A Milestone for Singles: New HDB Rule Prioritizes Proximity to Parents
TLDR The upcoming Family Care Scheme (FCS), launching mid-2025 in Singapore, prioritizes singles applying for BTO flats near their parents,...
Read More
TLDR
In Singapore, holding a residential property longer typically yields higher profits—averaging $665,000 after 20 years, versus $200,000 for 5–10 years. Most owners sell within 10 years, but freehold and landed homes are kept longer and tend to be more profitable. However, holding an unprofitable property too long can increase losses. Executive condos often deliver strong short-term gains due to government subsidies. The best holding period depends on your goals and risk appetite, balancing profit potential with costs and risks.
Many people believe that keeping a residential property for too long may not be a good financial decision. Once a property reaches around 20 years old, its value might start to drop, possibly leading to losses.
This raises the question of whether there is an ideal time to hold onto residential property investments. Are older properties likely to lose value over time, making owners think about selling them quickly?
To explore these questions, we can examine historical sales data to see how long owning a property affects financial returns. For example, do homeowners or investors make more profit by selling before or after 10 years?
Many home owners sold their properties within 10 years
In this study, we looked at the buying and selling dates of private residential units to see how long they were owned and to calculate the gross gains and losses by comparing new sales data with resale data from the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
The data includes nearly 90,000 matched properties over 30 years from 1995 to June 2024, covering purchases during both financial lows and property highs. Housing Board flats and new homes that were never resold were not included due to insufficient information.
The analysis indicates that many owners sold their properties within the first 10 years. Specifically, 50.8 per cent were resold between five and 10 years after purchase, often new homes sold shortly after receiving the temporary occupation permit (TOP). Another 15.5 per cent were resold within five years, typically before or just after TOP. About a third of owners kept their properties longer before selling: 23.5 per cent were sold after around 10 to less than 15 years, while 6.4 per cent were sold between 15 and less than 20 years. A small group, 3.8 per cent, were resold after 20 years.
Landed and freehold properties are kept longer
Some owners are likely unconcerned about their lease ending and are not eager to sell. Others may keep their properties for better profits, as freehold properties are typically more expensive and rarer.
For example, 35.7% of freehold condo owners kept their properties for at least 10 years before selling, compared to 32.6% of leasehold condo owners. Owners of landed properties tend to hold them for longer. About 43% resold after 10 years, and 7.5% held on for at least 20 years.
The longer the holding period, the higher the gross profits
Selling a property quickly doesn’t always mean you will make a lot of money.
Data shows that property owners who keep their investments for longer tend to earn more, especially with consistent price increases, like in Singapore over the past few decades.
Strong rental growth has also boosted property values, particularly for residential properties. Many older properties were purchased at lower prices, leading to higher profits.
Higher profits have been seen across all types of properties, whether leasehold or freehold.
On average, those who held their properties for 20 years or more made about $665,000 in gross profit. Owners who kept their properties for 15 to 20 years earned around $600,000, while those who held for 10 to 15 years saw profits drop to about $320,000.
In contrast, owners who sold their properties within five to ten years made the least, averaging around $200,000.
Profit margin smaller for quick sales
Some people may be concerned that leasehold condos are less profitable than freehold condos. If the investment is short-term, research shows there is little profit difference. However, for long-term ownership, the profit potential varies greatly.
For instance, the average gross profit of a freehold condo is 17 per cent, or about $27,000 more than a leasehold condo if sold within five years. But after 20 years, the average profit margin increases to 33 per cent, or nearly $200,000. Thus, leasehold condos in Singapore can be profitable and appreciate over time despite their limited leases, while freehold condos generally offer better long-term profitability.
Majority of ECs are resold within 10 years
Intriguingly, a high proportion of executive condo (EC) owners opted to sell their properties relatively quickly. Close to 70 per cent of the EC-matched caveats were resold between five years and 10 years, while slightly less than 10 per cent were retained for at least 15 years.
The rapid turnover of ECs is remarkable but not entirely unexpected. This is because an EC sold within five years of its TOP yielded an average gross profit of about $300,000, which significantly surpassed that of all other property types – such as landed properties (£213,000), leasehold condos (£159,000), and freehold condos (£186,000) – sold within the same timeframe.
The high profits enjoyed by EC owners may be attributed to the significantly lower purchase prices compared with those of private condos, given the substantial subsidies from the government.
Losses can also increase with time
Keeping a property for too long can be risky, as losses often grow over time for unprofitable deals, despite these making up only 17.2% of total transactions.
The average gross loss for properties held for five to less than ten years was about $210,000. For those held between ten and fifteen years, the average gross loss rose to around $250,000, and for properties held for fifteen to twenty years, it increased to an estimated $684,000.
Owners need to evaluate the chances of facing losses and decide if the risk of losses outweighs the potential profits when considering whether to keep the units.
What you should know
Buyers should carefully consider their needs and risk tolerance when deciding how long to keep a property. While holding a property can increase profitability, it can also lead to losses. They must balance potential gains with the costs of maintaining an older property. Investors often use different strategies.
