DBSS – these 4 letters have previously caused quite the debate about whether these HDB flats are priced so high the only ones winning are the developers. Since 2011, the Design Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) has been suspended.
Photo: City View @ Boon Keng DBSS HDB flats
Now, it seems buyers of these previously-launched private developer-built HDB flats are reaping in the profits, with recent reports of a 5-room DBSS flat at City View @ Boon Keng selling at $855,000. The unit is slightly above the mid-point of a 40-storey block and has a floor area of 109 sqm. The unit was originally priced at $627,000 in 2008. That makes a profit of $228,000.
Though the $288,000 profit is only a third of the launch price (the project previously launched at prices between $349,000 to $727,000), it is quite a reasonable sum considering the current dulling market.
With unblocked views of the Kallang river, card-access lift lobbies, bay windows, it’s city-fringe location and walking proximity to the Boon Keng and Bendemeer MRT stations, it’s easy to see how these units could have fetched such high prices. And more units might enter the market soon as they reach the end of their MOP (minimum occupation period). In fact, industry players are expecting resale prices to possibly reach the $1 million mark, similar to HDB units at Pinnacle @ Duxton.
