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I am currently staying a 7 years old 1 bedder condo (OCR) at a size of 650 sqft with my wife, and we currently are renting out a 4-room HDB (Hougang area - 40 years old) for a monthly of $3,000/- Both properties are fully paid; however our concerned lay with the aging HDB. We are at the age of 53, and are exploring into the possible options. Any suggestions are welcome and appreciate for your professional advices.
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12 Answers

Hi,
It is very difficult to offer specific advice without asking a lot more personal and pertinent questions. As such, the only thing I can say is you need not worry about lease decay in SG. Land is scarce in SG and there is always a price for your property be it HDB or private.

It is always good to have two properties because, upon your retirement, one of them will offer you rental income when you most need it.

Property prices will always rise over time in various degrees throughout SG. The further away from the CBD, the cheaper property prices will be. This is the norm in most countries.

For more specifics...

Please contact me so that I can be of further assistance.
Cheers!

Elan Govan
MABA (Lancaster)
 90170747 
jayelan@gmail.com
www.goodpropertiesguide.com Read More
1
At age 53 now, it is a crucial timing for consideration especially so when CPF funds are locked in at age 55 and above, and also eligible to purchase another HDB now is being restricted to 15 months after the sale of your condo.

There are various options you can think of:

1) Sell condo to move back to HDB and wait out for 15 months before you relook into another resale HDB with fresher lease. Excess funds can be used for retirement.

2) Sell condo and HDB and purchase another better profile condo.

3) Status quo given that your HDB is giving you better rental returns given that both properties are fully paid for.

To be frank, it is important to know your objective and why do you have a concern over the HDB with decaying lease.

——

I have been in the real estate business since 2009, with more than 14 years of experience serving the Singapore real estate market.

I am very active in the residential segment of Singapore real estate market, having transacted hundreds of deals from HDBs to private condominiums and landed properties in Singapore, and have handled many unique cases in sales and purchases as well as rental deals.

Over the years, I have also established a network reaching out to more than 15,900 expatriates, bringing my market presence to both in and outside of Singapore. This has created an additional exposure when I manage my client's portfolios, on top of the conventional on and offline platforms, where other estate agents are relying on. This has allowed me to consistently convert leads into results.

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Hi

May I know which part of Hougang is the hdb located? If its near central, mrt and mall area, well located properties with these attributes will still hold their value well even though lease decay issues will start to press down the property price appreciation.

Having 1 property for stay and 1 for rent out, it is an optimal position to be in where most Singaporeans would work towards to for retirement. Is there a location change needed for your future activities?

Happy to discuss further and understand your needs better so to provide more helpful inputs. It is also good to be planning now before 55 years old where some of your CPF OA will be set aside for RA and can't be used for property.

Hope the above clarifies. I am well-versed with HDB and private property transactions, having helped more than 100 homeowners transit smoothly with their housing plans. Please reach out to me at 97432395  for a more in-depth discussion :)

May I have more info on your requirements so as to make better recommendations? Thanks and looking forward to chat more

Warm Regards,

Ivan Ng Realtor
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  • FY
    Hi Ivan,
    Thank you for reaching out and for sharing your thoughts.
    My HDB flat is located at Lor Ah Soo, a 10-minute walk from Kovan MRT station and Kovan Mall. However, it is just located next to Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School.
    I agree with your point about renting out one property while staying in another being an optimal position for retirement planning. However, one concern I have is the issue of the decaying lease on HDB flats.
    As such, one option we are considering is liquidating both properties and applying for a two-bedroom HDB flat or even a small two-bedroom condominium in the near future. Additionally, we are contemplating giving up driving, so being close to an MRT station is a key consideration for us.
    In the event of selling the two properties, we aim to keep spending minimal as we still need to prioritize our retirement fund.
Property Strategy at Age 53 – Let’s Break It Down

1. **Location matters** – If your Hougang HDB is near the **central area, MRT, or malls**, it’ll still hold decent value despite lease decay. Good location often cushions price dips over time.

2. **Dual-property setup** – Owning **one for stay and one for rental** is a strong retirement position many aspire to. But consider—do you foresee a **lifestyle or location change** ahead?

3. **Time-sensitive window** – With **CPF restrictions kicking in at 55**, now is a key window to act. If selling your condo, the **15-month wait-out** before buying another HDB resale could affect your timeline and housing needs.

---

### Your Possible Paths:
1. **Sell condo, move into HDB**, wait 15 months, then shop for a fresher lease HDB. Free up funds for retirement.
2. **Sell both**, and buy a **better-located, higher-quality condo** for long-term living.
3. **Hold both** – If they’re fully paid off and your HDB yields solid rent, maintaining the current setup might be **financially optimal**.

---

Ultimately, the **"why"** behind your concern with lease decay matters most. Is it resale value? Legacy planning? Peace of mind?

Let’s have a chat — I’d be happy to understand your needs better and offer tailored insights.

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  • FY
    Dear Albert,
    Thank you for your detailed and analytical breakdown of the property strategy. I find all three options you’ve outlined to be very realistic and worth considering. I’ll need some time to think through them carefully before making a decision.
    By the way, my flat is located near Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School, and it has just passed the age of 41 years. It’s situated on the 5th floor with immediate lift landings and has an approximate size of 104 square meters. Could you provide an estimate of the potential price it might fetch in the current market?
    Looking forward to your insights.
Hi Do contact me at 97970200  to understand more and discuss.

