6 HDB Resale Trends in 2026: Million dollar, 5-room, and well-renovated flats
Let’s stay positive, HDB resale prices seem to be stabilising.
By Home & Decor Team -
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As of early 2026, the HDB resale market is navigating a complex landscape defined by high supply and the new classification framework (Standard, Plus, and Prime). For Singaporeans looking to buy or sell, the focus has shifted from “panic buying” to a more calculated, “value-driven” approach.
Here are the key trends for HDB resale flats in 2026:
Moderating Price Growth Amidst High Supply
After the record-breaking price surges of the previous few years, 2026 is seeing a stabilisation of HDB resale price growth. This is largely due to the massive BTO supply ramp-up (with nearly 20,000 units launched this year alone). As more BTO flats are completed, “waiting fatigue” has diminished, drawing some demand away from the resale market. While prices are still holding firm, the days of double-digit percentage growth appear to be over, with analysts predicting a more modest 3% to 5% increase for the year.
HDB BTO flats at Woodleigh Glen at Bidadari on July 31, 2024.
“MOP Wave” of Prime HDB Estates
A significant driver of resale activity in 2026 is the influx of flats reaching their Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) in popular estates like Bidadari, Kallang/Whampoa, and Clementi.
The Bidadari Effect
As the 2015-2016 BTO batches (Alkaff Vista, Courtview, etc.) enter the resale market, they are setting new benchmarks for “mature-estate” pricing.
Million-Dollar HDB Flats Normalisation
Million-dollar HDB flats transactions, once a rarity, are becoming a staple in these prime locations. Buyers are willing to pay a premium for “like-new” resale HDB flats that offer immediate move-in without the 10-year MOP restriction found in the new Prime and Plus BTO models.
A short history here: the first-ever million-dollar transaction occurred in July 2012. It was a 150-sqm HDB Executive Apartment at Block 149 Mei Ling Street, Queenstown, sold for S$1.01 million. At the time, the public “baulked” at the price, calling it wishful thinking for public housing.
Then, for nearly a decade, these deals remained rare (typically fewer than 50–70 a year), mostly involving unique properties like Pinnacle @ Duxton or rare HDB Maisonettes.
When the Covid pandemic hit, construction delays for BTOs and a desire for more space during WFH drove buyers to the resale HDB market. 2025 rewrote the record books as the most active year for high-value HDB transactions - approximately 1,550 units were sold for $1 million or more—a massive 50% increase from 2024.Toa Payoh, Bukit Merah, and Queenstown remained the “Big Three” for these million-dollar HDB transactions.
Artist's impression of Mount Pleasant Crest – Prime (Oct 2025 Build-To-Order).
“Standard, Plus, and Prime” Ripple Effect
The new BTO classification framework (launched in late 2024) is now significantly influencing resale HDB behaviour.
HDB Resale Flat’s Advantage
Existing resale HDB flats in central areas do not carry the 10-year MOP or the subsidy clawback associated with new “Plus” and “Prime” BTOs. This has made older resale flats in locations like Bukit Merah or Queenstown more attractive to investors and those who prioritise flexibility over the age of the lease.
Bigger Price Gap
A clearer price gap is forming between “Standard” resale HDB flats in non-mature estates and the “unrestricted” resale HDB flats in prime zones.
The open concept in this Jumbo HDB (3-room and 4-room merged) was taken to the extreme in this abode. Even the sole bedroom was left without any doors or walls to fully enclose it. The closest thing to privacy for the room is achieved with bamboo blinds. Renovation cost $64,000 excluding furniture.
Demand for Larger HDB Flats
The work-from-home (WFH) legacy and a desire for multi-generational living continue to sustain demand for larger units.
5-Room HDB Flats
In mature estates, 5-room flats are becoming the most sought-after and fastest-growing segment in terms of price.
Jumbo Flats
Rare Jumbo flats in estates like Woodlands and Yishun are seeing consistent competition, often transacting at prices that rival condominiums in the same area.
A banking couple’s $75,000 French Retro renovation for their 5-room HDB in Tengah.
“Move-in Ready” Renovation
With renovation costs and labour shortages still lingering as concerns, buyers in 2026 are increasingly looking for renovated, well-maintained units.
Resale HDB flats with “Instagrammable” or neutral, high-quality renovations (like the Muji or Scandinavian styles we discussed) can command a significant premium—sometimes as high as $50,000 to $80,000 above valuation—simply because they save the buyer the time and stress of a major overhaul.