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Thread: A softer slide in private home prices in Q2

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    Default A softer slide in private home prices in Q2

    http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/...40061,00.html?

    Published July 2, 2009

    A softer slide in private home prices in Q2

    URA flash estimates show 5.9% fall but many expect final showing to be better

    By UMA SHANKARI


    (SINGAPORE) Singapore's private home prices fell for a fourth straight quarter in Q2 2009 - but the marked slowdown in the rate of decline shows that the residential market here is recovering, analysts said.

    The private residential price index fell 5.9 per cent in the second quarter, according to flash estimates from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) yesterday. By contrast, the index fell 14.1 per cent in Q1.

    The continuing fall in the index caught many analysts by surprise, as anecdotal evidence showed that private home prices started climbing again in the second quarter.

    'The decline is surprising as prices have picked up in the latter part of the second quarter, especially in the prime districts of 9, 10 and 11,' said DTZ's head of South-east Asia research Chua Chor Hoon.

    Echoed Li Hiaw Ho, executive director of CBRE Research: 'This smaller decline in the price index is contrary to the present market perception where actual price levels in the second quarter were known to be more than 10 per cent above those in the first quarter.'

    CBRE's data showed that the median price registered in the second quarter for new 99-year leasehold projects was $788,000 - some 13.2 per cent higher than the median of $696,000 in Q1. For new freehold non-landed properties, it was $928,000 - 26.6 per cent higher than the first quarter's $733,000. Some 3,800- 4,000 new homes were estimated to have been sold in Q2, 50 per cent more than the 2,596 units sold in the first quarter, the firm said.

    DTZ's Ms Chua pointed out that URA's flash estimates are based on transaction prices from caveats lodged during the first ten weeks of the quarter, while the buying frenzy gained pace in June. 'I expect the final price index to fall less or show some increase when more caveats in June are included in the computation of the index,' she said.

    A URA spokesman said that while some developers had started raising prices recently, the extent of price increase quarter-on-quarter was small and pertained to selected projects.

    'On the other hand, more projects had seen a fall in prices over Q2 2009,' said the spokesman. 'Hence, overall prices in Q2 2009 as reflected by the flash index fell in comparison with Q1 2009.'

    The revised index (which will be out on July 24) will capture caveats beyond the first 10 weeks of the quarter.

    Meanwhile, the slower pace of decline for private home prices was seen across the whole island.

    In Q2, prices of non-landed private residential properties decreased 6.6 per cent in the core central region (which includes the prime districts, financial district and Sentosa Cove), 6.3 per cent in the rest of central region, and 2.6 per cent in the outside central region (which is a proxy for suburban mass-market locations).

    In comparison, in Q1 2009, prices fell 16.2 per cent in the core central region, 17 per cent in the rest of central region and 7.3 per cent in the outside central region.

    The improved sentiment was also evident in the resale prices of Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats.

    The HDB resale price index, which fell for the first time in Q1 2009 after nine straight quarters of growth, also recovered somewhat to climb 1.2 per cent in Q2. The resale price index fell 0.8 per cent in the first quarter.

    'This price rebound shows that demand for HDB flats is still very strong despite current economic challenges,' said Eugene Lim, ERA Asia Pacific's associate director.

    ERA, which says it has a 45 per cent market share of the HDB resale market, observed that its transaction volume surged some 52 per cent in Q2 over Q1.

    Buyers are returning to the HDB market because sellers have become more realistic about asking prices - especially those selling five-room and executive flats, analysts said. Rather than holding out for higher cash-over-valuation (COV) amounts, most are now willing to sell at valuation or with a slight COV.

    Analysts expect the property market recovery to continue - but cautioned against over-exuberance.

    OCBC Investment Research analyst Foo Sze Ming said that property prices in Singapore are unlikely to surge to 2007 levels, even with the current recovery.

    Then, prices were boosted by global real estate funds that bought up homes here for investment. 'Since the economic crisis is still ongoing, I doubt that there will be that much interest from funds in the Singapore property market to drive prices up to 2007 levels this year,' Mr Foo said.

    'We retain our cautious outlook for the Singapore residential market,' said Nomura analysts Tony Darwell and Min Chow Sai in a June 29 report.

    'In our view, the directional trend in the market will be driven by the competing forces of inventory clearance and buyers motivated by current 'value' rather than expectations of a sustained recovery in asset prices.'

    The analysts see the likelihood of a W-shaped recovery in asset prices, rather than their previous expectations of a U-shaped recovery, the note said.


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    'The decline is surprising as prices have picked up in the latter part of the second quarter, especially in the prime districts of 9, 10 and 11,' said DTZ's head of South-east Asia research Chua Chor Hoon.

