Diagnose affordability
Who is buying, what is already owned, how much cash is comfortable, and when the keys are needed. A first home and an upgrade are not the same case.
Home Advisor in Singapore · PropNex Realty
Informed decisionsfor your next move.
Buying, selling, upgrading or investing, I lay out the numbers first: the cash, the stamp duty, the timeline, the exit. So you decide with clarity, never under pressure.
Case studies
Different starting points. The same clear plan.
Six moves I’ve planned with clients, from first upgrades to retirement. Find the one closest to where you are now.
4P Building Capital
From a $700K HDB to a $2.5M portfolio
Eugene and Jia Jas started with a $700K HDB flat. Using my 4-step Street Smart (SAFE) framework, they put the property they already owned to work, and their portfolio is now projected at about $2.5 million, roughly three times where they began.
- No savings touched
- No additional cash needed
- Kept their current lifestyle
Asset Swapping
Swapping an ageing condo for a stronger asset
Jasmine worried that her home at High Park Residences was ageing and might lose value. After a detailed assessment and careful planning, she moved into a better home and gained real confidence about her retirement.
- Lower monthly mortgage
- Upgraded to a better asset
- No savings touched
- Secured $1M+ in retirement funds
Right Sizing
Downsizing into financial freedom
With his children grown and living on their own, Alisonnia's home no longer suited his life. We planned a right-size that kept him close to family without giving up his financial security.
- Cashed out for retirement
- Owns a fully paid property
- Hassle-free transition
- Secured an undervalued property
Dual Property Ownership
Two homes, one plan
Fon and Desmond had wanted two properties, one to live in and one to invest in, for over six years. They weren't sure they could afford it or how to structure it, so we worked out the sequence and the numbers first.
- Sold their HDB and maximised the proceeds
- Desmond bought a 3-bedder near his parents
- Fon secured a 2-bedder at The Continuum to invest
- A long-term plan they're clear and confident about
Pure Investment
Smart entry, safe exit
These buyers had wanted an investment property for years, but the fear of picking the wrong unit held them back. We looked at timing, risk and the exit before they committed to anything.
- Secured an undervalued 2-bedder at Sora
- $37K below a similar unit one floor up, protecting their exit
- Committed with a clear 3-year capital growth plan
Rent & Buy BUC
Renting while his new home is built
After his HDB reached MOP, Moses saw that the rental market favoured tenants. Instead of rushing into a resale flat, he rented and bought a home still under construction, with clear numbers and a plan for long-term growth.
- Benefits from a tenant-friendly rental market
- No rush, bought smart
- Chose a new launch over resale for long-term value
- Secured an undervalued unit after thorough research
See yourself in one of these?
Talk through your situation
Why I do this
“If only someone had told us.”
I grew up in a five-room HDB flat in Bukit Panjang. My parents worked hard, but no one ever sat them down with a clear plan, so every chance to move up passed quietly. We’re still in that same flat.
What stays with me isn’t the missed upside. It’s hearing them say those words. So I do for other families what nobody did for mine: lay out the real numbers, early, in plain language, and then let you decide.
In their words
Families who felt looked after.
5.0 from 16 Google reviews
“Really thankful to have worked with Howgene during our property journey. He was professional, easy to talk to, and very thorough in the way he guided us. Rather than hard selling, he focused a lot on helping us understand the numbers, market direction, and what made sense for our situation. We felt that his advice was sincere and well thought through, which made us much more confident in making our decision. Overall, the whole experience felt smooth and comfortable. Highly recommend speaking to him if you value honest advice and clear guidance.”
“Found my dream resale HDB home stress-free, all thanks to Howgene! As a first-time homebuyer, the whole process felt pretty intimidating at first…”
WidyaGoogle review · 3 weeks ago “Howgene has rented out my mother's flat on Dec 2025. We are grateful to engage him as our agent with his real estate experience, patience & dedication to meet potential tenants on our behalf ensuring they are legitimate and trustworthy. This is the first time that our family is renting out an apartment, hence, his professional advice has been most appreciated. We were immensely relieved that the apartment got rented out within a reasonable timeline and its like a rock been off-lifted from our shoulders so that we can move on to other matters. Thank you Howgene!”
