NOTG - Nuggets on the Go by PropertyLimBrothers

#129 Reverse BTO & Legacy Planning — A Late-40s Property Playbook

In this episode of Nuggets On The Go, Melvin Lim and George Peng from PropertyLimBrothers break down the property strategies available to buyers in their late 40s — from stretching tenure for better cash flow, to deciding between consolidating into a landed home or maintaining two condominiums.
 
They explore the “equity triangle” framework, where age, debt, and equity interact to shape long-term financial outcomes, and unpack how lease reset analysis can reveal hidden pitfalls in older resale projects. The discussion also covers the harmonised layout effect, the strategic use of 2M1B for multi-generational planning, and the concept of a “reverse BTO” — securing a new HDB flat later in life for retirement convenience.
 
For those weighing growth versus preservation, the episode offers grounded perspectives on timing, loan sustainability, and exit planning. If you’re in your 40s or 50s and preparing for your final major property move, this is one to take notes on.
 
00:00 Intro01:20 George's most stressful deal07:44 What is "2M 1B"?10:00 Why is age important?12:30 Equity triangle18:33 Real estate investment is also DCA20:19 2 interest-rate cuts in September23:50 Resale market movement in the future27:03 Lease Reset Disparity31:00 Dual-income, no children investment case study35:30 Quantum disparity challenge36:55 What should be the gap for quantum? (New Launch & Resale)43:14 Future audience of the property you're going to sell48:33 Effect of TDSR50:03 Advice51:50 Landed property to be a dual-key53:00 Strategy for the case study58:58 What happens in repricing?1:02:49 Prioritising your happiness1:06:07 Outtakes

#128 How This Home Appliance Head Survived Rejection, and Doubt to Lead 3 Luxury Brands

Denise Tan never imagined she’d stay with the same company for nearly three decades. But 27 years and nine roles later, she says it feels like time is a myth—because of how every chapter swiftly brought new challenges, new growth, and a deeper sense of purpose.
 
In this episode of NOTG, Melvin Lim sits down with Denise, now Head of Project and Built-in Business at BSH Home Appliances ASEAN. She shares how Gaggenau became the brand trusted by Michelin chefs and design-forward homeowners, what a six-digit GCB project taught her about human connection, and why future-proofing your kitchen is really about future-proofing your life.
 
Denise offers an honest look at resilience, reinvention, and choosing growth—even when it’s uncomfortable. If you’ve ever wondered how someone builds a lasting career without burning out—or how luxury brands stay rooted in authenticity—this conversation is your answer. Tune in to hear the story behind the brand, and the woman behind the story.
 
00:00 Introduction00:57 27 years work experience in BSH Home Appliances ASEAN02:40 Brands in BSH Home Appliances ASEAN group05:05 Competition in the industry08:08 First role in BSH Home Appliances ASEAN11:46 In charge of Bosch & Gaggenau14:40 Direct to consumer approach18:30 Ideas for innovation & partnership22:55 Why are there a lot of Michelin chef love to partner with BSH Home Appliances ASEAN?28:40 Largest amount a home owner spent for the brand33:00 Advice for landed buyers that are doing A&A38:00 Hand picking retailers42:00 Advice for career growth50:47 From specialist to being a leader56:05 What do you need right now more than anything?1:00:57 What is one thing you didn't know about your current career when you first started?1:05:40 Closing1:07:03 Outtakes

#127 $10K Salary Single - Buy Condo, Wait For HDB or Invest In Industrial Property?

With rising home prices and limited eligibility pathways, single professionals in Singapore are facing tougher property decisions than ever. In this episode of Nuggets on the Go, Melvin Lim, Joan, and Yong Zhun from PropertyLimBrothers discuss the case of Darren, a 32-year-old earning $10,000 a month, who’s considering whether to commit to a $1.5M condo—or wait until 35 to qualify for a resale HDB.
 
They dissect the feasibility of buying a 1-bedroom condo and comparing potential returns from OCR and RCR properties. They also weigh in on alternative strategies like REITs and what it means to tie up capital for the long term.
 
For singles who are financially ready but unsure about timing. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Should I buy now or wait?“, this episode’s for you.
 