Some prefer to sell properties early for small profits and reinvest the money, rather than waiting for long-term appreciation. Over 20 years, they might complete several property transactions for incremental gains. However, this can involve the hassle of moving and extra costs, like renovations and stamp duties, which can reduce profits.
Other homeowners may choose to keep their homes for sentimental reasons or if they need larger spaces.
A more strategic approach could involve timing the market well, choosing a property with good features, being cautious, and buying within one’s budget. This strategy can improve the chances of making a profit and shortening the investment period, regardless of market conditions.
Should You Buy, Sell or Wait?
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.
I can bring you a wealth of on-the-ground experience and a data-driven approach to provide clarity and direction. From beginners to experienced investors, our top-down, objective approach will help you on your real estate journey.
I can help you by:
- Offering Strategic Real Estate Advice – I can help create a comprehensive plan to guide you through your property journey.
- Connecting Your Home with the Perfect Buyers – Through stunning visuals, an effective communication strategy, and an in-depth knowledge of the market, we’ll ensure your home is presented in the best possible way to fulfill your goals.
You May Also Like …
With a population of 6.04 million in Singapore, who are the winners and losers in the property market?
There has been significant outcry regarding Singapore’s population hitting a record high of 6.04 million, largely due to an increase...
Read More
Is Lifelong Renting a Viable Option in Singapore?
TLDR In Singapore, while the majority aspire to own homes, a small segment opts for lifelong renting, driven by personal...
Read More
Will New Launch Condos See a Drop in Prices Soon?
TLDR The real estate market in Singapore is experiencing a trend of lackluster bids for prime properties in various locations....
Read More
Are You Considering Paying Off Your Mortgage Loan Ahead of Time? Is It the Right Financial Move?
TLDR When considering mortgage options in Singapore, it's essential to understand the differences between HDB loans and bank loans. HDB...
Read More
Would It Be More Better To Engage One Property Agent Or Multiple Agents In The Selling Process?
TLDR When planning to sell your property, you have the option to work with one agent exclusively or non-exclusively. Engaging...
Read More
Surprising Prediction: Will Singapore Property Prices Drop in 2024?
TLDR When considering the current real estate market in Singapore, it's crucial to understand the impact of factors such as...
Read More
Are Early Bird Discounts At New Launches Genuine Or A Marketing Gimmick?
TLDR When considering investing in new property projects, understanding developers' pricing strategies is crucial. Early bird discounts are not just...
Read More
Say Goodbye to “Sell One, Buy Two” Approach in 2024
TLDR Summary: The "Sell One, Buy Two" real estate tactic, popularized in 2016-2017, involves selling a property and buying two...
Read More
My Dad’s Agent Utilised Misleading Information to Coerce Him into Selling His HDB” – 4 Pushy Sales Techniques You Should Be Aware Of
TLDR While Singapore’s real estate sector is more regulated, some agents still use high-pressure tactics that make buyers uncomfortable. Common...
Read More
Breaking Through the Stalemate of En Bloc Sales
TLDR The Singapore property market faces challenges with the ongoing en bloc stalemate. Lower success rates, higher development risks, and...
Read More
Mega Developments vs. Regular Condos in Singapore: A Data-Driven Comparison
TLDR Mega-developments (1,000+ units) in Singapore, once seen as chaotic, now offer competitive pricing and extensive facilities, making them attractive...
Read More
Top 5 Tips : How Investors Protect Themselves From Risk And Capitalize On Emerging Opportunities In Singapore’s Real Estate Landscape
The real estate landscape in Singapore has always been a lucrative investment opportunity for both local and international investors. However,...
Read More
Should You Keep Your Resale HDB Flat When Buying a Private Property? 5 Key Factors to Consider
TLDR In Singapore, owning both an HDB flat and a private property has become complicated due to factors like Additional...
Read More
Is It Wise to Make a Partial Prepayment on Your Home Loan in 2024? Here’s How to Make Your Decision
TLDR Partial prepayment of your home loan means paying off a chunk of your mortgage early to lower future monthly...
Read More
Top 5 Factors : Why Singapore’s Luxury Property Market Still Has Room For Growth
Singapore's luxury property market has been experiencing significant growth in recent years, with private home sales in the Core Central...
Read More
A Potential Game-Changer: Singapore’s Proposed Minimum Transaction Rule for Property Agents in 2025
TLDR In Singapore’s real estate market, experience alone no longer guarantees an agent’s competence. Many agents maintain licenses without significant...
Read More
Investment 101: The Top 5 Best Long-Term Values In Singapore’s Property Market
Investment 101: The Top 5 Best Long-Term Values In Singapore's Property Market When it comes to purchasing property in Singapore,...
Read More
Top 5 : Risk Factors For International Buyers Investing In Singapore Real Estate And How Can They Be Mitigated?
Singapore, a thriving global city-state, is known for its business-friendly environment, low tax rates, and high standard of living. The...
Read More
Beyond Profit: Singaporean Homeowners Share Stories of Purpose-Driven Property Purchases
TLDR In Singapore, some homeowners prioritize personal comfort, convenience, and family needs over financial gains in property purchases. YC bought...
Read More
