Six BTO projects with 4,627 flats launched

[reporter2]

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/prem...flats-launched

Published May 31, 2012

Six BTO projects with 4,627 flats launched

First-time buyers to enjoy priority, with 85-95% of flats set aside for them

By Mindy Tan


SIX Build-To-Order (BTO) projects, which will offer some 4,627 new flats were launched by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) yesterday.

The units, which range from studio apartments to five-room flats, will be offered in three non-mature towns (Choa Chu Kang, Punggol, and Sengkang), and one mature town (Kallang/Whampoa).

To ensure first-timers continue to enjoy priority in flat allocation, at least 95 per cent and 85 per cent of the supply (excluding studio apartments) in mature towns and non-mature towns respectively will be set aside for them, HDB said.

In addition, additional balloting chances in the ballot for the BTO projects at Compassvale Boardwalk in Sengkang, Keat Hong Pride in Choa Chu Kang, Punggol Edge and Waterway SunDew (fronting My Waterway@Punggol in Punggol Town) will be accorded to first-time applicants who have been unsuccessful for two or more BTOs in non-mature towns/estates.

Such additional chances will not be accorded to repeatedly unsuccessful first-time applicants who apply under the Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) Exercise or BTO project in mature estates.

Punggol Edge, which is bounded by Edgedale Plains and Tampines Expressway, will offer a mix of homeownership flats comprising five blocks with 688 units and one block of 446 rental flats. HDB said there will be more of such developments.

Prices for a three-room flat at Punggol Edge and Waterway SunDew, which are designed with eco-friendly features, start from $163,000 while prices for a five-room unit starts from $326,000.

Units in Keat Hong Pride start from $138,000 for a three-room flat and start from $284,000 for a five-room unit.

For a studio apartment at Bendemeer Light and McNair Towers, prices start from $124,000. A four-room unit in this mature town starts at $467,000.

This is the third BTO launch this year, and is part of HDB's plans to offer 25,000 BTO flats for 2012. In July, HDB will be offering about 3,900 new flats for sale in Bedok, Bukit Merah, Clementi, Geylang and Punggol.

Eligible first-timer households can enjoy various housing grants to help them own a new BTO flat.

Applications for flats in the May BTO launch can be submitted till June 5.

[reporter2]

http://www.straitstimes.com/Singapor...ry_805218.html

HDB launches six BTO projects with 4,627 flats

Published on May 31, 2012


THE Housing Board yesterday launched six build-to-order (BTO) projects which will add 4,627 new flats to Choa Chu Kang, Punggol, Sengkang and Kallang/Whampoa.

It was the third BTO launch of the year, forming part of the 25,000 new units that the HDB has planned to roll out this year.

The flats on offer range from 398.3 sq ft studio apartments, to 1,216.3 sq ft five-room flats in Compassvale Boardwalk.

The studio apartments at McNair Towers in McNair Road start at about $124,000; the five-room flats in Sengkang from $344,000.

The HDB yesterday also released prices of the flats subsidised by government grants.

For example, a three-room flat in Choa Chu Kang priced from $138,000 will cost from $103,000 after subsidies.

To ensure that first-time HDB home owners continue to enjoy priority in getting a flat, at least 95 per cent of the BTO flats in mature towns like Kallang/Whampoa will be set aside for them, said an HDB spokesman.

In non-mature towns like Choa Chu Kang, Punggol and Sengkang, at least 85 per cent of the flats will be set aside for first-time HDB home owners.

These do not include studio apartments.

The next BTO launch will take place in July, with about 3,900 flats offered for sale in Bedok, Bukit Merah, Clementi, Geylang and Punggol.

JANICE TAI