EXPATRIATES' PERCEPTION OF CONDOMINIUM LIVING

Abstract

People tend to perceive differently. Hence, it is interesting and important to understand how the expatriates look at Singapore housing. This may influence the rental market of residential properties. The study carried out here is therefore set to investigate the expatriates' perceptions for condominiums. The study discovers that the expatriates tend to move from one place to another during their period of stay in Singapore. However, their period of stay does not have any impact on how they rate for Singapore housing. It is observed that expatriates had found that the pace at which the rental values are increasing is too fast. On the other hand, they felt that Singapore housing especially condominium is generally good and better than the housing in their countries because of the good maintenance of the estates. Even so, there are areas whereby they felt there is a need to improve e.g. information technology. The study further reveals that the expatriates look at the structural design of the estate when selecting a condominium unit and the amount of monthly rental rates which most of the expatriates are willing to pay is higher than the current market rent. Conversely, the amount of rental rates which the expatriates are willing to pay depends much on their monthly household income.