Mark, your RIGHT choice
Propnex Read More
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Hi, appreciate your sharing. Looking forward to meet up and share the options and plans to allow you to decide and look forward.
Looking forward to assist you at 9696 4398  or email me at stewartlim96964398@gmail.com

Cheers
Stewart-PropNex (Senior Associate Division Director) Read More
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Good day to you,

Housing in Hougang was built from 1984 onwards, which has good rental demand. Are you more concerned about asset appreciation or retirement planning? We need to focus on your specific concerns to provide the right solution.

With over 15 years of experience in Singapore's residential property sales and purchase (S&P) cases, I understand the complexities involved in the process. I aim to guide you every step of the way with clear communication, ensuring that all parties are legally represented and protected.

I offer in-depth knowledge in:
Ø Estate Planning and Distribution: Planning for the future can feel daunting. Let’s work together to create a smooth, transparent process that brings peace of mind.
Ø Divorce: Navigating property settlements during a divorce can be challenging. I provide expert guidance to help you achieve a fair and efficient outcome.
Ø And More: From Power of Attorney to navigating financial challenges, I handle various situations to address your concerns and empower you to move forward confidently.

Schedule a Free Consultation Today! Let's discuss how I can assist you in your property journey. For more informative insights, follow our short video here: https://www.youtube.com/@YourSGHomeCompass-MLnU.

Regards
Mike Lim
 96929209 
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ERA Read More
0
Hi Sir,

In my opinion, the HDB is giving you a decent rental income but the concern will be the decaying lease. If you are able to sell the HDB flat and take up a loan to afford another newer private property, then this is a good option. This is because as the HDB lease gets shorter, the value will drop with a smaller pool of potential buyers.

However, if financially you do not wish to stretch yourself, then continue keeping the HDB to generate a passive income is fine since it is already fully paid up.

Please feel free to contact me so that I can understand your situation better and provide you with further assistance.

Regards,
Nick Tan
(M) +65 96 44 48 54
B.Eng(Chemical)(Hons)(NUS) / Cert-in-REA
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Tan Pei Cheng (Pei)
I would be glad to assist you.
Feel free to contact me at wa.me/6597100155
Hope to hear from you soon.
Pei Mobile: (65) 9 7 1 0 0 1 5 5.
Email: peicheng.tan@propnex.com
Associate Group Director
Propnex Realty Pte Ltd Read More
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Hi sir, good day, I believe essential planning ahead is critical especially when one is planning for retirement.

I’ve recently met a couple that is in a similar situation as you, fully paid for both condo and HDB and is collecting rental from both properties.

And their concern is also on the aging HDB and lose of passive income after selling away their properties.

So I’ve customized a property restructuring proposal to suit their current lifestyle and yet still able to achieve their retirement goals.

If time permits, i will like to have a non obligated session with you to discuss on your options available for your future planning. I always believe having an option is a luxury.
Be empowered with the right knowledge to make the decision when you are ready.

Do contact me directly at 9.8.2.1.6.8.2.9 and i will be happy to share my retirement ebook guide to you too.

Cheers,
Shoan Siew
PropNex
www.shoanproperty.com Read More
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Robbie Chen Chee Howe
Hi Sir,

I think it's a good problem to have, as by the age of 53, you already have 2 fully paid properties. Basically you're enjoying rental income every month, while there's no mortgage liabilities as well.

May I know if you're currently still working? Or if you have already retired? Because this may greatly affect the next path you're looking to take. Perhaps we can have a further in-depth discussion on your plans?

I am experienced and well-versed in both HDB and private transactions. I will be able to assist you in your property plans. Please get in touch with me for a more in-depth discussion.

Should you need require further assistance in matters relating to property, please contact me at my mobile +65 97 48 63 05. I will be happy to assess and share with you the possibilities for you in the current market.

Thank you.

Best regards,
Robbie Chen
+65 97 48 63 05
PropNex Realty Read More
1
Hi, this depends greatly on what your plans are regarding your retirement. Based on what you provide, both of you are comfortable with staying in a small unit in the future for retirement as well.

There are multiple options available for you in the future such as :

Keeping both units as it is and continue the rental plan which will provide you with a decent amount of cash monthly ( do factor in the deductions for maintenance fees and property tax)

Selling both units and getting a small unit, this will free up some cash for retirement as well as possibly a small amount for you and your wife to treat yourself to perhaps a short trip overseas occasionally.

Currrently, prices in the area you mentioned are around $450k- $600k for the HDB flat.

Hi, hopefully you managed to get your doubt or query answered. If so, then congrats! Hopefully you are doing well now.

If you are currently or planning to find a property agent, I can assist.

If you are interested in prices of houses in your neighbourhood, you may visit this website to find out more or contact me.

https://www.era.com.sg/R064892F

If you are currently planning to go on a property journey selling/buying/renting/investing, I can be of assistance. Do feel free to reach out to me for more queries and assistance.

Landon Chew
97 39 60 40
landonchew@email.com Read More
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