In the third quarter of 2024, the HDB resale market in Singapore experienced strong growth, driven by an increasing preference for larger and newer flats. The HDB Resale Price Index rose by 2.7% in 3Q2024, up from 2.3% in the previous quarter. This brought the total increase for the first nine months of 2024 to 6.9%, significantly higher than the 3.8% rise during the same period in 2023. The price increase was largely due to a higher proportion of transactions involving 4-room and 5-room flats, which have seen growing demand. Additionally, the increased value of newer flats with leases commencing from 2013 onwards has contributed to the overall price growth. These newer flats are commanding price premiums due to their better condition and newer age, pushing overall resale prices higher.

HDB resale volume also saw positive growth in 3Q2024, with a quarter-on-quarter increase of 10.7%. The demand was particularly strong for larger flats, with 5-room flats recording a 13.9% rise in transactions, followed by a 11.8% increase in sales for 4-room flats. In total, HDB resale transactions reached 22,562 units in the first nine months of 2024, compared to 20,188 transactions during the same period in 2023, marking a notable rise in overall sales activity.

The rise in HDB million-dollar resale transactions also underscored the demand for newer flats. In 3Q2024, the number of million-dollar resale flats increased significantly to 331 units, up from 236 units in 2Q2024. Notably, flats with leases commencing from 2013 and onwards accounted for 132 of these transactions, compared to just 80 in the previous quarter. This trend highlights the growing willingness of buyers to pay a premium for newer, well-located flats, further boosting the overall resale market performance.

The outlook for the HDB resale market remains optimistic, supported by strong underlying demand. The October 2024 Build-To-Order (BTO) exercise saw the launch of 8,573 flats across 15 projects under the new classification framework, attracting over 35,000 applicants. With such high interest, a substantial number of potential buyers may face disappointment if they are unable to secure a flat, which could drive them to the resale market as an alternative for immediate housing needs. This spillover from the BTO exercise is expected to bolster the resale market, especially in popular estates, as unsuccessful applicants seek available units.

In conclusion, the third quarter of 2024 has been characterized by rising prices and increasing volumes in the HDB resale market, driven by demand for larger and newer flats, as well as the impact of unmet demand from the BTO exercise. The outlook for the remainder of the year remains positive, with sustained interest expected to drive market activity, though the usual seasonal slowdown may lead to a more stable end to the year. Buyers are encouraged to remain cautious and balance evolving market opportunities with long-term financial sustainability to ensure prudent decision-making in an ever-changing real estate environment.

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Prepared By: 

Mohan Sandrasegeran 

Head of Research & Data Analytics 

Email: mohan@sri.com.sg