Why are Singaporeans so smitten with shiny new condos? In this episode of PropertyBT, host Leslie Yee chats with GuocoLand’s Dora Chng to unpack what’s driving the demand—from MRT-connected launches to forest-fringed retreats. We explore why the Lentor area is so hot right now, why buyers are paying a premium for that “brand new” feel, and how green living and flex rooms are becoming the new must-haves. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times share...
Jun 23, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Half-way into 2025, Singapore has a new government, and the world has a new trade war. Should we be bracing for another downturn for Singapore’s commercial properties? But don’t panic just yet, things may not be as bad as they seem. In this episode, Senior correspondent Leslie Yee gets insights from Cushman & Wakefield’s Wong Xian Yang on the surprising resilience of Singapore’s commercial property market. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Time...
May 26, 2025•14 min•Season 1Ep. 43
What does it take to grow a real estate empire in Singapore? In this episode, Leslie Yee hears from Rachel Teo, director of Daniel Teo group of companies, about carving her own path in Singapore’s real estate industry. From growing up visiting sites, to building the investment platform Fraxtor, to the future of senior housing in Singapore, Rachel gives us an honest peek into the workings into one of Singapore’s real estate family empires. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, Prop...
Apr 28, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 42
When you apply for a mortgage, the bank will hire a property valuer to evaluate the property. Have you ever wondered how the valuer arrives at their final number? And is that number really objective? In this episode, senior correspondent Leslie Yee gets insights from KengChiam Tan, executive director and head, valuation and advisory services at Colliers International. They unpack the complexities of determining property values, the role of valuers, and the challenges they face amidst market fluc...
Mar 24, 2025•15 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Million-dollar HDB flats are now a regular occurrence. Why are home prices in Singapore getting more and more expensive? Is housing still within reach for young Singaporeans today? In this episode of PropertyBT, Senior correspondent Leslie Yee gets insights from ERA Singapore’s Eugene Lim on housing affordability in Singapore. From BTOs to private homes, they explain whether home prices are stabilising and how population growth and a fast ageing population impact the housing market. Synopsis: Ho...
Feb 24, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Will HDB resale flats hit two million dollars this year? Is it time to invest in property in Johor? Will the government raise the income ceiling for Build-to-Order flats? From the 2025 budget to the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, the Year of the Snake promises a lot of opportunities for the Singapore property market. In this episode, senior correspondent Leslie Yee sits down with Ismail Gafoor, executive chairman and CEO of PropNex, to break down how this year will look for homeowners an...
Jan 27, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Singapore has many property agents. Some may give the industry a bad name with their hard-sell tactics. In this episode, senior correspondent Leslie Yee sits down with Justin Quek, CEO of OrangeTee & Tie to discuss the relevance of property agents, what can be done to raise the professionalism of agents, and whether technology will render agents redundant in future. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times shares insights on all things Singapore...
Dec 23, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Singapore’s Reits have had a tough couple of years. Despite the challenging environment, recently, CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT), Singapore’s biggest Reit, made a major bet to acquire 50 per cent of the iconic Ion Orchard mall. In this episode, senior correspondent Leslie Yee sits down with Tony Tan, CEO of CICT’s manager to discuss the trust's strategy to capture the luxury retail market, the dynamics of Singapore's office supply and demand, and the challenges facing Reits amid ...
Nov 25, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 37
The post-Covid pandemic days when private home rentals skyrocketed are behind us. Does bargaining power in the private homes leasing market now largely reside with tenants? Should a tenant enter a lease with a longer duration? How do landlords cope in this tougher environment? Are residential property yields attractive? Senior correspondent Leslie Yee gets insights from Savills’ Alan Cheong. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times shares insights o...
Oct 28, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 36
There’s a new framework in town for HDB projects. Starting in October, new BTO flats will either be Standard, Plus or Prime. New Plus and Prime flats will be in attractive locations and have higher subsidies, but they also come with tighter resale conditions, including a ten-year minimum occupation period, and a ban on rentals. What does this mean for BTO buyers? Are the new Plus and Prime flats worth the additional restrictions? Will it be tough to upgrade from a BTO Plus or Prime home to a con...
