Southeast Asia and Australia Property Rules — 2026-09-05
Singapore’s HDB resale market saw a record surge in million-dollar transactions in August, driven by the removal of the 15-month wait-out period for private homeowners. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction reported a cooling in Hanoi apartment prices, and HoREA proposed allowing foreign ownership of condotels. In Australia, Sydney property values remain significantly below their February peak, with no immediate relief expected from the extended foreign buyer ban.
Southeast Asia and Australia Property Rules — 2026-09-05
Top developments
Singapore: Record HDB million-dollar sales post-wait-out removal
In August 2026, a record 201 HDB flats were sold for over $1 million, a spike attributed to the removal of the 15-month wait-out period for private property owners looking to downgrade to public housing. The surge was concentrated in projects like Macpherson Spring and Bedok Beacon, where private owners utilized their proceeds to purchase larger, newer flats. This trend highlights the continued strength of the public housing segment despite broader market cooling, as buyers seek value in high-demand locations.
Vietnam: Hanoi apartment prices cool, HoREA pushes condotel reform
The Ministry of Construction reported that secondary market apartment prices in Hanoi averaged VND 123 million per square meter in Q2 2026, marking a decline from Q1 levels. Concurrently, the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association (HoREA) proposed allowing foreigners to purchase condotels with a 30% ownership cap per building, aiming to revitalize the tourism-linked property sector. These moves signal a shift toward stabilizing prices while seeking new avenues for foreign capital inflows.
Australia: Sydney values down 7.1% from peak; foreign ban persists
Sydney houses and apartments are currently trading 7.1% below their February 2026 peaks, reflecting a gradual weakening over the past year. The Albanese government’s ban on foreign purchases of established homes remains in effect until June 2029, continuing to restrict international demand for existing stock. This policy aims to prioritize local buyers but has contributed to the prolonged price correction in major metropolitan areas.
Local view
Local Vietnamese media outlets like Thanh Nien and 24h.com.vn are highlighting the divergence between primary market launches and secondary market adjustments, noting that land prices have cooled by 2-3% quarter-on-quarter. Stakeholders are increasingly cautious, with CafeBiz noting that despite increased supply, costs for land and construction remain high, preventing significant price drops.
Context & numbers
- Singapore HDB Resale: 201 million-dollar transactions recorded in August 2026.
- Vietnam Hanoi Prices: Average secondary market apartment price stood at VND 123 million/m² in Q2 2026.
- Australia Sydney Values: Property prices are 7.1% below their February 2026 peak.
- Australia Foreign Ban: Extended until June 2029 for established homes.
On the radar
- Vietnam Condotel Proposal: Watch for government response to HoREA’s proposal to allow 30% foreign ownership in condotels, which could significantly alter the hospitality-real estate hybrid market.
- Singapore Supply Pipeline: With over 13,400 HDB flats reaching Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) in 2026, analysts predict further moderation in resale price growth as supply increases.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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