00:00 Introduction01:10 Is '4' a good number for real estate04:08 Episode 1 & 2 recap04:28 Single Buyer profile (32 years old)06:41 New Launch advantages07:59 Strategies10:45 Co-investing in a commercial/industrial property11:39 Which strategy to take14:49 Will you pay ABSD as a single?16:53 Wait till 35 y/o to buy a resale property21:00 How much can Darren afford?25:27 Options31:40 Passive income option34:30 Liquidity event36:05 Residencial and Industrial property route39:24 Better capital appreciation for industrial properties40:07 Performance of industrial properties42:20 $1,000,000 can buy an 1-bedder?46:00 1-Bed / 2-Bed 1-Bath / 2-Bed 2-Bath Comparison49:55 Next Stronger Asset53:16 Key things to take note for your property loan55:24 Part 2 topics56:28 Outtakes

#126 3 Condo Buying Frameworks to Avoid Overpaying for Resale or New Launch in 2025

Planning to buy a condo in 2025? Don’t just compare PSF and assume it’s a good deal. In this episode of NOTG, Melvin Lim from PropertyLimBrothers defines 3 condo-buying frameworks that help condo-hunters make sense of why some new launch and resale prices.
 
Understand why some resale units are now asking north of $2,200 PSF—the same range as new launches—and what that really means when lease balance, renovation costs, and exit potential is factored in. With more OCR and RCR projects hitting the market, including first-mover launches like Springleaf Residence, it’s becoming trickier to tell what’s actually worth buying.
 
Sitting on the fence between resale and new launch? The difference lies in how each holds value over time—not what it costs today. Before making an offer, running it through these frameworks could reveal risks or upside that aren’t immediately obvious—and potentially prevent costly mistakes.
 
00:00 Introduction02:40 5 year cycle05:30 TOP Effect07:40 No COV08:44 3rd Exit Audience09:31 Popular with tenants09:51 New Design & Low renovation cost10:21 Progressive payment11:11 SSD / Black out period14:00 Brand new lease16:00 1 year delayed installment16:18 Defect Warranty16:43 1st Mover Advantage18:49 Caveat Emptor - What you see is what you get19:10 Summary19:36 2 Types of Disparity Effect Strategy25:40 2025 | Abnormal inflation to future price expectations by resale sellers27:00 2028 | Real estate market prediction27:25 Closing words28:00 Outtakes

#125 Aiken Chia on Losing It All, Starting From Scratch & Getting an Unexpected Brand Deal

When Aiken Chia former company infamously broke up, he also lost the platform he spent years building. No channel, no team, zero subscribers—just the weight of starting over from scratch. But right when everything felt like it was falling apart, one unexpected brand deal came through—and became the catalyst for a complete reinvention.
 
In this episode of NOTG, Melvin Lim, Co-Founder and CEO of PropertyLimBrothers, sits down with Aiken to uncover his untold story behind that pivotal moment, how a Tokyo trip reignited his passion, and why he is now able to prioritise purpose over profit. Learn about the realities of surviving and thriving as a content creator in Singapore.
 
00:00 Introduction01:15 Content creator economy04:40 Not giving up on your dream06:41 Learning to spend money12:11 Content creator profit margin14:41 AI content creators takeover16:40 Target audience18:50 Standing out in the content creating space20:00 Monetisation from zero followers25:01 Starting a talent management company26:56 Social media platform of choice32:33 Being a content creator in your 40s34:45 Algorithm vs Doing things you like38:20 Giving up being a content creator42:33 Managing the team48:28 If Aiken Chia have a journal52:21 What job will Aiken Chia take if he quits being a content creator?56:40 Starting a new business58:04 What is one goal Aiken Chia set for himself?59:30 Closing59:55 Outtakes

#124 The 6 Possible Routes To Can Take After A $1M Property Profit

Jason and Elaine bought their Bartley Ridge condo in 2013 for $1.665 mil. Today, it’s worth around $2.7 mil—a gain of over $1.1 mil on paper. They’re in their mid-40s, their kids are growing, and their mortgage is a manageable $4.9K a month. On the surface, everything seems stable. But when a property has already delivered this level of upside, the real question becomes: has it already fulfilled its role? And if it has—what’s the best next move?
 
In this episode, Melvin, Jesley, and Jun Wei from PropertyLimBrothers walk through six possible directions this couple could take. Understand the options as they analyse the numbers, trade-offs, and long-term implications of each route. For those who entered the private market a decade ago and are now sitting on significant equity, just like Jason and Elaine, this episode offers a rare lens into what that capital can still unlock. Not every property needs to be sold, but every profitable one deserves to be re-evaluated—before the next window closes.
 
