Singapore home prices rise to highest in more than 2 years

Singapore home prices rose to the highest in more than two years last quarter as the city-state forecasts a recovery from its worst recession since independence as Covid vaccinations are rolled out and restrictions eased.

Property values increased 2.1% in the three months ended Dec 31, according to a preliminary estimate by the Urban Redevelopment Authority released Monday.

That’s the biggest increase since the second quarter of 2018, when prices increased by 3.4%.

The gain marks the third consecutive quarter of growth, defying concerns home prices would decline amid lockdowns and border closures in the tourism and trade-dependent island.

Instead, Singapore joins countries from Australia and New Zealand to the UK and the US where property markets have surged during the pandemic, as record-low interest rates fuel demand.

Real estate values could rise further this year, as the government expects the economy to expand by 4% to 6%, rebounding from last year’s 5.8% contraction.

The Southeast Asian nation has eased social distancing measures and started its vaccination program with health-care workers getting the first shots.

Buyer sentiment could pick up further on the back of Singapore’s vaccination roll-out, said Christine Sun, the head of research and consultancy at OrangeTee & Tie Pte.

Source: Bloomberg

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