Ravi Chandran
HDB launches 3,095 flats with wide range of flats for different budgets and needs
HDB launches 3,095 flats for sale on Feb 11 under the February 2020 Build-To-Order (BTO) exercise. The flats on offer are located in the non-mature town of Sembawang and mature town of Toa Payoh.
A wide selection of flats, ranging from 2-room Flexi to Three-Generation (3Gen) flats, is offered as HDB launches 3,095 flats to meet the diverse housing needs of first-timers, second-timer families, multi-generation families, elderly and singles.
In view of the eldercare services and facilities in the vicinity, the 2-room Flexi flats at Kim Keat Ripples and Toa Payoh Ridge are offered only to seniors aged 55 and above, on short leases of between 15 and 45 years, in 5-year increments.
More options as HDB launches 3,095 flats
As part of HDB’s continual efforts to offer flexible interior layouts to meet changing lifestyle needs, and to provide buyers with more choices, HDB said that it will offer 3-room flats with integrated kitchen/utility space in Canberra Vista and Toa Payoh Ridge.
The integrated kitchen/utility space is a contiguous space that offers home owners flexibility in configuring the area according to their preferred interior design concept. HDB added that home owners who prefer to separate the kitchen from the utility space may add a partition during their renovation.
HDB said that it will also introduce 2-room Flexi flats with flexible space in Canberra Vista and Toa Payoh Ridge. Elderly flat buyers who purchase a short-lease 2-room Flexi flat with flexible space in these projects may opt for the Optional Component Scheme (Package 3). The package includes a folding door, amongst other senior-friendly fittings, allowing them to use the space to accommodate a caregiver, or for entertainment when family members or friends visit.
Generous subsidy offered as HDB launches 3,095 flats
New HDB flats are priced with a generous subsidy, taking into account factors such as location, flat attributes and prevailing market conditions. HDB’s prices are considerably lower than transacted prices of comparable resale flats in the vicinity. In addition, 2-room Flexi flats are priced taking into account the lease chosen.
Eligible first-timer families can enjoy the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) of up to $80,000. With EHG, flat buyers could pay as little as $9,000 for a 2-room Flexi flat, $102,000 for a 3-room flat, $212,000 for a 4-room flat, and $305,000 for a 5-room flat.
BTO Prices as HDB launches 3,095 flats
Note:
1) * 2-room Flexi flats come in two sizes – 36 sm (Type1) and 45/46 sm (Type 2).
^ The starting prices of flats in Table 1 are based on 99-year leases. For illustration purposes, the assumed EHG amounts are:
i) 2-room Flexi flat: $80,000
ii) 3-room flat: $75,000 in non-mature towns and $60,000 in mature towns
iii) 4-room flat: $60,000 in non-mature towns and $45,000 in mature towns
iv) 5-room flat / 3Gen flat: $45,000 in non-mature towns
^ The starting prices after grant amounts are illustrative, assuming that the household incomes of eligible first-time buyers of flats in the mature towns are higher. The actual grant amount received will depend on the buyers’ income and eligibility. Read more on EHG in HDB infoWEB.
# Details on the comparable resale flats can be found on the HDB e-Sales website. In making comparison, please take into account the differences in attributes between the comparable resale flats and the BTO flats.
^^ 2-room Flexi flats at Kim Keat Ripples and Toa Payoh Ridge are offered only to seniors (aged 55 and above) on short leases of between 15 and 45 years, in five-year increments.
@ Singles who apply for a 2-room Flexi flat under the Single Singapore Citizen (SSC) Scheme will pay $15,000 more than couples. Eligible singles can also apply for the EHG of up to $40,000. The actual grant amounts will vary according to income.
2) Selling prices are rounded up to the nearest thousand dollars.
HDB said that first-timer families will continue to enjoy priority in flat allocation and that married/courting couples who wish to live together with their parent(s) can apply for a 3Gen flat in Canberra Vista. Applicants who wish to live close to their parents or married children in the same BTO project can submit a joint application under the Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS).
Application for the new flats launched in the February 2020 BTO exercise can be made online on the HDB InfoWEB from 11 February 2020 (Tuesday) to 17 February 2020 (Monday). Applicants can apply for only one flat type/category in one town under the BTO exercise. There is no Re-Offer of Balance Flats (ROF) exercise in February 2020 as HDB is reviewing the sale processes for balance flats to better serve the needs of home buyers.
Applicants who wish to take up an HDB housing loan for their flat purchase need to produce a valid HDB Loan Eligibility (HLE) letter when they book a flat, except for young couples who are eligible for deferment of income assessment. All applicants are encouraged to apply for an HLE letter early so that they will know their budget and book a flat within their budget. The HLE letter will indicate the loan amount based on applicants’ individual financial situation.
HDB encouraged applicants to apply for a BTO flat in the non-mature town to enjoy a higher chance of success in securing a flat. Members of the public have 7 days to make an online application at HDB InfoWEB. HDB will shortlist applicants using a computer ballot, and not on a first-come-first-served basis. HDB advised applicants to apply for flats with lower application rates for better chances of success.
