A priest is dying. On his deathbed, he asks to see a property developer and a lawyer. Both of them arrive timely to see him. “We are very touched that you remember us at the end of your journey.” They tell the priest. The priest gasps, holding tightly the hands of the developer and the lawyer. “All my life I’ve been following the footsteps of my Lord. And I want … [Read more...]
How to read a new launch brochure
The following article is an excerpt from my book No B.S. Guide to Property Investment, a bestseller at Kinokuniya and Times bookstores. In 2002, I went for a flat viewing in a commercial and residential mixed development off Balestier Road. It was a three-bedroom apartment, nicely renovated and very well-kept. But I could easily tell why the owner had difficulty selling it, … [Read more...]
Do home buyers know what they are buying?
Money can buy you a new apartment or a big house. But it can’t buy you discernment and wisdom. Being a property enthusiast, I have stepped into a hundred showflats and gone to hundreds of flat/house viewings. I am often surprised by all the wrong types of landed houses, private projects and condominium units that home owners bought. Trust me, all of them have nothing to … [Read more...]
The stick behind the dangling carrot
More than 52,000 turned up for the four-day Singapore Motorshow last week. It was not surprising given Singapore’s car-worshipping culture. Be the first to see the latest car models Two weeks ago I received an email invitation from my car manufacturer. The marketing message read like this: "(Car company) invites you to the Singapore Motorshow from 16 to 18 January. Be the … [Read more...]
4 useful expressions at showflats inspired by Taiwan girls
Last month I went for a five-day trip in Taipei. After a 4½-hour flight, I was overwhelmed with fatigue and boredom. A lovely lady working in the Subway kiosk at the airport smiled at me a few meters away, using her coquettish voice to draw me to her eatery to order a sandwich meal. One by one, a few guys queued up behind me, probably all being put under the same spell. That … [Read more...]