Resale private property and HDB flat prices continue to surge ahead as demand outstrips supply. Meanwhile, rentals are also on the rise.

By Khalil Adis

Like most first-time property buyers in Singapore, Farhan (not his real name) and his wife are frustrated with the long delays in the construction sector brought about by COVID-19.

The couple got married in 2018 and booked their HDB flat in 2019.

However, when COVID-19 struck, they were informed by HDB there is now a possibility they will have to wait up to seven years for the keys to their flat.

Cancelling their HDB flat is also not an option as they stand to lose $1,000 in their option fee.

“We are stuck in a catch-22 situation. On the one hand, the waiting time of seven years is too long and we do not want to inconvenience my in-laws. On the other hand, prices of HDB resale flats have gone up so much that we have to factor in the cash-over-valuation (COV) which may be up to $50,000. If we include renovation cost, our first home may set us back by up to $100,000,” said Faris.

Construction sector buckled under COVID-19 pressure

Indeed, COVID-19 has impacted the construction sector with several contractors going under due to travel restrictions and high construction costs.

In August 2021, for instance, Greatearth Corporation and Greatearth Construction were among the several contractors that went bust due to financial difficulties.

This has resulted in delays of several Built-To-Order (BTO) projects.

To minimise the impact, HDB has rolled out various measures to support the construction industry and minimise delays to its projects.

“HDB has been working closely with our building contractors, to secure the necessary resources they need to complete their projects, including manpower and material supply. We have also recently introduced additional assistance measures to ease the financial pressures brought about by the pandemic-induced spikes in construction costs, including both manpower and non-manpower costs,” said HDB in a statement.

Faris and his wife are among those affected as they had booked an HDB flat in Woodlands.

“We surveyed around Woodlands where the resale HDB prices are within our budget. However, most sellers are now asking for COV of up to $50,000,” said Faris.

Strong pent-up demand pushing prices upwards for resale HDB and private properties

As demand far outstrips supply, this has resulted in record prices in both the HDB and private property markets, surpassing the record prices seen during the peak in the third quarter of 2013.

Data from HDB showed that the Resale Price Index (RPI) for the third quarter of 2021 is now 150.6 points.

This is an increase of 2.9 per cent over that in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, resale transactions rose by 19.4 per cent from 7,063 cases in the second quarter to 8,433 cases in the third quarter of 2021.

When compared to the third quarter of 2020, the resale transactions in the third quarter of 2021 were 8.3 per cent higher.

4-room HDB flats in the central area fetched the highest price on the island, transacting at a median price of $950,000 while those in Sembawang was the lowest (at a median transacted price of $417,000).

Woodlands, where Faris and his wife, were on the lookout for a 4-room HDB resale flat, recorded a median price of $420,000 - the second-lowest median price for a 4-room HDB flat on the island.

Still, as Faris can attest to, the asking price even in the far-flung area of Woodlands is sky-high.

“On hindsight, that cash component could be better utilised for our renovation cost as we do not intend to take a loan. After much discussion, we decided to stay put at my in-laws. Thankfully, they were very understanding,” said Faris.

Meanwhile, data from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), showed that prices of private residential properties increased by 1.1 per cent in the third quarter of 2021, compared with the 0.8 per cent increase in the previous quarter. 

Landed properties saw a higher price increase when compared to non-landed properties.

They increased by 2.6 per cent in the third quarter of 2021, compared with the 0.3 per cent decrease in the previous quarter. 

Meanwhile, prices of non-landed properties increased by 0.7 per cent in the third quarter of 2021, compared with the 1.1 per cent increase in the previous quarter. 

Rentals for HDB flats and private properties are also on the rise

The supply crunch has also seen rentals for HDB flats and condominiums rising.

In the past, one can rent a 4-room HDB flat for below $2,000 per month. However, as third quarter data from HDB showed, the median transacted price for 4-room HDB flats in most HDB estates are now above $2,000 per month except for Sembawang ($1,900) and Woodlands ($1,900).

In Jurong West, for instance, the median transacted price per month for 4-room HDB flats now stands at $2,150 when it was previously transacted at $2,050 per month in the second quarter of 2021.

Meanwhile, in the private property market, URA’s data showed that rentals for private residential properties increased by 1.8 per cent in the third quarter of 2021, compared with the 2.9 per cent increase in the previous quarter.

This is also something Ed (not his real name), who is also married, can confirm.

He is currently looking for a common room to rent in a condominium was surprised by the high asking price from landlords.

“It does not make any sense as people are losing jobs and we do not have many expats coming in yet rentals are going up,” he laments.

Ed is also looking to buy an HDB flat but is put off by the high asking price and the long waiting period for BTO flats.

“I think I may just rent for one year and wait out till the property market stabilises. However, buying an HDB flat is something definitely on my mind. The timing and pricing are just not right at the moment,” he said.
​
Another couple, Ali and his wife say their landlord is looking to increase their rent for the 2-bedroom condominium they are currently renting in eastern Singapore from $3,000 to $3,200 a month.

“Our lease is up for renewal soon. We are still deciding if we should stay put or move on. We love this place as it is close to East Coast Beach. Everywhere else that we looked, landlords are similarly asking for between $3,200 to $3,500,” said Ali.

For now, first-time homebuyers like Farhan will have to wait out while rent-seekers like Ed and Ali will have to pay what landlords are currently asking for.

Strong correlation seen between transacted property price and remaining lease.

By Khalil Adis

Since the Lee Kuan Yew era, Singaporeans have been ingrained with the idea that our HDB flat is an asset.

While you can make a profit from your HDB flat, this depends on the lease that is remaining on your property.

Based on our research and analysis, we found that HDB flats in older estates with a remaining lease of fewer than 60 years saw their property values diminish.

Meanwhile, those that have around 80 years of lease left were able to fetch far higher prices.

This is according to data captured on HDB’s website.

On the other end of the spectrum, HDB flats that are located in newer estates did not see that much price variation.

