HDB offers more flats under the BTO scheme

HDB offers more flats under the BTO scheme
Dec 16, 2009 - PropertyGuru.com.sg

The Housing Development Board (HDB) on Tuesday launched four Build-to-Order projects with 2,670 new flats, bringing a total flat supply of 13,500 units for this year.

HDB said two BTO projects, the SkyTerrace @ Dawson and SkyVille @ Dawson, provide new flats for homebuyers who are prepared to pay for a prime location with better finishes.

HDB expects a good response to these projects. Prices start from $532,000 for five-room units, $373,000 for four-room units, $280,000 for three-room units and $112,000 for studio type units.

The 40-storey Dawson projects will offer new features such as the ‘paired flats’ – for those who want to live close to their parents – which is under the Multi-Generation Living Scheme.

HDB’s deputy CEO for Estates and Corporate, Yap Chin Beng, said "Altogether, we have 65 paired studio apartment with four-room flats, or studio apartment with five-room flats so that the married children and parents can apply under a single application.”

"The flats are connected through connecting doors, but each unit have their own main entrances."

Buyers of SkyVille can choose the layout of their flat under the Flexi-Layout Scheme. For instance, buyers can opt for a bigger living room area but with fewer bedrooms.

The other two BTO projects are Segar Grove in Bukit Panjang and Montreal Dale in Sembawang. The price for a four-room flat starts at $210,000; $125,000 for a three-room flat; and $72,000 for a two-room flat.

About 95 percent of the two- to five-room units offered under the BTO scheme are reserved for first-time homebuyers.

Market watchers noted that the latest BTO projects will give homebuyers a wider range of options to suit their preferences and budgets.

"Some of the new flat buyers have expressed that there is not many locations to choose from. But actually now, it is pretty much spread out. You have your central location and also what you call the suburban locations. So it sort of caters to the needs of flat buyers,” said Eugene Lim, associate director of ERA Real Estate.

HDB said homebuyers can expect more BTO projects next year. It is prepared to launch one BTO project a month if demand for new flats remains high.