Whether for occupation or investment, HDB dwellers moving into the private property market are setting their sights on smaller units below 100 sqm priced between $750,000 and $1.05 million. Median sizes of purchased non-landed homes have fallen to 85 sq m.
This could be a good indicator for developers and resale private condominium sellers of the pricing sweet spot in upcoming launches. Prices of completed transactions of non-landed homes have fallen 5.4 per cent. But private property owners who are purchasing within the market are snapping up bigger units of up to 110 sq m. This could be due to the fall in prices since 2013 and the affordable total quantum pricing.
The number of foreign property buyers have also decreased slightly, with most now targeting luxury homes tagged above $5 million. In addition to Singapore’s political and economic stability, established infrastructure and education standards, value-for-money property options continue to draw foreign investors despite increased stamp duties.
As the market acclimatises itself to the new dynamics of the Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) framework, increased stamp duties and other property cooling measures, the buyers may gradually re-enter the market. With the promise of new launches coming up in then next few months, the numbers could see a turnaround soon.