Sep 25, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 35
If you’ve been a fan of the podcasts Mark to Market, Wealth BT and Property BT - they are moving to a new listing! BT Correspondents! Look for episodes every Tuesday from October! All the insights and analysis in market trends, property, wealth and soon mobility too. Powered by The Business Times journalism of Genevieve Cua, Leslie Yee, Ben Paul and Derryn Wong. Because great reads SHOULD be heard! BT Correspondents. Find BT Correspondents wherever you listen to podcasts. See omnystudio.com/list...
Sep 12, 2024•35 sec
What is driving the HDB resale market’s strong performance? Why pay over a million dollars for a coveted resale flat? Will resale prices correct? Should the BTO eligibility criteria be expanded so some locals are not pushed to buying resale units? Senior correspondent Leslie Yee gets insights from Orange Tee’s Christine Sun. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times shares insights on all things Singapore property to help you on your property investm...
Aug 21, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Are there too many agents in town? Are sales commission rates for homes too high? Is the market dominance of big agencies worrying? Do agents provide a valuable service? Senior correspondent Leslie Yee gets insights from National University of Singapore’s Prof Sing Tien Foo. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times shares insights on all things Singapore property to help you on your property investment journey. Episodes feature views and insights fr...
Jul 24, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Is residential property development in Singapore worth doing? What are the risks and rewards of the Jurong Lake District master developer site? Are prospects improving in Chinese real estate? What worries a property group’s head honcho? Senior correspondent Leslie Yee gets insights from CapitaLand Development’s Jonathan Yap. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times shares insights on all things Singapore property to help you on your property investm...
Jun 26, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 32
What is happening in the leasing markets for private homes and HDB flats? What should tenants and landlords look out for? How will co-living spaces and long-stay serviced apartments fare? Senior correspondent Leslie Yee gets insights from ERA’s Eugene Lim. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times shares insights on all things Singapore property to help you on your property investment journey. Episodes feature views and insights from property analyst...
May 22, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Are you paying much more in property tax on your beloved home? What is the impact of property taxes on owner-occupiers and non-occupiers of homes? Will property taxes on homes rise even further? Senior correspondent Leslie Yee gets insights from CBRE’s Tricia Song. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times shares insights on all things Singapore property to help you on your property investment journey. Episodes feature views and insights from propert...
Apr 24, 2024•17 min•Season 1Ep. 30
What attributes make a home a good investment buy? Is there value in buying landed homes? What are returns like for housing developers? Senior correspondent Leslie Yee gets insights from Fraxtor’s Samuel Lee. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times shares insights on all things Singapore property to help you on your property investment journey. Episodes feature views and insights from property analysts. Highlights of the podcast: 03:33 Attributes o...
Mar 27, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 29
What are the pros and cons of buying property-related listed equities versus physical property? Should we hone in on real estate investment trusts? How will interest rate movements affect our investments? Senior correspondent Leslie Yee gets insights from Morgan Stanley’s Wilson Ng. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times shares insights on all things Singapore property to help you on your property investment journey. Episodes feature views and ins...
Feb 21, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 28
How will Singapore property fare in the year of the wood dragon? Where are the winners and losers? What will Budget 2024 hold for Singapore’s property sector? Senior correspondent Leslie Yee gets insights from Wong Xian Yang of Cushman & Wakefield. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times shares insights on all things Singapore property to help you on your property investment journey. Episodes feature views and insights from property analysts. H...
Jan 24, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 27
What’s driving some resale buyers to make a beeline for restriction-lite HDB resale homes in popular locations? Does it even make sense to pay top dollar for existing HDB resale homes in choice locations? Are tighter restrictions on Plus and Prime flats excessively burdensome? Senior correspondent Leslie Yee gets insights from veteran Singapore property market analyst Nicholas Mak of Mogul.sg. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times shares insights...
