🏡🔢 Does having a “4” in your HDB unit number really make it worth less?
There is actually some data behind the superstition.
A Singapore housing study found that residential units with numbers ending in 4 sold at a discount of about 1.1%, while units with numbers ending in 8 commanded about a 0.9% premium. The effect was linked to buyer behaviour, particularly among Singaporean Chinese buyers.
But here's the important part:
It doesn't mean every HDB flat with a 4 automatically sells for less.
Think about two identical flats:
🏠 Same block
📐 Same size
🌳 Same facing
🏢 Same floor
💰 Similar condition
If one unit has a number ending in 4, you may have a slightly smaller pool of buyers who are comfortable with it.
And a smaller buyer pool can affect negotiation.
For sellers, this doesn't mean you should panic and slash $20K off your asking price.
Instead:
📊 Look at actual comparable transactions
👀 Monitor viewing and offer feedback
💰 Understand the realistic price range
🎯 Price according to the property's overall attributes
🤝 Be prepared for buyers who may use the number as a negotiating point
For buyers, there's another side to this.
If you're personally not superstitious, an “unlucky” number could potentially give you more negotiating room.
So is number 4 bad for property value?
Not inherently. But buyer psychology can become a real market factor.
🔗 https://propertynet.sg/does-number-4-really-make-your-hdb-flat-sell-for-less/
📌 Property value isn't determined by superstition alone. But if enough buyers believe something, that belief can eventually show up in the price.
PropertyNet.SG
Does Number 4 Really Make Your HDB Flat Sell for Less?
A peer-reviewed Singapore study found unlucky HDB addresses like #4 sell for about 1.3% less, lucky ones for 1.9% more. Here's what that actually means in real dollars.
September 4, 2026 36
