SINGAPORE: Buying old properties on the cheap and “doing them up” is an old practice employed by property investors, but it takes some experience to deal with potential downsides. Here is what you need to look out for:
1. If the lease is running out, there may be cash flow considerations
If you are intending to invest in a leasehold property and the remaining lease is less than 60 years, you may have difficulty getting the full loan-to-value (LTV) from the bank when taking out a mortgage.
According to the LTV limit, the maximum amount a bank can lend you for a second property is 55 per cent of the valuation or purchase price, whichever is lower. This means that for a home that costs S$1 million, you would get a maximum of S$550,000.
However, if the bank decides the remaining lease is too short, the maximum loan percentage of the purchase price can drop to 50 per cent or less.
So consider this: Say you are buying a creaky old apartment, a 1,500-sq-ft unit that is being sold for just S$650,000. That is quite a steal. But because of the 50 per cent LTV, however, you would have to fork out a hefty down-payment of S$325,000 or more. We have not even mentioned the stamp duties you need to pay as a buyer.
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And chances are, if the loan quantum the bank is willing to grant you is lower, the Central Provident Fund (CPF) may impose further roadblocks if you intend to use your CPF Ordinary Account savings to pay for your property. This could mean a cash outlay of 30 per cent or more of the purchase price.
So while old properties may be value for money, you have to consider more than just the overall price. You need to work out whether you will have cash flow issues, given the higher down payment.
2. Maintenance is an issue if the management council has given up
If you are buying an old condo, it is important to check if the management council has kept up.
In some of the older properties, the management council is no longer “on the ball”, as the property is old and they are resigned to letting things fall apart through wear and tear.
Most of us would already expect renovation costs as it is part and parcel of buying old places. But remember that you can only renovate your own unit.
You have no control over the maintenance of the pool, gym, clubhouse, and other amenities. If the management is content to let the swimming pool turn into a swamp, and leave broken equipment in the gym, it can be a turnoff to potential tenants (or yourself as an owner-occupier).
On a related note, be sure to check the maintenance fees. Older condos can be more expensive to maintain, as more things are breaking down.
3. Check for lead paint
If you are buying a condo that was completed before the mid-1980s, we suggest you get a 3M LeadCheck to inspect the paint.
Lead paint is almost unheard of these days, as it is toxic and poses special health risks to young children and the elderly.
It was common in housing built between the 1950s and 1980s, however, when lead paint was considered superior because it dried faster.
If the unit is slathered in lead paint, you may need to factor in the cost of stripping and repainting.
Buying an old property takes a lot of homework. (Photo: 99.co)
4. For old units with wood flooring, check for mushrooms and wood rot
Look under mats and carpets, which are often used to hide wood rot. Also, beware of any unusual mix of tones and shade in the wood flooring (this suggests some of the wood has recently been replaced).
Because wood is porous, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. One of the things to watch for in Singapore is mushrooms. Our humid climate is ideal for fungi, and mushrooms growing on the floorboards or door frame are not an uncommon issue.
If you have this problem, you cannot just pluck away the fungi. They will grow back very quickly, and the problem can spread to other rooms in the house.
You will have to get a contractor to rip up the floorboards or affected door frames, and replace them completely.
Consider that it could set you back as much as five figures to do that for a 1,400-sq-ft apartment, and factor this into the cost before you buy.
5. Check the Internet access
We believe that, by now, most condos are able to get broadband or cable services whatever their age. For some old non-landed properties, however, the required set-up points may not be available.
Of course, the cost to install a set-up point – along with the temporary inconvenience of any drilling – is probably a minor concern. But if you are looking to rent out the place immediately, or want to move in right away and cannot do without Internet access, it is a factor to consider.
READ: Tenant tips: 7 effective steps to negotiating rent in Singapore
6. You have a limited time to re-coup your investment
If you are buying an older leasehold property to rent out, you have a limited time to recoup your investment.
In the interest of playing it safe, look up the historical rental rates for the area, and apply a haircut of 30 per cent.
For example, if the historical rental rate is S$3,700 in the neighbourhood, assume you will be getting S$2,590 a month.
For our aforementioned S$650,000 unit, it would take roughly eight years to break even with the S$260,000 down payment.
It is always best to be pessimistic with regard to expected rental income (and remember that rental rates will be lower because your unit is older, and will fall further with age).
It is best to speak to a qualified wealth manager or financial advisor for the relevant investment advice here. While your property agent can contribute some insight, check with a financial professional to see if an old property is a suitable asset.
7. A change in zoning could make or break your investment
Older residential apartments might have be built in areas that have seen a big transformation through the years.
In Singapore, the Urban Redevelopment Authority is in charge of rezoning these areas if necessary. This might occur anytime, case-in-point being the rezoning of existing residential/institutional land parcels in Geylang to commercial sites in 2015.
Decisions such as these can impact the property buyer in the long-term, and can be for better or worse.
In Geylang’s case, existing residential owners may benefit from being able to collectively sell their units to commercial property developers down the road (land for commercial purposes typically has higher land value than residential land).
In any case, buyers should familiarise themselves with the URA Master Plan, especially it they intend to buy an older property.
Another thing to note is that if the old property is close to many similar properties or unused land parcels, the risk of asset depreciation could be higher.
Authorities may choose to earmark unused land for new residential projects, which will in turn affect the value of the older property, likely for the worse.
Having too many similar older properties in the same area also means greater competition when it comes to attempting to sell your investment in an en bloc down the line.
READ: HDB resale market: 4 key predictions for 2019
This article first appeared on 99.co.
