Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ) has turned the area into a new commercial hub, and a major property hot spot. Unfortunately, it may be tough for a new investor to get a piece of the action now; prices in Paya Lebar have soared over the past few years, and seem set to go higher.
If you are looking for the ultimate rental yields, here are the top 20 that we’ve found currently:
Project
Average Transacted
No. of Sale Transactions
Annual Rent
No. of Rental Contracts
Yield
Central Imperial Two Bedroom
$560,000
1
$27,189
19
4.86 per cent
The Sanctuary @ Geylang One Bedroom
$605,000
1
$28,533
9
4.72 per cent
Suites @ Sims One Bedroom
$470,000
1
$20,543
23
4.37 per cent
Grandview Suites One Bedroom
$477,667
3
$20,340
30
4.26 per cent
Sims Green Two Bedroom
$842,500
2
$35,280
5
4.19 per cent
Central Imperial Three Bedroom
$743,000
1
$31,100
12
4.19 per cent
Casa Aerata Two Bedroom
$610,500
2
$24,912
25
4.08 per cent
The Octet One Bedroom
$535,000
4
$21,828
29
4.08 per cent
Treasures @ G20 One Bedroom
$480,000
2
$19,571
21
4.08 per cent
Le Regal One Bedroom
$492,933
3
$20,040
50
4.07 per cent
Royce Residences One Bedroom
$518,000
2
$21,027
22
4.06 per cent
La Fleur One Bedroom
$510,000
4
$20,576
42
4.03 per cent
Edenz Loft One Bedroom
$510,000
1
$20,575
24
4.03 per cent
Pavilion Square One Bedroom
$542,000
1
$21,831
26
4.03 per cent
28 Imperial Residences Two Bedroom
$676,667
6
$26,700
12
3.95 per cent
Centra Residence One Bedroom
$568,000
1
$22,383
36
3.94 per cent
Canberlin Apartments Three Bedroom
$814,000
2
$32,000
3
3.93 per cent
Centra Loft Two Bedroom
$617,194
4
$23,925
8
3.88 per cent
Fern Lodge Na Bedroom
$820,000
1
$31,440
5
3.83 per cent
While some of the yields are attractive (for Singapore at least), the realities are that some of these are not the closest to Paya Lebar Quarter.
We also wanted to discount those that were between Geylang Lorong eight to 24 – mainly because of the red light district and possible financing issues.
There are still some alternatives however: we found some condos that are within one kilometre of PLQ, but still have prices under $1.4 million. If you’re looking to invest in Paya Lebar, here are the ones with the current top gross rental yields:
A quick note on MRT access:
The Paya Lebar MRT station is located at PLQ, so the distance from the development to PLQ (indicated in the profile) is also roughly the same distance to the MRT station.
1. Sims Residences
Location: Lorong 39 Geylang
Distance to PLQ: 300 metres (four minutes on foot)
Developer: MCL Land Ltd.
Lease: 99-years
Completion date: 2002
Number of units: 112
Best spotted gross rental income / yield: $39,055 per annum / 3.57 per cent (three-room)
Most recent transactions below $1.4 million
Date
Unit Size
Price PSF
Price
Sept 7, 2020
1,184 sq. ft.
$877
$1,038,000
Aug 24, 2020
1,367 sq. ft.
$732
$1,000,000
July 16, 2020
1,453 sq. ft.
$819
$1,190,000
May 15, 2020
1,184 sq. ft.
$902
$1,068,000
March 31, 2020
1,873 sq. ft.
$583
$1,110,000
In total, there have been 59 profitable transactions, and 15 unprofitable transactions.
Key highlights:
Sims Residences is next to Sims Dorado and D’weave (see below). While this condo is getting on in years (19 years old at the time of writing), it’s still one of the best kept secrets between Geylang / Paya Lebar.
On the surface it’s unremarkable – but if you walk a short distance down Lorong 39, you’ll run into a huge stretch of eateries (some open 24 hours), convenience stores, and minimarts.
