tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706338710842843554.post8273499830801176618..comments2024-03-06T14:38:53.884+08:00Comments on our life in Singapore: engaging you own professional property agentLeone Fabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184959562671042750noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706338710842843554.post-2504992283228668402013-04-02T11:38:51.028+08:002013-04-02T11:38:51.028+08:00The agent we used is Sylvia Yong and we found her ...The agent we used is Sylvia Yong and we found her to be the most helpful out of all the ones we came across in the six years of living in Singapore. Her email is: syong616@gmail.comLeone Fabrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17184959562671042750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706338710842843554.post-6264382144523097022013-04-02T11:09:36.074+08:002013-04-02T11:09:36.074+08:00Hi, thanks for all your information.
We go to sing...Hi, thanks for all your information.<br />We go to singapore in next July or August and my big concern is about the accommodation.<br />Since it´s only a month, what do you consider best? An hotel, a service apartment, or a apartment in a condominium?<br />And also in what area of singapore... <br />Can you give me the contact of the agent that you like, the link of your contact doesn´t appears.<br />Thanks a lot!<br /><br /> SwonderfulW https://www.blogger.com/profile/02366318866770912777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706338710842843554.post-3254438571417056072011-03-18T00:59:43.747+08:002011-03-18T00:59:43.747+08:00I rented out my flat too but I live overseas. My f...I rented out my flat too but I live overseas. My first experience isn't the greatest as the renter basically destroyed my furnitures. I requested that they pay for the damages but I didn't get any. In reality, the landlord doesn't have to be on site with their agents unless they want to see for themselves. You have to bargain and try to reduce the charges they impose on you, if not, it'll be taken as is. I totally understand the frustration, but as a "landlord" myself, I become very wary of certain renters. Just like you should be wary of certain agents. You should not use any agents, but one that you think you can trust. It differs by the agents, and what they've been doing. Unlike the consistency I get here in the US, the system in Singapore functions with less consistency. I had three agents and they're very different... I'm stuck with my current one cos I enjoy her service a lot... if you need some recommendation, I can definitely forward her contacts to you. My first was the worst.... So be very careful of who you engage. We also learn from friends that some renters can be really horrible (I'm not saying about you). As you read from local newspapers... they can subdivide their homes and rent them out individually or worst.... made them into brothels. So landlords in Singapore are extremely careful of who they rent to, and are normally more engaged in the process. In addition, landlords need to be careful of who is/are occupying their house. If the authority found out that an illegal is occupying your house, you'll go to jail.... so unlike here in the US, you get no punishment even if you rent out to illegals. So culturally.... people look out to themselves and are more engaged... just some food for thoughts.Oswald Chonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15379982240127451846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706338710842843554.post-28793946899534322162011-03-15T16:07:58.184+08:002011-03-15T16:07:58.184+08:00Hi Leone,
I'm so pleased to have come across ...Hi Leone,<br /><br />I'm so pleased to have come across your blog. We are moving to Singapore in May (like tanya!) and I had no idea about any of this! We have a Relocation Service (Asian Welcome) who will be helping us with our property search but I'm now cutious about also using an agent for us. I will make sure tot ake photos of any existing damage when we tak eover whatever property it is we choose!<br />Such an insight. Thanks very much!<br />KellyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706338710842843554.post-74652540212825709162011-03-12T15:07:14.379+08:002011-03-12T15:07:14.379+08:00So good to read this. Our agent and the landlord w...So good to read this. Our agent and the landlord went through a similar song and dance and we have this absurdly detailed list of defects written up by our agent to protect us in future. I'm so glad we had her.Staceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18352745311567990355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706338710842843554.post-66631459933024171002011-03-11T17:06:03.735+08:002011-03-11T17:06:03.735+08:00Thank you for this helpful information. I've j...Thank you for this helpful information. I've just started following your blog as I'm inspired by your walks and hope to join you on many, if you don't mind having me + a 1 & 2 year old to trod along. <br /><br />We are in the long process of googling lots of apartments in Singapore for our relocation in May and although the company my husband works for, has offered to put us in a serviced apartment, we'd like to find our own 'home' quickly. <br /><br />The whole 'agent' thing in Singapore amazes me and I've found this information very useful as there seems to be many agents jumping through hoops to help us. <br /><br />Tanya :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10530166807831405515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706338710842843554.post-41982736990490544052011-03-11T09:49:22.632+08:002011-03-11T09:49:22.632+08:00Leone, We had the same problem in our last final i...Leone, We had the same problem in our last final inspection. Everything was checked with a fine tooth comb as well.<br />So we decided that when we moved into this condo which was a much older one we would take pictures of all the defects and keep them on disc for ourselves and also give one copy to our agent and one for the LL agent.<br />So when our time comes to hand over the property we would have proof that all these defects were here before we moved in.<br />This propety was not handed over to us in a clean state so I have taken photos of before and after.<br /><br />In Singapore, you always have to be one step ahead.<br />Thanks for your post as it will help other newcomers.suziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10750941713384705294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706338710842843554.post-365687756114122602011-03-11T07:47:36.866+08:002011-03-11T07:47:36.866+08:00Andrea, there was a bit more to all this, but the ...Andrea, there was a bit more to all this, but the posting was already getting far too long!<br /><br />The message I am trying to get across to the unwary, is to make sure they have their own agent from day one. One they feel comfortable with and one that really knows their needs. It is only very recently that the agents have to be 'registered'. In the past anyone could be an agent and a lot of problems happened due to that. A lot of 'double dipping' went on too.<br /><br />But that was not the case with us, ours was different, though no less stressful.<br /><br />and yes, feel free to link to your page!<br /><br />Laura.... yes, saw that your LL maybe selling. It will take time to find the "right" apartment, do not rush into it as I had to do for the one we are in now.... reason being was that my mom was very ill and I had to fly back to Australia at a moments notice. My aim was to get the apartment sorted prior to departure. My mom died the day we were to move in here. So was happy that I got something before I had to fly back.<br /><br />But cannot stress enough to make sure you get an agent for yourself, one that you feel comfortable with. Make sure they understand YOUR NEEDS. Do not be fobbed off with comments like "you will be happy here" or "the cupboards are very big".... only you will know. So take pen / paper / tape measure / camera etc.<br /><br />Do not make a decision until you are both happy and you know what the area is like as well as the actual apartment.<br /><br />email me if you want the contact details of the agent we used for this apartment. She was VERY helpful indeed. Could not have asked for more.Leone Fabrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17184959562671042750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706338710842843554.post-71589913731050313832011-03-11T03:59:05.870+08:002011-03-11T03:59:05.870+08:00Thanks for a helpful post, I shall be sharing this...Thanks for a helpful post, I shall be sharing this with my fiance as our landlord is looking to sell our flat at the moment.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00998722555113260012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3706338710842843554.post-19580657862313684432011-03-10T21:53:02.917+08:002011-03-10T21:53:02.917+08:00Wow! It's awful you had to go through this. We...Wow! It's awful you had to go through this. We didn't meet our LL/owner until months after we moved in and were having such problems with leaks he had to come and look. I'm surprised your LL/owner had to meet you. Control issues, perhaps.<br /><br />Definitely get an agent you like! We secured one for us before we moved here and then our company said we couldn't use her because she wasn't "company approved". We fought that and won. She is now company approved. Problem with the main "company approved" agent is that she worked for one developer and was only showing properties by that developer. Newbies had no idea until after the fact.<br /><br />Research. Research. Research. <br /><br />Leone, you post is very helpful. I will be linking it to my Helpful Info page if you're fine with that. Which I'm sure you are. <br /><br />Thanks for taking the time to write this up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com