When Claire and Wayne began searching for a home together in early 2025, River Valley was where they were expecting to end up.
Over the following months, weekends became a blur of showflat tours and condo visits across the Central Region and the East Coast as the couple weighed new launches against resale units.
"We went to so many viewings. It was non-stop," Claire says. By the end of the search, they had seen close to 40 properties.
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Like many buyers, the couple wanted to find a home that suited their lifestyle while also offering room for future capital appreciation.
Some developments looked promising on paper — combining potential upside, accessibility and amenities — but failed to leave much of an impression in person. Others ticked many of the right boxes until transaction data, renovation costs, feng shui considerations or other factors entered the equation.
As the search wore on, they found themselves torn between what made financial sense and what felt right to them.
By the time the couple bought a resale unit at Seaside Residences in Siglap, they had spent countless hours scouring listings, researching the market, crunching numbers, and second-guessing themselves.
"We didn't know what we wanted," Claire says, adding that it took longer than expected to find a home they liked and felt confident about. Later, "difficult" price negotiations also further extended the timeline, she notes.
The couple's house hunt stretched across a swathe of neighbourhoods. "The world was our oyster," says Claire. (Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua/EdgeProp Singapore)
The Seaside Residences apartment is the first property they bought together as a couple.
Before that, Claire owned and lived in a one-bedroom condo in Joo Chiat, while Wayne was based in the north region at his parents' place.
Once she decided to sell her unit, they started looking for a more spacious and comfortable sanctuary where they could settle down with their dog, Belle.
Besides looking for a larger space to call home, the couple also wanted a property that was likely to hold its value and ideally appreciate over time.
That investment lens went on to influence many of the decisions that followed, from the locations they shortlisted to the projects they evaluated.
Over time, criteria they had not anticipated, including feng shui, also became part of how they assessed properties.
Completed in 2021, Seaside Residences is the newest condo in the vicinity. (Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua/EdgeProp Singapore)
In theory, having more flexibility than most homebuyers should have made the search easier for Claire and Wayne.
The couple — who are in the tech sector — did not need to live near parents, offices or any schools, as they have a hybrid working arrangement and do not have children.
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It meant they were able to essentially live almost anywhere and prioritise lifestyle preferences.
"The world was our oyster," she says. "Our agents told us that in a way, it's a good thing that we have no commitments."
With this freedom, they could cast a wide net. Their house hunt eventually stretched across a swathe of neighbourhoods, including Districts 3, 9, 10 and 15.
Location was not a deciding factor for Wayne at the start of the search. "I was quite chill about the area," he says. "It mainly boiled down to the budget and investment potential."
River Valley and developments along the Singapore River initially stood out because they were near the buzzing city centre, which suited Claire’s social life.
However, many of the resale units they shortlisted there were still tenanted for about another year or so, making it harder to move in within their preferred timeline without renting in the interim.
Some of the properties were also ageing and required extensive renovation, which would have added significantly to the bill. That said, they were not averse to buying an older apartment if it was situated in a development and area they really liked.
Beyond that, a closer look at the transaction data made them pause. While they were drawn to several homes around River Valley and the Singapore River precinct, certain projects had seen limited price growth or recent unprofitable resales.
"One of our biggest fears was that the house would lose money," Claire says.
Their agents showed them a string of loss-making transactions in the area. "We got a bit scared, even though I really liked the condo," she adds.
Wayne: "It’s our first property, so it's normal to have more concerns. But I wouldn't do things differently. No regrets." (Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua/EdgeProp Singapore)
Another area they considered seriously was the East Coast. The locale felt familiar, as the couple and Belle were already spending time in Joo Chiat at Claire’s one-bedder.
East Coast Park has long been a frequent stop for Belle, while Claire’s gym and personal training sessions are based in the lively Katong neighbourhood.
In addition to viewing resale properties, they toured sales galleries of new launch projects in the east. Although waiting several years for completion was not their first choice, they were prepared to do so for a project that was compelling enough to make the delay worthwhile.
Yet few of the launches on the market at the time captured their imagination. They even submitted a few ballot applications to test the waters, but their queue numbers did not give them a realistic shot at the more desirable units.
Belle at a wellness garden at East Coast Park, a stone's throw away from their condo. The park is a mainstay of the dog's routine. (Photo: Claire, Wayne)
The couple also viewed resale condos in Commonwealth, Queenstown and Bukit Timah, including numerous units at a mega development, but struggled to find a clear front-runner.
Among those areas they explored, Wayne found some pockets too dense and a few projects too crowded.
And at a condo they revisited several times, Claire's gut feeling kept telling her it was not quite right — she always felt oddly unsettled there.
"I never really got a good feeling about the place. It just didn’t really gel. But the units were nice and you get a very good view as well," she says.
Trying to pin down what their ideal property looked like quickly became overwhelming, given the sheer number of possibilities and barely any fixed constraints to guide them.
"With too many options, it was very stressful to narrow down and figure out what was the best decision," she shares.
One source of clarity was a feng shui master they consulted throughout the search. Before seriously considering a property, they would send him the unit’s floor plan, orientation and other details about the development. They proceeded only if he gave a favourable assessment.
The analysis paralysis finally gave way when they turned their attention to Seaside Residences.
What first caught Claire's eye was the unobstructed seaview from the balcony. Looking out towards the sea, she could easily picture herself unwinding there after a long day.
On clear days, they can see the sunset from the balcony. The view was what first caught Claire’s eye when they dropped by the apartment. (Photo: Claire, Wayne)
At the same time, the unit's highly auspicious feng shui was a major "trigger point", Wayne says. "The feng shui master said that the location and facing would bring us health, wealth and luck in accordance with our ba zi. That's rare," he adds.