There are even three supermarkets within 500 metres of this development: The FairPrice at Lorong 8, and the Giant outlets at Tanjong Katong Complex and Paya Lebar Square. This is in addition to being just a few minutes away from PLQ’s malls, and also KINEX mall.
It’s also worth noting the size of the units here. Being an older condo, the three-bedders are huge, averaging 1,184 sq. ft. That’s not an easy size to find for under $1.4 million these days.
The drawbacks to Sims Residences and its neighbours are noise, and the densely built-up area. There’s a place of worship nearby; and Sims Residences, Sims Dorado, and D’weave are tightly packed together – it can feel quite enclosed.
2. Aston Mansions
Location: Lorong 42 Geylang
Distance to PLQ: 600 metres (eight minutes on foot)
Developer: Far East Organization
Lease: 99-years
Completion date: 1998
Number of units: 159
Best spotted gross rental income / yield: $37,029 per annum / 3.56 per cent (three-room)
Most recent transactions below $1.4 million:
Date
Unit Size
Price PSF
Price
March 18, 2021
1,012 sq. ft.
$949
$960,000
Dec 4, 2020
1,227 sq. ft.
$864
$1,060,000
Feb 10, 2020
1,141 sq. ft.
$857
$978,000
Jan 15, 2020
1,227 sq. ft.
$884
$1,085,000
Jan 14, 2020
1,012 sq. ft.
$946
$957,000
In total, there have been 120 profitable transactions, and 65 unprofitable transactions.
Key highlights:
It often surprises viewers to learn that Astons Mansions is a Far East Organisation project, as it doesn’t have the grandeur associated with their work.
To be blunt, the route into Astons Mansions – all the way at the end of Lorong 42 – is unappealing; you have to turn into a street between a hodgepodge of stainless-steel supply shops, housing accessor shops, shady looking KTVs, etc.
(As a trade-off, there’s a good coffee shop right around the corner where it turns into Astons Mansions).
Astons Mansions itself still looks decently well-kept, especially for a condo of 22 years; it’s just unfortunately at the end of a, well, grubby street.
If you can overlook this, Astons Mansions is well-priced for a condo so close to PLQ. The units here are huge by today’s standards: the two-bedders average 1,012 sq. ft., while three-bedders range from 1,141 to 1,195 sq. ft.
The pool and tennis court are pristine for a condo this age, although they’re all in one corner rather than being in the middle (the four stacks clustered around the facilities are clearly better located, compared to the ones near the entrance).
ALSO READ: 4 newly launched condos near a MRT station with 3 bedroom units below $1.5m
3. Sims Dorado
Location: Lorong 39 Geylang
Distance to PLQ: 350 metres (five minutes on foot)
Developer: Bravo Building Construction Pte. Ltd.
Lease: Freehold
Completion date: 2008
Number of units: 35
Best spotted gross rental income / yield: $31,600 per annum / 3.33 per cent (two-room)
Most recent transactions below $1.4 million:
Date
Unit Size
Price PSF
Price
Jan 19, 2021
861 sq. ft.
$1,138
$980,000
Nov 12, 2020
1,055 sq. ft.
$1,090
$1,150,000
Jan 30, 2020
861 sq. ft.
$1,103
$950,000
In total, there have been 32 profitable transactions, and two unprofitable transactions.
Key highlights:
Sims Dorado is across from Sims Residences (see above), so location wise the two are comparable. However, there are some big differences.
First, Sims Dorado is a truly tiny development, with only 35 units. It doesn’t have the full suite of condo facilities like its neighbour; you get a pool, and that’s mostly it. Second, Sims Dorado is a freehold development.
This makes its advancing age (13 years old at the time of writing) more palatable than Sims Residences – it is after all, freehold too.
Overall, this is an alternative for buyers who want a longer-term investment, as Sims Residences is getting on in years. However, the low number of units translates to low transaction volumes; and the small number of units doesn’t fully relieve how densely packed this area is.
