Apartment/Condo Rental

[C0C0]

Hi,

 

I will be moving to Singapore and wanted to ask whats the best, most reputable website for looking for a short term rental. Majority of the websites I saw show pictures of the building but no pictures of the actual room (not sure why it would be so difficult to post a picture).

 

My understanding, correct me if I am wrong, is it is best to have a real estate agent show me the different units. That would be the option I plan to take though as soon as I get there I would need some form of temporary residence. After a month or two I would then decide which district would be best for me.

 

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

[Icomeforyou]

Hello, first of, welcome to Singapore

 

And okay, for rental there are actually some pretty good website resources you could use, and in Singapore there are 2 major kinds of property, which is landed and private. Landed belongs to the government and are clustered in blocks with little or no facilities. Private (Condominiums) are also blocks with with facilities. Private would generally set you back a higher price which would vary from 5,000 and above depending on location and size.

 

http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/

http://www.iproperty.com.sg/rental/?gclid=CIrH1onQ06QCFSL92AodFXFZKw

http://www.singaporeexpats.com/

 

Although it would still be best to appoint a property agent as they would need to liaise with the other party as well. Do note that several months upfront must be paid along with agent's fee.

 

And perhaps you could define "temporary residence", are we looking at like 3-6 months? or 1-3 years kind of temporary?

 

Alternatively, you could a property company, Huttons, OrangeTee, Knight Frank and ask for their assistance.

 

Should you need an agent, do pm me.

 

Do enjoy your stay here, I'm sure you would find the variety available here a refreshing welcome

 

P.S I am not an agent nor an employee with any of the above mentioned companies. I receive no royalties or commission making these recommendations

[lutein]

If you are looking for a room, I know of one in Marine Parade (HDB), near east coast of Singapore, very near to Parkway Parade (a large shopping complex).

[GuiNNeSS]

>>>>Condo Management

 

The company is paying for rental? Budget? Location of the office? Duration of stay? Minimum rental agreements are for 1 year. How is your wife going to work? Car provided or she has to take on public transport? Parking required? I take it, so far, one bedroom is enough?

 

Singapore is safe all around, and your concern should focus on getting her settled working first.

 

And oh......there is some companies that actually does 6 months lease for a whole unit of apartment/flat. PM me for details. I dont like advertising for them, since I am not earning from them.

[C0C0]

Icomeforyou - For temporary residence I am looking for 3-6 months. I have never been to Singapore so I am not sure what area I would want to stay in and what is a comfortable budget I should set.

What is the standard down payment for a condo, how many months?

Normally how many percent goes to the real estate agent? And is this paid by the renter or landlord?

Will call you on your offer and pm you with providing an agent when the time is right.

 

lutein - At the moment I would prefer to have a studio or small 1 bedroom. Having roommates can be a hit or miss in terms of getting along.

 

viciouskitty - The company is not giving an expat package so we have to do the research on our own. I know her job is in the South area so preferably someplace near there. Will probably be in Singapore for a few years, budget is maybe $2000/ month. Coming from San Francisco where rent is relatively high I am still shocked at how high Singapore rent can be. No car for now but will get a motorcycle when I get there and yes 1 bedroom is enough.

 

 

 

 

I think the difficulty is that I would have to find a place before even getting there, not knowing where I want to be. I would also have to close a deal all through email, not sure how comfortable the landlord would be with that. So preferably I get a temporary place just to settle in. Once I get there I think it will be a lot easier as I can look at the different neighborhoods and can see the condos first hand, not just pictures of what the building looks like.

 

Thanks all for your help, keep it coming.

[GuiNNeSS]

Coco,

 

Based on the budget of S$2k a month, you probably should skip looking for a Condo. Unless you absolutely needed the facilities like swimming pool or inhouse small gym, with maybe free parking for one car. And for that budget, you can roughly expect it at the far east or far north of the Singapore island where even public transport is a hassle.

 

Get someone in Sg to represent for you lah. Or contact the Sg secretary, to help so you folks wont be moving places so much. I am sure a decent secretary in Singapore, can fit her into a decent place of stay better. Much later, when you really are in Singapore, then can go search for a better place to suit your needs.

 

BTW, closing deals thru emails, or even thru some agents, lands you with nothing, except your money taken and no place to stay. Plenty of such happening in Singapore still.

[C0C0]

Coco,

 

Based on the budget of S$2k a month, you probably should skip looking for a Condo. Unless you absolutely needed the facilities like swimming pool or inhouse small gym, with maybe free parking for one car. And for that budget, you can roughly expect it at the far east or far north of the Singapore island where even public transport is a hassle.

 

Get someone in Sg to represent for you lah. Or contact the Sg secretary, to help so you folks wont be moving places so much. I am sure a decent secretary in Singapore, can fit her into a decent place of stay better. Much later, when you really are in Singapore, then can go search for a better place to suit your needs.

 

BTW, closing deals thru emails, or even thru some agents, lands you with nothing, except your money taken and no place to stay. Plenty of such happening in Singapore still.

 

 

Ok will see what if the secretary of the office can assist. How do locals go about finding places, having an agent drive them around to different condos then deciding from that? Here we use craiglslist.org for looking for condos.

[lutein]

Saturday classifieds.

[GuiNNeSS]

Ok will see what if the secretary of the office can assist. How do locals go about finding places, having an agent drive them around to different condos then deciding from that? Here we use craiglslist.org for looking for condos.

 

Nah, it dont work this way in Singapore. Though some agents might be nice enough to drive you around, but unlikely so. Especially since certain units you may liked to view, does not belong to them/their commission.

 

Get the secretary/a representative to secure temp place first, with your budget. I am sure the secretary will know how to contact Em Services and get you a temp basic place first, or a service apartment. Then you folks can look to shopping for a better rental place, once its confirmed that both of you are staying here permanent for more then 2 years.

[cougar]

When will you arrive in singapore?

[C0C0]

When will you arrive in singapore?

 

Early December. Then will look for something permanent early next year.

[cougar]

Early December. Then will look for something permanent early next year.

cool, if timing is right, look me up, i may have what you looking for.

[contrarian]

How do locals go about finding places, having an agent drive them around to different condos then deciding from that? Here we use craiglslist.org for looking for condos.

 

I use iproperty and propertyguru - 2 of the sites that Icomeforyou suggested.

As well as i-open-house (http://www.goviewing.com/propclassads/mh-frontpage.asp), which has the photos that you are looking for.

[C0C0]

I use iproperty and propertyguru - 2 of the sites that Icomeforyou suggested.

As well as i-open-house (http://www.goviewing.com/propclassads/mh-frontpage.asp), which has the photos that you are looking for.

 

Cool site, thanks for the link!