Singaporeans mostly stay in Housing Development Board (HDB) flats, which are public housing. But it is not exactly a poor man’s game, as HDB flats can go up in resale value and could even more than double the original price, allowing home buyers to make sizeable gains.
Especially more so for flats that are no longer built and are large-sized (usually larger than 1,400 sqft). That’s because they become rarer and due to their age, they are usually built in mature estates which tend to have high connectivity which means higher resale value as well. Larger flats that are bigger than the standard five-rooms include Jumbo flats, Executive Apartments, and Executive Maisonettes.
Many have coined these larger-than-usual HDB flats as a good deal, compared to condominium prices in the same area. Some of these flats have two storeys too, making it feel like you are living in a landed property.
Other than larger HDB flats being older, the flats do offer plenty of unique features including their layout and design.
In the resale market, these flats start from $600,000 a piece, and are selling at up to a whopping $1.98 million (Executive Maisonettes) for those in central locations.
We will explore these flat types and find out why they are so attractive to homeowners.
Jumbo Flats: What Are They And Where Can They Be Found
Introduced to fix the oversupply of unsold smaller flats in certain towns in the 1990s, Jumbo flats were created by merging two smaller flat units into one larger unit.
The unit sizes are usually in the range of 147 sqm (1,582 sqft) to 199 sqm (2,142 sqft).
As the units are a combination of two smaller units, they tend to have a unique layout, with two main doors and two kitchens. This is suitable for multi-gen families who prefer to have a common area and privacy as well. Many homeowners often renovate the unit to create a more unified space.
You can find Jumbo flats in towns like Woodlands and Yishun.
Due to their unique features, size, and rarity, these flats usually cost more than regular flats, but the price point varies depending on the location, condition, and specific layout.
Executive Apartments: What Are They And Where Can They Be Found
With unit sizes usually in the range of 130 sqm (1,399 sqft) to 145 sqm (1,560 sqft), Executive Apartments are slightly larger than the usual five-room flats. It can be suitable for families who desire more space.
These units offer spacious layouts but do not have the split levels of an Executive Maisonette.
They can be found in various towns across Singapore, including Ang Mo Kio, Woodlands, and Pasir Ris.
The pricing of such properties is generally between standard five-room HDB flats and Executive Maisonettes. Other factors that determine the value of the property include location, floor level, and age of the flat.
Executive Maisonettes: What Are They And Where Can They Be Found
Executive Maisonettes are unique two-storey HDB flats that are 140 sqm (1,507 sqft) to 146 sqm (1,572 sqft) in size.
These properties have two levels, with the living and kitchen areas usually on the lower floor. The bedrooms are located on the upper floor. Such a layout is similar to the floor layouts of landed homes and condominium penthouses.
You can find these properties in older towns like Ang Mo Kio, Hougang, and Bedok.
These units tend to command higher prices in the resale market due to their rarity and are the most expensive among the other two unique flat types mentioned above.
Many who can afford them are taken by the appeal of staying in a “landed property” feel within a public housing framework.
The Similarities Between Jumbo Flats, Executive Apartments, And Executive Maisonettes
These flat types are all larger than the normal HDB flats and are designed to cater to bigger families or families looking for larger spaces.
They are also not as commonly found compared to three-room, four-room and five-room HDB flats. After the early 2000s, HDB stopped the building of Executive Maisonettes. Meanwhile, Jumbo flats were created to solve an oversupply situation in the past. This also means that the flats are older and can only be found in the resale market.
The third similarity is that they cost more per unit. This is due to their size and limited supply in the market which prices the units higher in resale value than normal HDB flats.
The Differences Between Jumbo Flats, Executive Apartments, And Executive Maisonettes
Generally, Executive Maisonettes are the most expensive, followed by Executive Apartments and Jumbo flats.
Another difference is that the layout of the units differs. Jumbo flats, for example, are created through the merging of two smaller units, while Executive Apartments and Maisonettes are intentionally built with larger spaces in the layout.
Jumbo flats can also be larger than the other two, depending on the merged smaller units.
Another obvious difference is that only Executive Maisonettes have a two-storey layout, making it a standout feature among all HDB flats.
Featured Image Credit: Dyel Design
Read Also: 5S, 5I, 5A: The Different Types Of HDB 5-Room Flats In Singapore
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