HDB resale flat prices fell a mere 1.5% last year, buoyed by a 0.2% rise in the last quarter of 2015.
Photo credit: HDB
With the lowered prices of resale HDB flats, there may be an increase in sales volume this year as buyers have found many of these sans-COV (cash over valuation) resale units more affordable. Price-wise, property experts are looking at a 1 – 2 per cent movement, with prices staying quite stagnant this year. More young couples and upgraders may also be moving into the private property market as the total quantum prices of units have come down to a much more palatable level.
According to Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong, resale flats are mostly selling at market value, with prices comparable to that of 2011. Some of the property cooling measures which have been implemented since that which have taken effect, and which may continue to do so include the mortgage servicing cap of 30 per cent, the 25-year maximum loan tenure limit, and a 3-year waiting period for permanent residents before they are allowed to purchase resale HDB flats. Demand may also have waned as singles are now able to purchase new 2-room BTO flats directly from HDB and 18,000 new flats are to be rolled out this year with the first launch in February.
Though this may point to the market bottoming out by end of 2015, two consecutive quarters of price increase is required before a clear sign of a market rebound can be confirmed.