00:00 Intro01:24 Recap03:50 NOTG new setup04:41 Autumn Season Profile Strategy06:50 Do-Nothing Strategy15:47 Knowledge if you want to get into investing stocks17:08 Looking at investing in real estate23:22 Human behaviours for the stock market24:18 Jesley's property investment nightmare31:02 Next stronger asset32:10 Decouple, rent out, and buy a new condo strategy47:08 Melvin forces his employees to buy a property52:44 Pivot Play Strategy1:02:55 Parent 10% income tax1:05:40 Sell current property & buy HDB Strategy1:14:58 Presenters recommendation1:17:16 Jun Wei did a lot of work for Symphony Suites1:22:00 Closing1:22:16 Outtakes

#123 Landed vs Two Condos? How to Optimise CPF and Apply 99-1 Ownership for Better Growth

00:00 Intro01:30 Profile preview / AI Picture02:40 Background04:36 Financial Snapshot05:50 Pros & Cons using CPF08:17 Knowing your maximum budget11:15 99-1 property scheme14:26 Impact of tariffs16:50 Stretch tenure20:41 Showing funds to stretch the long amount23:44 "Stretch tenure" meaning27:30 Paying more interest if you do not stretch tenure30:44 How much you should earn per month to own two properties?32:35 Depending more on Active Income36:59 $12K per month ENOUGH?!39:43 Taking risk to own two properties41:30 $4.2M, what will you buy?46:08 Financial breakdown before buying a landed property50:45 Donald Trump impression51:02 Closing words51:30 Outtakes

#122 NOTG New Launch Ballot Luck, Comparison With Resale & Market Fear Explained

Is 2025 really the best time to buy property—or the worst? In this episode, Alfred, Jesley, and Yu Rong from PropertyLimBrothers break down what’s driving buying behaviour this year, from the truth behind ballot “luck” to how entry price can make or break your returns. They revisit the MOAT strategy and explain why picking the right project, price, and unit matters more than ever in today’s unpredictable market.
 
They also weigh in on how global factors like US tariffs, equity pullbacks, and crypto swings are outlining local sentiment—and how savvy buyers can turn fear into opportunity. Stuck between new launch and resale options or rethinking your timing? Watch on to learn how to buy with confidence by reading real market signals.
 
00:00 Intro00:41 New launches are all luck03:30 Changing your luck05:18 MOAT Analysis 11 Factors08:08 Most important factor for resale investment properties15:46 Picking a resale private property16:30 US tariffs will affect the real estate market23:56 Using fears to negotiate29:58 Growth of real estate market33:30 Closing words37:40 Outtakes

#121 Who Really Controls Property Valuations? And How to Spot Undervalued Units Today

Property valuations—who decides? In this episode of NOTG, Alfred, Jesley, and Yu Rong from PropertyLimBrothers break down the real story behind property valuations—and why they often don’t match what you see on paper. They talk about how valuations are formed, what influences them, and when it makes sense to challenge the numbers.
 
Learn how to interpret gaps, justify prices, and identify undervalued listings with growth potential across all properties. And if you’ve ever wondered how buyers ‘beat’ bank valuations or why sellers struggle to justify their asking price, find out in this episode!
 
00:00 Introduction01:01 Beating a banker's valuation03:58 Knowing if it's the right valuation?06:01 How bankers give you the valuation data10:24 Renovations contributes more to Condos and landed properties11:50 Why landed properties are hard to valuate?12:33 Important key points to help out valuation of the house18:17 Hiring a PRIVATE Valuer22:25 Is it going to be more common for landed homes valuation to base more on built-up rather than land size?25:41 Understanding valuation more for resale properties27:25 Framework to check if a property is undervalued35:35 Headline case in the property will affect the pricing?37:48 Disparity effect41:09 Part 241:48 Outtakes

#120 New Launch FOMO, HDB Price Psychology & Are Superstitions Still a Dealbreaker?

A new launch sells out almost instantly — and suddenly, resale listings nearby vanish, only to reappear at a higher price. In this episode of Nuggets On The Go, Melvin Lim, Phyllis Goh and Shawn Tay talk about how launch activity can trigger sudden PSF shifts in surrounding developments, creating a domino effect in buyer behaviour.
 
They also explore why some homebuyers justify paying $35,000 more for a high-floor unit, and how pricing psychology plays a bigger role than most think. Hear about the hidden mental shortcuts could outline today’s market more than fundamentals alone, such as cognitive or psychological prices bias to the breakdown of cost-per-month.
 
And just when you think buyers have moved past superstition, certain numbers, layouts, and cultural beliefs still influence demand and resale outcomes. Find out how all these soft factors stack up against hard data in today’s home-buying landscape.
 
00:00 Intro00:37 Catalysts for appreciation, HDB vs Private (Continued)05:57 The "Volume Effect"10:11 PLB's Secret Weapon12:05 Floor level superstition14:50 Floorplan superstition17:24 Cultural norms and property investment/buying18:44 Question - What properties you have seen that are a solid price point and why?20:52 The "Big Brother, Small Brother" Effect and examples25:42 Question - Do you think about buying/living in properties next to religious sites?30:35 Closing statements30:45 Outro