FEEDBACK FROM TOM WHEN HE USED OUTSIDE REALTORS

Many expats use more than one realtor to source their housing needs. The company retained realtor may get very angry as there will be no exclusivity and no revenue  for time spent in showing the residences if he or she can't find the appropriate properties.

"You will be slaughtered by the other agent who will inflate rent" when Tom said he was using an outside realtor as well as the bank's retained realtors.

"Your expatriate friends will not visit you since you wish to live in a non-expat enclave like Toa Payoh or Yio Chu Kang and other expats will look down on you as cheapskates".

"Tell the landlord you want a 2-year lease" as most landlords dislike one year leases when they have to provide brand new furniture for a fully furnished apartment.

The above was feedback from Tom's wife commenting on the professionalism of her husband's bank-retained realtor who specialised in expatriate-favoured enclaves where rent was high or the apartments were old for the $3,500 budget.

The management of the expatriate tenant must be professional.  Running down the competitors will not help you to close the case.  Get what he wants since you have an advantage, being retained by the bank or multi-national company. 

A 4-bedroom condo in Castle Green (13^th floor) or Oleander Tower (20^th floor) were 2 choices. Almost all 3-bedroom in newer condos nowadays have 1,500 sq. ft living space - hence 4-bedroom approximates the built-in specifications.

The wife is particular about gym and Singapore Cable Television as well as a condo where her toddler can mix with other children. I

Castle Green has all the specifications esp. gym and children's playground these are priorities for your wife.

As for you, it is around 15-minute subway ride to Raffles Place, plus a 8-minute walk to the Yio Chu Kang subway (MRT). There is night golfing at the nearby Orchid Golf Club and of course, Johore golf courses are <15-minute drive from Castle Green.

Asia USA Realtor found a 4-bedroom Castle Green at $3,500 fully furnished for Tom and his wife on a one year lease.  Lease was renewed for another year.

Cable vision installed in 1999.

It is possible to get lower rents in suburbia as demand is not high and several new condos have been completed. 

In suburban areas in the North, the vast majority of the residents is Singaporeans.  This may not be comfortable for some Caucasian wives but if the community speaks English and therefore it will be a great opportunity for the children to learn more about local cultures.