In its biggest sales exercise ever, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has launched 12,411 flats for sale under its November 2015 Build-To-Order (BTO) cum Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise. The HDB revealed that the bumper crop includes 7,061 BTO flats and 5,350 balance flats.
The BTO flats are spread across seven projects in the non-mature towns of Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok, Punggol, Hougang and Sengkang, and three projects in Toa Payoh’s Bidadari estate. Including grants, prices of the Bidadari flats start from S$267,000 for three-room flats, S$418,000 for four-room flats, and S$534,000 for five-room flats.
The balance flats, on the other hand, are spread across 11 non-mature towns and 14 mature towns/estates. “They comprise 1,218 units of two-room Flexi, 1,064 units of three-room, 2,062 units of four-room, 959 units of five-room, 36 units of 3Gen, and 11 units of executive flats,” said the HDB.
While a majority of the flats offered under the SBF exercise are reserved for first-timer families, eligible first-timer singles may also apply for two-room Flexi flats in non-mature towns, noted the HDB.
Meanwhile, 2,093 two-room Flexi flats will be offered in Bidadari, Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok, Sengkang and Punggol in this BTO exercise. First-timer and second-timer families, as well as first-timer singles, will be offered 99-year two-room Flexi flats, while elderly buyers aged 55 and above have the flexibility of choosing the length of lease for their two-room Flexi flats, based on their needs, age and personal preferences.
If eligible, they can opt for a 99-year lease, or a short lease of between 15 and 45 years in five-year increments, as long as it covers them and their spouses up until at least 95 years of age. The two-room Flexi flats will be available in two sizes – 36 sq m and 45 sq m.
At least 40 percent (subject to a minimum of 100 units) of the two-room Flexi flat supply in a BTO project will be made available to elderly buyers. 50 percent of this quota will be set aside for the elderly who apply for a unit near their married children or near their present flat, under a new Senior Priority Scheme.
The application period for the new flats will end on 26 November 2015. HDB noted that applicants can apply for only one flat type in one town, under either the BTO or SBF exercise.
Cheryl Marie Tay, Senior Journalist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact her about this or other stories email cheryl@propertyguru.com.sg
