How hopeful homebuyers can secure a flat in HDB's largest BTO sales exercise 

HDB launched over 9,500 for sale across five towns in December. 

Homebuyers seeking to secure a flat during the Housing Development Board's (HDB) largest Build-to-Order (BTO) sales exercise should look into non-mature estates, according to real estate experts.

"It provides hopeful applicants with a higher chance of successfully securing a flat. With the recent revision in BTO allocation quota, first-time applicants have a higher chance in securing 3-room and larger flats," One Global Group said.

"Furthermore, projects in the non-mature estates offer bigger flat type such as 5-rooms. And they are more affordably positioned and generally have shorter waiting periods than flats in mature estates," the expert added.

OrangeTee said cash-strapped buyers and those who lack financial help can also purchase cheaper flats in non-mature estates, like the flats in Bukit Batok. 

"we may see more people buying flats in non-mature estates or selecting lower floor units or cheaper units in light of the [cooling] measures," OrangeTee said.

PropNex also believes that the "relatively more affordable entry prices" in Bukit Batok, as well as Tengah, will interest applicants.

Bukit Batok (790 flats) and Tengah (2,077 flats) account for about 30% of the total BTO flats offered in November.

Apart from those who have a tight budget, One Global Group said non-mature estates will also be attractive to young couples looking for an affordable BTO flat and who do not mind waiting for the neighbourhood to grow and develop. 

Amongst the non-mature estate projects, One Global Group expects Garden Waterfront I & II @ Tengah to be the most popular amongst applications for its shorter waiting time of 3.3 years and its location next to Hong Kah MRT station on the Jurong Region Line.

"Its location also grants residents unobstructed views of the Tengah Pond. The flats at Garden Waterfront I & II have also been designated as HDB’s first Construction Transformation Project (CTP) – which tests new construction technology, including beamless ceilings," the expert said