HDB launches 8,748 flats in May, including BTO flats in Woodlands, Yishun, Bidadari, Geylang

An aerial view of HDB flats taken from 1-Altitude bar. PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - Homebuyers this month have a bumper crop of nearly 9,000 new flats to choose from, both from mature estates Bidadari (Toa Payoh) and Geylang, as well as newer towns Woodlands and Yishun.

The Housing & Development Board (HDB) on Thursday launched 8,748 flats for sale - the biggest batch this year so far.

It includes 4,802 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats in six projects across 4 towns/estates and 3,946 sale of balance flats across 25 towns/estates. The flats on offer range from two-room Flexi to three-generation (3Gen) units.

The BTO flats are in two non-mature towns in Woodlands and Yishun, and two mature towns in Bidadari (Toa Payoh) and Geylang. The towns and estates are Marsiling Grove and Woodlands Spring in Woodlands, Forest Spring @ Yishun, Woodleigh Hillside in Toa Payoh, Dakota Breeze and Pine Vista in Geylang.

Larger 3Gen flats meant for multi-generational families are found in Marsiling Grove in Woodlands and Woodleigh Hillside in Bidadari.

Prices range from $73,000 for a two-room flat in Woodlands to $681,000 for a five-room flat in Bidadari.

PropNex key executive officer Lim Yong Hock said he expects about five applicants for each of the 1,273 units in Geylang, partially because of the "pent-up demand, as there has not been a BTO launch in that area in the last three years."

In contrast, he expects about one to two applicants per unit in Woodlands and Yishun.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Mr Wong pointed out that more than half of the BTO flats are in the mature estates of Bidadari and Geylang, and added: "From experience, these flats tend to be more popular and the application rates higher."

He urged those who are flexible with the location of their flats to apply in Woodlands or Yishun to improve their chances.

He added that the HDB's recent makeover plans for Woodlands means the neighbourhood will come with new infrastructure, like MRT stations, the 21.5km North-South corridor to the city centre, and the upcoming Rapid Transport System connection to Johor Bahru in Malaysia.

"All this will greatly improve transport connectivity for residents," he said.

The 3,946 balance flats are in 11 non-mature towns and 14 mature towns and estates.

Marsiling Grove in Woodlands. PHOTO: HDB
Woodlands Spring in Woodlands. PHOTO: HDB
Forest Spring @ Yishun. PHOTO: HDB
Woodleigh Hillside in Toa Payoh. PHOTO: HDB
Dakota Breeze in Geylang. PHOTO: HDB
Pine Vista in Geylang. PHOTO: HDB

The majority of the flats offered under the sales of balance exercise are reserved for first-timer families.

About 48 per cent are already completed and the rest are under construction.

Application for the new flats can be submitted online on the HDB InfoWEB from May 18 to 24.

The second BTO launch for 2017 brings the total number of BTO flats offered this year to 8,858 units. HDB has launched a total of 12,804 flats for sale in 2017, including sales of balance flats.

In August, HDB will offer about 3,850 flats in Bukit Batok and Sengkang.

Note: This story has been updated for clarity.

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