Mini hosting within your means

Nothing beats than having a place to call your own, this has been an entrenched Asian mindset, especially in the context of land scarce cities like Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo, where having a place is a luxury but ironically, also an essential. Additionally, having a home is very much desirable in these cities as the society’s pace have been fairly fast in these places, adding on to the stress where working professionals are very much hopeful of having a place to connect with oneself at the end of the day and to re-charge for the following day’s requirements.

Notwithstanding the high housing prices and that most professionals especially those in the commercial industry are well educated and exposed to international culture and are open to renting, owning a property in Singapore is still very much considered a prestige, or in fact a necessity to reflect one’s overall wealth.

On top of having a place for oneself, the purpose of ownership extends to sharing the joys of one’s home with closed ones, such as confidantes and close friends. The home, especially one which is of unique design and quality, such as a private apartment, has become a social medium, from a traditional individualistic role.

Why mini-host?
There are many motivations for people to mini host within own apartment. Mini hosting are generally not celebratory motivated, where a large number in excess of five guests are invited to cheer about an event. Instead, mini hosting refers to inviting a couple or even one close friend, for a simple dinner, snacks, and quite often, accompanied by spirits. The decision to mini host is often random and can be fairly frequent, usually extends to friends who stay in the vicinity for a chat, or friends in distress who require a listening avenue.


Fundamentally, mini hosting is increasingly popular as it allows one to subtly flaunt his property, provides a cosy and nice environment to catch up with friends and it is fairly low in costs.

Although there are a variety of entertainment hangout available in the after work hours and the weekends, the home is still a more relaxed place for one to ‘take it easy’ with friends, to chat and build or re-build friendships. Moreover, there is no curfew unless individually set, but entertainment hangouts usually cease operations by the mid or after mid night hours.

Singapore has become increasingly attractive over the years with the development of major entertainment clusters like Clarke Quay, St James, the dining and wine places in the central pockets of the island, hotel lounges and even parts of the revamped Orchard Road, Harbourfront, Dempsey and Marina Bay but the zen factor can be higher in warm, friendly homes. Owners are also taking pride in mini hosting to show culinary skills and reflecting the competence as personal ‘chefs’ and successful working professionals. For guests who enjoy the simple, friendly times, it also reflects one’s sincerity in catching up in no frills places like the homes and appreciation of the friendships with the hosts. The increasing mini hosting is also seen among younger demographics, likely those in their late 20s and above, who own a private or well designed public residential property.

What properties favour mini hosting?
Basically, any residential property supports mini hosting hence it has become a motivation for many to simply own a piece of residential property, for stay and the opportunity to mini host apart from self-indulgence. However, properties which stand out for mini hosting are small to mid private residential properties, which are creatively or beautifully designed and decorated. Homes set in contemporary, stylish developments and young dwellers enclaves like TanjongPagar, Novena, East Coast and the fairly northern, eastern parts of Singapore are much favoured for their positioning and convenience.

In fact, it is homes which are fairly small or average in size, of up to 1,400 sqft, which can offer a closed connected ambience for mini hosting. Although shoebox apartments are small, less than 500 sqft for many individual units, there is still possibility to mini host with a friend or two occasionally. Homes which are on higher levels offering splendid city views will be even interesting, as companions are able to feel the city when they are near the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Conservation homes in centrally located parts of Singapore, including some shophouses, or some low rise quaint residential spots, may be interesting places for mini hosting. Indeed, the list is never ending except for properties which are in crowded, spartanneighbourhoods which may have limited opportunities for quiet mini hosting times.

Mini Hosting as a Benefit than Home Buying Objective
Although mini apartment hosting is increasingly popular as a by-product of society’s development where stakeholders generally recognize the need for quiet, relaxed moments that can be achieved through one’s property, it is so far fairly constraint in terms of emerging as the main reason for property home purchases. The underlying reason is still for capital appreciation, investment, family upgrading and for one’s solace. The very fact that it is still not the primary home buying objective is of comfort as buying to fulfill others’ objectives should be the least in one’s property buying motivations unless he is cash rich. However, the strength and the increasing role of mini hosting in an apartment should not be underestimated by developers who are conceptualizing new products for sale.

There are many young and economically active persons who are yet able to afford buying a property but are open to leasing properties as a whole or in part, with possibilities to mini host. The occupiers’ interest for properties to mini host also suggests the potential and importance of mini hosting in one’s property owning or leasing motivations in time to come. 

OngKahSeng, Director, R’ST Research