In conducting this study, we had looked into HDB transactions for 4-room flats that were recorded as of 21 January 2020 and then compared it with the remaining lease.

The estates chosen included the mature estates of Toa Payoh and Ang Mo Kio as well as the non-mature HDB estates of Punggol and Jurong West.

Here are some quick snapshots based on our findings.

#1: Toa Payoh: Older HDB flats changed hands at lower prices 

When it comes to buying an HDB flat, most Singaporeans will prefer to buy in a mature estate such as in Toa Payoh or Ang Mo Kio.

However, if you have a flat with a remaining lease of fewer than 54 years this may have an impact on your resale value.

According to data captured on HDB’s website, there were 14 transactions for 4-room HDB flats in Toa Payoh during this period.

The data showed a strong correlation between the price versus the remaining lease.

For instance, older HDB flats (4) with 54 years or less of the remaining lease were transacted at an average price of S$334,500.

Meanwhile, newer HDB flats (4) with 76 to 81 years of the remaining lease were transacted at an average price of S$641,062.

This represents a price difference of 91.6 per cent.

#2: Ang Mo Kio: Newer HDB flats fetched higher selling prices

Ang Mo Kio is also another favourite estate among buyers explaining why Built-To-Order (BTO) launches have  always been oversubscribed.

Like Toa Payoh, Ang Mo Kio also witnessed a strong correlation between price versus the remaining lease.

According to data captured on HDB’s website, there were 24 transactions for 4-room HDB flats in the estate during this period.

Newer HDB flats (5) with 80 to 91 years of the remaining lease were transacted at an average price of S$622,960.

On the other hand, older HDB flats (14) with 59 years or less of the remaining lease were transacted at an average price of S$390,071.

This represents a price difference of 59.7 per cent.

#2: Punggol: A non-mature estate where capital values experience fewer fluctuations

Punggol is a non-mature estate with a relatively young population.

While it may seem far-flung, Punggol is among the top ten estates in Singapore where HDB resale homes have changed hands.

According to data captured on HDB’s website, there were 36 transactions for 4-room HDB flats in the estate during this period.

The remaining lease in Punggol ranges from 82 to 95 years.

As such, there is not much price variation as seen in the case of Toa Payoh and Ang Mo Kio.

For example, HDB flats (7) with between 82 to 89 years of the remaining lease were transacted at an average price of S$334,500.

Meanwhile, newer HDB flats (29) with 90 years or more of the remaining lease were transacted at an average price of S$477,002.

This represents a price difference of 42.6 per cent.

This suggests that newer estates like Punggol may be ideal if you want to protect the capital values of your property.

#3: Jurong West: A semi-mature estate with a price gap similar to Punggol

Jurong West is a semi-mature area and as such the remaining lease here is between 63 and 94 years.

According to data captured on HDB’s website, there were 41 transactions for 4-room HDB flats in the estate during this period.

Similar to Punggol, there is not much price variation as seen in the case of Toa Payoh and Ang Mo Kio.

For example, HDB flats (11) with less than 70 years of the remaining lease were transacted at an average price of S$328,090.

Meanwhile, newer HDB flats (8) with 93 years or more of the remaining lease were transacted at an average price of S$467,875.

This represents a price difference of 42.6 per cent.

#4: Price gap is widest in Toa Payoh

Toa Payoh makes an interesting case study.

We decided to zoom into this estate as property agents have long complained that they have had a hard time selling older HDB flats in the area.

Our analysis seems to concur with our findings on the ground when speaking to agents as they appear to diminish in value nearing the end of the lease.

In the case of Toa Payoh, the price gap is a whopping 91.6 per cent compared to Ang Mo Kio, Punggol and Jurong West at 59.7 per cent and 42.6 per cent respectively.

#5: Widening price gap between HDB and private property market

According to the third quarter of 2019 data from the HDB and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the Resale Price Index (RPI) and the Private Property Index (PPI) are at 130.9 and 152,8 percentage points respectively.

This means a price gap of 21.9 percentage points.

The widening price gap is bad news for HDB upgraders thinking of buying a condominium. 

As such, this may not be an opportune time for you to do so.

Should Singapore enter into a recession this year, we are likely to see the PPI drop further narrowing the price gap between the HDB and private property markets.

Good things come to those who wait so wait out.

#6: Sengkang is the most popular estate for resale HDB flats in 2019

Rounding of the top 10 HDB estates, Sengkang is the most popular with 1,795 resale transactions recorded in 2019, followed by Woodlands (1,794), Yishun (1,791), Jurong West (1,705), Bedok (1,513), Tampines (1,413), Bukit Batok (1,241), Punggol (1,160), Ang Mo Kio (1,034), Hougang (968) and Bukit Merah (937).

​While HDB is an asset, older HDB flats in mature estates will likely see their value decline as the data showed.

As such, prospective homebuyers might want to think twice before purchasing such flats.

On the other hand, the data suggests that the capital values of your HDB flat are better protected in non-mature estates like Punggol and Jurong West.

As such, you may want to consider selling your property after five years once you have fulfilled your MOP and then upgrade to private property or downsize according to your lifestyle needs.

Having said that, I would like to stress that your HDB flats are for long-term occupation and not for you to make a quick profit.

In closing, housing is a delicate issue.

The government will need to address their diminishing value sensitively especially to the older generation who are currently living in mature estates.

Despite its focus on the digital economy, the budget is a regressive one for both local and foreign buyers

By Khalil Adis

Another year, another budget.

This year is no different except that they were announced against a backdrop of the ongoing global trade wars and a general slowdown in the global economy.

While the Malaysian government has announced several measures to spur its economy specifically in the digital arena, Malaysia is likely to ride through the current economic climate largely unscathed as it has a strong domestic economy, unlike Singapore.

As such, I will focus solely on those affecting the property market.

From the looks of it, the measures appear to be cosmetic to address the shortcomings and mess left behind by the previous government.

