What’s Holding Property Buyers Back in 2025? 5 Real Concerns

In a year full of exciting new condo launches and evolving market opportunities, many Singapore property buyers are still hesitating on the sidelines. But why?

At PropertyNet.SG, we’ve engaged with hundreds of potential homebuyers and investors — and patterns have emerged. Whether it’s uncertainty around financial commitments or confusion about which project to go for, several key barriers are keeping buyers from taking action.

Let’s explore the top 5 concerns holding buyers back in 2025 and what you can do to overcome each one.

1. 😔 High Interest Rates

The concern: Higher mortgage rates have made monthly repayments more expensive than in past years, leading to hesitation especially among first-time buyers.

What’s really happening: While interest rates climbed sharply in 2023–2024, they have since stabilised in 2025. In fact, many financial institutions now offer fixed-rate packages below 3%, and MAS has signalled that further aggressive hikes are unlikely. Housing affordability has begun to improve.

What you can do:

• Use online mortgage calculators to estimate repayments across various loan packages.
• Consult a mortgage broker to lock in pre-approvals and explore refinancing options.
• Consider shorter loan tenures or smaller entry units if affordability is your top concern.

2. 🙏 Fear of Overpaying

The concern: With new launch prices averaging $2,4XX–$2,9XX psf in city fringe areas, buyers worry they’re buying at the top of the market.

The reality: Not all price increases are created equal. Freehold, MRT-integrated, and branded projects tend to command premiums. However, in several districts (like D20 and D5), new launch prices remain competitive relative to resale counterparts. Many projects are still priced within historical norms after adjusting for construction costs and land bids.

What you can do:

• Benchmark against surrounding resale and earlier launch projects.
• Look for developments with strong take-up rates and high land-use efficiency.
• Focus on long-term fundamentals like school proximity, rental yield, and transformation zones.

3. 🧳 Uncertainty About Job Stability

The concern: With global inflation, tech layoffs, and macro volatility, some buyers fear losing their jobs or income sources after committing.

Context: This is a valid concern, especially for buyers in transition. But the Singapore job market remains resilient, particularly in finance, healthcare, and property-related services. Flexible unit sizes and phased launches are helping reduce upfront risk.

What you can do:

• Set aside a 6–12 month emergency fund before you commit.
• Consider entry units (1BR/compact 2BR) with good rental upside.
• Explore projects with later TOP dates (2028–2029) to stretch your financial runway.

4. 🧰 Too Many Choices, Not Enough Clarity

The concern: With over 30 new launches from Q1–Q4 2025, buyers feel overwhelmed by options and afraid of making the wrong decision.

Underlying issue: Information overload can paralyse action. Many buyers scroll between showflats, portals, and Telegram chats — but lack a strategic framework.

What you can do:

• Define your intent: own stay vs investment vs hybrid.
• Shortlist 2–3 launches per district, then narrow down by MRT access, school proximity, and layout efficiency.
• Use a side-by-side comparison checklist or get a PropertyNet.SG consultant to guide you through our “Clear Match Framework.”

5. 🚫 Waiting for Prices to Drop

The concern: Some buyers are sitting out, hoping prices will dip post-launch or during quieter months.

Reality check: In the past 3–5 years, very few new launches have dropped prices. Developers, facing high land and construction costs, are more likely to stagger releases and gradually raise prices as units are sold. Delayed buyers often return later, only to pay more.

What you can do:

• Join the preview phase to access early-bird pricing and better unit selections.
• Monitor unsold stack promotions — not every deal is publicly advertised.
• Don’t just time the market — match it to your life stage and housing goals.

Final Thought

Buying property in 2025 isn’t without its challenges — but the bigger risk is inaction. The longer you wait, the more you may lose in opportunity cost, especially in high-demand locations near transformation zones and MRT lines.

With a clear strategy, expert support, and market data on your side, you can make an informed and confident decision.

Need help shortlisting the right projects? Get personalised advice from our PropertyNet.SG team and gain clarity within 30 minutes. Book your consult today at PropertyNet.SG.

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