Sep 2019 new private home sales climb after property cooling measures

URA’s data showed that Sep 2019 new private home sales by developers rose 36.3 per cent year-on-year. Developers sold 1,270 units last month, excluding executive condominiums, compared with the 932 units sold in the same month a year earlier. This is 1.4 times the 932 units moved in September 2018. It is also the largest number of new homes sold in the month of September in the last seven years. The previous new private home sales record was in September 2012 with 2,621 new home sales.

Sep 2019 new private home salesThe Sep 2019 new private home sales were largely driven by locals where Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents (PR) accounted for almost 95 per cent of the new sales volume (landed + non-landed excluding EC).

OrangeTee and Tie said that the strong transaction volume was boosted by the new launch of Avenue South Residence and robust sales at various projects that were launched earlier.

“Many projects posted double- or triple-digit sales last month such as Avenue South Residence (361 units), Parc Clematis (119 units), Parc Botannia (71 units), Treasure at Tampines (69 units), The Florence Residences (68 units) and Parc Esta (65 units). Due to the launch of Avenue South Residence and good sales at some mid-tier projects, the proportion of new home sales in the Rest of Central Region (RCR) is 58.7 per cent, which is much higher than the 27.1 per cent in the prevailing month.”

“According to URA Realis data downloaded on 15 October 2019, the number of Singaporean purchases rose 29.3 per cent to 1,078 units in September from 834 units in August. This is the highest number of new homes purchased by Singaporeans since July 2018 (1,250 units). Similarly, the number of new homes bought by PR rose 33.3 per cent month-on-month to 120 units in September this year.”

Orange Tee analysts said: “September’s sales performance has exceeded market expectations given the backdrop of continued global uncertainty and ongoing trade tensions. The strong local support indicates that many Singaporeans remain confident about the long-term prospects of private properties here. Many investors have also reassessed their risk appetite given the weakening world economic outlook and increased volatility of the equities markets, possibly turning to safer investment assets like real estate properties in Singapore.”

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Colliers Research commenting on the Sep 2019 new private home sales data projected that it is likely that 9,000 units will be sold in 2019, surpassing the 8,795 units (excl. ECs) transacted last year.

In a take on the outlook for 2019, Colliers said:

Takeup
September’s sales numbers took overall new home sales to 7,760 (excl. ECs) for the first nine months of 2019 – up 11.5% from 6,959 units transacted over the same period in 2018.

Colliers Research projects that new home sales in 2019 will likely reach 9,000 units, surpassing the 8,795 units (excl. ECs) transacted last year.

Home buyers continue to be value-conscious and selective, favouring projects that are near key transport nodes, or near major new developments such as the Greater Southern Waterfront.

Prices
Flash estimates on 1 October showed prices have risen a second straight quarter, albeit at a slower clip and are now up 1.7% in the first nine months of 2019.

We expect prices to continue to stabilise and rise by 2% for the full year 2019. Prices will likely be kept in check with the economic slowdown and an ample launch pipeline. There are also 4,583 private homes (excl. ECs) that have been launched but still unsold.

Future launches
Royalgreen (285 units, former Royalville) was launched over the 12-13 October weekend and reportedly sold 33 units at an average price of SGD2,750psf. Neu at Novena (87 units) will be launched on 19 October.

Potential future launches include prime projects in CCR: Pullman Residences (340 units, former Dunearn Gardens), Hylle on Holland (321 units, former Hollandia and The Estoril), One Holland Village (559 units), former Tulip Garden (672 units), and Midtown Bay (219 units).

In the city fringe, launches include: Verdale (258 units) and Amber Sea (132 units).

In the suburbs, launches include: Sengkang Grand Residences (682 units), Infini at East Coast (36 units), and Midwood (564 units).”

Top 10 Selling Projects in September 2019 (including EC)

Project Name Street Name Locality Units Sold in the Month Median Price ($psf) in the Month % sold to date (of total)
Avenue South Residence Silat Avenue RCR 361 1,941 34%
Parc Clematis Jalan Lempeng OCR 119 1,620 30%
Parc Botannia Fernvale Street OCR 71 1,311 89%
Treasure at Tampines Tampines Lane OCR 69 1,355 33%
The Florence Residences Hougang Avenue 2 OCR 68 1,456 36%
Parc Esta Sims Avenue RCR 65 1,680 56%
Margaret Ville Margaret Drive RCR 39 1,861 83%
Riverfront Residences Hougang Avenue 7 OCR 32 1,341 77%
Meyer Mansion Meyer Road RCR 31 2,715 16%
Piermont Grand Sumang Walk OCR 28 1,108 52%

Source: Colliers International, URA

5 new launches in September 2019

Project Name Street Name Locality Total Number of Units in Project Units Launched in the Month Units Sold in the Month Median Price ($psf) in the Month % sold  (of launched)
Avenue South Residence Silat Avenue RCR 1,074 500 361 1,941 72%
Cuscaden Reserve Cuscaden Road CCR 192 192 5 3,341 3%
Meyer Mansion Meyer Road RCR 200 40 31 2,715 78%
The Antares Mattar Road RCR 265 265 18 1,793 7%
Uptown @ Farrer Perumal Road RCR 116 116 13 1,857 11%

Source: Colliers International, URA

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Senior Director of Research & Consultancy at JLL Ong Teck Hui said of the Sep 2019 new private home sales: “In 3Q19, some 3,572 private residential units were sold by developers. This is about 19 per cent higher than in 3Q18 and the highest quarterly sales volume of private homes since 2Q13 when the TDSR (total debt service ratio) was imposed.” He noted that Avenue South Residences alone sold 361 units or 28.4 per cent of the total monthly sales excluding ECs.

Ong Kah Seng, the director of property market research company R’ST Research said he expects developers to continue to release “choice units to attract buyers” for the rest of the year. Adding his views on the Sep 2019 new private home sales, Mr Ong said:

“Going into (the) remaining months of 2019 and 2020, developer sales activity is expected to be healthy and moderate at some monthly seasonal lulls, but buyers’ interest will be selective on the unique selling points of the project. Sales in H2 2019 and 2020 will be driven by (the) project’s uniqueness, exceptional value propositions and attractive pricing.”

Written by Ravi Chandran

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