TLDR
The article discusses the current housing market in Singapore, focusing on the challenges faced by individuals like Sherlyn Tan and Fatin Zakiah Saiful Imran in purchasing their desired properties. It also touches on the impact of population growth on housing demand and the strategies suggested by experts to manage it. Additionally, it highlights the importance of maintaining an adequate population size for economic growth. Lastly, it provides advice on whether to buy, sell, or wait in the current real estate scenario.
Sherlyn Tan, a communications undergraduate, has twice encountered setbacks in her attempts to secure a Build-to-Order (BTO) flat. She fondly recalls the five-room Bedok flat her parents purchased in the late 1990s for S$300,000.
Fast forward to today, the cost of a similar BTO flat in the same vicinity has skyrocketed to as much as S$737,000. Growing up in Bedok, Sherlyn, now 23, confesses her concerns about affording a home near her parents due to escalating prices.
On a similar note, Fatin Zakiah Saiful Imran, aged 35, recently welcomed her third child into the world. The prospect of upsizing from their current four-room BTO to a larger dwelling is very much on the horizon for her family.
Fatin, a technical support engineer, expressed that a primary motivation behind their potential move is the quest for more space – something they see as only achievable through purchasing a resale flat. She added that the current BTO offerings are generally of a similar size, with not all projects featuring five-room flats for sale.
Interestingly, the Ministry of National Development announced in April of the previous year that the dimensions of HDB flats have remained consistent since 1997. Meanwhile, the average household sizes have seen a decline.
“Singapore’s land limitations necessitate a careful balance between the dimensions of HDB flats and their availability,” stated the ministry, addressing a legislative inquiry about the possibility of expanding the average size of HDB flats.
According to Mr. Tan Wei Ming, Director of Research and Consultancy at Savills Singapore, one approach to temper housing demand is by regulating population growth, particularly by moderating immigration influx.
Mr. Lim Jia Hao from CGS-CIMB suggested that theoretically, decreasing Singapore’s population could somewhat curb housing demand. However, if such an action were taken to an extreme, it would ultimately be harmful in the long run, considering Singapore’s rapidly ageing populace.
“The number of youths is dwindling and the population is growing older at a fast pace. The population will diminish eventually. What then becomes of your property or vehicle when there’s no one interested in buying?” He questioned.
He further emphasized that maintaining an adequate population size is crucial for Singapore to continue its economic expansion and create prosperous employment opportunities.
If you’re reading this, you must be trying to figure out the best course of action right now: is it the right time to buy or sell?
It’s difficult to give an exact answer since everyone’s situation is unique and what works for one person may not necessarily work for you.
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