4. SimsVille
Location: Lorong 42 Geylang
Distance to PLQ: 650 metres (nine minutes on foot)
Developer: DBS Land
Lease: 99-years
Completion date: 1998
Number of units: 522
Best spotted gross rental income / yield: $32,607 per annum / 3.32 per cent (two-room)
Most recent transactions below $1.4 million:
Date
Unit Size
Price PSF
Price
March 11, 2021
1,238 sq. ft.
$1,075
$1,331,000
Feb 17, 2021
1,238 sq. ft.
$1,058
$1,310,000
Feb 4, 2021
1,238 sq. ft.
$1,065
$1,318,000
Jan 15, 2021
980 sq. ft.
$1,021
$1,000,000
Dec 4, 2020
980 sq. ft.
$1,062
$1,040,000
In total, there have been 272 profitable transactions, and 181 unprofitable transactions.
Key highlights:
SimsVille is probably the best-known rental option on this list. It’s simply the largest and most noticeable development on the list (522 units), and quite a few people can identify it as “that condo facing the MRT tracks”.
The two-bedders will probably be the main draw. These units barely cross the $1 million mark; but at 980 sq. ft., they’re still sizeable enough for smaller families (for reference, a 4-room flat averages 968 sq.ft).
As such, even home buyers might be interested, if they’re willing to overlook the age.
What some buyers may not like is how, as we mentioned above, this condo is close to the MRT tracks. That can result in some noise pollution, although that should always be expected with a centrally and conveniently located spot.
Also, do note that there’s a place of worship nearby (although tenants we spoke to barely realised it, so it’s safe to assume it’s quiet).
5. D’Weave
Location: Lorong 42 Geylang
Distance to PLQ: 400 metres (five minutes on foot)
Developer: Teambuild Properties Pte. Ltd.
Lease: Freehold
Completion date: 2014
Number of units: 71
Best spotted gross rental income / yield: $21,060 per annum / 3.19 per cent (single-bedder)
Most recent transactions below $1.4 million:
Date
Unit Size
Price PSF
Price
March 1, 2021
1,410 sq. ft.
$936
$1,320,000
March 1, 2021
893 sq. ft.
$996
$890,000
July 15, 2020
441 sq. ft.
$1,495
$660,000
In total, there have been 18 profitable transactions and no losses so far.
Key highlights:
D’weave is the newest property on this list, completed only in 2014. It’s also a boutique freehold development, with only 71 units. Location wise, it’s comparable to Sims Residences (see above), as it neighbours both Sims Residences and Sims Dorado.
As with most small developments, facilities are spartan: a single pool, gym, and a small BBQ area. However, D’weave is noticeably newer than its two neighbours on this list, and wins out in terms of façade and initial impression.
Despite its young age, units are still quite large for their price point. To put this in perspective, D’weave has three bedroom units sized at 893 sq. ft that are under $900,000. Just minutes away, at Park Place Residences, a 667 sq.ft. leasehold unit would cost you about $1.35 million.
As such D’weave has become a price-driven alternative, for investors who want a foot in Paya Lebar without paying newly risen PLQ prices.
D’weave shares some of the same drawbacks as its two neighbours though; it’s facing a narrow road and solid walls, making it feel very enclosed. It’s also the closest to the place of worship.
PLQ has been a game changer for these older Paya Lebar condos, which are still finding their place in the new scheme of things.
Tenants, investors, and home buyers are all beginning to look at the fringes of Paya Lebar – places where prices have yet to rise to astronomical levels, but where PLQ facilities are close by.
The success of Parc Esta and Penrose , for instance, can be traced to Paya Lebar’s transformation. The older condos on this list are within walking distance of PLQ, so it’s unsurprising they’ve come on the radar again.
It helps that PLQ has over a million square feet of lettable office space, providing plenty of prospective tenants.
For more on properties in hotspots, follow us on Stacked. We’ll provide you with the most in-depth reviews of new and resale properties alike, as well as the latest news on the Singapore private property market.
This article was first published in Stackedhomes.
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