Foreigners and Malaysians at the losing end

Call it a band-aid if you will but the budget seems regressive by bringing us back to the Budget 2014 and 2016 eras for foreign investors and locals buyers respectively.

Let us look back at Budget 2014.

During this period, the minimum purchase price for foreigners buying a property in Malaysia was raised from RM500,000 to RM 1 million.

This was to prevent a property bubble from forming in the market and thus preventing Malaysians from buying such properties.

Well, guess what?

The situation got even worse despite this measure as there were no checks and balances in place by the Housing Ministry.

As such, developers were at the free reign to build units that local could not buy resulting in a huge glut that we are seeing right now.

To reduce the overhang, Budget 2020 now allows foreigners to buy completed and unsold units that are priced above RM600,000.

So what happens to foreigners who had bought a property at RM1 million and are now looking to sell?

Most probably, due to the current market conditions, they will now be selling at a loss to either a local or a foreign buyer.

Also, they will now have to compete directly with the primary market where foreigners can buy at a steep discount of RM400,000 (RM1 million - RM600,000) directly from developers.

This mixed signal could potentially deter foreign investors from buying property in Malaysia.

Verdict: Foreign sellers: 0, foreign buyers: 1*
*it remains to be seen if subsequent budgets will see a change in the minimum purchase price across the various states in Malaysia.

Next, let us take a look at Budget 2016 in the affordable housing segment for Malaysian buyers.

Previously, under Barisan Nasional, the government had announced that it was building PR1MA homes across various states during Budget 2016.

There were also promises to build such homes that are planned around transport hubs and train stations in Kuala Lumpur.

Back then, the government had announced that a total of 5,000 units of PR1MA and PPA1M houses will be built in the vicinity of LRT and monorail stations in 10 locations, including Pandan Jaya, Sentul and Titiwangsa.

Fast forward four years later, PR1MA has become a massive liability for the government.

As we speak, PR1MA is undergoing restructuring and is nowhere close to the lofty 1 million housing units it had previously promised to deliver.

Meanwhile, there is still no news on the 5,000 transit-oriented development units (TODs).

This leaves Malaysians who are in dire need of affordable homes stranded.

From the looks of it, they are now back to square one with another new policy in place to replace the old one.

A new budget for local buyers

As part of Budget 2020, the government will collaborate with financial institutions in introducing various schemes. 

The first is the Rent To Own (RTO) financing scheme.

This scheme aims to assist those who cannot afford the initial 10 per cent deposit and access to financing in purchasing their homes.

This scheme, however, is not new and has been in place among private developers.

As such, Malaysian buyers who had hoped for a roof over their heads during Budget 2016 are better off buying from private developers.

Verdict: Malaysian buyers: 0, private developers: 1*

*Imagine the agony among those who had applied for PR1MA homes and are still waiting. If I were a Malaysia, it seems buying from a private developer is the way to go.

*It is an open secret that there are many Malaysians who had previously applied under this scheme are still waiting for their homes. Just speak to any Grab drivers.

Conclusion

​While many other schemes are being rolled out such as Fund for Affordable Home that was launched by Bank Negara Malaysia in January 2019 and the Youth Housing Scheme, they remain under the umbrella of various government agencies.

As such, this could be very confusing for the first-time homebuyers who are unsure how to navigate the market.

What would work is for Malaysia to streamline them under one single government housing agency just like Singapore’s HDB model.

​Announced yesterday by Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong, the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant for first-timers and higher income ceilings will provide more flexibility and housing options. We study how this will impact the property market.

​By Khalil Adis

Quick snapshot

​First-time homebuyers will benefit the most especially the middle to low-income bracket groups. It will also benefit first-time homebuyers who want to live close to their parents in mature estates.

#2: Why now?

​This is because incomes have been rising since the HDB last reviewed the income ceiling in 2015. As such, the policy has been tweaked to address this.

#3: How will this affect the HDB market? 

The sandwiched class may now opt to buy an HDB flat compared to buying a private property due to the increase in income ceiling and Enhanced CPF Housing Grant as it will mean less cash upfront.

This will help to prop up demand for resale HDB flats.

It is worth noting that the resale HDB market has been rather muted.

​As such, we are likely to see an increase in activity particularly for those who want to live close to their parents. 

#4: How will this affect the private housing market? 

We may see the sandwiched class now switching to buy from the HDB market and thus ease pressure from the private housing market.

​As such, we are likely to see the Private Property Index (PPI) see a slight correction in the next quarter.

#5: Will this affect HDB prices across the board?

It will affect prices in the HDB resale market as buyers are now given more help with the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant.

The HDB Resale Price Index has seen a decline since the first quarter of 2013.

​However, with the increase in income ceiling and  Enhanced CPF Housing Grant, we could see more sales activity in the otherwise muted resale market.

#6: How will this affect the rental market?

​The HDB and private property rental market will be very soft as more buyers will be switching to buy rather than rent a property. In the HDB market, the HDB will be launching 15,000 units later this year.

Meanwhile, in the private property market, we have a total supply of 53,696 uncompleted private residential units (including ECs) in the pipeline with planning approvals as at the end of the second quarter of 2019.  

Also, we have another 4,398 units (including ECs) that will be completed in the remaining second quarters of 2019.

​This incoming supply, together with the sluggish economy due to the ongoing trade war, will make the rental market extremely soft.

Despite the tepid HDB resale market, Punggol has bucked the trend with a loft unit at Punggol Sapphire recently changing hands for almost a million dollars. Here are the lowdowns about living in Punggol.

By Khalil Adis

Punggol has indeed come a long way from being an ‘ulu’ area.

Once known as a rural settlement complete with kampungs and farms, Punggol has since 1998 transformed itself from a backwater area to a vibrant, modern yet green satellite district.

Amid Punggol’s oasis of calm, you can see LRT trains whirring through the residential areas, passing by the ample lush natural landscape before taking you directly to the heart of the district, Punggol Central.

