Plan to buy BTO flat? Check out this website

Prospective buyers of a Build-To-Order (BTO) flat can now have a sneak peek at their options and plan ahead with the help of a new website.

SRX Property - a digital platform of StreetSine Technology Group - yesterday launched a website that serves as a one-stop solution for all things BTO-related.

The portal, srx.com.sg/hdb/bto, offers information such as details of past and upcoming BTO launches, the latest BTO news and even a forecast of prices for launches ahead. It also provides a guide on the BTO flat application process and links to necessary paperwork.

"This free site contains all the information a young buyer needs to make a decision about whether or not to buy an upcoming BTO," said StreetSine co-founder and chief technology officer Jeremy Lee.

Buyers can tap into the forecast of upcoming BTO flat prices for financial planning, as the website posts the minimum and maximum price estimates for each estate. It even helps users gauge the monthly cash payments they would likely have to fork out for the flat, based on their income levels.

According to SRX Property, BTO units are typically priced 18 to 33 per cent less than Housing Board resale flats in the same area. The forecasts are based on comparable, nearby HDB resale transactions and previous BTO flat prices.

The website currently has price forecasts for the upcoming BTO launch next month, when more than 5,000 units will be offered in Bidadari, Kallang/Whampoa, Bedok and Punggol.

It also carries information from HDB about the projects such as amenities in the vicinity and nearby transaction prices and volumes.

Bank executive Benny Chia, 29, who is considering a BTO flat with his girlfriend, said the website's flat price and cash payment calculation function will prove "useful".

"If the numbers are reliable, they can really help us plan ahead."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 13, 2016, with the headline Plan to buy BTO flat? Check out this website. Subscribe