If you compare real estate with stocks you will find that the latter is a bit easier on taxes. In Singapore, there are currently no capital gains taxes on stocks.
On the other hand if you are operating in the real estate market you have to deal with property tax, the ABSD, the SSD, and the tax levied on second and third properties that you purchase. But that is not all, there is insurance cost, and maintenance costs attached as well.
That said, it does not mean that you are careless about costs when it comes to stocks as well. Different kinds of stocks have different hidden costs. For example, mutual funds have a hidden cost called the expense ratio. Some funds charge you a marketing fee. Be mindful also of costs like the front end load and back end loads and terms like purchase and redemption fees.
The financial world has not made it easy to untangle all of these complex and hidden expenses. It is easy to miss these costs out but spotting them is extremely important because it eats into your profit.