Singapore’s transformation from a malarial swamp to one of the richest nations in the world has been nothing short of astonishing. Its strategic location along the Strait of Malacca, a pro-business government, openness to foreign investment, along with a bit of ingenuity have all helped the country leap forward over the past few decades.

Having the most developed economy in the region and hosting Southeast Asia’s financial center, Singapore is unique among its neighbors. It’s a stark contrast to nearby emerging markets such as Indonesia and The Philippines.

For investors, this leads to both strengths and weaknesses for Singapore’s property market. A strong rule of law, high efficiency, and English as the official language means that real estate buyers are not likely to encounter problems – at least not any which can’t be fixed easily.

Whereas you might need to deal with translations and bureaucracy in a ...