Resale HDB flat prices have been stabilising for sometime now, and last month showed a 0.7 per cent rise in prices despite a fall in sales volume. Most buyers were in the market to take advantage of the lower prices, perhaps before an official market price-rise occurs. Three-room flat prices rose the most at 0.6 per cent, with five-roomers following at 0.5 per cent and 0.4 per cent for four-room flats.
The public housing market may be seeing some changes in August as 4,800 Build-to-order (BTO) flats are made available for application in Hougang, Sembawang, Yishun and Tampines which could direct buyers’ attention away from the resale segment. Buyers were mostly those looking for good market deals, and home occupiers might be more interested in the new HDB flats instead. The new executive condominium flats coming into the market may have also diluted interest for similar resale units as prices in this segment fell 0.4 per cent.
HDB is also revving up its Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) where 8 blocks in West Coast Road will be the next recipient of the scheme. Residents will be relocated to surrounding blocks and mature HDB estates will see improvements such as upgrading of toilets, lifts and installation of elderly-friendly features.
Property analysts are expecting the number of resale flat transactions to fall this month as the Hungry Ghost Festival begins, but prices are expected to remain level for the rest of the year.
