The Business Times
business-time-50
BRUNCH

Higher costs, lower returns: Why are Singaporeans still betting on real estate?

Returns are often lower than equities, but policy and psychology keep property at the centre of wealth

Summarise
Ry-Anne Lim

Ry-Anne Lim

Published Fri, Apr 10, 2026 · 03:30 PM
阅读简体中文版 (beta)
    • While residential property has delivered solid gains, observers say other assets such as equities often outpace it over the longer term.
    • Singapore's private residential market has delivered annualised returns of roughly 4% over the past decade.
    • Since property isn't priced in real time, it shields owners from daily market swings common in stocks and funds, says Endowus chief investment officer Hugh Chung.
    • Wealth in Singapore is increasingly built through intergenerational transfers, notes NUS Emeritus Professor Chua Beng Huat.
    • While residential property has delivered solid gains, observers say other assets such as equities often outpace it over the longer term. DESIGN: GARETH CHUNG, BT
    • Singapore's private residential market has delivered annualised returns of roughly 4% over the past decade. PHOTO: BT FILE
    • Since property isn't priced in real time, it shields owners from daily market swings common in stocks and funds, says Endowus chief investment officer Hugh Chung. IMAGE: PIXABAY
    • Wealth in Singapore is increasingly built through intergenerational transfers, notes NUS Emeritus Professor Chua Beng Huat. PHOTO: BT FILE

    [SINGAPORE] At dinner tables and across generations, one piece of financial advice tends to resurface: buy property if you can.

    Setting aside Build-To-Order flats that are sold at a market discount – thus implying resale gains – the assumption is that real estate, more broadly, is a reliable means of wealth accumulation, with prices always rising.

    There is even the perception – nurtured by past booms – that massive gains are possible.

    BrunchSingapore propertyPropertyResidential propertySingapore residential propertyResidentialProperty investment

    TRENDING NOW

    Related issues that LTA is also seeking feedback on are over COE renewals and Category E.

    LTA proposes combining car COE categories, adding rebate-surcharge system

    StarHub says the acquisition will allow greater scale to be directed towards sustained network investment, service innovation and customer experience. 

    StarHub to acquire MyRepublic’s mobile business amid ongoing telco consolidation

    Banking stocks were all lower on Thursday morning, leading the STI’s decline.

    DBS, OCBC, UOB rout lops billions off STI as inflation, rate concerns spook investors

    From shy teenager to outspoken philanthropist, Chloe Tong has come a long way.

    Grab CEO’s wife Chloe Tong on life with Anthony Tan and finding her purpose

    Latest T-bills Treasury Bills Results & Interest NewsLatest SSB Singapore Savings Bonds NewsLatest COE Certificate of Entitlement News
    Latest Johor-Singapore SEZ NewsLatest BTO Build To Order & Sales of Balance NewsLatest STI Straits Times Index NewsLatest SGX Dividends, Share Price NewsLatest Bonds Market NewsLatest Singapore Stocks To Buy NewsLatest Singapore Economy News
    View More