The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has launched 10,209 flats in its latest sales exercise on July 23. This includes 5,547 brand new Build-To-Order (BTO) flats across eight projects in areas like Bukit Merah, Bukit Panjang, Clementi, Sembawang, Tampines, Toa Payoh, and Woodlands.
One of the highlights is Sembawang North, a brand-new town making its debut with its first housing project, Sembawang Beacon.
On top of that, HDB is also offering 4,662 Sale of Balance Flats, including 1,733 units that are already completed and ready to move in, mainly located in Kallang/Whampoa, Tengah, and Geylang.
Prime vs Standard Flats: What’s the Difference?
Four of the projects are classified as Prime, which means they are in more popular locations like Toa Payoh, Clementi, and Bukit Merah. These Prime flats will come with higher subsidies to keep prices affordable. But there’s a catch: when you sell the flat later, you’ll need to return a portion of the subsidy:
-
Toa Payoh Ascent, Alexandra Peaks, and Alexandra Vista: 11% clawback
-
Clementi Emerald: 12% clawback
Also, Prime flats come with a 10-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP). Meaning you have to live there for 10 years before you can sell.
On the other hand, Standard flats have no subsidy clawback and only a 5-year MOP.
New Benefits for Singles and Families
Starting from this BTO launch, several new housing policies have kicked in:
-
Singles now get priority if they apply for a two-room flexi flat near or with their parents.
-
From October, singles can also jointly apply for two flats with their parents in the same project.
-
Second-timer families will have better chances of getting a flat, thanks to increased flat quotas.
-
Couples where one partner is a student or in National Service can now defer income assessment, making it easier to get an HDB loan.
-
The Fresh Start Housing Grant has also been increased from $50,000 to $75,000 for second-timer families living in rental flats.
Are Prime Flats Still Worth It?
Despite higher clawback rates, experts say demand for Prime flats will likely remain strong.
ERA’s Eugene Lim says the generous subsidies may still attract buyers, especially with potential resale profits in the long run. Realion Group’s Christine Sun adds that flats in areas like Toa Payoh and Clementi are still appealing, as they’re near regional hubs like Bishan town centre and One-North Business Park.
How to Apply?
Applications are now open on the HDB Flat Portal and will close at 11:59pm on July 30.
HDB encourages buyers to consider Standard flats, where chances of getting a unit may be higher, especially for first-timer families.
Looking ahead, the next BTO launch will be in October, with around 9,100 flats available in towns like Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bishan, Bukit Merah, Jurong East, Sengkang, Toa Payoh, and Yishun.
There will also be an assisted-living project in Sengkang, the fifth of its kind in Singapore.
