7 good reasons to buy a condominium townhouse in Singapore

Artist’s impression of The Seawind, a freehold townhouse condominium in Telok Kurau.

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Townhouses are hybrid developments that enable residents to enjoy the experience of living in a landed property, while still having at their disposal premium facilities such as swimming pools.

Townhouse units typically comprise over 3,000 sq ft of living space, and often contain four or five bedrooms spread over two or three floors, which translate to a lot more space than the typical condo unit can offer.

Here are seven reasons why there is demand for condominium townhouse units.

1) Foreigners can purchase townhouses without restrictions

Foreigners hoping to buy landed property in Singapore are faced with a host of roadblocks. They are required to first obtain approval from the Land Dealings Approval Unit before being permitted to buy landed property. Traditionally, approval rates have not been high.

In addition, landed property purchased by foreigners must be no more than 15,000 sq ft in size and cannot be located in a good class bungalow (GCB) area.

Townhouses are not subject to such restrictions and can be freely bought and sold by foreigners, which makes them an excellent choice for anyone thinking of making Singapore their home.

In addition, townhouse buyers are not subject to capital gains tax, inheritance tax, withholding tax for the disposal of properties, value added tax and currency control.

2) Condominium townhouses are rare due to URA restrictions

Land space is extremely limited in Singapore, and the vast majority of the population live in high-rise blocks. Only a rare few are able to enjoy the comforts of living in townhouses, which combine the perks of condo living with the benefits of landed property.

Condominium townhouse units are also in short supply compared with other types of private housing. In 2012, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced that it would stop allowing townhouses to be granted strata-landed status, which means that future townhouse developments will be classified as landed, and thus will not be exempt from the restrictions on foreign ownership.

This makes existing condominium townhouses some of the most coveted and exclusive property types in Singapore.

3) Townhouses are perfect for multi-generational living

Townhouses are ideal for multi-generational households. The additional space and flexibility of layouts enables developers to allow customisation of interiors in order to accommodate every member of the family.

For instance, The Seawind, a freehold townhouse condominium located in the Telok Kurau area, features units with a designated granny room on the lower floor of the unit, close to the living room and kitchen. These bedrooms are ideal for elderly residents who can access the unit’s facilities more comfortably and conveniently.

Townhouses also have a range of kid-friendly facilities, such as playgrounds and children’s pools that enable youngsters to stay entertained and active all year round.

Another key advantage of condominium townhouses over traditional landed property is the fact that they have 24-hour security similar to condominium projects, with guards on duty round the clock and networks of CCTV cameras. Unlike conventional landed property, townhouses are gated developments, meaning members of the public are unable to access the communal facilities.

This enables residents with young children to set their minds at ease, since they do not need to worry about break-ins or shady characters roaming around the estate.

4) Private parking lots in the basement

Parking lots in many townhouse developments are located at basement level in order to free up space at ground level, and eliminate congestion and illegal parking.

Basement-level parking also boosts convenience to residents by enabling them to quickly and easily reach their units from their allocated lots.

For instance, at eCO Townhouse, a townhouse development in the Bedok area, each unit is allocated two parking lots, so residents are guaranteed parking space right below their homes.

Townhouse residents at the Hillsta have direct pool access.

5) Direct access to the pool at your doorstep

One of the most exciting benefits of living in townhouses is the fact that, depending on the development, it is often possible to enjoy direct access to the pool at your doorstep.

This greatly enhances the luxury enjoyed by residents, makes units more attractive, and offers convenience due to the speed with which residents can go for a swim and then nip up to their units for a shower.

Hillsta, a development in the Choa Chu Kang area, is one such example of a development offering townhouse residents direct pool access from their very doorsteps. The pleasure of living by the waterfront is augmented by units with living rooms opening up directly onto the pool area. Residents can sunbathe on the terrace right outside their living rooms.

6) Spacious and attractive landscaping

New townhouse developments frequently feature stunning landscaping that prioritises green spaces and contemporary and luxurious design.

For instance, eCO Townhouse features stunning multi-level landscaping and roof terraces. The communal areas have been designed to make generous use of green spaces and water features like ponds and water gardens, to create the feeling of being immersed in nature.

Seahill, on the other hand, is designed to recreate the experience of seafront living. The development in the West Coast area, which offers stunning views of the ocean and surrounding greenery, capitalises on its beautiful location with swimming pools overlooking the scenery. Each townhouse unit also features a roof terrace offering breathtaking views and dual frontage which capitalises on the surroundings.

7) Managing agent takes care of maintenance at an affordable price

Townhouses enable residents to enjoy the use of luxurious, stylish facilities, but without the hassle of having to clean and maintain them. Best of all, the cost of the façade and facilities maintenance is divided amongst all residents and thus kept affordable.

Condominium townhouses are one of the most attractive housing options in Singapore, and offer lifestyle benefits that few other products can match. Due to the limited supply of condominium townhouses and the lack of restrictions on foreign purchases, they also enjoy excellent prospects on the resale market.