The unit was also vacant and move-in-ready, requiring little more than a fresh coat of paint and a handful of minor repairs.
Even then, the couple wondered if they might be paying too much. But their agents reminded them that genuinely undervalued properties without any drawbacks are hard to come by.
Instead of holding out indefinitely for a clear bargain, Claire and Wayne thus focused on whether they were likely to find another home with the same combination of qualities.
Just as they had done for every serious contender, they combed through the numbers for Seaside Residences: resale price and volume trends at the project and nearby condos, comparable transactions, and analysis from their agents.
The eventual purchase price was generally in line with recent transactions at the 841-unit development. This was despite what Claire describes as an "exhausting" and "frustrating" bidding war with a 24-hour deadline that forced her to step out of a work seminar.
At the time of writing, the average sale price at Seaside Residences was $2,375 psf, based on caveat data over the last 12 months to June 7 this year.
Recent transactions indicate that overall prices at the development have been edging higher. Just this March, a two-bedroom unit was sold for $2,734 psf — setting a new high for the condo, EdgeProp Singapore reported.
Prior to that, its previous psf-price record was $2,700 psf, involving a three-bedder that changed hands in December 2025.
Claire and Wayne believe several factors could support property values at the development in the years ahead.
Completed in 2021, Seaside Residences is the newest condo in the vicinity, which might give it an edge over older developments. Also, Siglap MRT Station is just a few minutes away on foot via a sheltered walkway.
Moreover, they are watching the government's longer-term transformation plans for the East Coast, including the upcoming Bayshore waterfront precinct, which they hope will add to the area's appeal.
A map of the Seaside Residences development (in grey), which is adjacent to Victoria School (marked "K") and Siglap MRT Station (marked "A"). (Image: EdgeProp Landlens)
Several months on, Claire and Wayne have found much to enjoy about life at Seaside Residences.
It feels markedly different from many of the developments they have visited. There are only four residential towers sitting on a 207,851 sq ft site, with ample space and well-maintained facilities including a 50m lap pool.
"You don't ever feel claustrophobic or feel like anything is too crowded at any point," Claire says. "It's a very quiet, luxe, spacious and private enclave. And people here are considerate."
Wayne especially appreciates the sense of calm, not just within the estate but also in the wider suburban neighbourhood. "I like the relaxed environment in Siglap. The area is not too packed," he notes.
Their workspaces at home. The couple went through an "exhausting" and "frustrating" bidding war for the unit. (Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua/EdgeProp Singapore)
Claire occasionally misses the hustle and bustle of Joo Chiat. Fortunately, the move has not taken her far from the vibrant heritage district; Joo Chiat and Katong remain just a short drive or train ride away.
The relocation has also been positive for Belle. During renovations near Claire's former apartment, the dog had developed persistent skin issues that the couple suspected were linked to dust and construction activity. Those problems have since improved.
East Coast Park, just minutes away, also continues to be a mainstay of Belle's routine.
The only thing the dog might miss is the local social scene, Claire jokes. Back in Joo Chiat, Belle had built up a circle of furry playmates. But Siglap seems to have fewer dogs. Claire quips: “I feel like Belle has no friends here to play with!”
Belle enjoying the peace, quiet and fresh air. Her skin issues, likely triggered by dust and construction, have subsided in the new environment. (Photo: Claire, Wayne)
Although they eventually decided on Seaside Residences, neither Claire nor Wayne was immediately free of doubts.
Like many homebuyers, both went through a short period of buyer’s remorse after the purchase.
Once in a while, Claire still questions whether the property will appreciate as much as they hope, though those doubts have mostly eased with time.
The experience has also prompted her to reflect on the balance between emotional preference and investment logic.
Looking back, she thinks she became too focused on investment considerations and concerns that others raised — advice that was well-meaning but did not really align with her priorities. Worries about resale demand, cooling measures and exit strategies all weighed heavily on how she assessed potential homes.
In the process, she believes she drifted away from a few locations she was initially keen on.
"Being near the city centre is actually quite important to me, so I wish I had pushed for River Valley more or given more thought to somewhere central," Claire says.
Wayne likes that Seaside Residences feels spacious and has well-maintained facilities, including a 50m lap pool. (Photo: Frasers Property)
To be sure, it does not mean she is unhappy with the purchase. None of this diminishes how much they enjoy the life they are building at Seaside Residences.
Instead, she sees the experience as an important lesson she can carry into future purchases. Learning how to analyse transactions, understand market fundamentals and evaluate investment risks has been valuable.
For their next properties, she plans to focus more on lifestyle considerations and be less swayed by projected returns.
"If I had to do it again, I think I would listen to my heart a little more and try to ignore the numbers," she says.
Meanwhile, Wayne is satisfied with the decision and reckons they have found a home that works well — both financially and for their current stage of life.
“It's our first property, so it’s normal to have more concerns. But I wouldn't do things differently. No regrets,” he says.
Belle looking out from the bedroom window. (Photo: Claire, Wayne)
In the meantime, the seaview remains Claire's favourite part of the home.
Most evenings, she gazes from the balcony towards the horizon, the sky burning through shades of gold and orange as the sun sets.
"It calms me down a lot, being able to see the sea from here," she says.
After months of searching, viewing, negotiating and second-guessing, the uncertainty has gradually given way to a sense of contentment: the simple pleasure of being home.
Property Diaries is a new series that goes behind the scenes of real estate transactions, featuring homebuyers, investors and renters sharing their search journeys, decisions and lessons learnt.
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