JojoGoogle review · 4 months ago “Had a great experience working with Howgene. Super chill and easy to talk to, but at the same time very knowledgeable and detailed. Never felt pressured at all, and he gave a lot of useful insights that genuinely helped us make better decisions. Can tell he really cares about his clients and not just closing deals. Definitely someone I'd recommend.”
SherylGoogle review · 4 months ago
How I work
01 / 05
How I work
Five steps, said in order.
01
Diagnose affordability
Who is buying, what is already owned, how much cash is comfortable, and when the keys are needed. A first home and an upgrade are not the same case.
02
Put numbers on it
Buyer’s stamp duty, additional buyer’s stamp duty where it applies, and the cash left after the down payment. The advice is knowing which figure changes the decision.
03
Shortlist
A few homes, each with a reason to see it and a reason it might be wrong. Lease, town, and how you live come before a long list of tabs.
04
Negotiate
Price, conditions, and the point at which we stop. You hear the plan before an offer goes out, including when walking away is the result.
05
Stay through completion
From option to completion: what to sign, what can wait, and who does the next thing. The work does not end when the offer is accepted.
Track record
40+ transactions, HDB to condo, across Singapore.
40+ recorded transactions · 5.0 on Google from 16 reviews · 5.0 on PropertyGuru from 13 reviews. HDB, resale condo, executive condo, and new launch.
- Sold
Serangoon
HDB
Aug 2026
Represented the seller · Resale
Based on publicly recorded CEA transaction
- Sold
Hougang
HDB
Mar 2026
Represented the seller · Resale
Based on publicly recorded CEA transaction
- Closed
Woodlands
HDB
Mar 2026
Represented the buyer · Resale
Based on publicly recorded CEA transaction
Sold means the public record shows seller representation. Closed means buyer representation. District names are planning-area groups, not a block or project. PropertyGuru’s summary also cites about 43 transactions over three years. Counts are not a promise of the next sale.
Filter the full recordRegistered and recognised
Someone you can check.
- CEA registration
- R068579F
- Agency
- PropNex Realty Pte. Ltd.Licence L3008022J
- University
- NTU, Nanyang Business School
- Languages
- English and Chinese
Free guides
Start with a little homework.
Short, plain-language guides to read before your first viewing. Free, after a quick form.
Buyer guides
First-home buyer guide
A one-page sample on what to settle before a viewing: who is buying, what cash is comfortable, and which questions matter.
Get the free guide →
New launch guides
New launch reading guide
A one-page sample on reading a price list: quantum, floor, facing, and what the payment schedule is really asking.
Get the free guide →
Upgrade guides
HDB to private guide
A one-page sample on sequencing an upgrade: sale, purchase, the cash gap, and where stamp duty shows up.
Get the free guide →
Common questions
Before we meet.
I am buying a first home. Where do we start?
With affordability, not with a portal. A first conversation covers cash, who would be on the title, whether anyone already owns a home, and your timeline. You do not need a unit number yet.
I am upgrading from HDB. What usually gets missed?
The gap between the flat you sell and the home you buy: sale proceeds, cash, and additional buyer’s stamp duty if the flat is still owned on the purchase date. Sequence comes before showflats. Holding cost belongs in that same conversation.
How do you work out stamp duty?
In the consult, from the price, who is buying, and what is already owned. The figure is an estimate until IRAS assesses the document. Bring your own numbers.
Do you only handle new launches?
No. The public record includes HDB resale, condominium resale, new sale, and rentals. A new launch is one path.
What does the advice cost?
Commission follows the agency schedule and is agreed in writing before work starts. A first conversation has no fee.
What should I bring to the first meeting?
A budget you can live with, a timeline, who is buying, towns you will and will not consider, and any loan indication you already have. The contact page has the full list.
No pressure, no obligation
Not sure where to start?Tell me where you stand.
A first conversation costs nothing. Bring your questions. You’ll leave with a clearer picture, whether or not we work together.
Howgene LeongPropNex RealtyCEA R068579F
