Some of the first property cooling measures were implemented more than 4 years ago, and they have stayed till today. More were added along the way and the market seems to be finally responding to the restrictions, with prices and sales volume falling slightly since the 2009 peak.
Considering it took almost 5 years for a slight decline in property prices, the authorities seem determined to stick to their guns and have the property cooling measures in place at least for a little while more. But analysts are expecting a much steeper drop in residential prices of up to 15 per cent before the Singapore government is likely to ease up on the measures. They are likely to also be waiting for mortgage interest rates to rise above the 3.5 per cent average from before.
Especially as the elections have just ended, a sudden change in policies is unlikely as increasing housing prices could affect public sentiment. Although there has been pushback from citizens about immigration policies, and the increasing supply of new properties in then next couple of years may further keep rental and housing prices suppressed unless there is a drastic shift there. In the HDB market, they are expecting a further 5 to 10 per cent drop in prices before any change might be effected.
Will there however be a gradual easing of cooling measures by removing restrictions one at a time?
