If you’ve been wisely saving your dough and watching the headlines like a hawk, you’d know that the property prices in Singapore is declining fast. If you’ve played it right, you probably have been saving up your money to try to time your entry where prices are falling. Find out more on the 3 Reasons You Should Invest In Real Estate.
Singapore Housing Cycle
Any savvy investor will know that markets trade in cycles. The cycle can generally be categorised into four key phases- (1) Recovery, (2) Boom, (3) Slump and (4) Stabilisation.
- Recovery Phase
In this phase, rental rate start to increase and prices of properties begin to rise slowly, starting with those in the central business districts(CBD). Buyers are usually slow to enter the market due to the uncertainty of recovery. Interest rates are usually low at this moment.
- Peaking Phase
This phase is where rental yields and prices start to rise, with strong demand driving developers to increase new projects and launches. Vacancy rates are low and new buyers may jump into the market at this moment. This is also when property finance is easy to obtain.
- Falling Phase
Increasing vacancy rates and falling prices is typical during this phase of the cycle. Construction of new projects may still be ongoing but developers usually hold out launches in hope of better prices. Rental rates fall at an increasing rate and sellers may get rid of properties at below valuation, with length of time to sell a property increasing significantly.
- Stabilisation
This can be considered the trough of the market, with vacancy rates high and sellers not likely to achieve their asking price. Properties may stay in the market for a long time with property prices falling rapidly before bottoming out.
Where are we in the property cycle?
Looking at this chart, you will find that the current Singapore property market cycle is in the falling phase. Prices are just starting to come off, with rental rates falling but sellers can still be choosy about tenants, especially in prime central areas.
Cooling Measures
A number of new rulings for the property market was introduced in the last 2 years to cool off the strong buying sentiments. Here is a brief list of the measures implemented:
- Additional Buyer Stamp Duty for Residential Property
| Additional Buyer Stamp Duty | 1st property | 2nd & 3rd Property |
| Singapore Citizen | Nil | 7% for second, 10% for third |
| Singapore PR | 5% | 10% each |
| Foreigners | 15% | 15% each |
- Sellers’ Stamp Duty
| Residential Property Sold in | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
| Duty rates since Feb 2010 | Same as basic buyer stamp duty(around 3%) | Nil | Nil |
| Duty rates since Aug 2010 | Same as basic buyer stamp duty(around 3%) | 2/3 of basic buyer stamp duty | 1/3 of basic buyer stamp duty |
| Duty rates since Jan 2011 | 16% | 12% | 4% |
- Total Debt-Servicing Ratio (TDSR)
Banks are required to consider borrowers’ other debt obligations before granting mortgage loans. The borrower’s total monthly repayments of his debt obligations should not exceed 60% of his gross monthly income.
- Reduction in Maximum Loan Tenure
Maximum tenure for HDB housing loans is reduced from 30 years to 25 years. The Mortgage Servicing Ratio (MSR) limit is reduced from 35% to 30% of the borrower’s gross monthly income.
Maximum tenure of new housing loans and re-financing facilities granted by banks for the purchase of HDB flats (including DBSS flats) is reduced from 35 years to 30 years.
Find out more on the 3 Types of Real Estate in Singapore.
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[…] Singapore Housing Cycle and Property Measures– Where Are We? […]
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