HDB News

Out with COVs, there’s a better way

The debate over cash-over-valuations, or COVs, for Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats continues. This week, the body representing Singapore's property valuers called for the removal of all official data on cash premiums paid for HDB resale flats. The Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) said it supported National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan's decision to cease the release of...

Discourage practice of COV, SISV urges

Supporting National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan's decision to stop releasing the median cash-over-valuation (COV) data, the industry body representing property valuers here has urged the authorities to go a step further and "discourage" the practice of paying COV. The Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) cautioned yesterday - in a statement from its president (valuation and general...

Advice for newly-formed households

Go for subsidised new HDB flats - it is your entitlement In a weekend feature article, prospective buyers of homes - both for own occupation and for investment - got a huge dose of advice from property experts, consultants and even developers. Much of the advice was not new but there were many good reminders amid the volatile and uncertain economic environment - both locally and globally. However, the...

Resale flat demand falls

Demand for resale flats has fallen by about 20 per cent since the raising of the income ceiling for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats. This is according to property agents who added that the cash-over-valuation (COV) prices are also starting to fall. The income ceiling for BTO flats was raised less than two weeks ago from S$8,000 to S$10,000. But property agents Channel News Asia spoke to said they are already...

Raised income ceiling not applicable to EC projects launched before Aug 15

Prospective buyers of units at current executive condominiums (EC) projects, are requesting that the recent income ceiling increase, also be applicable to those bought before mid-August. The qualifying income ceiling for ECs was raised from S$10,000 to S$12,000 a month, for projects launched for sale from August 15 this year. Property agent ERA said that after the recent announcement, they received...

Two EC sites up for sale by tender

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is putting up two executive condominium (EC) sites at Pasir Ris (Pasir Ris Drive 3 / Pasir Ris Rise) and Yishun (Yishun Avenue 7 / Canberra Drive) for sale. The higher income ceiling of $12,000 and tiered CPF housing grants announced on August 15 will apply to these two projects. The tenders will close at noon on October 11 and October 25 for the Pasir Ris and...

Revised income ceiling lowers COV expectations

Home owners eager to sell their flats seem to have lowered their expectations of getting large cash premiums, after the Housing and Development Board (HDB) raised the income ceiling for new flats and housing subsidies. Property agents expect the new rules to change the make-up of HDB resale flat buyers, as it will create more housing options for the elderly, couples and singles. With the possibility that...

Government policy could put a lid on COV

Several homeowners are banking on the continued demand for resale flats by asking for higher cash-over-valuation (COV), according to an ECG Property expert. However, with the raising of the income ceiling for HDB flats and executive condominiums (ECs), he hopes high prices taper off. On 14 August, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced during his National day Rally speech that the HDB income ceiling...

No change in DBSS income ceiling

The pool of potential home buyers for Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) and Build-To-Order (BTO) flats is now the same, as the government is keeping the monthly income ceiling for DBSS flats at S$10,000. National Development Minister Khaw Boon said yesterday that buyers with a monthly income of up to S$10,000 now have a choice between DBSS and BTO flats. He said that those who can afford DBSS flats...

Lower housing grants for higher earners

Higher earners who want to buy executive condominiums will be eligible for housing grants - but they will not be as big as what lower earners will get. The monthly household income ceiling has been raised from $10,000 to $12,000. However, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan yesterday announced a 'fairer', tiered system to take into account the greater earning power of those who are now...