Why Some Buyers Regret Choosing the Cheapest Unit in a Project

Lifestyle
July 3, 2025

Everyone loves a good deal—especially when it comes to property. But in the search for affordability, some buyers make the mistake of going for the cheapest unit in a condo project, assuming it offers the best value.

While that choice may look financially smart upfront, it can come with hidden drawbacks that impact comfort, resale value, and overall satisfaction. Here’s why the lowest-priced unit isn’t always the wisest pick—and what to look out for before making your decision.

1. Less Desirable Facing or Location Within the Development

Cheaper units are often priced that way for a reason—they tend to have the least favourable attributes in terms of:

Facing busy roads or expressways
Overlooking bin centres, substations, or service areas
Lower floors with poor ventilation or privacy
Close proximity to the carpark entrance or loading bays

These compromises may seem minor at first but can lead to long-term dissatisfaction. A noisy or poorly lit unit can negatively affect your quality of life and make future resale more challenging.

2. Lower Natural Light and Poor Ventilation

Units on lower floors or in internal-facing stacks may receive less natural sunlight and airflow, making them darker and more humid. Over time, this can lead to:

Higher electricity bills due to increased use of lights and air-conditioning
Dampness or musty smells
A less cheerful, welcoming living environment

While high-floor units come with a price premium, many buyers find the improved livability well worth the cost.

3. Limited View or Blocked Outlook

Views play a big role in resale and rental appeal, especially in Singapore where space is limited and scenic units command a premium. Cheaper units often face:

Internal courtyards or walls of nearby blocks
Narrow gaps between towers
Utility areas or rooftop facilities

Even if you don’t mind the view now, future buyers might. This limits your pricing power when it’s time to sell.

4. Poor Feng Shui Perception Among Future Buyers

In Singapore, feng shui considerations can affect a property’s marketability. Units with direct alignment to corridors, elevators, or refuse chutes may be considered inauspicious by some buyers.

Even if feng shui isn’t a concern for you, it can impact your resale audience—and that means slower transactions or price negotiations later.

5. Lower Rental Yield Potential

Investors looking for rental income may find that cheaper units don’t always translate to better returns. Why? Because tenants also value things like:

Privacy
Quiet surroundings
Good airflow and natural light

If the lowest-priced unit feels cramped, noisy, or dark, it might attract lower rental offers—or sit vacant longer.

6. Long-Term Value vs Short-Term Savings

Saving $20,000–$30,000 upfront may seem attractive during the purchase, but over a 5- to 10-year period, that difference may not matter as much as:

Daily comfort and lifestyle satisfaction
Ability to resell quickly at market price
Wider pool of future buyers or tenants

Often, slightly upgrading to a better-positioned unit within the same project brings greater long-term value.

7. Missed Opportunity for Better Appreciation

In many new launches, premium stacks with good facing or high floors tend to appreciate faster than internal-facing or low-floor units. That means that over time, buyers of mid-tier units may end up with a better return—even if they paid a bit more upfront.

By contrast, the cheapest units often see the slowest price growth and the most resistance when it comes time to exit.

Conclusion: Cheapest Doesn’t Always Mean Best Value

There’s nothing wrong with being budget-conscious—but when it comes to property, value isn’t just about price. It’s about what you’re getting in return: comfort, liveability, resale appeal, and peace of mind.

Before choosing the lowest-priced unit in a condo project, ask yourself: