Local news reported today that resale prices for private homes have shot through the roof this year. According to one analysis, foreigners make up the majority (60 to 70%) of the buyers of private homes in Singapore, thereby propping the prices up.
Even foreign celebrities, such as Jackie Chan and Emil Chau, have gotten into the act, and purchased a number of condominium units last week, spending in excess of S$10 million.
But Singapore is land scarce, and many local citizens face great difficulty affording their own homes. The incredible rate at which housing prices have been permitted to go up compared to local salary rates is an extremely disappointing reflection of the PAP government’s understanding of the local populace’s housing difficulties.
This author is of the opinion that foreigners should only be allowed to purchase residential properties in Singapore if they actually live in them. Singapore is far too small a country to allow foreigners to speculate in and drive up the prices of residential properties beyond the affordability of the main local populace.
Actually, this author views that ideally, foreigners should not be permitted to purchase properties in Singapore at all. Given Singapore’s limited land area, there is no good reason why foreigners should be allowed to acquire property at the hardship and expense of Singapore citizens (who should be given a decent chance to aspire to owning a private home someday). The PAP government should not have permitted foreigners to purchase private homes, much less, the majority of private homes in Singapore.
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The direction that Singapore is heading is just very wrong.
ReplyDeleteWith our dismal birth rate and the misguided focus on increasing the population at the expense of preserving our cultural identity, soon true blue Singaporeans will be the aborigines of this country.
ReplyDeleteDon't stereotype foreigners. It takes two to tango. There are also foreigners who also cannot afford to buy houses because they can't afford to. And that's because of greedy Singaporean owners who wants to get into the bandwagon.
ReplyDeleteIt is all crab. Which country in the world allows foreigners to buy land like nobody's business. Foreigners do not buy one unit. They buy in loads!!!! If you are a Singaporean, please think twice the next time you vote especially if you have children.
ReplyDeleteIts got nothing to do with foreigners!! It is our policies!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe direction that SIngapore is heading means all singaporean children will end up with no roofs over their heads.
ReplyDeleteI am overwhelmed by your post with such a nice topic. Usually I visit your blogs and get updated through the information you include but today’s blog would be the most appreciable. Well done! Leaking roof
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