Though the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has reminded property investors in their Financial Stability Review released late last year of the increase in vacancy rates and declining rental market, there are still ways to ensure the best yields from the properties you have invested in.
Finding yourself a reliant property agent is of course the first step, and experienced agents can often advise you on how to make your property more appealing to tenants, what to look out for when selecting a suitable tenant and what the current market sentiments or pricings are like. But putting in the behind-the-scenes work will also get you the results and the little things do make a difference.
As more tenants are taking their search online, making an online presence, and a good one, will at least help to bring in the views. The reach of social media and online platforms where expatriates often visit could be extensive. On occasions, you may even consider online advertising. And providing a 360-view of your unit will also provide tenants who search online with a more comprehensive idea of what you are offering. This helps save time for both landlords and tenants.
Before taking any photographs, some home-staging will go a long way. The rise of Airbnb (though not yet legalised in Singapore) means tenants now have more options or are used to more elaborate visuals of the units they potentially select. Taking care of tiny details such as cleanliness, lighting, placement of plants or quality of furniture and utensils all play a part in making the tenant feel comfortable and could be just what gives them the final push to sign on the dotted line.
