High demand for larger BTO flats in Ang Mo Kio, Bedok

BIGGER Build-to-Order (BTO) flats in the mature estates of Ang Mo Kio and Bedok proved the most popular in the latest Housing Board sales exercise that concluded yesterday.

Nine applicants vied for each of the 234 four-room flats in Ang Mo Kio on offer as of 5pm yesterday.

The 200 five-room and three-generation (3Gen) flats there had more than eight applicants each.

The 247 four-room flats in Bedok were the next most contested, with each drawing over six applicants.

Over in the non-mature estates, however, some flat types were undersubscribed as of yesterday.

Two-room flexi and three-room flats in Bukit Panjang as well as four-roomers in Sembawang had an application rate of 0.9 each - meaning all applicants are likely guaranteed a flat.

Five-room and 3Gen flats in Bukit Panjang drew more interest, with over two applicants for every unit.

Experts said the higher demand for flats in Ang Mo Kio and Bedok stems from their convenient locations and developed infrastructure.

OrangeTee research manager Wong Xian Yang said: "The number of BTO launches in mature estates is still quite rare."

Previous BTO launches in Bedok and Ang Mo Kio date back to 2012 and 2013 respectively.

Last Tuesday, HDB launched a total of 3,770 BTO flats in Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bukit Panjang and Sembawang. Also on offer were 5,170 balance flats across 14 mature and 11 non-mature towns.

Sales assistant Joseph Louis Mathias, 50, and his wife were among those who applied for a four-room flat in Bedok in the latest exercise.

"We have lived in our three-room flat in Bedok for 15 years and it's time for a change. We are sticking with Bedok because we are used to this area," said Mr Joseph.

Excluding grants, prices for four-room flats in Bedok and Ang Mo Kio started at $408,000 and $382,000 respectively.

Among the most popular balance flats were two five-roomers in Kallang/Whampoa, which drew 118 applicants as of 5pm yesterday.

Four-room flats in Tampines were also hotly contested, with 315 applicants vying for just eight units.

yeosamjo@sph.com.sg

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