HDB Resale Market Sees 19th Consecutive Quarter of Price Growth
According to quarterly data released by HDB on Jan 24, the resale prices of HDB flats rose by 2.6% in 4Q2024, marking the 19th consecutive quarter of price growth in the market. This brings the total increase in prices for the year to 9.7%. This is a significant jump from the 4.9% increase registered in 2023.
However, the growth in prices last quarter was slightly lower compared to the 2.7% increase in 3Q2024. Mohan Sandrasegeran, head of research & data analytics at SRI, believes that the strong growth in prices throughout 2024 can be attributed to the limited supply of flats reaching their Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) during the year.
He also adds that the limited supply has put upward pressure on prices, especially for newer flats and larger unit types that cater to the needs of growing families.
Among the different types of HDB flats, five-room flats saw the highest price increase in 4Q2024, with the average resale price jumping by 2.2% to $754,097. Meanwhile, four-room flats saw a 2.2% increase to $652,544 in the same period.
The Central Area saw the highest increase in prices, growing by 25.6% in 4Q2024, followed by Toa Payoh (12.1%), Tampines (6.9%), Bishan (6.7%), and Bedok (6.1%). Over 90% of the transactions for flats priced at $1 million or more happened in mature estates, with Kallang/Whampoa recording the highest number of million-dollar flats sold (156 units), followed by Toa Payoh (144 units), and Bukit Merah (135 units).
The transaction volumes for the resale market saw a dip of 21.1% in 4Q2024, with 6,424 units sold compared to 8,142 units in 3Q2024. Seasonal factors, such as the year-end holiday and festive season, may have contributed to the decline, as well as the lower interest rate that may have encouraged some buyers to consider the private residential or Executive Condominium (EC) markets.
Another factor could be the preference for prospective buyers to ballot for flats in the latest Build-to-Order (BTO) exercise, which saw HDB launch a record 15 projects comprising 8,573 flats under the new location-based classification framework. For the first time, singles were also allowed to purchase two-room flexi BTO flats in all locations.
However, overall resale transaction volumes in 2024 increased by 8.4% from 2023, with 28,986 units sold compared to 26,735 units. This is the largest number of yearly resale transactions since 2021 when 31,017 units were sold. The HDB towns that were most popular among buyers in 2024 were Sengkang, Woodlands, Punggol, Tampines, and Yishun, which accounted for 35.9% of all resale transactions.
When it comes to investing in condos in Singapore, there is one crucial aspect that must be considered – the government’s property cooling measures. Over the years, the Singaporean government has implemented various measures to control speculative buying and maintain a steady real estate market. One of these measures is the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD), which entails higher taxes for foreign buyers and those purchasing multiple properties. While these measures can potentially affect the short-term profitability of condo investments, they also play a significant role in the long-term stability of the market, making it a more secure environment for investing. Moreover, with the recent surge of new condo launches, the market is continuously evolving, providing more opportunities for investors to diversify their portfolio and potentially increase their returns in the long run.
Looking Ahead
In 2025, approximately 6,976 flats are expected to reach the end of their MOP, which is a 41.6% decrease from the 11,952 flats in 2024. This is due to the smaller number of BTO flats completed in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, HDB has announced plans to launch over 25,000 new flats across three BTO exercises in 2025, including 19,600 BTO flats and more than 5,500 flats under the Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise.
When it comes to investing in real estate in Singapore, the location of a property plays a crucial role. This is especially true for condominiums, as a well-placed condo can greatly impact its potential for value appreciation. Optimal locations, such as central areas or those near key amenities like schools, shopping malls, and public transportation hubs, have been shown to experience a higher increase in value over time. In Singapore, prime areas like Orchard Road, Marina Bay, and the Central Business District (CBD) have consistently demonstrated positive growth in property values. Furthermore, condos situated near reputable schools and educational institutions are highly coveted by families, making them an even more desirable investment opportunity. Therefore, carefully assessing the location of a property is imperative for those considering investing in a condo in Singapore, as it can lead to long-term growth and the potential for financial success in the condo market.
The next SBF exercise will take place in February, offering 5,000 BTO flats in Kallang/Whampoa, Queenstown, Woodlands, and Yishun. This will be the largest SBF exercise since November 2020. Around 40% of the 5,500 SBF flats have already been completed.
The increase in public housing supply aims to meet the growing demand for housing in Singapore. Mohan Sandrasegeran predicts that resale prices in the HDB market for 2025 could grow by 3.5% to 5.5%, with around 26,000 to 27,000 resale transactions. However, Lee Sze Teck, senior director of data analytics at Huttons Asia, projects a more optimistic price increase of 5% to 8% for the year.…