Some readers ask me whether there will be more Hong Kong people buying Singapore homes, and whether this will raise local property prices and sales volumes. Maybe they know I was from Hong Kong two decades ago. Or they have seen too many media reports on riots in Hong Kong. Like many foreign countries, protests and strikes to Hong Kong people are like typhoons that … [Read more...]
The wisdom of passing wealth and properties to the children
We all wish to leave something behind to our next generation. It is a gesture of love and goodwill, and how we want to be remembered. But very often, we don’t know what, when and how to give. I just read a very good legacy planning book titled Wealth of Wisdom: The Top 50 Questions Wealthy Families Ask. The book has fifty-three chapters written by different subject … [Read more...]
Is home ownership for everyone?
The Singapore government is planning to reach out to 1,000 HDB rental-flat families to help them buy their own flats. The scheme aims to mitigate income inequality and uplift lower-income families because “home ownership is key to providing stability and progress for families in the long run”. A Home Ownership Support Team will be set up to provide stronger, personalised … [Read more...]
The SOS Guide to breaking the lottery curse
Last Friday, two lucky winners split the $13.6 million prize money from the Toto Hongbao draw. If you were one of them, what would you do with the $6.8 million windfall? For Singaporeans, we would probably pay off our loans first. Then go buy a nice house and a luxury car. Afterall, we are a car proud and property obsessed country. If we ask people joining the long … [Read more...]
Buying trophy properties in a country
Before Chinese New Year, hubby told me he had prepared new banknotes and red packets like what he did every year. I also passed him the red packets from my relationship manager. “We can’t use those. Mine are special ones. I have to schedule an appointment at their priority banking branch in Orchard to collect these. See, they are all printed with the name of their priority … [Read more...]