The local property market is on track for a "soft landing", said National Development Minister Lawrence Wong. The housing chief noted that resale flat prices have softened gradually to 2011 levels, with more than half of resale flats transacting close to their market value. "This is a good outcome for both buyers and sellers," said Mr Wong in a blogpost on Wednesday (Dec 30). This he attributed to...
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The supply of Build-To-Order (BTO) flats will increase to 18,000 units in 2016, said National Development Minister Lawrence Wong - an increase of 3,000 units from this year. Noting the recent BTO launch in November which drew a "healthy response", Mr Wong said the increased supply of units is in response to greater demand. The increased demand, he added, is due to recent changes to housing policy -...
Modelling tools to visualise heat, shade and wind flow were used to plan and design new precincts and building forms within Singapore's first "eco-precinct" Punggol town. These resulted in smart Housing and Development Board (HDB) homes in districts such as the waterfront Punggol Northshore. On Sunday (Dec 27), the HDB announced in a news release that it will explore applying such smart planning tools...
Former flat owners now living in rental flats may soon be able to buy 2-room Flexi flats with shorter leases with a second concessionary loan and a housing grant, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said. These are some of the ideas the Housing and Development Board (HDB) is exploring for the Fresh Start Housing Scheme, Mr Wong said in a blogpost on Tuesday (Dec 15). A new housing grant will...
The resale volume of Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats shrank in November after rising 16 per cent in October, SRX Property said on Thursday (Dec 3). A total of 1,467 HDB resale flats were sold last month, down from the 1,745 transacted units in October. However, on a year-on-year basis, resale volume was up 8.7 per cent. Resale prices climbed 0.4 per cent in November. Prices of four- and...
Estate rejuvenation could be a focus area for the Housing and Development Board (HDB) going forward. Having largely fulfilled first-timer demand for flats, HDB has already started tapering new supply of Build-To-Order (BTO) flats. Experts have said this could also free up resources to commit to maintaining and upgrading older estates. HDB currently has 26 towns and housing estates, some which are...
The bumper launch of 12,411 new flats this month has received a “healthy” response, with more Singaporeans benefiting from recent housing policy changes, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said on Thursday (Nov 26). The policy changes include higher income ceilings, an enhanced Special CPF Housing Grant, as well as two-room Flexi flats for seniors. About 2,100 families and 220 singles in...
With applications due to close in less than four days, demand for new Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats at the upcoming Bidadari estate has continued to pick up. Over the weekend, there was a jump in applications, especially among second-time applicants. Analysts have said this could be due to the relatively higher price of the Bidadari flats, which may have priced some younger couples...
Demand for four- and five-room flats at Bidadari estate near Toa Payoh has already exceeded supply, just a day after HDB launched its biggest-ever sale of new units on Tuesday (Nov 17). Of the more than 12,400 flats on sale, more than 2,140 are at Bidadari. They range from two-room flexi to five-room units. According to data on HDB's website, the five-room units at Bidadari are already more than six...
The "bumper crop"of Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats for sale under the November 2015 Build-To-Order (BTO) cum Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise was launched on Tuesday (Nov 17), the agency announced. The application period starts on Tuesday, and ends on Nov 26. Applicants can apply for only one flat type or category in one town under either the BTO or SBF exercise. A total of 12,411...