02 Sep 2024
1H2024 Singapore Rental Market Insights: School Proximity and Pricing Trends
Property Insight

The rental property market in Singapore during the second quarter of 2024 demonstrated notable trends and adjustments. The overall rental index showed a further moderation, with rental prices decreasing by 0.8% in 2Q2024, a smaller decline compared to the 1.9% drop in 1Q2024. This period also marked a stabilization in the market as rental prices in the first half of 2024 adjusted by -2.7%, a significant change from the 10.2% increase observed in the first half of 2023. The moderation can be attributed to the influx of newly completed developments entering the market, adding to the rental supply.

The number of non-landed rental contracts rose by 1.9% quarter-on-quarter, from 18,878 units in 1Q2024 to 19,558 units in 2Q2024. This increase is likely driven by the high volume of private developments completed in 2023, which have now entered the rental segment. The year-on-year growth of non-landed rental contracts in 1H2024 was 2.4%, reflecting continued demand for such properties. It is projected that the total non-landed rental volume for 2024 will fall between 78,000 and 80,000 contracts.

Newly completed developments, particularly those that obtained their Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) recently, such as Normanton Park, Treasure at Tampines, Parc Clematis, and The M, have shown strong rental demand. Renters seem to favor newer units due to their fresh condition and minimal wear and tear.

Core Central Region (CCR) districts continued to lead in rental popularity, with District 9 securing the highest number of non-landed rental contracts in 1H2024, followed by Districts 10 and 15. These districts remain desirable among renters, underlining their prominence in the rental market.

The HDB rental market also experienced growth, with rental approvals increasing by 1.7% quarter-on-quarter from 9,398 in 1Q2024 to 9,554 in 2Q2024. A significant portion of these approvals (36.9%) were for 4-room flats, which saw the highest number of rental approvals since 3Q2023. Jurong West recorded the highest number of HDB rental transactions in 1H2024, followed by Tampines and Sengkang.

Despite the overall moderation in HDB rentals, the resale market strengthened in 1H2024, with a 6.9% increase in resale transactions compared to 1H2023. This trend indicates a shift towards resale flats among homeowners, partly due to the limited number of flats reaching their Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) in 2024.

School proximity significantly influenced rental growth in areas like Bukit Batok and Hougang, where highly sought-after schools like Princess Elizabeth Primary School and Holy Innocents' Primary School are located. The scarcity of larger flats and the high demand for school enrollment contributed to notable increases in rental prices in these areas.

Overall, the rental market in Singapore is stabilizing, supported by strategic housing initiatives from the government. These initiatives aim to alleviate rental pressures by boosting housing supply and providing targeted support for those in need, ensuring a balanced and accessible rental market for residents.

Click here for the full report  

  

Prepared By: 

Mohan Sandrasegeran 

Head of Research & Data Analytics  

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December 2024 Sees Year-on-Year Growth in Private Home Sales

Residual momentum from November's robust developer sales activity carried into December 2024, a typically quieter month for real estate transactions. Developers sold 203 new residential units (excluding Executive Condominiums or ECs), a significant 92.1% month-on-month moderation from November's revised figure of 2,560 units. The moderation can be attributed to seasonal factors, such as the festive period and year-end school holidays, which usually see reduced market activity. 

Despite the lower monthly figures, December 2024 reflected a marked improvement year-on-year, with a 50.4% increase in units sold compared to December 2023. This represents the strongest December sales since 2021, underlining recovering buyer confidence amid stabilizing market conditions. A key contributor to this outcome was the carry-over effect from November's strong sales momentum, sustaining interest even during the traditionally subdued holiday season.

Novo Place, an EC project, led December’s sales with 158 units sold at a median price of $1,647 per square foot (psf), highlighting the sustained appeal of ECs, particularly among first-time buyers and upgraders. Hillock Green and The Myst followed with 19 and 17 units sold, respectively, demonstrating strong demand for projects in the Outside Central Region (OCR). The Myst developers strategically released units in December, capturing buyer interest during a quieter period and maintaining market focus on their project.

