S1E58: What’s love gotta do with waiting for a BTO flat from HDB? episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 9, 2025 · 28 MIN

S1E58: What’s love gotta do with waiting for a BTO flat from HDB?

from The Straits Times Podcasts · host The Straits Times

Could less waiting time reduce stress on a marriage and how can couples strengthen their relationships in the face of life challenges?  Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. With HDB planning to introduce more Shorter Waiting Time (SWT) Build-To-Order (BTO) flats, buyers can expect to collect keys in under three years, reducing the amount of stress on the couple relationship, say an economist and a counsellor.  How can young couples decide if they have found the right life partners to take on the wait for a BTO flat? In this episode, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong hosts two guests.  Thr first is National University of Singapore's Professor of Real Estate and Economics Sumit Agarwal. He penned a study on the correlation between early marriages, a higher propensity for divorce and waiting times for a BTO, that was featured in the third book in a series - Kiasunomics 3: Economic Insights For Everyday Life. The book overall, analyses the influence and consequences of economic decisions in Singapore. The second is Mr Neo Eng Chuan, Psychologist and founder of CaperSpring. He has 20 years of experience in helping couples. Highlights (click/tap above):  2:10 Post-Covid: BTO one of the few affordable options for young couples 4:00 The effect of BTO-waiting on marriage  14:11 Is it good to have 'effective fighting' between couples? 18:07 When is it time to cut short your losses? 24:15 Money matters in a marriage Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Host: Lynda Hong ([email protected])  Produced and edited by: Natasha Liew and Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Feedback to: [email protected] SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #inyouropinionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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S1E58: What’s love gotta do with waiting for a BTO flat from HDB?

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This episode is 28 minutes long.

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This episode was published on September 9, 2025.

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Could less waiting time reduce stress on a marriage and how can couples strengthen their relationships in the face of life challenges?  Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues...

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