Must master skill of negotiating. Learn from the aunties when they bargain in pasar malam. Joke aside, for me, i will first of all, identify the place you want and most importantly you must know your target price then engage as many agents as possible. Tell them you are not in a hurry to buy. Only call you when they can get the price you want. I must say, I hv managed to get some though not all for the price I set. There are always some desperate sellers. If u r lucky you get it. If there is none, just wait. Money is king now especially in sub sale market. If you hv the ability to get a loan and ability to pay 30% because of the LTV 70% rule, I think you hv a lot of bargaining power. Just my view as a small investor.