LATEST: HDB May 2019 and Sale Of Balance Flats is now open for balloting! Applications close on 28 May, 2359hrs. All the best!
The Housing and Development Board (HDB) had announced that it will launch around 15,000 new flats in 2019. For the sales launch in May, around 3,480 Built-To-Order (BTO) flats will be available for balloting in Kallang/Whampoa, Woodlands and Tengah.
If you aren’t sure about how to go about applying for your BTO flat, you can refer to our comprehensive Step-By-Step Guide To Buying Your First BTO Flat.
If you’re all set, here’s our analysis of each development in this May’s BTO Sales Launch to help you make a decision on which estate is right for you.
Read Also: Complete Guide To HDB Housing Grants In Singapore
# 1 Tengah, Garden Vale @ Tengah; Plantation Acres – 2,180 units (2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room & 5-room)
Source: HDB
Tengah is the first new town in Singapore in 20 years, with the first batch of BTO flats in Tengah being launched in November 2018. The site of these two new Tengah estates is located near the intersection between Bukit Batok Road and the Pan-Island Expressway.
Garden Vale @ Tengah will be located in the Tengah’s Garden District, while Plantation Acres will be in the nearby Plantation District.
Here are the starting prices of flats in both Tengah developments:
Garden Vale @ Tengah – 987 units (2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, 5-room)
Garden Vale @ Tengah consists of 8 residential blocks with heights ranging from 7 to 14 floors. The estate is bounded by Plantation Crescent, Tengah Boulevard and Tengah Drive.
Plantation Acres – 1,193 units (2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, 5-room)
Plantation Acres is located along Plantation Crescent. The development comprises 9 residential blocks with heights ranging from 7 to 14 floors.
Our Analysis:
As one of the first few batch of flats in Tengah to be launched, would-be residents would need to bear with the inconvenience of not having the full promised suite of amenities and facilities until the town gets built up and realises its vision.
If Tengah town does fulfil its potential as a lush, car-lite town of the future, then early adopters would be the first few homeowners to fulfil the Minimum Occupancy Period (MOP) and be allowed to sell their flats, presumably at a decent profit.
Both developments will be served by a future upcoming MRT station which is part of the 24-kilometre long Jurong Region Line, which will begin operations in phases starting from 2026. Once this happens, accessibility for residents of Tengah estate will be greatly improved then, with conveniently-located MRT stations dotting the sprawling 700-hectare Tengah estate.
In the meantime, residents would need to rely on the existing Bukit Batok MRT station, which is between 1.5km to 1.8km away. As a town that is built from the ground up, would-be residents can also expect modern, well-planned neighbourhoods and amenities, including schools, parks, healthcare facilities, and more.
# 2 Woodlands, Champions Green – 722 Units (2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room & 5-room)
Source: HDB
Around 720 flats will be available for balloting in this development, in sizes spanning 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room and 5-room.
Located along Champions Way and Woodlands Drive 17, this development is made up of 6 residential blocks that are 10 storeys in height.
As Woodlands is classified as a Non-Mature estate, homeowners buying a 4-room or smaller flat will be able to receive the Special CPF Housing Grant, subject to an income ceiling of $8,500.
Here are the starting prices of Woodlands flats in May 2019 BTO launch:
Our Analysis:
Situated behind the Singapore Sports School along Champions Way, this development is about 1.4 kilometres from Woodlands MRT station and Woodlands regional bus interchange, which provides excellent connectivity to the northern region of Singapore. There is also a planned Woodlands South MRT station just 600 metres away, while access to Seletar Expressway is minutes away for those who are driving.
In terms of recreation, the entire Woodlands estate is lined with an extensive network of park connectors, with neighbourhood parks dotting the entire estate in regular intervals. Parents have a choice of conveniently located Primary and Secondary schools to enrol their children into if distance is a factor.
Interestingly, Woodlands is home to a plethora of condominium developments, so would-be BTO residents would enjoy the same escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, while being in close proximity to the Causeway for a quick weekend retreat or visit to relatives.
Read Also: HDB Price Guide: 5 Most Expensive HDB Estates In 2019
# 3 Kallang/Whampoa, Kempas Residences – 583 units (2-room Flexi, 3-room & 4-room)
Source: HDB
Just when you thought there aren’t any new locations in the central part of Singapore, the folks at HDB (pleasantly) surprises Singaporeans with a development located off Kempas Road, bounded by Serangoon Road, Lavender Street, and Boon Keng Road.
Available in this medium-sized development are 2-room Flexi, 3-room and 4-room flats, which are housed in 4 residential blocks that tower between 29 and 37 floors.
Note that 2-room Flexi flats here are only available to seniors (aged 55 and above) on short leases of between 15 to 45 years (in 5-year increments).
Starting prices of flats in Kallang/Whampoa for this May 2019 BTO sales launch are as follows:
Our Analysis:
If you look at rental and sales prices of HDB flats in the Boon Keng area, you’ll understand why the demand and expected asking price of this development would be significantly high.
The nearest MRT station, Boon Keng, is just 3 stops away from Dhoby Ghaut, which in turn is 2 stops away from Orchard.
For those who don’t mind walking, Bendemeer MRT station is also about 500 metres away, while the Central Expressway and Pan-Island Expressway is also minutes away – provided you aren’t caught in a jam, which does happen more frequently in this area than residents would like.
There are plenty of eateries, a community centre and parks nearby, as well as Bendemeer Shopping Mall. This development is also opposite the Kwong Wai Shio community hospital.
Those who like sports are spoilt for choice, with the Jalan Besar Stadium, Swimming Complex, St Wilfred Squash and Tennis Centre, and St Wilfred Field nearby.
Read Also: Guide To Grants & Subsidies For Middle-Income Households In Singapore
Maximise The Grants You Are Eligible For
Before applying for your dream BTO flat, familiarise yourself with the various grants that you may be eligible for, since the selection of your flat may affect the amount of grants that you are entitled to.
You should also be aware of the consequences of giving up your queue number if you were to receive one, so take the decision carefully.
Read Also: Here’s What Happens When You Give Up Your HDB BTO Queue Number
LATEST: HDB May 2019 and Sale Of Balance Flats is now open for balloting! Applications close on 28 May, 2359hrs. All the best!
