The next HDB sales launch will be in about 2 months’ time. Considering the response from the November mega-launch, the February launch will be greeted with much cheer as 4,150 BTO units from Bidadari, Bukit Batok and Sengkang will be offered this time round.
Photo credit: HDB
The Bidadari flats received the most number of applicants in the most recent sales exercise. Even though the 5-room flats here were price at $544,000 (excluding grants), they were oversubscribed with 259 applicants vying for 151 units. Despite Bidadari’s history as a former cemetery, it is the only mature estate in November’s launch and its prime location added to its popularity. There were also 2-room flexi units offered in the exercise and were well-received as always. A number of these short-lease 2-room flexi flats were kept aside for senior citizens and they can make use of HDB and CPF grants to purchase them.
But these Bidadari flats were not the most expensive of new BTO flats launched. In May, 5-room BTO flats launched in Clementi cost between $576,000 to $725,000. Even then, there were almost 14 applicants to one unit. Have Singaporeans truly become more affluent or are they simply getting used to property prices here, even public housing? Prices of the next BTO launch will be watched closely, especially as the economy is expected to slow down considerably next year.
