Meet Clare, the realtor who has carved out a distinctive niche in Singapore’s prestigious real estate market—connecting discerning tenants with the city’s most exclusive residences: Good Class Bungalows (GCBs) and black-and-white colonial houses. With a deep appreciation for architectural heritage and luxury living, Clare offers more than just rentals—she curates lifestyles for clients seeking privacy, charm, and grandeur.
Clare’s success lies in building trusted relationships with high-net-worth individuals, expats, and celebrities who value discretion and personalised service. From historical estates nestled in lush greenery to sprawling bungalows tucked away in prime districts, she pairs each client with a home that fits their unique story and taste.
What made you join the niche market of Good Class Bungalows (GCBs) and black and white houses, and how did you get started in this segment?
I never set out thinking, “I’m going to specialise in a niche,” but I naturally gravitated towards it. Even in my earlier work in education and travel, I found myself drawn to niche markets and focusing deeply within those spaces. This path into the GCB and colonial home segment felt like a natural progression—and one I found incredibly interesting.
I actually began working with Good Class Bungalows while assisting an ambassador in finding a home. During that process, I realised I had to rely heavily on co-brokers to gain access to certain properties. That experience highlighted a major gap—what’s advertised online often doesn’t match reality. Sometimes, the photos look far better than the actual property, which can lead to client disappointment.
Clients in this segment typically have budgets ranging from $50,000 to $80,000 per month. In some cases, there are clients with “no budget,” or those willing to spend up to $150,000 for a premium, ultra-luxurious Good Class Bungalow (GCB). That’s why I decided to represent landlords directly—it gives me far greater control over the properties I showcase and ensures a more curated, high-standard experience for my clients.
How do you identify and evaluate a GCB or colonial house beyond just location and square footage?
Every house is unique. While land size and build-up offer standard guidelines—alongside basics like the number of bedrooms—what truly sets a property apart is its layout and how it sits on the land. A house with unblocked views or a thoughtfully designed orientation can make all the difference. No two properties are ever exactly alike.
That’s why I always begin with profiling. Based on each client’s priorities, I filter the available options accordingly. Before any viewing, I ensure the client—whether directly or through a co-broker—fills out a form so I can shortlist properties that align closely with their needs.
It’s never just about size. I once managed a black-and-white house situated on a sprawling 168,000-square-foot plot—large enough to fit ten GCBs. However, the land was naturally undulating, not flat. Just by looking, you wouldn’t fully grasp its scale. What truly matters is how the house and land come together—visually, practically, and in alignment with the client’s vision.
Clients in this segment typically have budgets ranging from $50,000 to $80,000 per month. In some cases, there are clients with “no budget,” or those willing to spend up to $150,000 for a premium, ultra-luxurious Good Class Bungalow.
Black and white houses are steeped in history. How do you balance heritage preservation with modern tenant expectations?
To be very honest, when you walk into a black and white house with all the windows closed, it has a strong musty smell. These houses are very old. Though they are steeped in tradition and heritage, maintaining them in our humid climate is not easy. Wear and tear happens over time.
To bring out the best of such a house, you need to showcase its glory. That means turning on all the lights, and if the house is tenanted, opening every window and door. It transforms the place and brings out its true essence.
With black and white houses, nature often comes as part of the package—you might encounter wild boars, curious monkeys (sometimes as many as 8 to 10 waiting at the gate), the occasional snake, bees, civet cats, and even bats hanging upside down in the kitchen.
It’s all part of the charm and experience of living in such heritage homes. Proper upkeep is essential—without regular maintenance, you’ll find lizard droppings and various animal traces. But when well-maintained, these houses can truly shine, offering a unique and beautiful living environment.
What are the few things your clients usually look out for when considering a GCB or black and white house?
The requirements are quite different. For GCBs, first they look at the plot size. Is the land regular in shape? Most want land above 15,000 sq ft; 20,000 sq ft and above is considered very comfortable. Then, just like black and white houses, tenants look for a large, flat garden where they can host outdoor parties or have a pool. It’s about prestige, grandeur, and an elite feel.
Another important factor is modernity. Many prospective tenants want something modern, easy to maintain, and practical. Practicality means features like lifts—in the past you had to climb to the second or third floor, but now a lift is almost essential.
At least six bedrooms, excluding the study, kids’ room, etc. Natural light is also important. If the house meets all this, they’re willing to pay top dollar—50 to 100 grand per month.
For black and white houses, land size can range from 30,000 to 250,000 sq ft. Clients want privacy. However, some land is undulating and not fully usable, while others are flat and open.
Interiors vary too—some black and white homes have large, well-spaced rooms with big windows. Standard black and white layouts usually have three bedrooms upstairs and one in an annex.
For those needing 4–5 big rooms with ensuite, it’s very rare, and they must be prepared to pay top dollar. You need to know how to position such a property—it’s very different from marketing a GCB.
With Singapore’s limited land and rising demand, how do you foresee the future of GCB and black and white house rentals?
Given Singapore’s limited land supply and increasing demand, the future of GCBs and black-and-white house rentals remains strong. GCBs can only be built in designated zones, so their numbers are capped and regulated by the government. These homes cannot simply be constructed elsewhere.
As for black-and-white houses, their large land plots are not yet facing acute scarcity. These colonial-era properties remain a niche, tightly regulated segment with a fixed supply, which is unlikely to change significantly in the foreseeable future.
What’s your vision for Singapore in the next five years?
Singapore’s stable political climate and business-friendly environment continue to attract ultra-high-net-worth individuals, especially amidst global uncertainty. Many from China, India, Europe, and the UK have relocated here to establish family offices.
This influx has significantly fuelled demand for GCB and black-and-white house rentals, a trend I expect to persist.
Due to the steep 60% ABSD, foreign purchases are expected to remain limited. For smaller transactions, these nuances may not be as noticeable.
However, for foreign buyers considering a $25 million penthouse or a landed property in Sentosa, additional costs are significant. With a buyer’s stamp duty of $1.4 million and an Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) of $15 million, the total outlay exceeds $41 million.
Many overseas clients now prefer to rent—preserving their lifestyle while setting up business operations locally.
In my view, public housing prices will continue to climb. High-end condominium sales may experience a temporary slowdown, but are likely to remain resilient in the long run, sustained by continued interest from affluent buyers.
If you could have a superpower for one day, what would it be and why?
I would want to stay in one of the GCBs myself and experience the lifestyle. When someone pays $60,000 a month, that’s $2,000 a day to stay there. I want to experience what that feels like—to live in that luxury, to look out the window and see the sea and ships, to enjoy the pool and the huge master bedroom, even just for a day.
At the end of the day, I enjoy my job because going into all these big houses, the architecture, the luxury, the glamour, the sophistication—it’s really something. It’s nice to put yourself in the shoes of the tenant and enjoy what they experience, even just for a day.
Connect with Clare: Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok.
Clare is a member of Rainmaker, a revolutionary movement that rallies like-minded people together based on the values of Love, Authenticity, Respect, Kindness and Youthfulness (LARKY).
