Singapore Residential Market Q1 2020

The residential market showed signs of slowing in Q1 2020.

URA Flash estimates 

According to the URA Flash Estimates, the Property Price Index (PPI) of nonlanded private residential properties decreased by 1.0% quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) to 148.1 in Q1 2020, reversing part of the 1.9% price increase posted in 2019. Prices also decreased across the three market segments.

Primary sales of non-landed properties (excluding EC) declined by 8.4% q-o-q
to 2,115 transactions in Q1 2020, while secondary sales recorded a sharper fall
of 25.3% q-o-q to 1,507 transactions. The private housing market was initially resilient against the downward pressure caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak as sales continued to move in January and February,
with transactions increasing by 29% and 67% y-o-y respectively to 1,142 and 1,399. The outbreak was initially largely contained in China, with the general perception that it will subside by June using the SARs outbreak as a guide. However, the spread of the outbreak in the United States and Europe, and the hike in cases in March, impacted sales after social distancing measures adversely impacted on sentiments. Sales volume dropped by 32.9% y-o-y to 1,081 transactions for the whole of March.