Dec 27, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Reits have become unstuck by rising interest rates. Investors may be losing faith in Reits. Are Reits good alternatives to buying physical property? Should Reits be part of investment portfolios of retirees and the young? How can one get an edge as a Reit investor? Senior correspondent Leslie Yee gets insights and tips from a veteran Reit investor and commentator Gabriel Yap of GCP Global. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times shares insights on ...
Nov 22, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 25
What do we make of the new HDB model of Standard, Plus and Prime flats? With more emphasis on homes for living and not investment or speculation, can one still build wealth from homeownership? Senior correspondent Leslie Yee gets insights from Professor Qian Wenlan, director, Institute of Real Estate and Urban Studies, National University of Singapore. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times shares insights on all things Singapore property to help ...
Oct 25, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 24
What is driving the popularity of Executive Condominiums (ECs), which are a hybrid between public and private housing? Maybe more ECs can be built, including in prime areas, to meet the private housing aspirations of young locals. Is buying a new EC home a wise choice for young couples? Senior correspondent Leslie Yee gets insights from Lee Sze Teck, senior director of data analytics, Huttons Asia. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times shares ins...
Sep 27, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Why do people chase the dream of condo ownership? With high private home prices, maybe the dream is an impossible one for many people. Selling an HDB to buy a condo unit may have downsides. Find out whether it is wise to have much of one’s wealth tied up in Singapore homes, and if so in what type of homes here. Senior correspondent Leslie Yee gets insights from Justin Quek, deputy CEO of OrangeTee & Tie. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times ...
Aug 23, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Why do buyers pay a premium to live near popular primary schools? What is rental demand like for homes near popular schools? But a school can relocate, and that can hurt home values in the vicinity. Understand the obsession with living near popular schools and how to use this knowledge in navigating the Singapore property landscape. Senior correspondent Leslie Yee does a deep dive into the topic with Dr Lee Nai Jia of PropertyGuru. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT ...
Jul 26, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 21
With high interest rates, does it make more sense to buy a new uncompleted home instead of a completed resale home? Examine the pros and cons of buying new versus resale. Is maxing out the use of CPF funds on a home purchase wise? Crucially, should one hold back on buying a private home because of high interest rates and economic uncertainty? Senior correspondent Leslie Yee does a deep dive with ERA’s key executive officer Eugene Lim. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, Property...
Jun 21, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Why are foreigners keen on Singapore property? Transaction costs can be high for homes and yields may be low. But Singapore is a safe haven and the currency is strong. Might more foreign interest show in non-residential properties here? Senior correspondent Leslie Yee does a deep dive with Alan Cheong, executive director of research and consultancy, Savills Singapore. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times shares insights on all things Singapore p...
May 24, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 19
How to strategise for success when buying an HDB BTO flat? Mature estate or a non-mature estate? Are prime location public housing units and the resale market worth considering? Leslie Yee discusses with Wong Siew Ying, head of research and content, Propnex Realty. Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times shares insights on all things Singapore property to help you on your property investment journey. Episodes feature views and insights from propert...
Apr 26, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times shares insights on all things Singapore property to help you on your property investment journey. Episodes feature views and insights from property analysts. Are Singapore office buildings good investments? Yields on office buildings are still low - should capital values come down and yields expand to reflect higher interest rates? Senior correspondent Leslie Yee finds out. Highlights of the podcast: 01:03 Ou...
Mar 22, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspondent Leslie Yee, PropertyBT from The Business Times shares insights on all things Singapore property to help you on your property investment journey. Episodes feature views and insights from property analysts. What is the profile of buyers of million-dollar HDB flats? What is the criteria that will get one’s HDB home to command premium pricing? Also, should young couples, who can afford it, buy a million dollar HDB resale flat? Leslie Yee finds out. Highlights...
Feb 22, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 16
