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Without SLA permission, foreigners can’t usually buy landed homes on the mainland. There is, however, an alternative in the form of strata-titled landed property: these provide a way to experience landed living, without having to buy in Sentosa Cove or be ultra-rich (which, as you’ve probably guessed, is probably how you get the special permission from SLA). While strata-titled homes tend to be quite niche, some are still in prime locations, and may even provide greater accessibility than most landed enclaves. In any case, this could just be a minor plus point if you’re considering between two different projects – after all, there’s no harm in opening up the target audience that you can sell to if this purchase isn’t going to be your forever home. Strata-titled homes, like condos, are run under an MCST. Like condos, they usually have common facilities such as a pool, gym, BBQ pits, etc. which are maintained through monthly fees. On the upside, this means owners of strata-titled landed homes don’t need to pay for their own pool, tennis court, etc.  On the downside, because strata-titled homes are part of a wider project, you can’t customise them as you might a “true” landed property. You can’t, for instance, tear down the house and rebuild one to your liking, or make changes that would affect the facade; and you still have to live in accordance with the bylaws set by management. Note that some condos have strata-titled homes as part of the project. and , for example, have landed villas in addition to the regular condo units. Some interesting options on the list: Being a 1,715 unit mega-development, isn’t often associated with landed living; but D’Leedon does count 12 semi-detached houses among its units. These units are located along the westernmost end of the condo site, and range from 5,500 to 7,400 sq. ft.  While a mega-development is bound to include less privacy, D’Leedon’s large land area (around 840,049 sq.ft.), coupled with the landed units being in a quiet corner, does provide more quiet. The larger land size also means a long list of facilities: two 50-metre lap pools, multiple tennis courts, retail stores, etc. This is good for a taste of landed living, without the inconveniences that often accompany true landed enclaves. D’Leedon also has good access to Holland V: it’s just a few minutes’ drive, or you can walk to Spanish Village across the road, where services like 165 will take you to Holland Village MRT (CCL). Besides the amenities at Holland V, this is one stop from Buona Vista, where you’ll find The Star Vista – one of the largest heartland malls in Singapore. Two stops will take you to One-North, a developing media and tech hub; and D’Leedon is a convenient choice for expatriates or foreigners who work there. While D’Leedon is no longer new (it was built in 2014), it’s often the benchmark against which many Holland V area condos are compared.  is an old freehold condo built in 1985; and characteristic of the era, it features a lower unit count with larger layouts. Among its 456 units, you’ll find a mix of regular apartments, some maisonettes, and terrace houses. The information and floor plans are a bit scant due to age; but most of the terrace houses are reportedly between 3,200 to 4,200 sq. ft. Somerville Park is in a quiet area, surrounded by lower-density private residences. It’s just minutes away from Holland V, and if you use the nearby bus stop (After Pierce Road), services like bus 77 go straight to the Holland Village MRT.  Facilities may seem a little basic here though, which is also common with ‘80s era condos – so this is a choice for those who prize the spaciousness of their homes, or of a lower-density area – over newer features like infinity pools and concierge services.  Given that the location is close to D’Leedon (see above), you might consider Sommerville Park as a more private alternative to the mega-project.  Eight Riversuites is in a city fringe area, facing the Kallang and Whampoa rivers. This 862-unit leasehold project includes 19 terrace houses, which range from 2,800 to just over 3,000 sq. ft. The highlight here is the easy access to the CTE and PIE, which makes it possible to reach the CBD or Orchard in good time. Boon Keng MRT station (NEL) is within walking distance, so residents are just a few short stops from Nex Megamall at Serangoon, or the new Woodleigh Mall. Local amenities are also abundant, as the neighbourhood around the Bendemeer area is quite mature. Foreigners who want to get a closer sense of Singaporean living, without being too far from the city centre, will like this spot: you can walk to Bendemeer Market or the nearby HDB enclave, or take a bus/cycle over to the cultural hub of Little India. While Bendemeer isn’t the most quiet location, it’s quite self-contained: it will fit the type of residents who don’t like having to travel out for what they need. Marine Blue would have our pick for one of the “most improved locations” right now. This freehold project is located just across the road from Parkway Parade Mall, which means it’s also right next to the new Marine Parade MRT (TEL). This also places it smack in the middle of the Katong lifestyle hub, which is also a major expatriate enclave on the east side.  Parkway Parade has two supermarkets, a food court, and has been a retail hub of the area for decades. Meanwhile, on the other side of Marine Blue, the newer i12 Mall is better known for its restaurants, and the East Coast Road stretch is full of family-friendly pubs and artisanal cafes. The area from here to Joo Chiat has undergone (and is still undergoing) gentrification in the style of Tiong Bahru, and it’s greatly transformed from the seedy dive bars and massage parlours in the 2000s.  Marine Blue is small, consisting of just 124 units. Of these, four are terrace houses, ranging from 3,680 to 4,105 sq. ft. As the project is small, facilities are rather bare-bones; and this is quite a busy area as it’s between two rather busy roads. So the tradeoff here is heavier traffic and reduced facilities, in exchange for being one of the most conveniently positioned East Coast condos. Bedok Reservoir is not widely considered a foreigner-frequented or expatriate area, but that could change soon. Archipelago is a leasehold condo built in 2015, with 577 units. Of these, 24 units are semi-detached, reaching up to 4,050 sq. ft. Each house also comes with two parking lots. Archipelago is at the foot of Bedok Reservoir Park, which is excellent for foreigners who feel stifled by our concrete jungle. Bedok Reservoir is known for its walking and biking trails, and especially its watersports (dragon boating and kayaking). The surrounding housing developments are very mature, and the range of supermarkets, small shops, and eateries means you can hole up here without leaving for weeks to months, and still be comfortable and entertained. There is an MRT station within walking distance (Bedok North MRT on the DTL), but Bedok Reservoir is still a fringe location quite far from town – this is precisely why outdoorsy types and privacy seekers like it. So we would suggest you pick these units if you drive, or are okay with using cabs for longer trips to the CBD. For more interesting properties in Singapore, follow us on . You can also reach out to us if you’re considering moving here, or need guidance with foreign ownership of Singapore properties.  If you’d like to get in touch for a more in-depth consultation, you can do so .