I know most of us roll our eyes when property agents say “don’t wait too long,” and to be fair, some of them are doing it as a sales tactic. But there is a kernel of truth in this, albeit less drastic and exaggerated than the pitch implies. For the average Singaporean, there really is a “golden window” when the jump from HDB to condo tends to be easier, or at least a bit more viable. Before this window, you probably don’t have enough money. After this window, age and loan limitations creep in. Here’s where that window lies: A quick caveat before we dive in What follows is a generalised scenario based on current property prices, lending rules, and median incomes in Singapore. It’s meant to reflect what’s relevant for most people, not those on extreme ends of the scale. If you’re earning $100,000+ a month, or you happen to own a 4-room flat that sells for a million dollars,...