World Magazine 2024
Ask an experienced property investor in Singapore how they made their best returns, and you’ll rarely hear “I waited until everyone agreed it was a great area.” You’re more likely to hear “I bought before everyone else caught on.”
That’s the whole idea behind buying early. You get in while an area is still growing, instead of paying full price once the story is finished. Right now, Lorong Chuan in District 19 looks like one of those chances. The Circle Line has just completed its loop, two land parcels have been sold one after the other, and a big new estate is getting ready to launch. That estate is One Chuan Grove, and if you care about timing as much as floor plans, it’s worth a closer look.
This isn’t just a “buy early and hope” idea, because some of the proof is already there. Land bids, nearby sales and rail upgrades. Here’s what the numbers show.
Table of Contents
Nine reasons early buyers are watching closely
1. Developers competed hard for the land
The first Chuan Grove parcel got seven bids in 2025. The winning bid of about S$1,376 psf ppr was, at the time, the second-highest ever paid for a site in the Outside Central Region. Strong bidding usually means developers expect real demand.
2. The same team doubled down
Sing Holdings and Sunway Developments then won the parcel next door at about S$1,331 psf ppr. The total land cost was about S$1.33 billion. That shows real confidence, not a casual bet.
3. Nearby demand has already been proven
Chuan Park, just down the road, sold about 76% of its 916 units on launch weekend in November 2024, at an average of about S$2,579 psf. Buyers have already shown they want new homes in this area.
4. The Circle Line is now a full loop
Stage 6 opened in July 2026 and completed the Circle Line. Lorong Chuan station, about four minutes’ walk from the site, is now on a line that goes all the way around the city. Rail upgrades like this usually push up demand over time.
5. Two interchanges, one stop each
Serangoon (North East Line) and Bishan (North-South Line) are each one stop away. For tenants and owners alike, that kind of access is easy to sell and easy to live with.
6. A unit mix with rental appeal
The early unit mix goes from one-bedroom units of about 474 sq ft up to five-bedroom homes of about 1,561 sq ft. Smaller units may attract tenants who work nearby at NTP+ or travel on the Circle Line. Bigger units attract families who plan to live there, which helps keep the estate stable over the long term.
7. Family demand anchored by schools
St. Gabriel’s Primary School and the Australian International School are nearby, with more schools in the wider area. Demand from families who want to be near schools usually stays strong.
8. Early-stage pricing
Prices haven’t been announced yet. Based on the land cost, analysts have suggested average launch prices of about S$2,700 to S$2,800 psf. The first phases of big launches often have the more attractive prices, though that’s never guaranteed.
9. A fresh 99-year lease
A brand-new lease, with completion expected around 2030, gives buyers the full 99 years. That matters for bank loans and for resale later on.
How It Compares with The Serra Residences
Serra Residences carries a different kind of risk. It’s built on certainty rather than the upside of buying early. It’s freehold and located in well-established Novena, so its value doesn’t depend on a master plan working out over the next ten years. The medical hub, the MRT line and the malls are already up and running.
Resale listings show units selling for about S$2.13 million to S$5.265 million, at about $3,000 psf. Those figures come from real resale deals, not launch-weekend guesses.
For an investor who wants predictability, freehold tenure and steady rental demand from Novena’s medical and business workers, Serra is the lower-risk, steadier choice. The downside is that much of its growth is already priced in, since most of the infrastructure around it is already built.
One Chuan Grove means accepting more uncertainty. It has a 99-year lease, a completion date around 2030 and a large number of units that will need to find buyers. In return, you get early prices in an area that’s only starting to feel the full benefit of the completed Circle Line. For investors who can wait longer, One Chuan Grove’s early stage may offer more room to grow than Serra, whose growth has mostly already happened.
Some honest warnings
Around 1,056 units is a lot of supply in one place, and they’ll compete with Chuan Park resales once both are complete. If launch prices end up close to analyst estimates, they’ll be clearly higher than what Chuan Park buyers paid.
Leasehold value does drop over the long run. Interest rates, cooling measures and total supply in the north-east will all have an effect too. None of this means you should walk away. It means you should do your own sums and talk to a qualified adviser before you commit.
The takeaway
The best time to buy into an area is usually before everyone agrees it has arrived. Lorong Chuan isn’t a secret, but its prices don’t yet fully reflect the completed Circle Line.
One Chuan Grove gives early buyers a way in, backed by strong land bids, proven demand nearby and a train station a short walk away. Check the prices carefully. But there’s a strong case for taking a closer look.
Before you commit, be clear about what you want. Are you buying to live in, to rent out, or to hold before upgrading later? Each answer points to a different unit type and stack. A one-bedroom unit near the station might suit a rental plan. A three-bedroom flexi unit might make more sense if you plan to move in later with a family.
Whatever your plan, leave yourself some room. Launch dates change, interest rates move and the market can be slow for a year or two. Patient investors usually do better than those hoping for a quick profit. If One Chuan Grove fits your budget and your timeline, buying early could work in your favour.
