See how much HDB resale price index edged up in Q3

It's the same as the October flash estimate.

According to an HDB release, its Resale Price Index (RPI) rose from 194.0 in 2nd Quarter 2012 to 197.9 in 3rd Quarter 2012, representing an increase of 2.0% over the previous quarter. This is the same as that of the flash estimate released on 1 October 2012.

The RPI growth for the first three quarters of this year is 3.9%, lower than the annual RPI growth of 14.1% in 2010, and 10.7% last year.

Resale transactions fell by about 6% from 7,011 cases in 2nd Quarter 2012 to 6,560 cases in 3rd Quarter 2012.

HDB has ramped up the BTO flat supply to meet the housing needs of first-time buyers. In view of the strong housing demand and a buoyant resale market, HDB will offer 27,000 BTO flats in 2012 – 2,000 units more than the original 25,000 planned this year. This is the largest BTO supply in a year.

To-date, HDB has offered about 20,600 BTO flats for sale. On top of this, HDB has also offered a total of 7,153 flats in the two Sale of Balance Flats exercises in 2012. In Nov 2012, HDB will offer another bumper launch of 6,400 BTO flats in Bedok, Choa Chu Kang, Queenstown, Sengkang and Toa Payoh.

Subletting transactions rose by about 4% from 6,891 cases in 2nd Quarter 2012 to 7,142 cases in 3rd Quarter 2012. The total number of HDB flats approved for subletting rose to 42,920 units in 3rd Quarter 2012, compared to 41,814 units in 2nd Quarter 2012.

Additionally, HDB is introducing a new e-service today to enable the public to search for the market rentals of entire HDB flats rented out by owners. The e-service is designed to assist potential tenants and flat owners in making informed decisions before entering into a rental contract, and to enhance transparency in the subletting market.