5 Semi-D homes that deserve more publicity than Vivian Lai’s crib

For most Singaporeans, the story of local actress Vivian Lai’s husband Alain Ong and his termination as the CEO of Pokka Corp (Singapore) was arguably topic of the week. At 99.co’s office, what we really chuckled about was the fact that the couple had taken THREE YEARS of house-hunting to find their $8 million semi-detached (semi-D) “dream house”, which they bought in January this year.

Clearly, they have not been using our portal. It only took us a matter of minutes to discover these Semi-D gems listed across Singapore. Should the couple need to start looking for a new home again soon, perhaps they should give 99.co’s squeaky-clean user interface a go.

Semi-D Gem #1: Green Hill Estate

Listed price: $5,750,000
Nearest MRT: Cashew
Tenure: 999 years from 1882 (863 years remaining)
Land size: 3,978 sq ft
Storeys: 2
Bedrooms: 4

With a tropical villa exterior and a posh cosmopolitan interior, this two-storey, four-bedder semi-detached home affords the owner the best of both worlds. Its centrepiece is arguably its sizeable rectangular in-ground swimming pool and floating timber deck.

Inside the home, you’ll find slab-cut marble being used everywhere — from flooring to walls to the bar countertops. Full-sized wet and dry kitchens, large in relation to the living and dining area, is a dream for serious gourmands. Down to the details, in-ceiling wireless speakers — fitted as a part of a $700k makeover four years ago — are a nice touch that ups the luxe factor of the semi-D.

For nature lovers, the property’s proximity to nature reserves, such as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, is also a plus point.

Semi-D Gem #2: Holland Grove

Listed price: $3,880,000
Nearest MRT: Dover
Tenure: 99 years from 1997 (78 years remaining)
Land size: 2,581 sq ft
Storeys: 3
Bedrooms: 5

Who says prime district landed homes have to cost a fortune? Certainly not this three-storey District 10 semi-D, which features a Scandinavian-meets-oriental style yard complete with an elevated patio deck and a courtyard with water feature. It’s a 99-year leasehold property, which its attractive sub-$4m price tag reflects.

Inside, the home blends old-world classiness in the form of wooden flooring, intricate wood furniture and fittings — with modern sensibilities in places where it’s apt such as the wet kitchen. The hobby/work room on the second storey of the 5-bedroom house would especially appeal to work-from-home owners and retirees. And, with the wooden touches, the bedrooms feel extra homey.

Location-wise, Henry Park Primary School is well-within 1km of the property. Dover MRT and Singapore Polytechnic is only 2-3 minutes walk away.

Semi-D Gem #3: Opera Estate

Listed price: $5,880,000
Nearest MRT: Bedok
Tenure: Freehold
Land size: 3,100 sq ft
Storeys: 2.5
Bedrooms: 6

The East of Singapore has its fair share of attractive landed properties, including in the tranquil Opera Estate, where residents can enjoy the amenities and conveniences of the Bedok heartland and also live in close proximity to East Coast Park — easily accessible via a direct park connector.

What stands out about this semi-detached home is its 13-metre, fully-sheltered lap pool, which is lit from above with a skylight. Looks-wise, this house touts a modern architectural style with a minimalist interior of whites and light wooden flooring, which gives its spaces an authentic Zen character.

And such is the emphasis on floor-to-ceiling windows and natural lighting, that chilling out in the living room or cooking in the wet kitchen is like being outdoors. Privacy is well taken care of, with flanks of greenery and vertical decking shielding the home’s owners from prying eyes (and potential paparazzi).

Semi-D Gem #4: Leith Park

Listed price: $5,200,000
Nearest MRT: Serangoon
Tenure: Freehold
Land size: 4,150 sq ft
Storeys: 2
Bedrooms: 5

A freehold semi-D in a well-placed location like Serangoon is already a selling point in itself. And when the property looks like a picture-perfect modern, industrial chic home, you can be sure it won’t stay on the market for long.

There’s also a touch of colonial character with the judicious use of black on white. Living spaces are expansive; contrasting grey flooring with white walls can make a space look larger, as with semi-floating stairs (Stringer stairs).

And for fans of spas, the master bathroom of this home is the place where they could well spend the most time in. Luxurious yet cosy, the space features natural light illuminating a egg-shaped bathtub. Now all that’s missing is a masseuse.

Semi-D Gem #5: Hock Swee Hill

Listed price: $5,380,000
Nearest MRT: Yio Chu Kang
Tenure: Freehold
Land size: 4,624 sq ft
Storeys: 2
Bedrooms: 6

Most of you would need to do a double double-take once you set eyes on this semi-D home. First, you might wonder if this is really in Singapore, and not somewhere like Bali. Second, you might wonder how in the world is this not a bungalow.

Turns out this is a landed property with a sense of space and design features that make it look and feel like a resort villa (the ones that usually costs an arm and leg to rent on Airbnb). Taking advantage of a frontage of more than 12 metres long and a generous land size, the owner has combined a large swimming pool, garden and patio into one continuous space.

Meanwhile, the semi-D’s country resort vibe extends to the interior, from the decorative floor tiling and brick-relief walls to the beamed ceilings. We like that the master bedroom sits on the first storey and opens up directly to the pool deck — perfect for homeowners who believe that life should be one big vacation!

Which of these semi-D homes would you live in? Voice your thoughts in the comments section or on our Facebook community page.

If you found this article helpful, 99.co recommends Crazy Rich Asians: 5 Singapore landed homes fit for the 1% and 5 Most Insta-worthy Condos in Singapore [2018 edition]

Looking for a property? Find your dream home on Singapore’s largest property portal 99.co!