“Eeyer… ground floor ah?”
It’s probably one of the fastest ways to make a buyer lose interest.
Every condo launch. Every BTO launch. The highest floors get booked almost immediately.
Ground floor?
Usually the last few units sitting there.
For the longest time, we’ve been taught that higher = better.
Better views. Better privacy. Better resale. Better investment.
But here’s the question.
Is that actually true? Or are we just repeating what everyone else has been saying for years?
As a realtor, I hear the same concerns whenever a client sees a ground-floor unit.
“Later very noisy.”
“People can look inside.”
“Got mosquitoes.”
“Not safe.”
Recently, for some developments, I hear “later got monkeys”.
And to be fair…
These concerns aren’t completely wrong. Very valid honestly. (I personally would choose a higher floor for staying too.)
Ground-floor units generally experience more foot traffic, less privacy, and depending on the project, they may be more prone to pests or road noise.
If your unit faces the bin centre or a busy driveway, you’ll probably notice it.
These are real trade-offs.
But here’s the interesting part.
Most people stop their evaluation there.
They never ask what they get in return.
What people often overlook
Some ground-floor units come with a Private Enclosed Space (PES).
In other words…
You get something that’s incredibly rare in Singapore — Outdoor space.
That little patio suddenly becomes a breakfast corner, a play area for the kids, a small garden, or even just somewhere to enjoy your kopi in the morning.
It’s not for everyone.
But for the right buyer, it feels surprisingly close (yeah might be a stretch, but still..) to living in a landed home—without paying landed prices.
Then there are projects where the ground-floor units open directly to the pool.
Instead of taking the lift down…
You literally walk out from your patio.
For families with young children, that’s a convenience that’s hard to put a price on.
Ground-floor living also makes life much easier for certain groups of buyers.
Parents with toddlers.
Elderly family members.
People with mobility issues.
No waiting for lifts.
No worrying during lift breakdowns.
No carrying strollers up and down every day.
Sometimes convenience is worth far more than a better view.
But what about investment?
This is where things get interesting.
One of the biggest assumptions is that ground-floor units appreciate less because “nobody wants them.”
Historical resale data over the past decade actually paints a different picture.
-
Line 1: 1st floor – 57.91%
-
Line 2: 2nd – 10th floor – 52.21%
-
Line 3: 11th – 20th floor – 46.67%
-
Line 4: 21st – 30th floor – 40.28%
Ground-floor units recorded around 57.91% price growth, compared with approximately 52.21% for mid-floor units and 40.28% for higher-floor units.
Does that mean every ground-floor unit will outperform?
Of course not.
Real estate doesn’t work that way.
Every project, location, layout, tenure and market cycle is different.
But it does challenge one very common belief—that buying a ground-floor unit automatically means sacrificing investment returns.
One possible explanation is simple.
Ground-floor units usually start at a lower purchase price.
Because the entry point is lower, there’s often more room for percentage growth if the overall project performs well.
So…
Would I recommend buying a ground-floor unit?
It depends.
If your dream home is all about panoramic views, complete privacy and plenty of natural breeze, then paying more for a higher floor probably makes sense.
But if you’re someone who values outdoor space, convenience, a unique lifestyle, or simply wants better value for your money…
Maybe don’t dismiss Level 1 so quickly.
Sometimes the units everyone ignores…
Are exactly where the opportunity lies.
The next time you’re viewing a project, don’t just ask,
“Why hasn’t this unit been sold?”
Also ask,
“Am I avoiding it because it’s genuinely unsuitable… or simply because everyone else told me to?”
Sometimes, the best deals aren’t on the highest floor.
They’re just hiding on the lowest one.
Rach, 92336690
