New rules governing permanent residents (PRs) buying HDB resale flats could send ripple effects through the markets for private homes and executive condominiums (ECs), say analysts.
As the rules announced on Tuesday make it harder for PRs to buy resale flats, they may seek mass-market condos instead.
But with fewer potential buyers for their homes, HDB owners will have fewer opportunities to upgrade to their traditional next rung on the housing ladder - mass-market private flats or ECs.
The rules state that PR households must wait three years after obtaining PR status before they can buy an HDB resale flat.
However, some developers of mass-market homes see a possible silver lining.
They hope the increase in PR demand for their units will outweigh a fall in demand from HDB upgraders.
"It could be beneficial for suburban projects that are still under construction," said EL Development managing director Lim Yew Soon.
"PRs who urgently need a home would probably have to rent and if they have to pay rent anyway some might instead go for developer sales."
The chief executive of UE E&C, a developer of ECs and condominiums, Mr Chua Hock Tong, said some potential HDB buyers may also turn to ECs.
"ECs are after all not subject to the application of HDB loans, and therefore home buyers may get to enjoy a longer loan tenure from financial institutions," Mr Chua said.
Source: The Straits Times - 29 August 2013