property

First-time buyers flood Singapore's HDB and EC markets as condo prices surge

New entrants target HDB resale flats and ECs as condo prices climb, with hotspots from Yishun to Tengah seeing brisk activity.

By Singapore Property Desk · Published 25 July 2026

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This article was written by AI from the linked sources and was not reviewed by a journalist before publishing. The Daily Singapore is part of The Daily Network and follows our reasonable editorial care.

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Singapore’s first-home buyer market is holding firm in mid-2026 despite rising private condo prices, with new purchasers zeroing in on HDB resale flats and executive condominiums (ECs) in non-central regions in search of accessible entry points.

This trend matters as the city’s aspirational upgraders and young families are recalibrating their property ambitions amid a persistent gap between new condo prices and prevailing household incomes. The ongoing squeeze underscores the importance of policy support and creative financing, while shaping the way Singapore’s heartland towns are growing.

HDB Resale and ECs in Spotlight

Property agents in Yishun and Bukit Panjang say viewing activity for three- and four-room HDB resale flats intensified in the second quarter, particularly near transport nodes like Yishun MRT and Bukit Panjang Integrated Transport Hub. Over in Tengah-Singapore’s newest HDB town-balloting for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats in June 2026 saw steady demand, while executive condos in Jurong West and Sengkang attracted sustained queries from upgraders priced out of core districts.

Private developer interest in mass market EC projects is evident, with units at North Gaia (Yishun Avenue 9) and Tenet (Tampines Street 62) moving steadily, according to project updates released in June. The Housing & Development Board (HDB) also extended housing grants to help first-timers bridge the affordability gap, which plays a crucial part as prices trend upward.

Entry-Level Prices Drift Higher

Latest data from the HDB shows the median resale price for a four-room flat reached SGD 565,000 in the second quarter of 2026, with Woodlands and Yishun staying among the most active heartland precincts. Executive condominiums, once regarded as a step-up product for HDB dwellers, now command a median launch price close to SGD 1.45 million per unit in newly launched projects like Lumina EC in Choa Chu Kang.

In contrast, private condo entry points in the outside central region (OCR) have moved past SGD 1.8 million for a typical two-bedroom unit. Databases from local property portals 99.co and SRX Property recorded that the number of new condos transacted at or below SGD 1.5 million shrank to fewer than 10% of all transactions islandwide in the first half of the year.

What Next for First-Time Buyers?

Given current trends, advisers say first-home hopefuls need to move quickly to lock in loan approvals and grants, especially if targeting mature HDB estates or popular EC launches in the west such as Altura (Bukit Batok West Avenue 8). Buyers face competitive ballot odds for BTO flats in Tampines and Tengah, and should prepare early documentation for HDB eligibility screening.

Private market watchers will be tracking upcoming HDB BTO exercises and new EC launches hitting the market by Q4 2026, notably along Jurong Lake District and the future Cross Island Line stations in Hougang. For now, most consultants expect active first-home demand to sustain, anchored by government grants and a steady pipeline of both public and hybrid housing schemes.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.