    Echoed Li Hiaw Ho, executive director of CBRE Research: 'This smaller decline in the price index is contrary to the present market perception where actual price levels in the second quarter were known to be more than 10 per cent above those in the first quarter.'
    This is what happens when you believe in your own hyperbole.

    A URA spokesman said that while some developers had started raising prices recently, the extent of price increase quarter-on-quarter was small and pertained to selected projects.

    'On the other hand, more projects had seen a fall in prices over Q2 2009,' said the spokesman. 'Hence, overall prices in Q2 2009 as reflected by the flash index fell in comparison with Q1 2009.'

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    experts forecasts always run contrary to what happens next. in 2007 they said it'll rise 50% more. in 2009 they said will drop another 40%. Always opposite happens.

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    http://www.straitstimes.com/Money/St...ry_397965.html

    July 2, 2009 Thursday

    Private home prices fall 5.9% in Q2

    Suburban home sales prop up market; experts surprised at drop given buying craze last month

    By Joyce Teo, Property Correspondent


    Prices of non-landed homes in the suburban areas fell just 2.6 per cent in the second quarter, compared with a bigger 6.6 per cent slide in city-centre prices and a 6.3 per cent decline in city-fringe prices. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN

    PRIVATE home prices slowed their downward slide in the second quarter, with suburban homes helping to hold up the market.

    The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced yesterday that its initial estimates showed a 5.9 per cent fall in private home prices from April to last month, following a record 14.1 per cent slide in the first quarter.

    Some property experts yesterday expressed surprise at the larger-than-expected drop. And with the recent strong demand, they are expecting to see a much smaller fall in four weeks' time, when final second-quarter figures are released.

    A few are even expecting to see a small price rise by then because of last month's buying craze, which saw project launches attracting rising numbers of investors and speculators.

    But given that the current frenzy is being whipped up against a still-weak economic backdrop, more analysts are turning cautious, saying it is unsustainable.

    Yesterday, the URA reported prices of non-landed homes in the suburban areas falling just 2.6 per cent in the second quarter, compared with a bigger 6.6 per cent slide in city-centre prices and a 6.3 per cent decline in city-fringe prices.

    The smaller mass-market price fall reflected the strong buying support from upgraders in the HDB market, where resale prices reversed a marginal fall to rise by 1.2 per cent in the second quarter.

    The stock market rally, coupled with strong liquidity, has resulted in a surge in second-quarter new home sales. CBRE Research estimated that 4,000 new homes were sold - more than 50 per cent above the 2,596 units sold in the first quarter.

    The volume lent support to home prices and, in some cases, allowed developers to raise their prices when supply was tight, it said.

    The second quarter also saw more new launches at higher price levels because they were located either on the city fringe or in prime districts, CBRE Research added. These include Martin Place Residences, The Wharf Residence, One Devonshire and the sold-out 8@Woodleigh.

    CBRE Research executive director Li Hiaw Ho said the 5.9 per cent decline in private home prices is 'contrary to the present market perception' as actual price levels in the second quarter are known to have risen more than 10 per cent from the first quarter.

    DTZ head of South-east Asia research Chua Chor Hoon described the fall as 'surprising' because prices picked up around last month - especially in the prime districts of 9, 10 and 11.

    Average home prices were still relatively flat in April and May - some developments saw price increases, while others saw price falls - she said. But last month, resale home prices rose from 3 per cent in the mass-market segment to as much as 11 per cent in prime areas, she added.

    'Going forward, developers are likely to test the market with gradual price increases. Should the current momentum hold, we can expect private property prices to increase by 5 per cent to 8 per cent in the second half of the year,' said ERA Asia-Pacific associate director Eugene Lim.

    While local buyers are now supporting the market, more foreign investors may come when the integrated resorts open, he added.

    Colliers International director for research and advisory Tay Huey Ying thinks the strength of pent-up demand should not be underestimated as new home sales had sunk to a low of 4,264 units last year - half of the annual average of about 8,500 new units since 2000.

    Home sales could remain robust in the second half of this year, possibly reaching 12,000 units or more. This will hinge on price rises not exceeding 5 per cent for mass-market homes and 10 per cent for higher-tier homes, as buyers remain price sensitive in view of the absence of economic expansion and growth in employment and personal income, she said.

    If the positive buying mood continues, the third-quarter price index may show a rise, said OrangeTee's executive director (residential), Mr Steven Tan.

    Others, like Ms Chua, think the final second-quarter index may already show some increase when more June caveats are included in the computation of the index. But she thinks this could be a 'temporary blip' with resistance setting in at some levels and prices possibly stagnant or falling from as early as the the third quarter onwards.

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