Four new launches. Four different results.

Home loan rates are at multi-year lows. So which projects are buyers actually choosing?

Borrowing costs have dropped sharply over the past year, yet new launch sales are moving at a steady pace. After two years of rapid sell-outs, buyers today are more careful about what they commit to.

Market Outlook

The result is a split market. Projects with a clear reason to buy, whether that is a good price, a strong location, or both, are selling well. Others are building sales gradually over several months rather than a single launch weekend. Buyers are still showing up to showflats, but they are not committing unless the price tag is justified.

Outside Central Region (OCR)

Narra Residences (D23 – Bukit Batok / Bukit Panjang)

Narra opened 2026's launch cycle with a gradual start. Take-up was 24% in January, rising to 26% by March, with 142 of 544 units sold at an average price of around $2,150 psf.

The appeal is straightforward. It sits near Bukit Timah with Hillview MRT on the Downtown Line, which works well for owner-occupiers and HDB upgraders. The pricing is also competitive for the area. Nearby projects like The Botany at Dairy Farm have been transacting at around $2,048 psf, and the 2025 median for D23 new sales was about $2,095 psf. Narra sits just slightly above that, which buyers seem comfortable with.

The gradual sales pace is not surprising. Most projects in 2026 are taking longer to sell because buyers are comparing more options and not rushing to commit.

Coastal Cabana (D17 – Loyang/Changi)

Coastal Cabana was one of the better performers of the early 2026 launches. It opened in January with 67% take-up, 506 of 748 units sold, and moved to 69% by March with 520 units at an average price of around $1,790 psf.

A lot of that demand came from HDB upgraders. At that price, buyers felt they were getting something close to a private condo without paying full private condo prices. That gap matters to a lot of families who qualify for ECs but would struggle to stretch to a regular condo.

The location helped too. The project sits along Jalan Loyang Besar with a seafront outlook, and Downtown East is nearby for day-to-day amenities. It is not the most central address, but it works for buyers who are prioritising space and value over location.

Newport Residences (D02 – Chinatown / Tanjong Pagar)

Newport Residences had one of the strongest CCR lunah. It saw 57% (141/246) of its units sold on launch weekend, at an average of ~S$3,370 psf. Buyers were predominantly local, with several PRs in the mix.

The main points of the project’s appeal were the fact it’s a freehold in the CBD, its positioning within Newport Plaza and a potential for future growth linked to the Greater Southern Waterfront masterplan. Additionally, the introductory entry point starting from ~S$1.298m broadened the buyer pool.

River Modern (D09 – River Valley)

River Modern was the standout of the quarter. It closed March at 91% take-up, with 415 of 455 units sold at an average price of around $3,230 psf. That is close to a full sell-out, which is rare in any market cycle.

River Valley is a popular address for a simple reason. It is close enough to Orchard Road and the CBD for convenience, but it still feels like a proper neighbourhood to live in rather than a purely commercial district. That combination drew both people buying to live in and investors looking for a city address that still feels like a proper neighbourhood.

Some buyers were hesitant about the 99-year lease, but at $3,230 psf, the pricing was competitive enough for CCR. In the end, the location and price together were enough to convince most of them to commit. River Modern showed that tenure matters less when buyers feel they are getting a fair deal.

Summary View

The March 2026 results show a market that is still moving, just more carefully than before. Buyers are still out there but they are taking longer to decide and only committing when the price and location are worth it. Projects that priced well and had a clear location advantage sold well. The rest are building sales slowly, month by month.

Disclaimer: The information and insights provided in this article are for informational purposes only and are based on Crestbrick’s independent research and views. While we strive to ensure accuracy and reliability, we do not guarantee the completeness, correctness, or timeliness of the data presented. Real estate investments are subject to various risks, including but not limited to market fluctuations, changes in economic conditions, interest rate volatility, regulatory shifts, liquidity constraints, and unforeseen property-specific risks. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and investment outcomes may vary. This article does not constitute investment, financial, or professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and seek advice from qualified professionals before making any investment decisions.