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Business Times - 15 Jul 2011

HDB launches 3,600 BTO flats for sale

THE Housing & Development Board (HDB) rolled out a bumper crop of new flats yesterday - around 3,600 units across seven build-to-order (BTO) projects - to meet demand for public housing.

The projects are in Sengkang, Tampines, Jurong West, Bukit Panjang and Yishun. HDB had planned to release them in June and July but combined the launches to give home seekers more options at a go.

With the latest exercise, HDB has released about 15,500 BTO flats in the first seven months of the year. It aims to roll out 25,000 BTO flats in the entire year.

'The government has certainly responded to the public's demand for affordable public housing,' says PropNex corporate communications manager Adam Tan.

In the Sengkang area are Anchorvale Isles with 675 flats and Fernvale Riverbow with 1,154 flats.

There are also two projects at Bukit Panjang. Segar Meadows, which is the second phase of a larger project, will have 300 flats and Segar Palmview will have 682 flats.

At Yishun is Yishun Natura with 364 flats. And there are another two projects with only studio apartments - Golden Carnation at Tampines will have 149 such units and Golden Orchid at Jurong West will have 232 units.

PropNex believes that there will still be strong demand for the BTO flats even with the large supply. Mr Tan expects the overall subscription rate to be around three times the total number of flats offered, or around 10,600 applications.

The stock of BTO flats will help first-time flat buyers, many of whom could be priced out of the resale flat market because of high cash-over-valuations, he added.

In just the first day, most of the flats have been oversubscribed.

No of Flats available = 3556

No. of Flats subscribed = 3466.

This is at 8 a.m. today.

(15-07-2011, 10:50 AM)flinger Wrote: [ -> ]In just the first day, most of the flats have been oversubscribed.

No of Flats available = 3556

No. of Flats subscribed = 3466.

This is at 8 a.m. today.

Wow Flinger where did you get such current info?

Note that these BTO flats are priced much cheaper, and therefore the demand is evident. This should help couples commit less of their hard-earned savings and CPF into servicing loans for XX years.

A lot of current HDB owners are joining in for 2nd bite.
They should break down the figure into 1st timers and upgraders.
Old folks are also joining in to unlock their current flat value by opting for studio apartments.

(15-07-2011, 10:54 AM)Musicwhiz Wrote: [ -> ]Wow Flinger where did you get such current info?

Those interested can see it here.

HI MW,

I got the numbers from the HDB website. They update it at 8 a.m. 11 a.m. , 2 pm. and 5 pm.

At 11 a.m. the no. of flats have been oversubscribed. This is less than a day and its oversubscribed.

The new numbers are at :

No of Flats available = 3556

No. of Flats subscribed = 3852

Why am I tracking the numbers? I am one of the applicants for the flat. The last I applied for Yishun too, I got 1700 plus in terms of queue no. I am a 1st time HDB flat buyer.

Wish me good luck! that I get a good queue no. this time within the no. of flats available.

(15-07-2011, 10:54 AM)Musicwhiz Wrote: [ -> ]Wow Flinger where did you get such current info?

Note that these BTO flats are priced much cheaper, and therefore the demand is evident. This should help couples commit less of their hard-earned savings and CPF into servicing loans for XX years.

it appears that the estimated construction time has been reduced to around 3 years. another good news as pointed out, is that prices are moderated and does not follow the prices of similar resale units in the vicinity. prices of resale and new hdb has been chasing each other for many years now. by not pricing new flats with reference to resale prices, this could mark the turning point of hdb property market.

(15-07-2011, 11:27 AM)flinger Wrote: [ -> ]HI MW,

I got the numbers from the HDB website. They update it at 8 a.m. 11 a.m. , 2 pm. and 5 pm.

At 11 a.m. the no. of flats have been oversubscribed. This is less than a day and its oversubscribed.

The new numbers are at :

No of Flats available = 3556

No. of Flats subscribed = 3852

Why am I tracking the numbers? I am one of the applicants for the flat. The last I applied for Yishun too, I got 1700 plus in terms of queue no. I am a 1st time HDB flat buyer.

Wish me good luck! that I get a good queue no. this time within the no. of flats available.

(15-07-2011, 10:54 AM)Musicwhiz Wrote: [ -> ]Wow Flinger where did you get such current info?

Note that these BTO flats are priced much cheaper, and therefore the demand is evident. This should help couples commit less of their hard-earned savings and CPF into servicing loans for XX years.

Good luck !!!

I managed to get to select a flat after 7 try..
And my Q no. is about 2 x supply !!!!

Got the lowest floor in Punggol Sails... but hey I am not complaining because of the ridiculous COV now.....

Now I am patiently waiting for them to build my flat...

It is a long 3 yrs wait...

(15-07-2011, 11:27 AM)flinger Wrote: [ -> ]Wish me good luck! that I get a good queue no. this time within the no. of flats available.

Good Luck!!

I recently got mine on my 2nd try. Pretty decent queue no.- On paper had at least 25% of the flats to choose from but after those before me dropped out, I had about 50% of the remaining units to choose from.

One thing was that the project and unit type that I applied for was pretty unpopular- 'only' 3x oversubscribed. Compared to the 12x oversubcribed project and unit type that I first applied for...this is a far cry.

Now waiting for it to be built...gonna be a long 2.5yr wait.

(15-07-2011, 01:37 PM)kazukirai Wrote: [ -> ]Now waiting for it to be built...gonna be a long 2.5yr wait.

kaz san,
Highrise flat fastest takes 3 -3.5 yrs timeframe to complete.

My niece got the Dawson bto 2 yrs ago, and was told need to wait for another 3 yrs before he can collect the flat key.

My opinion if a 4 room flat offer at $200k just grab it no regret one....dun miss it....hope my son can have a girl friend on time to catch the lelong price, I predict should touch lowest level in next year.