Developers are optimistic about early 2025, with anticipated launches like The Orie, Bagnall Haus, and The Collective at One Sophia expected to drive increased activity. These projects are strategically positioned ahead of Chinese New Year to capture market momentum, offering diverse options for first-time buyers, upgraders, and investors. As the market transitions into the new year, the alignment of supply and demand is expected to support continued recovery and buyer interest.

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Prepared By:

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Head of Research & Data Analytics

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GLS Tender Analysis: Future Residential Developments in Bukit Panjang and Tengah

The tender results for the Government Land Sales (GLS) sites at Dairy Farm Walk and Tengah Garden Avenue underscore competitive bidding and robust market interest.

Dairy Farm Walk:

The top bid for this residential site was $504.5 million, translating to $1,020 psf ppr, by a consortium including SNC2 Realty Pte. Ltd. This bid outperformed the second-highest offer by 23.1%, highlighting a strong commitment to develop in the area. Recent GLS projects, such as Dairy Farm Residences and The Botany at Dairy Farm, have shown exceptional sales performance, with nearly 100% unit sales, reflecting high demand in the Bukit Panjang planning area.

The location’s appeal stems from its access to natural spaces, proximity to Dairy Farm Mall, reputable schools, and connectivity to Hillview and Cashew MRT stations. 

Tengah Garden Avenue:

The site, intended for residential use with commercial space on the first floor, received a top bid of $675 million ($821 psf ppr) from a joint venture between Intrepid Investments, CSC Land Group, and GuocoLand. The narrow margin of 0.7% above the second-highest bid underscores intense competition for this pioneering project in Tengah.

This marks Tengah’s first private condominium development, benefiting from a first-mover advantage in Singapore’s inaugural smart and sustainable town. This development is expected to appeal to buyers who value exclusivity, unlike Executive Condominiums (ECs) that face eligibility restrictions. Proximity to the Hong Kah MRT station and integration with Jurong Region Line connectivity enhances its attractiveness, alongside its strategic location near Jurong's second Central Business District.

Both sites represent promising opportunities in Singapore’s evolving residential landscape, reflecting strategic planning and strong buyer interest in suburban and emerging areas.

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Prepared By:

Mohan Sandrasegeran

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mohan@sri.com.sg

 

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Freehold shophouse properties dominated the shophouse market in 2024, representing 69.4% of transactions. These properties remain highly sought after for their perpetual ownership and long-term security. Properties with 999-year leasehold tenure accounted for 18.1%, while 99-year leaseholds constituted 12.5% of transactions, highlighting varied investor interests.

District 8 led shophouse transactions with 33 deals, emphasizing its appeal due to its central location and vibrant commercial activities. Other notable districts included District 14 with eight transactions and Districts 1 and 2 with five transactions each, underscoring sustained demand in strategically located areas.

The rental market also showed strength, with total rental value rising from $34.9 million in the first 11 months of 2023 to $37.7 million during the same period in 2024, marking an 8.2% year-on-year growth. This increase reflects robust demand for shophouses as versatile commercial spaces, bolstered by their charm and strategic locations.

Tourism recovery played a pivotal role in boosting the market. International visitor arrivals surged from 12.4 million in the first 11 months of 2023 to 15.1 million in the same period in 2024, a 22.3% increase. This growth supported sectors like accommodation, retail, and F&B, further driving demand for commercial shophouse spaces.

Looking ahead to 2025, the shophouse market is poised for sustained growth. Factors such as anticipated Federal Reserve rate cuts, Singapore's strong global connectivity, and its positioning as a global business hub are expected to support investor confidence. The enduring appeal of conservation properties, coupled with the continued momentum in tourism, will likely bolster demand. These dynamics position the shophouse segment as a robust and attractive asset class within Singapore’s commercial property market.

Click

here

for the full report 

Prepared By:

Mohan Sandrasegeran

Head of Research & Data Analytics

Email:

mohan@sri.com.sg