More than 3 in 5 Singaporeans prefer to invest in property over stocks and bonds: survey
Young adults in the Republic, however, face obstacles such as affordability issues, rising interest and borrowing rates, and high property taxes
[SINGAPORE] Over 64 per cent of Singaporeans chose real estate as their preferred investment, over a range of asset classes such as equities, fixed deposits, bonds, commodities and cryptocurrencies, according to ERA’s 2025 My Dream Home Survey on Thursday (Oct 23).
The survey by ERA, conducted in collaboration with Ngee Ann Polytechnic, notes that similar to the previous year’s trend, 41 per cent of respondents are eyeing an HDB flat, 39 per cent aspire to own a private condominium, 14 per cent are considering an executive condominium, and 7 per cent hope to buy a landed property.
It also shows that home buyers are willing to upsize their budget for a home in the city-state, particularly those who aim for private properties. Data reflects that around 54 to 59 per cent of new and resale condominium buyers expect to spend between S$1 million and S$2 million, while about 20 per cent of them are prepared to stretch their budget to S$2 to S$3 million.
Additionally, some 23 per cent of the respondents were looking to buy a new condominium, compared to only 18 per cent last year.
Buyers of Build-To-Order flats remain the most price-sensitive, with over 53 per cent intending to spend between S$500,000 to under S$1 million, factoring in the higher prices of “Plus” and “Prime” flats. Similarly, 67 per cent of resale HDB buyers fall within this price band, though a minority of 6 per cent are willing to shell out S$1 million to S$2 million for newer and more centrally located flats.
As for those at the top end, or landed homes aspirants, close to three in four plan to spend above S$3 million on their property, with 32 per cent setting aside more than S$5 million for their next purchase.
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For Singapore home buyers, transport connectivity is the most important when selecting a home – with 84 per cent of respondents citing proximity to public transport as their top priority.
Other key drivers shaping home-buying decisions include distances to daily amenities such as supermarkets (65 per cent), markets and hawker centres (62 per cent), and shopping malls (60 per cent).
However, the road to owning a home in Singapore presents “significant” hurdles, said survey respondents, despite a strong interest in property ownership.
The largest challenge to overcome was the Additional buyer’s stamp duty – indicated by 32 per cent of those surveyed as a key deterrent.
Meanwhile, 17 per cent of the respondents indicated that high property taxes were a barrier to owning investment properties, while 15 per cent of them shared that they had yet to find a home that fits their needs.
Young Singaporeans less prepared for home ownership, though goals stay ambitious
Nearly 90 per cent of young Singaporeans – Gen Zs (21 to 27 years old) and millennials (28 to 35 years old) – believe property is a “wealth-building tool”, and 56 per cent of them plan to upgrade their homes in the future. That said, the survey reflects that 45 per cent of this group finds it harder to invest in property these days.
The main challenge among these young Singaporeans is the affordability of real estate in Singapore – noted 37 per cent of the respondents. Close to 30 per cent of those surveyed in this group expect to purchase a home only after five years, compared to 21 per cent of all respondents.
This is especially so as many of them are still studying or in the early stages of their career and wealth accumulation, noted the report.
In particular, 32 per cent of Gen Z and millennial Singaporeans said they are unable to pursue their dream home at present, where 28 per cent of them have not actively started on planning to acquire such a property.
Regardless, 68 per cent of this group has indicated a preference of larger unit sizes and bedrooms, instead of more rooms, to suit their desired lifestyles.
Fifty-four per cent of them indicated their preference for flexible layouts for their homes.
The report on Thursday noted that young Singaporeans are less bound by the mindset of home ownership as a way to meet societal expectations – typically adopted by baby boomers – instead balancing their motivation to own a home with their personal aspirations. Specifically, close to 86 per cent of Gen Zs expressed that they want a home to “reflect their independence and personality”, alongside family planning reasons.
Still, 70 per cent of young Singaporeans agreed that they preferred the idea of home ownership rather than renting in Singapore. They also remain “highly aspirational”, noted the report, with 56 per cent of them expressing intent to upgrade their homes in the future – slightly above the overall average of 53 per cent.
“This may reflect a strong intent to pursue private property as part of their future plans, especially as they begin to earn more and experience lifestyle inflation,” said the survey.
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