Prime Property Districts' Prices Show 1st Fall In 4 Years: DTZ

Source : The Business Times, July 2, 2008

Downward pressure may increase as speculators dispose of units, it says

Property prices in the prime districts of District 9, 10 and 11 have registered their first fall in four years and DTZ Debenham Tie Leung believes that this downturn in sentiment could spill over to the non-prime districts.

In an analysis of resale prices based on its own basket of properties, DTZ found that prices of private residential properties in Q2 this year reflected the first correction in the past four years, led by non-landed residential units in the prime districts.

DTZ's basket of properties for prime freehold non-landed resale residential homes include Cairnhill Crest, The Pier at Robertson and Botanic on Lloyd and capital values averaged $1,410 per square foot (psf) in Q2 2008, reflecting a 4.7 per cent quarter-on-quarter (qoq) decline. Capital values had remained at $1,480 psf for the two previous quarters.

While it should be pointed out that luxury home prices have reached new heights in recent years, DTZ said that it also tracks a separate basket of luxury properties which includes premier developments like Ardmore Park.

Outside the prime districts, capital values of freehold and leasehold non-landed resale residential units remained unchanged, averaging $750 psf and $610 psf respectively, holding steady at this level for three consecutive quarters after both sectors registered 7 per cent increases in Q4 last year.

And the outlook for rest of the year is likely to be challenging.

DTZ said that with high inflation compounding the expected economic slowdown globally, prices of private residential properties are set for further corrections.

'Besides smaller developers, some of the bigger developers are also likely to reduce selling prices to move sales especially for developments that have been on the market for some time.'

'In addition, the sub-sale market is expected to be active with speculators disposing their units, especially those who have purchased multiple units on Deferred Payment Schemes and are most likely to dispose some or all units to avoid stretching their financial limits,' it added.

While some speculators may feel that renting remains an option for them, DTZ said that as rentals come under pressure in 2009-2011 due to the surge in new home completions, it is unlikely that speculators will want to hold on to their units for rental income.

DTZ does believe that there was significant wealth creation in the run-up to the recent 'economic boom' of 2006 and last year, and there is 'pent-up demand' from many who have been waiting for an opportune time to buy. 'Take-up will eventually pick up when the market senses that prices have bottomed,' it added.

On the pick-up in sales towards the end of Q2 2008 for 'attractively located and reasonably-priced projects', DTZ's executive director (Residential) Margaret Thean said: 'At the end of the second quarter, we began to witness the return of market confidence and an improved buying sentiment. Some residential projects are enjoying sell-out status while others are being are well-received. This is clearly indicated by the sell-out status of projects such as Suites 123 while Nassim Park, Parc Sophia, Dakota Residences and Clover by the Park received encouraging response.'