Seven build-to-order (BTO) projects containing 4,200 new flats were launched by the Housing Board on Thursday - bringing the total for this year to a new record.
The projects are in Bedok, Bukit Panjang, Hougang, Punggol and Yishun. They include Acacia Breeze @ Yishun, Golden Cassia in Bedok town, and Fajar Spring in Bukit Panjang town, next to the Fajar LRT station.
This brings the total number of BTO flats offered this year to 25,200 - a record number of such units launched in a year. The Housing Board's target for this year was to launch 25,000 BTO flats.
Due to demand for 'leftover' flats, the September BTO launch saw a muted response, with some estates and flat types undersubscribed with just one day left to apply. But for a BTO launch in May, nearly 4,000 units were oversubscribed by more than three times, with more than 13,000 people applying.
For this round, the applications close on Nov 30 and at least 95 per cent of the flat supply - excluding studio apartments - will be set aside for first-timer households, which can also enjoy housing grants.
Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan said this month that second-timers could expect more chances of being invited to select a flat in the future.
He said then that after most of the first-timer queue was cleared, balloting rules would be tweaked to enhance the chances for second-timers, probably towards the end of next year.
Flats on offer range from 387.5
sq feet studio apartments with a starting price of about $78,000 in Hougang DewCourt to 1,237.8
sq feet five-room flats in Hougang Capeview, costing about $444,000.
The HDB also released prices of the flats inclusive of grants - a three-room flat in Yishun priced from $156,000 will cost from $121,000 after taking grants into consideration.
Analysts confidently expects the flats in Bukit Panjang, Yishun and Hougang to be oversubscribed by at least three times as they are in mature estates, complete with amenities like schools and shops, and close to public transport.
Three times is a good amount for flats to be oversubscribed by, as one can expect about a third of applicants to drop out of the process.
The HDB will offer another 25,000 BTO units next year. The next BTO launch will take place in January, with 3,890 flats offered for sale in Chua Chu Kang, Punggol, Sengkang and Tampines.
Source: The Straits Times – 25 November 2011
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