While Punggol’s rustic charms may appeal to outdoor lovers, there are certain downsides about living here.

We list them down here:

The good:
#1: It’s oh so quiet

Punggol has an estimated population of 161,570 as of 2018 with a projected 96,000 housing units once the entire "Punggol 21-plus” master plan is completed.

Despite its high density, Punggol is surprisingly very quiet at night save for the traffic whizzing by the Tampines Expressway (TPE).

This is definitely good news for those wanting some peace and quiet but bad news if you want the buzz of city life.

If you still want to move to Punggol, fret not as Waterway Point has all the modern conveniences and amenities for your city living.

#2: Well landscaped parks and gardens 

Nature and outdoor lovers will revel in the many landscaped parks and gardens that Punggol has to offer, including the award-winning My Waterway@Punggol.

From the Matilda District, you can enjoy a stroll or jog by the Punggol River before reaching Punggol Dam and Punggol Point. 

This is part of the comprehensive Park Connector Network (PCN) linking the entire island.

The view is awe-inspiring and enough to make even the laziest couch potato get up and explore nature

#3: Properties here are in demand.

Being a relatively new township development with a young demographic, Punggol has proven to be popular among homebuyers as a few HDB housing projects are now eligible to be sold in the resale market.

According to the fourth quarter of 2018 data from the HDB, the Resale Price Index (RPI) fell by 0.2 per cent, from 131.6 points in the third quarter to 131.4 points in the fourth quarter in 2018. 

For the whole year, the RPI declined by 0.9 per cent in 2018.

Despite the lacklustre market, a five-room, loft unit in Punggol Sapphire was sold for S$910,888 in January 2019.

This was considered a record for an HDB flat in northeastern Singapore.

Additionally, OrangeTee & Tie's research showed that in the third quarter of 2018, Punggol was the fourth most popular area for HDB resale flats with 469 units transacted followed by Jurong West (505 units), Woodland (516 units) and Sengkang (528 units).

On the overall, resale statistics from the HDB showed that the median prices of three, four and five-room flats were transacted at S$343,000, S$455,000 and S$445,000 respectively in the fourth quarter of 2018.

#4: Comprehensive public transport network

Commuting in and around Punggol is very convenient as there is a comprehensive transport network comprising MRT, LRT and buses.

In fact, the township has been planned such that each housing estate is located within 300 m away from any LRT station.

An exception, however, is the new housing area at the Matilda district.

#5: Punggol Digital District

​Come 2023, a new smart city is set to rise in Punggol called the Punggol Digital District. Housing technology firms involved in key growth fields as well as the new Singapore Institute of Technology Campus, Punggol Digital District will create around 28,000 jobs while providing residents with more lifestyle and dining options.

In the pipeline includes the new Punggol Coast MRT Station which will be an extension of the North-East Line.

Punggol Digital District will also enjoy enhanced connectivity via the Cross Island Line (CRL) which will link it to Jurong Lake District and Changi by around 2030.

Collectively, they will act as property boosters for Punggol.
​
The bad:
#6: Lack of good hawker food

Food. That’s our favourite national past time that defines if we love or hate or neighbourhood.

Having lived in Taman Jurong, I must say I was spoilt for choice with various options of mouth-watering hawker fares such as the famous Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak.

However, the choices have become extremely limited in Punggol unless you are into fast food.

While there are coffee shops serving local cuisines, they pale in comparison to the well-established hawker fares that you can find elsewhere.

You are better off cooking your own meals. 

#7: Dust

If you hate spring cleaning, be prepared for a rude shock.

With many construction works going on, you will find yourself dusting up every single day.

Windows, top of shelves, cupboards and other surfaces collect dust easily.

This certainly isn’t good news if you are asthmatic or are prone to allergies.

If so, you might want to invest in a good ioniser to keep your indoor air free of particles and other irritants.

The ugly:
#8: Get ready to jostle with the early morning crowd

If you think Singaporeans are a kiasu lot, be prepared to see that word taken to new heights when you commute to work in the morning.

In fact, many would play ‘musical chairs’ as they hustle for seats at on the MRT.

Meanwhile, getting a Grab or taxi would be almost impossible.

To get around this, I would leave home by 6 am and get to the office by 7 am.

#9: That acrid smell in the air

​While Punggol may be planned as a green township development, be prepared for a strong burning smell that would emanate from time to time.

Located just opposite the industrial area of Pasir Gudang, Johor, the smell has become increasingly acrid over the past few days that it will linger from night till dawn.

In fact, it can get so bad that you might have to get up in the middle of the night to close the windows.

This is something perhaps developers and HDB will not tell you.

Buying a home will be your single most expensive investment in your life and these are the most common mistakes you should avoid. 

By Khalil Adis

Buying your first home is an exciting experience that will have you go through a range of roller-coaster emotions.

From scouting for the right property to securing a loan, the procedures are endless that it is so easy to lose sight of what is important:

#1: Buying based on emotions

Buying a property based on emotions can cause you to gloss over some of its inherent shortcomings.

It is like falling in love in someone gorgeous until they start to open their mouth.

The initial phase may elicit a response such as exhilaration over its interior design finishing and then imagining how it would be like to sit in front of that bay window in that sleek glasshouse apartment.

However, your emotions can bite you back over the long run as such a home will result in hefty utility bills in the long term.

When buying a property, you should make calculated decisions by asking yourself these basic questions:

Is the property priced fairly? 

Do your market research to find out what is the average price per sq ft of the property in the vicinity. This is important as it will ensure your property can have room for capital appreciation in the future. 

Are there nearby amenities like schools, hospitals and train stations? 

This will make the area desirable and attract people to want to live, work and play there. As demand increases, it will attract a significant population leading to the capital appreciation of your property. If you want to start a family, these are important considerations.

Can the property be rented out or sold in the future? 

