Largest-ever BTO launch

As published in CNA
27 May 2011

SINGAPORE: The HDB is offering homebuyers close to 4,000 new flats in six Build-to-Order (BTO) projects launched on Friday - the largest supply of BTO flats in a single launch.

It surpasses the 3,185 BTO flats offered last month.

The BTO projects launched on Friday are at Costa Ris and Golden Lily in Pasir Ris, Punggol Parcvista, Tampines GreenLeaf, Tampines GreenWood, and Woodlands Peak.

At least 95 per cent of the public flat supply will be set aside for first-time buyers.

HDB said Friday's launch offers flats in various locations and sizes to meet the different needs of home-seekers - low-income families, those aspiring for something better, and the elderly.

Prices range from S$76,000 for a studio apartment and from S$335,000 for a 5-room unit.

First-time buyers can take advantage of various housing grants to reduce the cost of owning a new BTO flat.

For instance, households earning up to S$5,000 per month can apply for the Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG) worth up to S$40,000, which can be used to offset the initial downpayment.

Over and above the AHG, first-timer families earning between S$1,501 and S$2,250 monthly can also apply for the Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG) if they choose to buy a 3-room standard flat in Punggol Parcvista and Woodlands Peak.

With Friday's launch, HDB has released about 12,000 BTO flats in the first five months of 2011. This is more than half of HDB's earlier target of launching 22,000 flats for 2011.

In view of strong demand, HDB is ramping up its flat supply by a further 3,000 flats for this year.

This increases the full-year's BTO supply for 2011 by about 15 per cent, to 25,000 units. This is more than the number of units in Clementi town today.

HDB had announced earlier that 22,000 new BTO flats will be launched this year. All of these will now be launched by September 2011 instead of by the end of the year.

The BTO supply will be supplemented by housing units offered under the Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) and the Executive Condominium (EC) Housing Scheme.

For 2011, land sites for 4,000 DBSS flats and 4,000 EC units are scheduled for sale.

Commenting on the BTO launch, PropNex corporate communications manager Mr Adam Tan said: "The government has certainly responded to the public's demand for affordable housing, especially for first-time buyers. This is especially so, given that at least 95% of the units, or 3,759 flats, will be set aside for these first-timers."

He noted that Cash Over Valuation or COV prices are bottoming out at around $21,000 "and many first-time buyers will still be priced out of the resale market". Therefore, there will be relief among this group from the bumper crop of BTO flats.

Mr Tan also said the government is heeding the demand from first-time buyers who are asking for more BTO flats in a greater variety of areas. He noted that the six BTO projects are spread out over four estates, namely Punggol , Pasir Ris, Tampines and Woodlands, giving first-time buyers plenty of choices in relatively popular neighbourhoods.

Mr Tan said the projects should see a huge take-up rate from potential buyers as they are in estates which are rather well-developed.

They are also going at prices around 14% to 35% cheaper than similar resale flats in their areas, based on the transactions conducted in the first three months of this year.

"The 3-room flats in Tampines GreenLeaf and Tampines GreenWood, for example, are a whopping 35% cheaper than resale flats in that town," revealed Mr Tan, "and should therefore be very popular with the first-time buyers with a tight budget. For the reason of cost-effective pricing, the flats in Punggol Parcvista and Woodlands Peak should also see high subscription rates, having prices between 25% and 30% cheaper than similar flats in the vicinity."

Propnex also described as bold the move by HDB to offer 15 per cent more BTO flats this year than planned.

- CNA/ir

HDB launches sale of Punggol EC site

As published in Todayonline
26 May 2011

The Housing & Development Board (HDB) has put up an Executive Condominium (EC) housing site at Punggol Way for sale.

The land parcel was released for sale under the Confirmed List of the first half of the Government Land Sales programme.

The 99-year lease site can yield up to an estimated 720 housing units.

The HDB says the land parcel has a site area of about 25,000 sq m, with a maximum gross floor area of around 75,500 sq m.

It added that the site is located in Punggol Town, and is near the Punggol transport hub comprising the LRT, MRT and a bus interchange. Analysts agree that the site is well located.

