Here’s what a first-time homebuyer learned from watching PropertyGuru’s first reality TV show

Buying your first home is one of those quintessential Singaporean milestones, right up there with taking the PSLE, surviving National Service (for the guys), and counting down the days till you can cash out your CPF money—if it hasn’t all been sunk into your flat, that is.

Now that I’ve embarked on this rite of passage, I’m filled with a thrilling cocktail of excitement, mild trepidation, and a thousand burning questions that have me Googling like a maniac at 2am.

BTO or resale? 3-room or 4-room? Bank or HDB loan? Will my dream home also double as my financial ruin?

Of course, buying a home is deeply personal, much like choosing bubble tea toppings—no one-size-fits-all.

That’s where a property agent comes in, like the indispensable GPS for your home-buying journey.

Sure, you could try winging it, but you’d probably end up frazzled, lost, and saddled with something that is miles apart from your dream home.

“Home Run: Singapore”, PropertyGuru’s first-ever reality TV show on YouTube changed my perspective of property agents.

The show is like a mashup of “Property Brothers” and “The Bachelor,” except the rose is replaced with a Letter of Offer, and the contestants are property agents vying for the hearts (and housing decisions) of a homebuyer in each episode.

Through its three charismatic agents—Claire, Shawn, and Nadiyah—I’ve picked up a few pearls of wisdom which will definitely come in handy in my own home-buying journey.

Here are my takeaways:

1. Know your “must-haves” (and accept that you can’t have it all)

The agents on the show typically start by grilling buyers about their non-negotiables.

“What are your must-haves?” they ask, like therapists trying to unravel your inner feng shui needs.

It sounds obvious, but knowing your priorities is crucial—especially in Singapore, where your dream home could come with a premium view of your neighbor’s laundry.

Love hosting parties? Prioritize a spacious living area (and brace yourself for a smaller kitchen).

Raising kids? Look for a place near schools (and learn to accept that playground screeches will haunt your Saturdays).

Cooking enthusiast? You’ll want a dreamy kitchen, even if it means sacrificing that Insta-worthy balcony.

Just remember: you won’t get everything you want unless your budget is Elon-Musk-level obscene.

So, save yourself the heartache and decide early on what’s non-negotiable versus what’s just nice to have. Otherwise, you’ll still be hunting for a home when flying taxis become a thing.

2. Get help navigating the property policy jungle

Ah, property rules—Singapore’s equivalent of a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure book, except with way more acronyms. ABSD, LTV, EHG—it’s like they’re trying to confuse us.

One episode of the show featured a buyer asking if he could decouple his name from an HDB flat that he co-owned with his mum.

A curveball? Definitely. But the agents’ quick thinking reminded me why having someone who knows their stuff is key.

For new buyers like me, it’s easy to trip up on policies, especially when they change faster than Netflix subscription prices.

That’s where a good agent comes in, like a policy whisperer, helping you navigate the jargon jungle and avoid costly mistakes. Think of them as your human Google Translate—but better dressed.

3. Find an agent you actually like

Here’s the thing about agents: their technical know-how is important, but if you can’t vibe with them, the journey is going to feel longer than waiting for a BTO to be ready.

“Home Run: Singapore” drove this home for me.

Claire, Shawn, and Nadiyah each had their strengths, but many times it was an emotional connection with the buyer that gave them the extra edge.

As mentor and host Charlyn said in the first episode, buying a house isn’t a practical decision—it’s an emotive one. (Translation: You could fall for a place with zero logic but great vibes.)

So, fingers crossed I find someone with Nadiyah’s warmth, Shawn’s expertise, and Claire’s creative problem-solving—or at least someone who can laugh at my lame jokes while steering me toward my dream home.

Watch Home Run: Singapore on YouTube

If you’re just starting your home-buying journey like me, check out “Home Run: Singapore” on YouTube. At the very least, you’ll get to gawk at gorgeous homes, pick up some solid tips, and maybe (just maybe) feel a little less like you’re spiraling into adulting chaos.

Thanks to this branded content by PropertyGuru, this writer will be embarking on his homebuying journey with a bit more confidence (and a property agent leading the way).

Top photo courtesy of PropertyGuru.