There will be some point in your life that you may end up as a landlord or a seller. Therefore, you must put yourself in the position of a tenant or a buyer by really looking at the property for what it is. As such, check if there any defects that may affect its future rentability or value. It is a good idea to upkeep your property to ensure all the electrical points and sanitary appliances are working while giving it a fresh coat of paint every year. You might also want to look at your interior design, layout and colour schemes and see if they will appeal to potential tenants or buyers. 

#2: Buying a house facing East-West orientation

You should avoid buying a house that is facing the East-West orientation as it is directly exposed to the afternoon sun and therefore increases the heat gain. During night time, the concrete walls will radiate back the heat to your home leading to higher utility bills from your air-conditioning unit. Instead, you should go for a home that is facing North-South orientation. Do also ensure there is cross-ventilation from one end of the house to another to encourage natural air flow. 

#3: Buying an odd-sized unit

An oddly sized unit refers to a layout which has odd corners like a triangle or irregularly shaped like an oval or circle.

Such homes have an inefficient layout meaning that it will result in wasted space which cannot be utilised.

It is also bad in terms of feng shui should the odd corners have an acute angle as they will collect energy that cannot be dispersed.

Instead, you should opt for a regularly shaped unit like a square or rectangle.

Remember this golden rule when it comes to a home layout: boring equals good.

#4: Buying a common unit versus one that is scarce

This is especially applicable for the property market in Malaysia where there is a severe oversupply of homes particularly in Johor and Kuala Lumpur.

When buying a home, you should opt for a unit that is scarce.

You should first study the development carefully and the unit types that are available.

For example, in a project where 4-bedroom greatly outnumber 2-bedroom units, you should opt for the latter.

This is because such units will be easier to offload in the resale market should you wish to sell or rent it out in future.

Of course, you must take into consideration your family size before making the final decision.

#5: Not asking about your prospective neighbours

A neighbour can make or break your property.

This is especially true if you are buying a resale home.

Recently, a friend confided how he had to move out from his current home to rent another place in eastern Singapore.

He had bought the HDB flat from the resale market from an owner who appeared desperate to sell it off.

“Don’t tell the neighbour downstairs how much I sold this house,” the owner said ominously.

This should have been a red flag.

After moving in, he realised his neighbour downstairs would often make a din throughout the entire day.

Sometimes, he would have the police knocking on his door as the neighbour had complained about him for no reason.

This caused him and his family so much distress that the neighbour’s mom had to come up to explain and apologise for her son’s erratic behaviour.

Apparently, her son suffers from a mental illness.

After talking to his neighbour, he realised the previous owner was not on good terms with the entire family.

This explains their decision to sell the flat.

While he now lives a quieter life elsewhere, his tenants are now at the receiving end of the neighbour’s constant abuse.

For example, recently, he received a call from the HDB complaining about the apparent noises from his unit.

Thankfully, the HDB and the police are aware of his problematic neighbour and have since closed the case.

Unfortunately, you cannot choose your neighbours if you had bought a new home directly from the HDB or developer.

However, you can mitigate your risks by being a good neighbour.

For instance, why not offer a serving of cookies or cakes during your festive celebration?

While your actions may not be reciprocated, a friendly hello on your neighbour’s door and offering such goodies will certainly go a long way in making a good first impression last.

Neighbours do talk so why not give them something good to talk about?

Good news for senior citizens living in HDB flats and SMEs but bad news for landlords

By Khalil Adis

Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat delivered his Budget 2019 speech on 18 February with a slew of goodies ranging from start-ups to the older generation.

We dissect the budget and analyse its impact on the property market.

#1:  Merdeka Generation Package will help prop up the HDB market

The package worth some S$8 billion is for Singaporeans born in the 1950s to thank them for their contributions to Singapore.

The package includes the following:

• A S$100 top-up to Merdeka Generation seniors' PAssion Silver cards
• Medisave top-ups of S$200 for five years
• Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) subsidies and discounts at polyclinics, public specialist outpatient clinics
• MediShield Life premium subsidies
• A S$1,500 incentive to join CareShield Life

These additional incentives will go a long way to help the elderly.

This is because medical treatment can take up a significant portion of one's life savings resulting in some elderly having to sell their HDB flat.

Thus, the package will indirectly prop up the HDB market.

This is good news as the HDB resale market has softened considerably since the first quarter of 2013.

Singaporeans who qualify will receive their Merdeka Generation cards from June 2019.

#2: Various incentives for SMEs will boost the commercial property market

The government has announced an SME Co-Investment Fund III that will witness it investing S$100 million in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are ready to scale up to catalyse private sector funding.

In addition, the Enterprise Financing Scheme will offer better support for SMEs to access bank financing and provide enhanced support for companies incorporated for less than five years.

Collectively, these measures will indirectly lead to demand for office space among start-ups.

Commercial properties that specialise in co-working space will benefit the most as they are conducive for start-ups.

One such property is The JTC LaunchPad @ one-north.

The budget will not have any significant impact on Grade A office spaces as such market tend to be dominated by multinational companies.

#3: Lower Dependency Ratio Ceilings (DRCs) will impact the rental market

​A lower DRCs in the service sectors will reduce Singapore's dependency on foreign workers from the current 40 per cent to 38 per cent from 1 Jan 2020 3 and 5 per cent from 1 Jan 2021.

In addition, the ratio of S Pass workers will be reduced from the current 15 per cent to 13 per cent from 1 Jan 2020 and 10 per cent from 1 Jan 2021.

This will have a significant impact on the HDB rental market and mass market condominiums due to the shrinking tenant pool.

As such, landlords will likely need to reduce their rent to continue attracting tenants.

Vacancy rates in the heartlands may also rise leading up to 2020 and 2021.

Thus, it will be a tenant's market.

​Spanning 29km with a target completion date by 2029, phase one of the CRL will run from Bright Hill to Changi with 12 stations in all

By Khalil Adis

Come 2029, you can hop onto the train via a fully underground line that will link you from Ang Mo Kio to the aviation hub of Changi.

