Property Market Commentary

Can We Expect Cash Over Valuation (COV) To Keep Climbing For HDB Flats?

Late last year, property agents already alerted us to the issue of rising Cash Over Valuation (COV) in resale flat transactions. As of last week, news reports seem to affirm that COV is, indeed, creeping its way back into the…

• 4 Feb 2021
• 6 min read
• 0

5 New Retirement Realities For The Millennial Singaporean

In an era of low interest rates, the traditional strategy of saving and stashing away your monies in higher-interest rate accounts is dead in the water. With various banks slashing their interest rates multiple times in 2020 – there is…

• 30 Jan 2021
• 9 min read
• 0

4 Reasons Why HDB Upgraders Prefer Executive Condos To Private Condos

Two common expressions you’ll hear in Singapore are “What? Why is an EC so expensive?” followed by “What? The EC sold out again?”  Few market watchers will ever forget the famed Piermont Grand EC. When it first came on the…

• 26 Jan 2021
• 6 min read
• 0

Are Sentosa Cove Bungalows Really Seeing A Turnaround?

If you’ve been reading the news lately, you may be surprised to hear about the “wave of regional buyers” that are expected to descend on Sentosa Cove. Yes, we’re talking about the same place where the prices of detached homes…

• 25 Jan 2021
• 6 min read
• 0

13 Former HUDC Estates: How Are They Doing Now?

In 2017, Singapore saw the end of the Housing and Urban Development Company (HUDC) scheme. That was when Braddell View, the last of the remaining HUDC estates, was privatised. In that same year, no less than four HUDC estates went…

• 23 Jan 2021
• 11 min read
• 2

Could We See More Property Cooling Measures In 2021?

In an “oh no” moment on 18th January, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said the government is paying close attention to the property market; and that they “don’t want to see the property market run ahead of the underlying…

• 22 Jan 2021
• 7 min read
• 0

What You Need To Know About En-bloc Sales In 2021

For those who remember the en-bloc fever of 2016/17, the current Singapore property market may look a little depressing. Back then, a certain Stirling Road plot (today Stirling Residences) made history by selling for $1 billion; and Shunfu Ville (today…

• 19 Jan 2021
• 5 min read
• 1

How Does Normanton Park’s Former “No-sale License” Matter To Buyers?

Normanton Park is shaping up to be one of the hot launches of 2021. It’s close to the One-North tech hub, an area where housing options have been few to date; and we won’t be too surprised if investors and…

• 16 Jan 2021
• 5 min read
• 1

All The New Launch Condo Updates For 2021

It’s still early days in 2021, but it doesn’t look as if the property train will be slowing down much (we’ve detailed it more here). 2020 has ended with private residential prices rising by 2.2% for the whole of 2020,…

• 13 Jan 2021
• 7 min read
• 1

Why OCR Condos Might Dominate Rental Markets In 2021

A short while ago we pondered whether the Singapore rental market could stay its course. Given the impact of Covid-19, our rental market has held up remarkably well; at this point simply maintaining rental income / yields can be considered…

• 5 Jan 2021
• 5 min read
• 0

Why HDB And Private Home Prices Are Still Projected To Rise In 2021

“Crisis is opportunity”, we’ve heard time and again about Covid-19, the Global Financial Crisis, etc. For those eyeing the Singapore private property market, however, the saying over the past year has been “Where is the opportunity?” Despite the pandemic, not…

• 4 Jan 2021
• 7 min read
• 0

Resale Condos Were Underrated In 2020, But Might Take The Spotlight In 2021

You’ve been seeing one new launch after another for 2020; so it’s not surprising you may have missed the trend in the background. Resale condos have avoided the limelight despite sales volumes hitting a two-year high back in August, and…

• 26 Dec 2020
• 6 min read
• 0

Are New Launch Bigger Bedroom Units Getting More Expensive?

I’m sure most of you would know the drill by now when it comes to general new launch pricing.  Small units equals higher PSF, big units equals lower PSF.  In the past few years where there has been added emphasis…

• 16 Dec 2020
• 3 min read
• 4

How Much Would You Save By Buying An Assisted Living HDB Flat?

If you’re like most Singaporeans, you have at some point tried to plan out your “final home”, the property where you’ll live out your twilight years. And like most of us, you’ve probably found it quite tricky: is it better…

• 15 Dec 2020
• 5 min read
• 0

How Do We Keep Prime HDB Flats Fair? We Review Your Responses

Last week we asked you how we could keep prime area HDB flats fair, and we got a good number of answers. It’s also timely, as a little more information regarding new flat policies have come up: as of 12th…

• 14 Dec 2020
• 5 min read
• 0

How Big Of A “Windfall” Is A Prime Region HDB Flat?

Resale flat sellers have had some grim looks over the past few days. With potential new resale restrictions brewing, it’s been a big talking point over whether we’re seeing the end of high priced prime region HDB resale flats. We…

• 9 Dec 2020
• 7 min read
• 0

Can Singaporeans Really Afford Their Properties During Covid-19?

Last year, MAS issued cautions as new launches grew, side-lining resale units. Then the re-issue of Options To Purchase (OTPs) came to an end, ostensibly because it could contribute to “property fever”. As of yesterday, MAS has directly advised prudence…

• 8 Dec 2020
• 6 min read
• 0

How Do We Deal With The “Unfairness” Of Prime Region HDB Flats?

Before you fork out $20,000 or $30,000 in Cash Over Valuation (COV), you should pay close attention to what National Development Minister Desmond Lee has been saying. Amid various discussions on Covid-19, mortgages, and help for the construction industry, the…

• 1 Dec 2020
• 5 min read
• 0