This is a question nobody can answer, I believe. 

Recently, all the people are scared by the US debt crisis. Some people think it will be worse than 2008.  If everybody thinks the same, nobody will buy anything, price will keeps dropping, and still nobody buys. Then comes the recession. 

But what if this crisis goes away again? 

I think crisis is a good thing, it lets people to think, and let people learn, and let people to correct the ways in which they always think they were doing right. This is called CORRECTION, I think.

Invest in property is not necessarily to buy a house/a flat, you still have other ways, such as invest in property stocks. Such stocks include Developer stock and  REITS.

Comparing among the 3: physical property, developer stock and REITs, they are different in terms of quantum of capital needed, risk and liquidity. 

Physical property needs big quantum, minimum 20% of the price. In current market, it's simply 200k to 400k. But risk level is low, as the property will not be likely to vanish, or drop too much if no disasters happen. The return normally is low, but stable. And the value normally appreciates with CPI. In terms of liquidity, it's not easy. You need to search for next buyer, you need to have process time for the sales. You also need to pay fees for the sales and purchases.

Developer Stocks doesn't need too much capital. You can even invest with thousands of dollars. The risk is relatively high, as it depends on the developer's performances, and sentiments in the stock market. It is possible that your money vanish, or drop 50% or more. On the other hand, it is possible that the stocks price increase by 50% or more. In terms of liquidity, it's much more easier than the physical property.

REITS is a special instruments invented in the last decade. It is similar to stock that you can exchange with it in SGX. So it does not need high capital. But different from developer stocks, the fund raised by stocks has to be dedicated in certain usage. Such as 90% must be invested in property. The revenue is mainly from the rental. So this is like a fund manager, but fund used in property. Relatively the risk is lower than developer stocks, so the capital gain may not be that much. Currently in the market, the return of REITS are normally around 5% to 9%. Like developers stock, it's very easy to liquidize any time.

That's my personal views. This is also an exam question from  REA paper.
 

As a property agent, we advise on the procedures and general policies. BUT during a recent case, I have given the wrong information, which caused that my client has to change the whole plan. 

I feel so sorry, and kinda of unforgivable. It should not happen. 

I know things happened can't turn back. Think about it, I should be more cautious in the future. I am doing it as a professional, and helping clients in house, which involves a lot of money. Mistakes such as this is not allowed at all. 

This is a stain on my career. :(

OVERVIEW
As an investor who is interested to start up a business or invest in Singapore, you may apply for the Singapore Permanent Residence (PR) status under the Global Investor Programme.
INVESTMENT OPTIONS
Under the programme, you can choose one of the following investment options:
Option A: Invest at least S$2.5 million in a new business entity or expansion of an existing business operation.
Option B: Invest at least S$2.5 million in a GIP-approved fund1.
ELIGIBILITY FOR GIP APPLICATION
You are eligible to apply if you have: (a) A substantial business track record (b) An entrepreneurial background (c) A business proposal or investment plan (for Option A)

概述
有兴趣在新加坡创业或者进行投资的投资者, 皆有资格按全球商业投 资者计划的规定申请新加坡永久居留权。

投资方案
您可选择以下任何一种投资方案:
方案 A: 投资至少新币两百五十万开拓新的生意,或扩充现有的 生意。
方案 B: 投资至少新币两百五十万予获全球商业投资者计划批准的 基金。

申请资格
您必须拥有: a) 丰富的经商经验
b) 成功的创业经验 c) 商业计划书或投资计划书(方案 A 申请者)

这是2011年一月开始的新政策。了解投资移民的人大概知道，在这之前是可以买房办投资移民的。 在新的政策下已经没有这个选项了。 如果有什么关于投资移民需要问我的也可以，我尽力帮忙。

I spot this piece of land, currently there're 4 semi-D houses, all are very old. If we can collectively buy over the 4 semi-d, and re-build:


to buy over, estimate 6.5Million each x 4 =  26Million
stamp duty: 26m*3% - 5.4K = 0.7746Million
to rebuild(including interior): estimate 1million x 4 = 4Million

Estimate rental per year: 18k per month x 10month x 4 = 0.72Million

Estimate selling price in 4 Years: 9million x 4 = 36Million
cost for marketing/sales 2% * 36Million = 0.72Million

Investment: 26+0.7746+4 = 31 Million
Rental Return Yeild: 0.72/31 = 2.3% ( 1st year under construction, there'll be no rental return)
4 Years capital gain: (36 - 31- 1) /31 = 12.9%
Yearly appreciation based on 12.9% = 1.89%

Well, better than put money in the bank, but still not so attractive leh.

这份工作有点特别，跟客户的联系非常紧密，因为客户的经济情况我大概都能了解个一二，做久了发现我知道的东西越来越多。

有一天，一中介打给我说他有客户要买有地资产，好呀，我这有几间。聊了聊，她知道我是中国人。她说她的客户也是中国人，看房时，我最好别出现，原因是他不想让太多人知道他在这边买房。

嘿嘿。

我向客户保证，我不会 透漏你们的半点消息哟。所以放心吧，专业精神还是有的。

This time, the tenant is a Japanese, the agent serves him is also from Japan. Like the typical Japan culture, they keep bowing, and they face you and move backwards when leaving the house.

One time, I chit chatted with the agent since we were waiting for the client. I told him that I were from China Jiangsu, and asked him whether he knew this place. He nodded: "sure sure, we can't go to Nanjing.  Because the people hate us. When you walk on the street, you'd better not say you are Japanese. "

I smiled back:" especially the old people, because of the history", inside of me:"You Japanese also know? why did you do that then!". I am OK with the Japanese I meet, but when recall the history, I still feel uneasy about them.

Sorry, Japanese friends.