5-room Toa Payoh BTO flats oversubscribed by 6 times

Units in Bidadari estate the most expensive in Nov sales launch; competition also keen in Bishan

The 144 five-room flats in Bartley Beacon each had more than six first-time applicants vying for the unit. PHOTO: HOUSING & DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Undeterred by the high price tag, home seekers rushed for the five-room Build-To-Order (BTO) flats in Toa Payoh (Bidadari) - the most expensive units in this month's sales launch.

As at 5pm yesterday, each of the 144 five-room flats in Bartley Beacon had more than six first-time applicants vying for the unit.

Second-time applicants face an even bleaker prospect, with more than 152 applicants vying for each five-roomer.

Prices for these flats - the largest flat types in the Bidadari estate project - range from $627,000 to $726,000, excluding grants.

The last time new BTO flats were launched in Bidadari estate, which is classified under Toa Payoh town, was in May 2017.

Then, prices for the five-room flats in a project named Woodleigh Hillside started from $579,000, excluding grants.

In this month's sales exercise, which concluded at midnight, the 910 four-room flats in Bartley Beacon and ParkView @ Bidadari were less popular, attracting around three first-time applicants for each unit.

On the other hand, first-time applicants for the 184 three-room flats in both projects stood a better chance at securing a flat as they attracted just slightly more applicants than the number of available units.

Also in demand were the four-room flats in Bishan Ridges, with close to five first-time applicants vying for each of the 1,222 flats.

These flats, within walking distance of Bishan MRT station, were the second most expensive units in this launch, with prices ranging from $528,000 to $679,000.

The 124 three-room flats in Bishan Ridges drew less interest at slightly fewer than three first-time applicants for each unit.

  • 144 Number of five-room flats in Bartley Beacon. Each of the units had more than six first-time applicants.

    $627k Starting price for these flats, excluding grants. The prices go up to $726,000.

In Tampines, there were around three first-time applicants for each of the 360 four-room and 244 five-room flats in a housing project named Tampines GreenEmerald.

Bigger flats in the non-mature estate of Sembawang were also hotly contested, with more than four first-time applicants vying for each of the 184 five-room flats in the Sun Sails project.

The odds were slightly better for the 238 four-room flats and 84 three-room flats, with around three first-time applicants for each available unit.

In Tengah, the first Housing Board new town in over 20 years, there were almost three first-time applicants for each of the 327 five-room flats and around two applicants for each of the 570 four-room flats.

These flats are spread across two housing projects named Garden Court @ Tengah and Garden Terrace @ Tengah, and will be the first to be completed around the first quarter of 2024.

In February next year, the HDB will launch some 3,500 BTO flats in Bukit Batok, Tengah, Kallang/Whampoa and Toa Payoh (Bidadari).

Another 3,800 BTO flats will be offered in Bukit Merah, Geylang, Tengah and Woodlands next May.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 24, 2020, with the headline 5-room Toa Payoh BTO flats oversubscribed by 6 times. Subscribe