Advertisement

Should I buy a freehold condo in a landed enclave — or look elsewhere for better growth?
apartment

Advertisement

Freehold condos located within landed enclaves occupy a unique niche in Singapore’s property market. These developments often attract attention for their exclusivity and proximity to landed homes, but assessing their investment potential requires careful consideration. Unlike typical condominiums, which tend to be more uniform in design and pricing, freehold condos in landed areas are highly individualized. Each property comes with distinct features, unit sizes, and appeal, making market trends harder to generalize.

One of the main challenges with these properties is liquidity. Fewer nearby condo launches and a smaller pool of potential buyers can make resale less predictable. These factors raise important questions about long-term demand and how easy it may be to exit the investment down the line.

Looking at historical performance, freehold condos within landed enclaves have shown modest price growth over the past decade. From 2015 to 2025, the average annualised price increase for these condos was about 4.16 per cent, slightly higher than 3.29 per cent for freehold condos outside landed areas. However, this difference is minimal. Interestingly, 99-year leasehold condos outside landed enclaves recorded an even higher annualised growth of 4.62 per cent, suggesting that leasehold properties on cheaper bases can also deliver solid returns.

Performance varies across districts. In some areas, such as District 23, freehold condos in landed enclaves performed well, supported by larger, family-sized units and steady transaction volumes. Prices here rose consistently over time, driven by genuine increases in $PSF rather than changes in unit size. Conversely, in District 8, performance was more uneven. Boutique freehold projects with smaller units and low transaction volumes showed volatile prices, limiting their appeal to buyers seeking larger, intergenerational homes. Maintenance costs for older developments in these enclaves can also be higher, further affecting resale attractiveness.

Comparing freehold condos in landed enclaves to developments in growth corridors highlights additional insights. Districts like 19, 22, and 25 have strong long-term potential due to masterplan initiatives, including the Punggol Digital District and Jurong Lake District. In these areas, 99-year leasehold condos outside landed enclaves often outperformed enclave condos in percentage growth, reflecting the advantage of starting from a lower price point.

In summary, freehold condos in landed enclaves can offer prestige and a sense of exclusivity, and in certain districts, they provide stable, consistent price growth. However, the historical data indicates that being in a landed enclave does not guarantee superior returns compared to leasehold condos elsewhere. Buyers seeking strong growth may benefit from exploring developments outside these enclaves, particularly in emerging districts where masterplan developments could drive long-term appreciation. For those prioritizing space, family-sized units, and a quieter environment, landed enclave condos remain an attractive option, but with careful attention to the project’s age, unit size, and resale market dynamics.

Advertisement