While you may be delighted that you have finally found the perfect job for you, it may not be located just a short commute away. While relocating for work has become an increasingly popular career move in recent years, it is a big decision to make with lots of different challenges to consider and overcome.
One of the biggest hurdles that you need to face when relocating for work is the task of finding the right home. Therefore, if you are looking to relocate to Singapore for work, here is the ultimate guide to help you find a suitable property.
Find a Reputable Real Estate Agent
The first step we would recommend that you take when looking for a new property in Singapore is to enlist some help. It is crucial that you find a reputable real estate agent who has good contacts within the area as they will be able to guide you through the properties available and provide more details about the locations that would best suit your needs.
It is worth spending some time researching the real estate agents in the area and you could even get in touch with your prospective employer to see if they can make any recommendations. Having the right real estate agent can make all the difference to the relocation property options available to you.
Check out the Different Property Options Available
Singapore is well known for its variety and diversity, and this can also be said for the types of properties available. However, the different property options in Singapore can generally be grouped into three categories; these include public housing, private housing, and hybrid public-private housing. Compared to other countries, Singapore’s real estate is pretty affordable, which means that you may be able to afford more than you think.
A popular type of public-private hybrid housing is the executive condominium that you can find all over. You will find a range available for sale and rent listed at PropertyGuru, which is Asia’s largest online property portal group. With PropertyGuru’s extensive listings and guides to the best locations to live in Singapore, finding your dream home is a lot easier and less stressful.
Think about Renting
Making the decision to buy a new home is something that you need to think long and hard about before you commit. This is especially the case if you are considering relocating to Singapore. If you are currently a homeowner in the country you are living in now, then you may automatically start to look for a place to buy in Singapore. But you should remember that you don’t know if relocating for work is going to pan out as you would like.
Therefore, we recommend that you think about renting a property so that you can decide whether Singapore, and the role you are moving into, is the right choice for you before you make any considerable financial investments. Renting a property instead gives you the opportunity to get a feel for your new area and experiment with different parts of Singapore before deciding on a location.
Do Some Location Research
Talking of location, there are many different places that you can choose from when considering which area of Singapore you would like to move to. First you should find out from your employer where you will be based so that you can look at property in those areas. Singapore isn’t in a very big area and neighbourhood borders can easily blur into each other. However, thanks to the strong public transportation links, it is easy to get around.
If you are looking for a part of Singapore that is also popular with expats, then you should check out Holland Village. This is a centrally located area that is close to both Orchard Road, while also being close to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which is handy if you want to be near an open space. Holland Village is also known for its extensive collection of shops, bars, and restaurants. It is also in great proximity to good schools and housing options, such as condos, bungalows, and high quality HDBs.
Arrange a Visit
It can be difficult to find the right property for you if you are trying to view properties remotely from another country. Therefore, if possible, we recommend that you plan a trip so that you can view properties in person. This allows you to not only get a better idea of the properties available, but it also means that you can check out different neighbourhood you have to choose from. Ultimately, you will feel much more confident in your move if you can visit in person beforehand.
While finding a suitable property to relocate to may feel like an overwhelming task, by following our tips and advice, you can get a feel for the different neighbourhoods and property types available to you and ensure that you don’t make any significant decisions that you later regret.