Mr Nicholas Mak, executive director of SLP International Property Consultants, said: "This land parcel is located only about 700m from the Punggol MRT Station and the future EC development is likely to be popular with home buyers. Although there is another EC project in Punggol that could be launched in the next two months, this tender could still attract four to seven bidders due to its location and proximity to the future Punggol town centre."

The HDB says the new development is expected to be completed in 48 months from the date when the tender is accepted.

Mr Li Hiaw Ho, executive director, CBRE Research, said: "Units in Prive EC, which is further down Punggol Field, were transacted at $660 psf - $715 psf in January-April 2011 period. Units in Austville Residences EC, in Sengkang, were sold at $620 psf - $740 psf over the same period. "We expect the subject site to fetch bids of between $227 million and $244 million with a view to sell the new units at around $700 psf."

The tender will close at 12 noon on July 7.

Overall, the Government has placed 30 sites in this year's first half land sales programme, which can potentially yield more than 14,300 private residential units.

These 30 sites include four Executive Condominium sites and two commercial and residential sites.

GE DPM Teo leads thank you parade at Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC

DPM Teo leads thank-you parade at Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC

GE: DPM Teo leads thank-you parade at Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC
By Wayne Chan | Posted: 08 May 2011 1704 hrs

SINGAPORE : Just hours after its victory was announced, the People's Action Party's (PAP) Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency (GRC) team was out and about on its thank-you parade on Sunday morning.

Led by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, the team travelled from Pasir Ris East to Punggol South to thank residents for their support.

DPM Teo said: "It is also to bring people together, so that we can move forward after this GE (General Election) to continue to build a strong community. We will be here to serve the residents and we want to work with them for the next five years."

Most were happy to see the Deputy Prime Minister and his team, with some expressing concern for Penny Low, who was using a crutch. When asked about what happened to her leg, she said that she had just had an operation.

Ng Geok Siang, a resident from Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, said: "When we have a problem, we go and see Penny Low at the RC, and she really helps us, so I think it is good that PAP has won.

"I need to apply for a new flat after two-and-a-half years, but we have some trouble with...applying for the flat, so I approached her for help. So she helped me."

And despite winning 64.79 per cent of the votes against the Singapore Democratic Alliance's 35.21 per cent, Mr Teo has said that his team would do its best to listen to residents' needs and meet their expectations.

- CNA/ms

Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC 2011 GE results

Click to enlarge

Maritime Inspired CC at Punggol Waterfront Town

27 April 2011

Residents residing in Punggol can now look forward to more facilities, courses and activities coming their way. With the new Punggol 21 CC opening its doors in the third quarter of 2011, residents will soon have a ‘Creative Lifestyle Hub’ in their neighbourhood.


The maritime inspired CC will feature wellness facilities for the health conscious and a fun and creative environment for children to learn and play through the various courses and activities planned.

The upcoming Punggol 21 CC is specifically designed to promote interaction and bonding. The CC will have open spaces that residents and families can utilise for their various lifestyle needs.

Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Defence, joined Ms Penny Low, Adviser to Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Grassroots Organisations (GROs) at the Punggol 21 CC Topping Up Ceremony on 24 April 2011 to mark the last stage of construction of the CC. Special guests Dr Ahmad Magad, Dr Janil Puthucheary, Mr Zainal Sapari and Mr Gan Thiam Poh were also present at the event. DPM Teo, Ms Penny Low and special guests spread cement and placed bricks on a brick wall to symbolise the final stage of the CC’s construction. View photos of Punggol 21 CC Topping Up Ceremony at our photo album.

Catch a glimpse of what the upgraded Punggol 21 CC will look like before the official opening through the video and photo album. Stay connected with Punggol 21 CC via your smartphones through our mobile portal at http://www.ourcommunity.sg/.

As published in www.pa.gov.sg.

GE Rallies

1. PAP Rally is on 28 Apr 2011 (Thursday) from 7-10pm at the field beside Buangkok MRT Station.

2. The SDA Rally for the Pasir Ris Punggol constituency is on 29 Apr 2011 (Friday) at the open field at the corner of Sengkang East Avenue and Sengkang East Drive.