Young couples urged to get flats in non-mature estates as competition heats up

The chances of getting flats in mature estates are slim.

Families hoping to get build-to-order (BTO) flats in the mature estates are up against stiff competition in the May 2016 sales exercise, Minister Lawrence Wong said in his blog.

Wong noted that the last two BTO launches were well-subscribed, with flats in mature estates like Bidadari attracting much interest. In the latest exercise, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) is offering flats in mature estates such as Ang Mo Kio and Bedok, together with sale of balance (SBF) flats in another 12 mature estates.

"But given their popularity, application rates for these mature estate flats are expected to be high, which means a lower chance of success. So applicants have to be prepared for this. In fact, I would encourage young couples to apply for BTO flats in non-mature estates," Wong wrote.

He added that flats in non-mature estates are generally more affordable and come with more grants, and offer a much higher success rates for applicants.

"Our efforts to decentralise our urban development and build commercial centres outside the city will create more investments and jobs closer to homes in these areas. A ‘non-mature’ estate today can become a ‘mature’ estate tomorrow," he noted.