ACCOUNT manager Samuel Lee and his wife were among those who bought a five-room flat at Parc Lumiere in Simei.

Although the recently launched condo- style HDB project offers something more than a regular HDB flat, its location - more than anything else - was what sealed the $477,000 deal for Mr Lee, 27.

'Facilities-wise, it can't beat The Peak and Natura Loft,' he said, referring to two similar projects.

'It's the location. It is literally just across the road from my in-laws'.'

Thanks to buyers like him, Parc Lumiere is nearly sold out, even though its first-come, first-served sale method meant that many buyers had to brave the heat and queue for hours before they got to book a unit.

However, those keen on a condo-style HDB flat - or what HDB terms a Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) flat - need not fret because there are still units available.

The 360-unit Parc Lumiere, for instance, has 30 five-room units left for sale, while the 480-unit Natura Loft in Bishan has more than 100 five-room units left.

DBSS projects are designed, built and sold by private developers.

They are ungated and are subject to public housing rules, such as the $8,000 household income ceiling, ethnic quota and a five-year minimum occupation period.

But unlike regular HDB flats, they offer condo-style fittings and layouts.

Read the full story in The Sunday Times today.