Photo credit: HDB
Rather than a market rebound, the HDB flat market may have to be content with stabilising prices and sales volume. August saw a 0.7 per cent dip in resale flat prices, led by a 1 per cent fall in 4-room flats, over the past 3 months after a slight rise in July. 3- and 5-room resale flat prices also inched down 0.6 per cent while executive condominium (EC) prices rose 0.8 per cent. The price drop is seen in both mature and non-mature HDB estates.
The Hungry Ghost month may also have had something to do with the drop in sales prices as buyers tend to hold off buying during that month though units with lower selling prices may have transacted hence pulling the average median prices down slightly. Since the market peak in April 2013, HDB resale flat prices have since fallen 11.5 per cent.
Photo credit: HDB
Property analysts predict a level market for the rest of the year, with price sustainability at best and as long as the economic forecast remains unclear and overall property market sentiment weak, any price rebound will be unlikely. Sales volume has however been rising, a promising sign, though as more new HDB flats reach completion within the next couple of years, more flat owners will be pushed to sell within a specified time period and competition may once again push prices down.
