Prices of completed apartments above 506 sq ft in the Non-Central Region or suburban areas have been the most resilient year to date (up to May) followed by small units islandwide. Big apartments in the Central Region have fared the worst, show data from NUS.
Based on NUS's Singapore Residential Price Index (SRPI) series, which tracks prices of completed apartments and condos, the sub-index for the Non-Central Region (excluding small units) rose 1.9 per cent between December last year and May this year.
Over the same period, the sub-index for small units (up to 506 sq ft) islandwide dipped 0.1 per cent, while the sub-index for the Central Region (excluding small units) slipped an even bigger 2 per cent. Central Region is defined as Districts 1-4 (which include the financial district and Sentosa Cove) and the traditional prime residential districts of 9, 10 and 11.
The pattern is similar to trends in the past two years. In 2011, the Non-Central Region sub-index (excluding small units) rose 11.3 per cent, higher than a 10.6 per cent increase for small units islandwide and 5.1 per cent hike for Central Region (excluding small units)
In 2010, the three indices posted gains of 14.9 per cent, 13.8 per cent and 7.7 per cent respectively.
In suburban locations, because developers have been launching new projects at prices higher than those of existing, completed projects in the vicinity, it has an effect on prices of the completed properties as well.
In addition to owner occupiers, there is demand for completed suburban apartments from investors. Many younger expats on smaller housing budgets are opting to lease suburban condos and even HDB flats.
Source: Business Times – 29 June 2012