More and more Singaporeans under 35 are jumping into the private property market, and the banks have the receipts to prove it.
A recent Straits Times report crunched data from DBS, UOB, and OCBC. The numbers paint a clear picture: younger buyers are entering the market in a big way, with many doing it not just for a home, but as an investment move.
The Numbers: Bank Data Shows a Real Shift
Between 2024 and 2025, DBS reported a 40% jump in home loans taken by borrowers under 35.
UOB reported under-35 loan volumes growing more than 15% year-on-year since 2023. The average loan quantum for this group has now crossed $1 million.
OCBC's data adds another angle: singles buying private properties for investment shot up 36% in 2025 alone. Singles now make up one in three of OCBC's new home loan customers buying private property, and about 20% of them are buying for investment. Of those single investors, roughly a quarter are under 30.
About three in five young buyers prefer properties still under construction. The progressive payment scheme helps them manage cash flow, a key consideration when locking in a seven-figure purchase.
Why This Matters
URA data shows private home prices rose 0.9% in Q1 2026. For younger Singaporeans watching prices climb year after year, the fear of being permanently priced out is a powerful motivator.
Many young buyers don't sound euphoric. They sound worried. Worried that waiting could mean certain locations slip out of reach forever. The result: a generation buying first, figuring out life around it later.
What This Means for the Market
More young buyers entering the private market keeps demand strong for new launches, especially compact units in the $1-2 million range. It also means more rental supply hitting the leasing market.
For first-time HDB buyers watching from the sidelines: the private market is increasingly competitive at the entry level. Do your homework early and get your finances ready.
Sources
More young people in Singapore buying private properties - The Straits Times
Why more young Singaporeans are rushing into private property - Stacked Homes