3 Ways To Make Money From Singapore Properties

1st way - buy low, sell high
Very simple strategy. Timing is key to success for this strategy. Opportunity for buying low is during recession, when sentiments in job market and economy are low (the lower the better). This is a great time to enter the market 'coz prices will be depressed. Some investors like to buy when prices are "relatively attractive" or "affordable" according to their means. Some investors may choose to buy in only when there's signs of uptrend (so they are buying at the base of the upturn).

So how do we know whether it's the bottom? During the bad times, many will say "it's too risky, it will go lower, let's wait". Do understand that real estate is inherently an illiquid investment, as opposed to the equity market. The periodic charts / graphs / data presented (on a macro scale) will be good indicators of how the real estate market is moving. The stock market chart may show volatility (up 1 day, down the other, up 1 week, down the other) but real estate market data will trend for quite some time before peaking or bottoming (we also won't know exactly how long, that's a question which only the market has an answer to).

Many home buyers like to think that today's prices are "too expensive" relative to last month / last year's price. We will only support such thinking if the broad data shows "all-time highs", otherwise smart buyers should understand that its not only you who is buying at this "higher price". If others are buying around the same price, then it is only natural that the market forces will continue to push the prices even higher because each buyer-turned-seller will continue to ask for higher prices to gain profit, and that is how everyone plays the game (well, at least until the bubble bursts).

2nd way - buy at a discount
Simple strategy but often neglected. So, you may be curious as to where exactly can you find properties at a discount? Most real estate articles will teach you to look for foreclosures (auctions), urgent sales, etc. So, we won't say more about those.

There's another type of property which we believe can be considered as "discounted" - old apartments in worn-out condition. A word of caution - you should be somewhat interested in doing renovation works, talking to designers and contractors if you are interested in trying out this type of discounted properties. And always remember the 3 golden rules of real estate - location, location, location.

In fact, you can also find discounted properties in new condo projects as well. How so? ... stay tuned to our updates and we will tell you more =)

3rd way - buy to lease out
Rental yield (your rental returns on your property purchase) is a fundamental way many people make money from properties. If you are looking into this strategy, may we suggest purchasing 99 year leasehold properties (in a great location) instead of freehold (in the middle of nowhere)? Tenants are willing to fork out higher rental for (1) convenience, (2) comfort. Tenants will not pay you more because your property is a Freehold tenure (even if you had to pay the seller / developer more). Tenants will pay more if your property is near a subway (MRT), or has wonderful facilities, is nicely furnished and lets them hugely enjoy their limited period of stay in Singapore.

We have a list of properties near subway (MRT) which will be updated onto our blog soon. Your can stay updated on our blog via email or you can see the updates on our twitter page and facebook page as well.

Hard Money Mortgage Refinance & Equity Loans When Lenders Turn You Down Because Of Bad Credit

Hard money loans, also known as private money loans, are home equity driven mortgage loans funded by private investors and companies using their own money secured by a real estate trust deed, eliminating the common qualification and underwriting guidelines of prime (regular) and sub-prime (bad credit) lenders.

"There are private investors who, if the interest rate is high enough and the perceived risk is low enough, they will put the money up," says Pam Strickland, owner of Mortgage Consulting Services in Santa Barbara, Calif. These investors, typically called "hard money lenders", make loans to people who are being turned down due to these and other reasons:

Borrower's FICO scores are below 500 due to recent bankruptcy or bad credit;
Income is unverifiable or borrower lost his/her job;
Balloon payment on existing loan is due now;
Foreclosure is imminent;
Borrower is purchasing odd or non-conforming types of properties (land, mixed use, etc).

"These are temporary fix loans. That's all they are--to help people get out of a bad situation," says Kirk Johnson, a mortgage broker with Sierra Funding Corp. in Denver.

How much equity do you have? If you don't have at least 30% equity, you probably won't be able to get a loan because hard money lenders want to make sure they can make money off your property if they have to foreclose.

Hard-money lenders are harder to find than other lenders, so how can someone get a hard money mortgage? Brokers and other intermediaries who arrange hard money loans "go to people who have money to lend and they match them up with people who can't get money any other way," Strickland says.

If you have low credit scores and need a cash-out refinance for debt consolidation, a home equity loan (second mortgage) to pay off debt, or you need a last resort foreclosure prevention solution, you may be able to get a bad credit mortgage refinance or second mortgage from a hard money lender. You'll probably pay double-digit interest rates, but a hard money mortgage may be able to provide the breathing room you need to rebuild your credit and refinance again later on.