Ravi Chandran
HDB Nov 2019 launches sees 8,170 flats for sale under the Build-To-Order (BTO) and Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercises. This comprises 4,571 BTO units and 3,599 SBF units across various towns/estates.
The HDB Nov 2019 launches of BTO flats brings the total number of BTO flats offered this year to 14,591 units. Together with the 6,867 balance flats offered in the May and November 2019 SBF exercises, and the 1,293 units in the February and September 2019 Re-Offer of Balance Flats (ROF) exercises, HDB has offered a total of 22,751 flats in 2019 to meet the housing needs of Singaporeans. In addition, as part of efforts to make HDB Nov 2019 launches even more accessible to potential homebuyers, HDB has offered 366 flats for open booking. This enables home seekers to book a flat as early as the next working day after their online application.
HDB Nov 2019 Launches Offer Wide Range of Flats for Different Budgets and Needs
HDB Nov 2019 Launches via BTO Exercise
The 4,571 BTO flats on offer are spread across five projects. Three projects are in the non-mature town of Tengah and two projects are in the mature towns of Ang Mo Kio and Tampines. Of the projects in Tengah, Plantation Village and Plantation Grange are the second batch of shorter-waiting-time flats to be offered, where at least 95% of the 4-room and bigger flats will be set aside for first-timer families. This is a 10% increase from the current quota of at least 85% in the non-mature estates.
A wide selection of flats ranging from 2-room Flexi to Three-Generation (3Gen) flats is offered to meet the diverse housing needs of first-timers, second-timer families, multi-generation families, elderly and singles.
Flats Priced with Generous Subsidy
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 the 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 $30,000 for a 2-room Flexi flat, $133,000 for a 3-room flat, $242,000 for a 4-room flat, and $364,000 for a 5-room flat.
Flat Prices in November 2019 BTO Exercise
| Town | Project | Flat Type | Transacted Prices of Resale Flats in the Vicinity # |
Selling Price (Excluding Grants) |
Selling Price (Including Grants^) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Mature Town | |||||
| Tengah | Plantation Village~
Plantation Grange~ Garden Vines @ Tengah~ |
2-room Flexi*^^ | – | From $110,000 | From $30,000 |
| 3-room | – | From $208,000 | From $133,000 | ||
| 4-room | $365,000 – $455,888 | From $302,000 | From $242,000 | ||
| 5-room | $515,000 – $560,000 | From $409,000 | From $364,000 | ||
| 3Gen | – | From $442,000 | From $397,000 | ||
| Mature Towns | |||||
| Tampines | Tampines GreenSpring | 2-room Flexi* |
– | From $145,000 | From $65,000 |
| 3-room | $410,000 – $443,500 | From $281,000 | From $221,000 | ||
| 4-room | $530,000 – $615,000 | From $394,000 | From $349,000 | ||
| 5-room | $645,000 – $728,000 | From $508,000 | From $478,000 | ||
| Ang Mo Kio | Yio Chu Kang Beacon | 2-room Flexi* |
– | From $170,000 | From $90,000 |
| 3-room | – | From $332,000 | From $272,000 | ||
| 4-room | $535,000 – $655,000 | From $451,000 | From $406,000 | ||
First-timer families will continue to enjoy priority in flat allocation. Married/courting couples who wish to live together with their parent(s) can apply for a 3Gen flat in Plantation Grange. 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).
HDB Nov 2019 Launches via SBF Exercise
In addition to the BTO flats, HDB will also offer 3,599 balance flats under the SBF exercise. They comprise 760 units of 2-room Flexi, 536 units of 3-room, 1,677 units of 4-room, 561 units of 5-room, 56 units of 3Gen and 9 units of Executive flats across various towns/estates. The majority of the flats offered under the SBF exercise are reserved for first-timer families3. Eligible first-timer singles may also apply for a 2-room Flexi flat in non-mature towns.
SBF flats come in a wide range of flat types, locations and selling prices. About 22% are already completed and the rest are under construction. Similar to BTO flats, SBF flats are subsidised and priced considerably lower than comparable resale flats in the vicinity.
Summary of November 2019 SBF Prices
Application for November 2019 BTO and SBF Exercises
Application for the flats launched in the November 2019 BTO and SBF exercises can be made online on HDB InfoWEB from 12 November 2019 (Tuesday) to 18 November 2019 (Monday). Applicants can apply for only one flat type/category in one town under either the BTO or SBF exercise.
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.
Advice for Flat Buyers
Applicants are encouraged to apply for a BTO flat in the non-mature towns to enjoy a higher chance of success in securing a flat. Although SBF flats have a shorter waiting time to completion, the number of units offered in each town is usually small, and are likely to attract high application rates.
All the information on the BTO and SBF flats on offer is available at HDB InfoWEB. Members of the public do not have to visit HDB Hub to get the information. The number of applications received will also be updated regularly at HDB InfoWEB. Applicants are advised to apply for flats with lower application rates for better chances of success.
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.
Upcoming HDB Launches in February and May 2020
In February 2020, HDB will offer about 3,000 BTO flats in Sembawang and Toa Payoh. In May 2020, HDB will offer about 3,700 BTO flats in Choa Chu Kang, Pasir Ris, Tampines and Tengah. Of these, the flats in Choa Chu Kang have shorter waiting time. More information on the BTO flats is available on the HDB InfoWEB.
