It was an interesting year for the private residential market in 2025, but unfortunately, less so for the executive condominium (EC) segment. Apart from Aurelle of Tampines and Otto Place, the EC buyers were short on choice when it came to this type of subsidised residential project. The good news is that 2026 is shaping up to be quite different. The EC market kicked off in a big way this year with the sales launch of Coastal Cabana, a 748-unit EC project in Pasir Ris, over the Jan 17 and 18 weekend. The project sold a total of 498 units (66.5%) at an average price of $1,734 psf. With approximately four more EC projects expected this year, the launch pipeline has more varied options for hopeful buyers. This could offer a much-needed opening for HDB upgraders, who face some affordability challenges when it comes to finding similarly sized replacement homes. But the EC market has undergone some changes in recent years, and buyers today face a...