actually i dun think HDB prices will be THAT affected by the economic crisis... Only the COV component will be affected.
1stly, it is the most basic housing which is almost a rite of passage for 70%(?) of us when we are ready to settle down. it is entry-level which is affordable to almost everyone, barring the COV component which is man-made and often greed-based.
2ndly, the ability for us to use our CPF to cover a large portion of the initial outlay would make it a very viable option. again, barring the COV cash component.
3rdly, the servicing via CPF would require almost no cash top-up component, thus allowing most of us to Safely buy one, without fear of losing.
personally, i Would Never play the waiting game to purchase a HDB if i Need one. it is Not a private property where prices are substantial... what happened in the last 5yrs was that HDB prices CORRECTED Up... if u agree it is 'A Correction', then waiting for it to come down, is like waiting for the country to make 'A Mistake'. the prices today are maybe inflated by 10-15%, and that is found in the stupid COV cash component.
the origin of COV can be argued, but if i remember, it was meant to be mutually-benefitting. ie whereby couples get a 30k grant for staying near parents, and the benefit to those who sold them such flats - got a cut of this 30k grant, maybe 10k or 15k (half). somehow the whole COV thing got lost in translation and it now became a "right" of the seller. But being spore, this was always gonna happen... if we look at ourselves - we are the type of nation whereby priviledges become expectations and entitlements... let's admit to that.
anyway my point is simple... u need a HDB, u buy one. COV is something u can choose to reject... just becos everyone ask for it, does not make it something u have to accept. certainly not 40-50k... i would think 5-10k is ok, anything Above has gotta be for things like 'newly-renovated', 'superb city/sea view' and other things which Cannot be bought.
sadly, neither agents nor buy/sellers are trained in the art of negotiation nor need to self-regulate one's own conscience and reason. it is for this reason that i have decided to move beyond HDBs and go into private. if i was given a choice, i actually prefer the HDB communal living... it's where my roots started from and i love having neighbours to say hello to every morning... going to ntuc and provision shops and market with all the familiar faces... u Grow Old together as a community...
91 and 96sqm... well, not a major issue, but u have to check out on the parking... It is a good bustle around there, u can still find cheap food, and it's overall very nice to hang around, exception being If u drive - u need patience. u know, holland v used to be so different. has one of the best char kway tiao just across from where coffee bean...