Announced just last week by Singapore’s Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan, phase one will comprise 12 stations.

When fully completed by 2030, the entire line will span some 50km and will serve existing and future developments in the eastern, western, and north-eastern corridors.

This will link it to major hubs such as Jurong Lake District, Punggol Digital District and the Changi region.

According to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), the CRL will be Singapore’s longest fully underground line. 

Here are five quick facts on phase one of the CRL.

#1: 29km of fully underground line

The CRL will run parallel to the current East West Line (EWL).

When opened, it will serve the residential and industrial areas such as Loyang, Tampines, Pasir Ris, Defu, Hougang, Serangoon North and Ang Mo Kio.

This will definitely help ease congestions along the popular line which has been in operation since 12 December 1987.

When the full CRL line commences service, the LTA envisages time savings of up to 30 to 40 minutes from Changi to Jurong.

Construction for phase one of the CRL is expected to commence in 2020 and will be completed by 2029. 

#2: 12 stations 

Phase one of the CRL will comprise 12 stations namely, Aviation Park, Loyang, Pasir Ris East, Pasir Ris, Tampines North, Defu, Hougang, Serangoon North, Tavistock, Ang Mo Kio, Teck Ghee and Bright Hill.

Of these, four will be interchange stations.

Bright Hill, which is on the Thomson-East Coast Line, will become an interchange station with the CRL

Meanwhile, Ang Mo Kio, Hougang and Pasir Ris will be an interchange station with the North-South Line, North East Line and the East-West Line respectively.

#3: More than 100,000 households will benefit

According to the LTA, more than 100,000 households will benefit from phase one of the CRL.

Additionally, the LTA said envisages the projected daily ridership of the entire CRL to be more than 600,000 in the initial years before increasing to over 1 million in the longer term.

#4: Open up access to more areas

The LTA said previously inaccessible areas which currently have no MRT access such as Serangoon Gardens, Serangoon North and Aviation Park in Changi will enjoy greater connectivity. 

This means common recreational spaces such as Changi Beach Park, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, Hougang Mall and Ang Mo Kio Hub will also become more accessible by public transport.

This is definitely great news for outdoor lovers and mall enthusiasts as such spaces will enjoy greater connectivity.

There’s more good news.

The LTA said the line may be extended to link up with Changi Airport.

#5: CRL will support three new economic hubs 

Singapore plans to bring jobs closer to homes with various plans in place to build economic hubs away from the central business district.

Minister Khaw said that the CRL will help to support these new economic hubs that are being planned such as the Punggol Digital District, Jurong Lake District and one at the Changi region.

Analysis

​The CRL will help to boost property values along the 50km stretch.

The districts that will benefit greatly are those described above where the government has laid across a masterplan especially for Punggol Digital District and Jurong Lake District.

According to the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) Punggol Digital District masterplan, the innovation district will house technology firms involved in key growth fields such as cyber-security as well as the new Singapore Institute of Technology Campus.  

It will be opened progressively from 2023 and will create around 28,000 new jobs.

Meanwhile, Jurong Lake District is set to become the largest commercial and regional centre outside the city centre.

According to the URA, the district will create more than 100,000 new jobs with 20,000 homes to be built when it is set for completion after 2040.

As for Changi, the URA’s Draft Master Plan 2013 showed Changi Airport’s ambitious expansion plans with two new terminals that will be built - Terminal 4 was completed in 2017 while the new Terminal 5 will be completed by around 2025. 

In addition, Project Jewel, an S$1.7 billion mixed-use development is set to open this year and will be seamlessly linked with the existing Terminal 1.

This iconic development will feature a vast indoor garden and more shopping options. 

The URA envisages these three new developments to anchor Changi Airport’s air hub status for years to come and to generate thousands of new jobs for Singaporeans.

As such, homeowners residing in Jurong East, Toh Guan, Teban Gardens, Taman Jurong, Punggol and Changi areas will benefit the most from the opening of the CRL line.

Singapore's private property market experienced robust growth but was muted midway by property cooling measures. We list down the key highlights in our 2018 property market roundups and our outlook for 2019.

​By Khalil Adis

Singapore's private property market saw a steep rebound from the fourth quarter of 2017 after many quarters of decline in its Property Price Index (PPI) since the fourth quarter of 2013.

Figures from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) showed that the Lion City's PPI surged by 11.0 points from 138.7 in the fourth quarter of 2017 to 149.7 points in the third quarter of 2018.

However, the market softened from July onwards post the new property cooling measures.

Here are the top five property market roundups for 2018 and our top five outlooks for 2019.

Roundups:
#1: En-bloc fever 

Singapore's property market was off to a fiery start with several collective sales deal that was concluded during the first half of the year.

They included the iconic Pearl Bank Apartments which was sold for S$728 million sales to CapitaLand and Park West which was sold for S$840.89 million to SingHaiyi Gold Pte Ltd.

Data from Cushman & Wakefield Inc showed that the collective sales market recorded S$3.8 billion of en-bloc transactions in the second quarter.

#2: New property cooling measures introduced

To douse the red-hot residential property market, the government announced a slew of property cooling measures in July.

This included increasing the Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) rates and tightening loan-to-value (LTV) limits on residential property purchases.

The new ABSD rates and LTV limits are as above.

As a result, the collective sales market declined with S$353 million worth of transactions recorded in the third quarter, data from Cushman & Wakefield Inc showed.

#3: Industrial property market picks up steam

While Singapore's residential property sector has taken quite a hit, its industrial and commercial property sectors are seeing an uptrend in investment sales.

According to data from Cushman & Wakefield Inc, industrial property deals soared 73 per cent to S$1.2 billion in the third quarter while office sales increased by 54 per cent to S$2.1 billion.

