Client Stories
Real situations. Real decisions. Every family’s property journey is different — here’s a look at how some of mine unfolded.
Fabian & Carissa: Taking the Plunge With An EC Pays Off
In 2017, Fabian and Carissa sold their 5-room flat and came to me with a plan. They wanted an Executive Maisonette, one of those roomy two-storey HDB homes.
They were honest from our first coffee. “Perry, we’re not good with numbers.” That’s fine. Numbers are my job. Jokes, according to my sons, are not.
The Worry
The maisonettes they liked cost between S$700,000 and S$800,000 at that time. Then I showed them an Executive Condominium (EC) at S$980,000. In short, an EC is a condo that starts life with some HDB rules, so it’s priced below a private condo. It was more than they had planned to spend, and that made them nervous.
What We Looked At Together
- Whether the monthly loan repayment would still leave them breathing room
- How much cash and CPF they would keep as a safety net after buying
- How the EC’s value might grow compared with an older maisonette with less lease left
The Decision
The numbers said they could stretch without straining, so they bought the EC
Where They Are Now
Fabian and Carissa sold the EC in 2023, but they want to keep the sales price private. Of course, we will respect that.
But according to HDB’s transacted prices, a similar EC of that size and location was going for $1.4 million at that time. This is almost double the 2017 price.
In contrast, the maisonettes (EMs) were going for approximately $1 million, approximately a 20 to 30% increase.
What I’d Tell Any Family In Their Shoes
I will never push anyone to stretch beyond what they can manage. But when the numbers support it, fortune really does favour the bold.
I’m not saying invest all you can, but if you’re wondering whether it’s your time to stretch, let’s sit down and work it out together.
Hsuan and Li Min's First Step Into Private Property
Hsuan and Li Min were ready to buy their first private home, a resale condo. Like most couples I meet, they had one big question. Can we really afford this?
The Worry
Money came first. On top of that, Hsuan was changing jobs mid-purchase, which can make banks ask more questions before approving a loan. And private resale has stricter rules and far more paperwork than buying an HDB flat.
What We Looked At Together
- Their savings, CPF and other assets, so they knew their real budget
- How to plan the loan around the job change
- Each step of the purchase, so nothing came as a surprise
What I’d Tell Any Family In Their Shoes
You don’t need to know every rule. You just need someone to walk you through it slowly and carefully. My sons say I’m only this patient with clients. They may have a point.
If you’re considering a similar move, let’s talk it through.
Jo and Kelly's Move to a Bigger Home for a Growing Family
Jo and Kelly’s family was growing, and their home was starting to feel small. They liked the idea of moving somewhere bigger. They just didn’t think they could afford it.
The Worry
Bigger home, usually, higher price. Jo and Kelly assumed the profit from their current property wouldn’t stretch far enough to help them move up.
What We Looked At Together
- How much their current home could realistically sell for
- What they would walk away with after the sale, in cash and CPF
- What a bigger home would cost each month, and whether that still left breathing room
- Once we sat down and did the sums, they realised a bigger place was very feasible.
What I’d Tell Any Family In Their Shoes
Don’t rule out your next home before you’ve seen the numbers. I’m pretty good with a calculator, so if your family is outgrowing your home, let’s work it out together.
Matthew's Next Step: As You Reach Your 50s
Matthew and I go back 20 years, to his first few property purchases. He has barely aged since. I can’t say the same.
The Worry
Matthew lives in an Executive Condominium (EC). He wanted to grow his wealth through property, but when he ran the sums himself, it didn’t seem possible. He also knew that, heading into his 50s, he had fewer working years to pay off a new loan. That concern is far more real now than it was 20 years ago.
What We Looked At Together
First, Matthew opened up about his full financial picture. Then we worked through it piece by piece.
- What was really stopping him from looking beyond his EC
- How his current home could become part of his financial plan
- What a shorter loan period means for the numbers
Once we broke it down, he saw that his home could be part of his plan, not a roadblock.
What I’d Tell Anyone In Their 50s
Less time doesn’t mean no options. It just means planning matters more. If you think you’ve left it too late, or that it is time to make the next move, let’s talk things through together.
Before you buy a property, build a strategy. Property strategy, insights and advisory for Singapore homeowners.
© 2026 Perry Siow. All Rights Reserved.
CEA Reg: R006056B, a licensed real estate salesperson with PropNex Realty Pte Ltd L3008022J
Location Map: 480 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh #11-03a, Singapore 310480