S'porean man, 30, who owned 13 properties, buys Ang Mo Kio coffeeshop

A 30-year-old Singaporean man bought an entire Housing Development Board (HDB) coffeeshop at Ang Mo Kio after owning 13 other properties.

According to Stacked, this is Christian Oh's first time owning an entire HDB coffeeshop.

Oh is a property agent and investment director at JNA Real Estate, where the coffeeshop deal was received.

He has said in previous interviews that he had been in the real estate game since he graduated from university.

The Food Haus coffeeshop at Block 421 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 comprises 10 stalls serving a variety of cuisines and claims to be the neighbourhood's first "Instagram-worthy" kopitiam.

13 other properties

According to Stacked, Oh's investment portfolio last year consisted of 13 properties, and he recently divested four properties.

In a 2023 podcast interview, Oh said he then owned eight properties, seven local and one overseas.

Oh's remaining assets, consisting of residential and commercial properties, bring in a monthly rental income of about S$103,000.

He bought his first HDB shop in Macpherson three years ago; the unit was untenanted and allowed him to "set the rent, select the tenant, and structure the lease terms" to suit his investment objectives.

"Sellers with vacant units are often more motivated. They’re carrying holding costs without income — and that pressure creates room for a better entry price."

Oh said his long-term goal is to help his parents retire comfortably and to accumulate assets for himself and his family.

He said the most crucial learning point was bridging the gap between theory and applicable investment experience.

Oh said: "I always ask myself — if this unit sat empty for 12 months, can I sustain it? If the answer is no, reconsider the purchase price or pass entirely."

Oh told Stacked that he visited the coffeeshop at least seven times during various times to understand the footfall it attracted and to talk to tenants and nearby business owners.