Meanwhile, Jones Lang Lasalle Singapore, citing data from JTC statistics said islandwide all-industrial rental correction stayed modest at 0.1 per cent quarter-on-quarter for three consecutive quarters since the fourth quarter of 2017, while the second quarter of 2018 all-industrial price index flat-lined for the first time since trending down in the third quarter of 2014.

#4: HDB resale values are declining

HDB is a hot bread and butter issue among Singaporeans as 80 per cent of the population lives in public housing flat.

Public interest in HDB dominated the headlines in 2018 as government officials warned that their values could decline, especially those that are more than 40 years with around 50 years left on their 99-year lease.

This marked a stark contrast during Lee Kuan Yew's era when he assured Singaporeans that HDB flats are an asset.

Property agents who specialise in HDB flats in mature estates such as Toa Payoh say they are already seeing prices of older resale flats declining as many buyers are staying clear from such properties following the ongoing debate. 

For example, according to the third quarter data from the HDB in 2018, a 3-bedroom flat in the estate was transacted for S$279, 000.

In contrast, the median price during the same period in 2016 was transacted for S$300,000.

Having said that, other factors do come into play such as the supply of new Built-to-Order (BTO) flats which has influenced the resale price.

However, until the government addresses the uncertainty surrounding older estates, we are likely to see the values declining as it is very much influenced by market sentiment.

#5: Widening price gap between a private property and an HDB flat

While the private property market has seen the price index picking up by some 11.0 points, the HDB Resale Price Index (RPI) has been on a decline.

According to data from the HDB, the RPI has been on a decline since the second quarter of 2013 as it continues to launch BTO flats in the market.

This is the biggest price gap in over 10 years and will likely be a contentious issue when the general election is expected to be called in 2019.

Predictions:
#1: HDB to become a hot-button issue

2019 is expected to be an election year.

As such, HDB will be a hot-button issue as 80 per cent of the population lives in HDB flats.

As we have discussed above, HDB resale prices are already on the decline while the price gap between a private property and an HDB flat has widened considerably.

The government will need to address the ongoing debate on the value of older HDB flats moving forward.

#2: Fewer BTO flats to be launched 

In November, the HDB said it launched 7,214 flats for sale under the Build-To-Order (BTO) and Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise. 

This comprises 3,802 BTO units and 3,412 SBF units across various towns estates such as Sembawang, Sengkang, Tengah, Yishun and Tampines.

However, there will be fewer units being offered in the next BTO launch exercise in February 2019.

The HDB said it will offer about 3,100 flats in Jurong West, Kallang Whampoa and Sengkang.

#3: A sellers' market

With fewer BTO flats on the offering, this could possibly divert some of the buyers to the resale market and prop up the resale prices which have been falling since the second quarter of 2013.

As such 2019 could likely be a sellers' market.

Sellers should watch the market closely while buyers should opt for a BTO quickly.

#4: Five growth areas

​As outlined in the URA Master Plan 2014, the five growth areas are located at Woodlands Regional Centre, Jurong Lake District, City Centre, Paya Lebar Central and Punggol Digital District.

Woodlands Regional Centre will be a transportation hub which will connect the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) to the Johor-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) via Woodlands North MRT station.

Meanwhile, Jurong Lake District will house the High Speed Rail station linking Singapore to Kuala Lumpur in 90 minutes flat.

The development of the project has been postponed to two years and will now commence construction in 2020 instead of 2018. 

Meanwhile, the express service will only commence by 1 January 2031 instead of 31 December 2026, as originally planned.

You can read more about URA Master Plan 2014 here.

#5: Opening of TEL will provide a price booster for properties along the line

The TEL is a 43km MRT Line that will add 31 new stations to the existing rail network, with 7 interchange stations.

It will link to the East-West Line, North-South Line, North-East Line, Circle Line and the Downtown Line. 

Spanning from Woodlands North to Sungei Bedok, the line will be opened in stages next year.

Stage one will comprise stations from Woodlands North to Woodlands South.

As such, properties in the Woodland Regional Centre as highlighted above will be among the first to enjoy the price booster when the stations commence service next year.

This will definitely be much to cheer about in the north amid the muted HDB resale market.

​2018 is a watershed moment for Malaysia's politics and the subsequent impact on the property market. We list down the key highlights in our 2018 property market roundups and our outlook for 2019.

By Khalil Adis

May 10 2018 was a watershed moment in Malaysia as it marked the first change of government in the country's history.

Since 1957, it had enjoyed an uninterrupted reign from the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

However, the high cost of living, falling Ringgit, the lack of affordable homes in the market, high unemployment among fresh graduates, the unfettered check on power and the 1MDB scandal proved to be the undoing for BN as Malaysians far and wide casted their protest vote in the ballot box

The message from Malaysians is clear - they have had enough and want a new, clean government to lead the way.

With the Pakatan Harapan government now in power, all eyes are on the newly elected old Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad and his team to solve the pressing bread and butter issues.

Here are the top five property market roundups for 2018 and our top five outlooks for 2019.

Roundups
#1: Demand-supply mismatch has resulted in an increasing number of unsold homes

​According to Bank Negara, 80 per cent of homes or 146,196 units priced above RM250,000 remained unsold as of end March 2018. 

In comparison, 130,690 units were unsold during the same period last year.

"Imbalances observed in the property market continue to persist," Bank Negara had said in a statement.

#2: Rent-to-own scheme being rolled out

To help ease the entry for the first time property buyers, the private sector has come up with a few initiatives.

Some private developers like Ayer Holdings have introduced a ‘Stay & Own' scheme for their Epic Residence and Foreston projects whereby part of the rent will be converted to the downpayment.

This not only provides a temporary solution for those who urgently need a home but also a form of security.

Meanwhile, Maybank has rolled a similar initiative called HouzKEY which they have called as "a rent-to-own solution that helps you to own your dream home."

The scheme involves zero per cent downpayment with the monthly rental forming part of the home financing. 

#3: Ministry of Housing and Local Government studying Singapore's HDB model

In July, Zuraida Kamaruddin, the Minister of Housing and Local Government paid an official visit to Singapore to study the HDB model.

