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Shoeboxes continue to be relevant

https://www.edgeprop.sg/property-news/why-shoebox-units-continue-be-popular " Despite these criticisms, shoebox units still play a necessary role in the residential market, although sales transactions for shoebox units account for only 7% to 11% of all sales transactions of condominiums in Singapore from 2012 to 2022."

CM again? Shoebox apartments how?

The latest set of cooling measures are targeted at the enbloc rich and we'll heeled downgraders buying into the resale HDB market. The trigger is likely the million dollar HDBs increasingly transacted. Tons of blogs and posts have touched on the measures in detail, so I will not repeat ad nauseum. But then we ask, what is the impact, if any, on shoebox owners and hunters? Popularity of smaller units may increase as a result of tighter LTV because buyer budget dropped by 5%. Perhaps now for some of us, shoebox condo and apartment units become the only viable choice due to the lower TDSR and higher loan interest reference point. Given the likelihood of interest rates breaching 4% soon it pays to be prudent and not over commit. As long as property value is preserved there is always room for upgrade in the future. For those who are downgrading, perhaps also a good opportunity to Marie kondo stuff away so smaller spaces are still liveable.
CM lai liao, surely you have heard!?   My take on the impact: BTO seekers: No impact la, as long as I buy within means la! PLH seekers: Will reconsider really carefully now! Single-home owners: Simi cooling measures? Weather turned hot again ya? Pass the ice-cream pls! Multiple-home owners: Thank goodness I bought already! Upgraders: Wah, maybe we need to aim lower now... can't go for that Penthouse unit liao. Downgraders: Walau, how to sell at 1million pricing to potential buyers now? KNS.... but nehmind, sell low buy low also la! Developers: Siao liao... there goes our insane profits, need to taper liao to move units. Demand impacted sia! REITS: WAHAHHAHAHAHA, orbi la! Come come come, invest in Commercial and Industrial properties lai lai lai! Our turn to shine lor! Chewren: Mummy mummy, property price keep going up and getting harder and harder to buy. Which house you going to give me next time??!

Location, Location, Location - still relevant in the post-COVID world?

  " Working-from-home remains the default mode of working, and all employers should provide the facilities necessary and direct every worker to work-from-home, as far as reasonably practicable." - goBusiness  " Remote working is an opportunity for companies to change their way of working sustainably and reap the benefits over the medium to long term. Think of less office space, less commuting, fewer business trips, shorter breaks and greater focus for employees." - EY Belgium " The reality of working from home in a small apartment is that you’ll be carving out a space to work in a room that serves a different purpose. If you can make your workspace look attractive, go for it. If not, don’t worry about the aesthetics – it’s function that matters." - Forbes " Beyond the need for more space, the trouble is homes are built differently from offices. Residential flats tend to be built with a north-south facing to minimise sun glare and heat coming into flat...

2020 Shoebox Transactions (most affordable)

 

Singles (and celebrities) prove that shoebox apartments are still relevant in 2020

https://www.todayonline.com/8days/sceneandheard/celebrities/hong-ling-26-buys-2-bedroom-condo?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter https://www.99.co/blog/singapore/romeo-tan-buys-marina-bay-condo-bachelor-pad/ Technically some of these may not really be 'mickey mouse' as either they are 1+1 or spacious studios, but they are in essence still a self sufficient shoebox style apartment.