This question gets asked every year, and the honest answer rarely changes: it is almost never about the market, it is about your own readiness.
Why "is now a good time" is the wrong first question
People who bought Singapore property in 2009, in 2013 after the cooling measures, in 2020 during the pandemic, and in 2022 with high rates have all done well if they held for at least five years. The entry timing mattered far less than whether the buyer's own finances and holding period were sound.
What's actually changed in 2026
- The HDB 15 month wait out period for former private property owners buying a resale flat was removed with immediate effect on 28 Jul 2026.
- Resale price growth has decelerated from 10.4% in 2022 to 2.9% in 2025, and HDB resale prices have declined for two consecutive quarters starting Q1 2026, the first dip in nearly 7 years.
- Cooling measures, especially the 60% foreigner ABSD introduced in April 2023, have removed much speculative demand, while structural owner occupier buying keeps the floor solid. The URA Private Residential Price Index has moderated from its 2021–2022 surge, and bank interest rates have eased from their 2023–2024 peak, to around 1.5% per annum for typical packages in 2026.
Running it through Money, Timing and Safety instead
Money: what does the deal actually cost, all in, and can you carry it? BSD, ABSD, legal fees, commission, plus the monthly reality: mortgage, maintenance, property tax, and rental income if any.
Timing: where does this property fit in your multi year plan? Is the exit clear, and what does the upgrade path look like after this purchase?
Safety: what breaks if things change? TDSR, MSR, MOP, the SSD window, and CPF accrued interest all sit in this layer, getting one of these wrong costs more than any commission saved.
The honest answer
Nobody, including Winfred, can reliably predict where prices go next. The framework above exists precisely because it does not depend on that prediction, it runs your own numbers against your own timeline instead of trying to time a market.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wait for prices to drop further before buying?
There is no reliable way to time it. Resale price growth has already decelerated sharply, from 10.4% in 2022 to 2.9% in 2025, and HDB resale prices dipped for two straight quarters from Q1 2026, but nobody can promise where prices go from here. The framework that matters more is whether the numbers work for your own Money, Timing and Safety.
Did the 15 month wait out rule removal make 2026 a better time to buy?
It helps a specific group: private property owners who want to right size into an HDB resale flat, since they no longer face the old 15 month wait. It does not change ABSD, MOP, or financing rules for anyone else.
Trying to work out if now is right for you?
Winfred runs the Money, Timing and Safety analysis against your specific numbers, not a market prediction.
Book a free 30 minute callWinfred Quek is an Associate Marketing Consultant at Crestbrick Pte Ltd (CEA Licence No. L31010886H). CEA R073319H. This page is for general information only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Rates and rules reflect the position as at 5 Aug 2026; verify current figures with IRAS, HDB, or MAS before making any decision.