized gym.  It is part of the up and down of this rental business.  I win sometimes. I lose sometimes. However, I had the opportunity to see the 14-unit new St Thomas Ville apartment project.  Maybe, another expatriate will find this suitable?
 

Tips for new www.asiahomes.com Realtors

You will need to use your judgment as to whether you will accept a new case as you will have to spend time and money with no revenue generated.  Many expatriates in 2001 use multiple realtors and the internet to get what they want. Therefore, if you dream of being the exclusive one, you may as well not be in this rental business as a self-employed agent.

You Got Tenant, Condo Owner? Looking for Tenants is like winning a war. You need to know where your enemies can be found. You need to advertise in www.asiahomes.com where prospects interested in Singapore properties are likely to be found. Why not place an affordable internet ad to contact prospects direct and save you a few thousand dollars in agency commission? Telephone +65 9668 6468, E-mail judy@asiahomes.com Last updated: 04 Mar 2001

12 noon.  
Cavenagh Fortuna 3+1 1200 sq. ft $3500. Modern. 2 years old. Big balcony on ground floor. Pastel wooden board and cream living area. Audiovisual intercom. No facilities. 5-min walk to Starhub Building at Orchard Road. Security and basement car park only. Low density, 4 storey.

12.15pm
St Thomas Ville 3+1 1200 sq. ft $3,500. 

Great location. 8-min walk to Somerset subway & Orchard Road. Pool and basement car parking only. 

12.30 p.m.
Huntington 3+1 1044 sq. ft $3,000. Discovered that the kitchen has NO counter top space for chopping food. Owner proposed a drop down table opposite sink or above sink. Brand new. 3-min walk to Novena subway. 

12.45pm
Peppermint Grove 3+1 1000 sq. ft $3,000. Maisonette with 2 bedrooms with attached bath upstairs. One bedroom downstairs.  Pool. 5-min walk to Novena subway. 
No visitor's car can get into car park without the owner being present. 2 years old. 3rd floor and attic. No elevator.

1pm
Dunearn Garden 3+1 1200 sq. ft $3,500. Full condo facilities. 5-min walk to Newton subway.

1.30pm
Dormer Park 3+1 1300 sq. ft $2,500. Not near subway.

Conclusion:

Fell in love with Cavenagh Fortuna's spacious floor plan and pastel colours but there is no condo facilities and she wants a  gym.
 
The wife liked the Gallop Gables (2-bedroom only), The Bencoolen Residence (more than $3,500, brand new) and Casafina 1600 sq.ft (new, too far in East Coast) seen with another agent.   All have good sized gyms.