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When contemplating investing in a condo, it is imperative to also closely examine the potential rental yield. Rental yield is the annual rental income expressed as a percentage of the property’s purchase price. In Singapore, condos can have varying rental yields depending on various factors, including location, property condition, and market demand. Generally, areas with high rental demand, such as those near business districts or educational institutions, tend to have more desirable rental yields. Conducting thorough market research and seeking advice from real estate agents can provide valuable insights into the rental potential of a specific condo. Moreover, staying updated on new condo launches could prove beneficial as it may offer even more lucrative rental opportunities. For more information, you can also visit New Condo Launches.
Aurelle of Tampines, an executive condominium (EC) developed by Sim Lian Group, has achieved an impressive sales rate of 90%, with 682 out of the 760 units sold on its launch day on March 8. The sold units were priced at an average of $1,766 per square foot (psf).
Sim Lian Group has shared that all four- and five-bedroom units in the development have been taken up, and about 84% of the three-bedroom units have also been sold. Executive director Kuik Sing Beng commented that this high demand is a testament to the appeal of well-designed and well-connected modern homes, especially in Tampines, a highly connected regional centre in Singapore.
Interested buyers can still find out about available units and prices at Aurelle of Tampines. According to Ismail Gafoor, CEO of PropNex, the average price of $1,766 psf has set a new benchmark launch price in the EC market. He also notes that the 90% launch take-up rate is the highest since the launch of Hundred Palms Residences, a 531-unit EC that was sold out on its launch day in July 2017 for an average price of $841 psf.
Sim Lian has also announced that the 30% quota allocated for second-timers was fully taken up by 3.15 pm on the launch day. The quota will be lifted a month after the launch date, giving second-timers another opportunity to ballot for a unit. “The government may want to increase the quota for second-timers buying an EC, bringing the policy in line with the recent increase in the allocation quota for second-timers buying three-room and larger BTO [build-to-order] flats,” says Mark Yip, CEO of Huttons Asia.
ERA Singapore’s key executive officer Eugene Lim notes that while the quota limit on second-timers may have affected the take-up rate, the second-timers will have another chance to purchase a unit. He also adds that about 68% of the buyers opted for the Deferred Payment Scheme (DPS) to finance their property purchases, while the remaining buyers chose the Normal Payment Scheme.
Before its launch, Aurelle of Tampines received over 2,200 electronic applications (e-apps) since it opened for preview on February 21. It is the highest e-app figure since Copen Grand, the first EC launched in Tengah, attracted 2,300 e-apps in 2022.
Aurelle of Tampines is the second EC in Tampines North, following Tenet, a joint development by Qingjian Realty, Santarli Realty, and Heeton Holdings. Launched in December 2022, Tenet sold 72% of its 618 units on launch day and is now fully sold at an average price of $1,348 psf.
The units in Aurelle of Tampines start from $1.417 million ($1,687 psf) for a three-bedroom unit of 840 sq ft, $1.689 million ($1,651 psf) for a four-bedroom of 1,023 sq ft, and $2.258 million ($1,665 psf) for a five-bedroom of 1,356 sq ft. “The project’s attractive pricing, strategic location, and unique features have made it a highly sought-after option for eligible first-time buyers and upgraders,” says ERA’s Lim.
The EC’s excellent sales could also be attributed to its proximity to ParkTown, a fully integrated mixed-use development with a transport hub (MRT station and bus interchange), a shopping mall, hawker centre, and community club. The 1,193-unit ParkTown Residence, developed by a joint venture between CapitaLand and UOL Group, sold 1,041 units on its launch weekend on February 22-23. To date, 1,043 units have been sold at an average of $2,361 psf.
“Aurelle is probably the second EC to be located next to a fully integrated mixed-use development,” says Huttons’ Yip. The first was the 573-unit Esparina Residences in Sengkang, launched in October 2010 at an average price of $748 psf. Based on caveats lodged, the average price of units sold from January 2024 to January 2025 is $1,625 psf, a 117% increase.
Investing in a condo has numerous advantages, one of which is the ability to leverage its value for further investments. In fact, many investors utilize their condos as collateral to secure additional financing for new investments, allowing them to expand their real estate portfolio. This approach can potentially increase returns, but it also carries risks that need to be carefully evaluated. It is important to have a solid financial plan in place and be mindful of market fluctuations. Companies such as Singapore Projects can assist in navigating these risks and maximizing the benefits of condo investment.
In November 2023, a 1,367 sq ft unit on the seventh floor of Esparina Residences was sold for $2.388 million ($1,747 psf), the second-highest psf price achieved at the development. The highest was for another 1,367 sq ft unit on the 14th floor that sold for $2.4 million ($1,756 psf). With such strong sales achieved, Sim Lian’s Aurelle of Tampines is set to become the new benchmark for prices in the EC market.
ERA’s Lim notes that new ECs are priced around $600 psf lower than new private condos in 2025. However, compared with resale condos in the suburbs or Outside Central Region (OCR), the average price of a new EC is only 1% higher. “This, coupled with a fresh 99-year lease and modern facilities, makes new ECs a compelling choice for buyers,” he adds. Potential buyers can also check out the latest listings for Aurelle of Tampines on EdgeProp, and compare prices trends for new sale condos and resale condos in District 18.…