In May, 4,921 private caveats were lodged but the figures dropped to 3,917 in June and sliding further to 3,540 in July.

Recent update of caveat lodgements showed that only 1,127 caveats have been lodged in August though the low number could be due to a time lag in caveats. 

The previously frantic en bloc sale market has finally ground to a halt after a solitary deal was sealed in August. The government’s supply-side measure of marking up the development charges have worked well in preventing an over-heated collective sale market. It seems that, in the near term of three to six months, only projects with superb qualities and competitive prices will have a realistic chance of finding a buyer.

Edited by Sam Gian – Independent real estate sale consultant