reporter2
12-01-12, 16:38
http://www.straitstimes.com/Singapore/Story/STIStory_754052.html
Over 900 eye Hougang DBSS flats
Published on Jan 11, 2012
http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20120110/ST_IMAGES_SSDBSS11.jpg
As of late yesterday evening, Parkland Residences had 956 applications for its 680 three- to five-room units. Prices range from $359,000 to $404,000 for a three-room flat and from $606,000 to $676,000 for a regular five-room unit. -- ST PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN
THE latest Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) project in Hougang saw fewer than twice as many applications as units before applications closed yesterday.
As of late yesterday evening, there were 956 applications for the 680 units - from three- to five-room types - in Parkland Residences.
Mr Lee Sze Teck, Dennis Wee Realty's senior manager of research and consultancy, said the response was a little weaker than expected.
'This could be because there's a lot of uncertainty in the housing market. Rather than committing quickly, people seem to be taking a wait-and-see approach,' he said, adding that potential buyers might still throng showflats but not apply straightaway.
Experts said a looming economic slowdown has hurt sentiment while some prospective buyers expect the Government's rash of measures to cool the property market to lead to lower prices.
DBSS flats, designed and built by private developers, have better fittings than standard build-to-order HDB units.
A DBSS project in Clementi, called Trivelis, was more than two times oversubscribed last October. In the same month, 682 flats in Lake Vista @ Yuan Ching drew about 1,000 applications.
Prices at Parkland Residences, developed by Low Keng Huat (Singapore), range from $359,000 to $404,000 for a three-room flat and from $606,000 to $676,000 for a regular five-room unit.
Mr Rubi Safariman, 47, and his wife Juli, 40, applied for a five-room flat to have more space for their three children aged 18, 16 and 11/2 months.
'The prices are slightly expensive but we wanted quality fittings and more space,' said Mr Safariman, a technical training manager. The family now lives in a resale flat in Hougang.
Bank executive Cindy Fong, 41, applied for a four-room flat for her family of five.
'We did look at some executive condos but the units were a bit small and rather expensive. This was more spacious for the price,' said Ms Fong.
The Government last year halted DBSS land sales, and one more project - in Pasir Ris - remains to be launched.
SingXpress Land, which bought the plot last year, said no launch date had been decided.
SHULI SUDDERUDDIN
Over 900 eye Hougang DBSS flats
Published on Jan 11, 2012
http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20120110/ST_IMAGES_SSDBSS11.jpg
As of late yesterday evening, Parkland Residences had 956 applications for its 680 three- to five-room units. Prices range from $359,000 to $404,000 for a three-room flat and from $606,000 to $676,000 for a regular five-room unit. -- ST PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN
THE latest Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) project in Hougang saw fewer than twice as many applications as units before applications closed yesterday.
As of late yesterday evening, there were 956 applications for the 680 units - from three- to five-room types - in Parkland Residences.
Mr Lee Sze Teck, Dennis Wee Realty's senior manager of research and consultancy, said the response was a little weaker than expected.
'This could be because there's a lot of uncertainty in the housing market. Rather than committing quickly, people seem to be taking a wait-and-see approach,' he said, adding that potential buyers might still throng showflats but not apply straightaway.
Experts said a looming economic slowdown has hurt sentiment while some prospective buyers expect the Government's rash of measures to cool the property market to lead to lower prices.
DBSS flats, designed and built by private developers, have better fittings than standard build-to-order HDB units.
A DBSS project in Clementi, called Trivelis, was more than two times oversubscribed last October. In the same month, 682 flats in Lake Vista @ Yuan Ching drew about 1,000 applications.
Prices at Parkland Residences, developed by Low Keng Huat (Singapore), range from $359,000 to $404,000 for a three-room flat and from $606,000 to $676,000 for a regular five-room unit.
Mr Rubi Safariman, 47, and his wife Juli, 40, applied for a five-room flat to have more space for their three children aged 18, 16 and 11/2 months.
'The prices are slightly expensive but we wanted quality fittings and more space,' said Mr Safariman, a technical training manager. The family now lives in a resale flat in Hougang.
Bank executive Cindy Fong, 41, applied for a four-room flat for her family of five.
'We did look at some executive condos but the units were a bit small and rather expensive. This was more spacious for the price,' said Ms Fong.
The Government last year halted DBSS land sales, and one more project - in Pasir Ris - remains to be launched.
SingXpress Land, which bought the plot last year, said no launch date had been decided.
SHULI SUDDERUDDIN