Property in general has always increase in value. The USA fucked it up as they created the property bubble like letting unemployed people buy property, over lending, etc. And the bubble burst due to these predatory lending in the banking industry. But look at certain parts of the USA..property values is still increasing. In areas where there is employment, near the gas production areas etc, values are increasing. So with employment and fundamentals property prices will be sustained.
In Singapore, housing prices shot up too suddenly. But if this new equilibrium c can be maintained housing prices should increase by 3 to 5% a year on average. As a matter of fact if PAP did not go into rent seeking behaviour like increasing population etc, property will still have gone up 3 to 5% (as everyone needs a place to stay) with a properly implemented housing policy.
Also Singapore and SIngaporeans have an advantage in that the interest rates are low. Which is a good thing...means your housing cost and servicing the loan is low compared to Australia and other SEA countries. I give u an Oz example..currently (and before) Oz interest rates are high and that has put a damper on property prices and servicing cost are high (Interest rates at 6 to 7%). So for a AUD$350K property..servicing cost is about 20K per year. For Singapore a $1 000 000 property at 2% interest is 20k. As a result one is not better of with 'lower' prices at higher rates. That is y cost of living in Oz is so damn high.
With the economic slowdown in oz now,,rates are dropping,,hopefully it will help the economy. But if the rates were low in the 1st place oz would still be ok as the manufacturing sector would not have taken a bad hammering like the FORD car factory being shutdown. Keep rates low but ensure lending compliance and control the supply by anticipating population growth etc. None of MBT caught off guard crap.
Just my rants
Please share with us your nirvana of housing.