SINGAPORE - The resale price index (RPI) for HDB flats fell by 1.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2014 from the previous quarter, based on the Housing Board's flash estimate.

The RPI, which gives an indication of the general price trend of resale HDB flats, is 137.1.

It was computed for the first time using a revised method that takes into account more characteristics of the flats that were resold in the calculation of the market's general price movements. This better reflects price changes over time, the HDB said.

The RPI from the first quarter of 1990 to the third quarter of 2014 have all been re-scaled using the new base period of the first quarter of 2009, but the quarterly percentage changes remain unchanged.

HDB plans to launch four build-to-order (BTO) exercises this year, supplying about 16,900 new flats. This includes BTO flats in new areas such as Bidadari and Punggol Northshore.

In the first exercise, which will be held next month, about 3,940 new flats in Bukit Batok, Geylang and Hougang will be offered.