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VIP sales at condo launches under scrutiny after agents get first dibs
Joyce LimUpdated Sun, 5 July 2026 at 5:00 AM SGT
4 min read
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At Sim Lian’s Emerald of Katong, which launched in November 2024, agents bought 173 of 846 available units, about 20 per cent of the project, reported The Business Times.
(PHOTO: SIM LIAN GROUP)More
SINGAPORE - The Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) is in discussions with property agencies about the practice of VIP sales and priority bookings at new private home launches, The Straits Times has learnt.
This follows concerns that such arrangements – despite being legal – could leave regular buyers with fewer choices, as property agents and other selected buyers snap up units before public booking begins.
Two of the top four largest agencies confirmed that CEA had conducted engagements with them.
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Discussions centred on ensuring that regular buyers are not disadvantaged, and that property agents who wish to buy units “strictly adhere to disclosure protocols”, said OrangeTee’s chief agency officer Raymond Khoo.
Mark Yip, who is chief executive of Huttons Asia, added that his agency’s engagement with CEA “covered existing practices and served as an opportunity to exchange views on maintaining transparency, professionalism and public confidence in the property market”.
“We will continue to review our policies and practices where appropriate, in the light of regulatory developments and evolving industry expectations,” he added.
The issue came under scrutiny after The Business Times reported in December 2025 that property agents bought up to 20 per cent of units at some new condominium launches, such as Emerald of Katong, before public sales began.
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The report noted that between September 2024 and October 2025, property agents bought 635 units through priority queues, or about 4.2 per cent of all new private homes launched in that period. The figure does not include other forms of VIP or early-stage sales to selected buyers, which could raise the overall share of early-stage sales.
In an ST forum letter published days later on Dec 15, 2025, one reader raised concerns about conflict of interest and market professionalism when agents themselves purchase units at priority stages of a launch.
Responding to queries from ST on July 3, 2026, a CEA spokesman said it regularly engages property agencies and industry stakeholders to seek views and feedback on matters concerning the industry.
“One area that CEA had engaged the industry on was regarding sales practices at new condominium launches, arising from public feedback on this matter. We note that priority access is a private commercial decision by developers, which could involve buyers besides property agents, and does not contravene existing rules and regulations,” added the spokesman.
