Usually it’s the new HDB flats in matures estates which receive the most applications. But in Wednesday’s launch of 4,841 new Build-to-order (BTO) HDB flats, it were the units in Buangkok woods in Hougang which caught the most attention. In the same launch were units in the mature estate of Tampines and also in the non-mature estates of Sembawang and Yishun. The price difference between 3-room HDB flats in the 2 estates differ by about $20,000 with those in Tampines starting from $202,000 and $185,000 in Hougang.
The lower prices may have been the deciding factor for HDB flat seekers. Units in Yishun were starting from $156,000. As of Wednesday evening, the Hougang flats were already seeing 6 applicants for every 10 units while the 2 projects in Tampines had 2 to 3 applicants for every 10 units.
Included in the launch were 2-room flexi flats, which are much sought-after by singles who are now allowed to purchase new flats directly from HDB but only in non-mature estates. As per other HDB flats, they have 99-year leases or shorter ones for the elderly. These popular property-types were almost completely subscribed for within the first day of the launch.
For young families and couples looking for a flat in mature estates, the next launch might prove worthy of the wait, with 2,910 units in popular HDB towns of Bedok, Kallang/Whampoa and Bidadari. The last on the list will probably be of most interest to buyers.
Applications for the current launch will close on Tuesday, 23 August 2016.
