SINGAPORE - The Housing Board (HDB) launched 3,970 Build-to-Order (BTO) flats across four projects in Sengkang, Yishun, Toa Payoh and Tampines on Tuesday (May 22), in the second such exercise this year.
Prices without grants range from $76,000 for a two-room Flexi flat in non-mature estate Yishun, to more than $422,000 for a five-room flat in mature estate Tampines.
About 17,000 BTO flats are expected this year.
Property experts believe the Toa Payoh project in Kim Keat Avenue will be the most popular due to its central location.
Mr Lim Yong Hock, PropNex key executive officer, said: "There's hasn't been a launch in Toa Payoh in quite a while, leading to pent-up demand. People will take the opportunity to apply for it."
Mr Ku Swee Yong, International Property Advisor chief executive officer, said Toa Payoh's accessibility to other parts of the island is a boon.
He added, however, that all the projects in this launch are not in good locations within their area, as they are located in corners of the town.
"This is reflected in the more attractive pricing compared with earlier BTO launches," said Mr Ku.
This month's exercise is the first where measures announced at the Ministry of National Development's budget debate this year will take effect.
The assessment of income for young couples - used for housing loans and grants - will be deferred to just before they collect keys to their homes instead of at the time of application.
This is meant to help such couples proceed with their application earlier. However, it may be a source of concern for couples like Ms Janice Teo, 22, and her boyfriend, Mr Sng Wei Theng, 28, who have had four unsuccessful attempts in getting a BTO/SBF flat.
Ms Teo is a law undergraduate at the National University of Singapore, while Mr Sng, a research assistant, has been working for three years.
The move could mean more applicants, leading to stiffer competition for a flat, said Ms Teo. She and Mr Sng intend to apply for a four-room unit in Toa Payoh during this launch as it is near where his parents live.
This latest exercise will also see a revised proximity condition kick in.
Those applying for a flat under the Married Child Priority Scheme and Senior Priority Scheme may do so if their parents/married child are living within 4km of the flat they are applying for. The proximity condition was previously defined as living in the same town, or within 2km.
Also on offer are 3,022 flats under the Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise. About 34 per cent of these are already completed and the rest are under construction.
Eligible first-timer families can enjoy up to $80,000 of housing grants, comprising the Additional CPF Housing Grant (up to $40,000) and the Special CPF Housing Grant (up to $40,000).
Applications for the May BTO and SBF exercise can be submitted online on the HDB InfoWEB from Tuesday to next Monday.
The next BTO launch in August will offer about 4,300 flats in Punggol and Yishun.
