Second-timers to dominate applications in HDB’s first BTO exercise of the year

A total of 4,170 flats will be launched.

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) will offer 4,170 flats for sale in its first Build-to-Order (BTO) sales exercise of the year. The flats are located in the non-mature towns of Bukit Batok and Sengkang and in the mature town of Toa Payoh.

ERA Realty reckons that 5-room flats in Bidadari will continue being the most popular location in this exercise, and notes that most applicants are expected to be second-timers.

This is evident from the 2nd timer application rate of 188.1 applicants for each flat in the previous BTO launch in November 2015. For 5-room flats in Bidadari, a total of 3,517 applicants vied for 151 flats in the previous exercise.

“Bidadari flats are slightly pricier and first timer families, being generally younger, may find it financially heavy to opt for flats there. As such, they might prefer to apply instead for the flats in Sengkang and Bukit Batok, which are offered in this exercise as well,” said ERA Realty.

The 4,170 flats launched on Wednesday make up the first tranche of 18,000 HDB units to be launched this year.