Singapore home affordability to get worse for first-time buyers

The HDB Hub, headquarters of Singapore's Housing and Development Board, which is responsible for the island's public housing, is pictured in the satellite town of Toa Payoh, in central Singapore, June 16, 2019. Picture taken June 16, 2019. REUTERS/Loriene Perera (Loriene Perera / Reuters)

By Nurin Sofia

(Bloomberg) —Singapore’s housing affordability will deteriorate further in the coming year, due to the double whammy of rising prices and interest rates, according to Moody’s Investors Service.

First-time private home buyers in August needed 19.4% of their average monthly household disposable income to cover monthly mortgage repayments on new loans, up from 17.3% in December 2021, Moody’s analysts said in a report Tuesday. The measure will worsen over the next 12 months because gradual gains in incomes won’t be enough to offset increases in home prices and interest rates, they added.

While home values from the US to New Zealand are declining, Singapore’s private property prices jumped 13.2% in the third quarter from a year ago due to factors including a shortage of supply and an influx of expatriate arrivals. That’s fueled affordability concerns for nearly six in 10 potential buyers and tenants, according to a recent survey.

The trend is “credit negative” for Singapore covered bonds —which include mostly loans for private residential properties —because it increases risks for new mortgages, Moody’s analysts including Daniel Gan wrote.

Increases in accommodation costs are “anticipated to stay firm” in future quarters amid strong demand for rental housing, the central bank and Ministry of Trade and Industry said in a joint statement on Tuesday. Authorities introduced measures in September to ensure homebuyers borrow prudently as rates rise.

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