The head of a typical HDB flat household speaks (Part 3).

In part 3 of our correspondence, we talked about investing in real estate for rental income:





Hi Ak

Another friend of mine (same age as me)is so concerned with unemployment before 50 yr old, that he keeps urging us to buy a condominium and then collect rental income on it. 

He already owns an apartment in KL, and claims that he is successfully collecting rent of it. But he always avoid my question when I ask about currency & political risk of owning foreign properties. 

Now he is aiming for his 2nd rental property in Singapore. He said that prices are coming down and good time to buy in 2015 or 16. But again he avoid my question when I ask him about maintenance costs affecting rental yield and the oversupply of condos/ foreign labour cut back in Singapore which makes it risky strategy.

When I suggest buying S REITS as an alternative, he said it's not worth doing it until he has a million dollar capital base.

He also say meeting minimum sum in CPF is no big deal for him..

I am highly suspicious of his recommendation.

Good if I can hear your objective view on owning a physical property vs buying REITS. 

Thank you

C

My reply:

Hi C,

Well, there will always be risks in investments. Risks cannot be avoided but they can be understood and even managed.

Your concerns with regards to buying a property overseas for rental income are valid. I hope that your friend is still doing OK with the RM's decline in value against the S$.

Anyway, is it better to buy properties than to invest in S-REITs? The topic is well discussed by many people before. Personally, I feel that both are good investments as long as the price is right. Quite simple, really.

I don't know what your friend has in mind but if it is something vague like buying properties in Singapore in 2015 or 2016 is a good idea because prices will come down, I think he needs to do a bit more research and analysis.

Personally, I feel that any property investment must be able to provide at least a gross yield of 5% to 6% to make it worthwhile. This is a primary consideration for me and I blogged about the Rule of 15 before. Then, there is a whole gamut of other considerations which I have blogged about in a piecemeal manner before too.

Ultimately, I would say to do what you feel comfortable with. There are so many paths to financial freedom. Choose a path you are not only comfortable with but one which you are sure will bring you to where you want to go. :)

Best wishes,
AK

Related posts:
1. Rule of 15.
2. Journey to financial freedom is not a race.
3. Buying a property in Iskandar, Johor.
4. Don't think and grow rich. 3 points to note.
5. The head of a typical HDB flat household speaks (2).

The head of a typical HDB flat household speaks (Part 2).

In part 2 of our correspondence, I see a millionaire next door in the making:
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Hi Ak,

Since you ask,

A few thoughts to add on my original email-

(1) My friend is single income & same age, he has to support his wife (a stay home mom) and one young kid. His annual income is less than me & wife combined annual income. 

(2) His estimated total condo & car loan (with interest & maintenance) is $X,XXX,XXX ... projected to finish his total loan when he is around 50.

(3) He spends about 8.5 yr of his annual salary to service his condo and car loan. For us, we are cheapskate, we spend only 2.5 yr of our combine income on our flat. 

(4) My wife and I are debt free, except ongoing costs of raising 2 kids. Again we stay simple , they attend close by neighborhood school, no tuition, no karate or ballet classes. We have no TV, read to our kids and only borrow books from library. Our outings are mostly to botanical garden and other public parks (no entrance fee). My wife calls me cheap. 

Oh no my flat ceiling is leaking again, got to go patch it up...

Talk to you soon, hope to hear from you. You are my financial hero. Your reply make my day ! 

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My reply:

Hi C,

Your friend has to understand that his home is a consumption item. I do not know if he has given some thought to planning for his golden years but being in debt till age 50 due to consumption items is likely to set him back.

However, your friend could monetise his condo after staying in it for a minimum of 10 years. The chances of a nice capital gain is actually very good. ECs are usually priced 20% to 25% lower than surrounding private condominiums unlike new launches of private condominiums. So, they provide a margin of safety.

To be fair, your friend could have some plans up his sleeves and he could do very well in his career in future. We wish him the best, of course.

Your lifestyle is simple and it is good to keep it that way. We should remember that how much money we save is more important than how much money we make. I believe you are a millionaire next door in the making. ;)

Best wishes,
AK
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We can be a millionaire next door too if we choose to be a PAW. 

What is a PAW? 

See related post number 1 below.

Related posts:
1. The Millionaire Next Door.
2. The head of a typical HDB flat household speaks.