Toy Story

Like many home buyers, Jian Yang had a checklist when he was searching for his first home some years ago.

In the end, he bought an apartment in Paya Lebar, which ticked all the boxes. It is near his parents' home and has a spiral staircase, which he says is "a cool and retro feature to have". Most important, at 1,050 sq ft in size, it is big enough to house his collection of toys.

Other pluses include a balcony at the back of the house where Mr Yang, 38, director in a communications agency, chills with his friends, and a courtyard where he has a pond to keep fish.

The townhouse's whitewashed facade gives no clue as to how the interior looks. But visitors can get a sneak peek when they climb the stairs to Mr Yang…