Singapore has succeeded to build demand driven homes under its Built-to-Order (BTO) scheme to house 80 per cent of the Singapore population.

This is especially useful in Malaysia where there is currently a demand-supply mismatch as in point number one.

#4: Malaysia looking into having a single housing government agency

In Malaysia, there are so many affordable housing programmes being rolled out by the state and federal governments such as Rumah Milik Mampu, Rumah Selangorku, PR1MA, My First Home, Program Perumaha Rakyat and the list goes on.

This confuses the public.

The Malaysian government is currently looking into having a single housing agency to streamline the whole process much like the HDB model.

If implemented, this could solve the current Malaysian housing woe.

#5: More help for the B40, M40 and first-time homebuyers under Budget 2019

More help is on the way for these group of property buyers as announced under Budget 2019.

The measures included the Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (Rehda) agreement to cut prices by 10 per cent for new launches, the exemption of the Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT) for properties that are priced below RM200,000 and the stamp duty exemption for properties priced in the first RM300,000 up to RM500,000 as well as those priced from RM300,000 to RM1 million.

Outlook for 2019 
#1: Affordable homes to continue driving the market

​There is currently a strong pent-up demand for affordable homes but where the supply is lacking.

As such, the affordable home segment will continue to be in strong demand for 2019.

However, there needs to be concerted efforts from both the government and private developers.

Under Budget 2019, the federal government has pledged to spend RM1.5 billion on such homes via the 1Malaysia People's Housing (PR1MA) and Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd (SPNB).

Meanwhile, Rehda has agreed to cut prices as stated above.

#2: South KL to be the growth area

There are many infrastructure projects and economic drivers that are in the pipeline that will further boost property prices in Southern KL.

One such project is Bandar Malaysia will serve as the terminus station for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (KL-Singapore HSR) project linking both cities in 90 minutes flat. 

The development for the project has been postponed to two years and will now commence construction in 2020 instead of 2018. 

Meanwhile, the express service will only commence by 1 January 2031 instead of 31 December 2026, as originally planned.

Bandar Malaysia has been designated as a site for the Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ) initiative by Jack Ma. Home to the Satellite Services Hub, DFTZ is expected to create some 60,000 direct and indirect jobs. It will also possibly serve as the interchange to the MRT Line 3, which has now been postponed.

Another economic driver in the vicinity is Tun Razak Exchange (TRX). 

TRX will be a mixed-use development comprising a Grade A office space as well as residential and commercial precincts. 

To be developed in several phases over a period of 15 years, the first phase will comprise four investment grade A office towers, a lifestyle retail mall, two 5-star hotels and up to six luxurious residential towers with a target completion date by 2019.

In addition, Bandar Malaysia will house two MRT stations - Bandar Malaysia North and Bandar Malaysia South which will form part of the alignment for the Sungai Buloh - Serdang - Putrajaya Line (SSP Line).

#3: Properties along Sungai Buloh - Serdang - Putrajaya Line (SSP Line) will  be sought after

Speaking of the SSP Line, properties along the alignment, particularly those situated in the growth areas of Sungai Besi, Bandar Malaysia and Cyberjaya City Centre are worth looking into.

Bandar Malaysia will house two MRT stations as stated above and located a few stops away from Tun Razak Exchange MRT station.

Meanwhile, Sungai Besi MRT station is an interchange station to the Sungai Besi LRT station. 

It will serve as an interchange to the upcoming High Speed Rail station located in Bandar Malaysia, also in Sungai Besi. 

Last but not least,  Cyberjaya City Centre MRT station is a transit-oriented development (TOD) project to be developed by Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB). 

With its experience in building the transport hub in KL Sentral, MRCB will be developing a new city that will be integrated with the MRT station. 

Phase one is expected to generate a gross development value (GDV) of RM5.35 billion. 

It will feature a 200,000 sq ft convention centre, a 300- to 400-room business hotel, low and high-rise office buildings and a retail podium. Cyberjaya City Centre will have a development plan spanning 20 years. 

The MRT station is located just opposite Lim Kok Wing University of Creative Technology.
 
#4: Penang to get a boost from Phase 1 of Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP)

With Lim Guan Eng as Malaysia's Finance Minister, Penang's property market will get a further boost.

Just this month, Phase 1 of PTMP was approved.

It will comprise the Bayan Lepas Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, Pan Island Link 1 (PIL1) project and several main highways.

The proposed Bayan Lepas LRT line will be about 30 km in length with 27 stations running from KOMTAR to the future reclaimed islands in the south.

There will be three interchange stations - KOMTAR, Sky Cab Station linking it to the Sky Cab line across the Malacca Straits and The Light Station linking it to the George Town-Butterworth LRT line.

The LRT Line will also be integrated with the Sungai Nibong Express Bus Terminal at the Sungai Nibong Station.

Meanwhile, PIL 1 is a new 20km highway that will be aligned along the mountainous terrain of the island and will take around 15 minutes from between Gurney Drive to the Second Bridge.

There will be six interchanges in all - Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway (LCE), Awang, Relau, Paya Terubong, Utama and Gurney.

#5: Johor Bahru to get a boost from the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link

​Meanwhile, over in the southern state of Johor, Iskandar Malaysia's muted property market will get a boost as the RTS Link will commence construction next year.

The RTS Link will link Bukit Chagar station in Johor Bahru to Woodlands North MRT station in Singapore when completed in 2024.

There are also plans for a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system within Bukit Chagar station to link it to the different areas of Iskandar Malaysia.

The BRT will feature a dedicated bus lane with three lines -  BRT Line 1 will span from Bukit Chagar to Tebrau, BRT Line 2 from Bukit Chagar to Senai and finally, BRT Line 3  from Bukit Chagar to Iskandar Puteri.

However, based on market talk in the ground, there is a possibility that the BRT system will be upgraded to an LRT system instead.