[Deferred] Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, Tengah, Pasir Ris, and Tampines: Which HDB BTO Sales Launch May 2020 Should You Apply For?

It’s been a while since I’ve seen something new announced in the BTO scene.

For the May 2020 HDB BTO Sales Launch, it’ll be an interesting one as we’ll be seeing the introduction of a NEW housing type: Assisted Living Flats.

These housing units come with elderly-friendly fittings.

And are built for seniors aged 65 years and older, who wish to live independently BUT be able to get assistance quickly when needed.

Here’s a mock-up of what the bedroom looks like:

These flats will have communal spaces and facilities on each floor to allow residents to interact with each other.

This creates an environment for seniors to have social interaction with their peers while receiving the care they might require.

All in the comfort of home and familiar surroundings.

It addresses the problem of social isolation and is a step in the right direction towards taking better care of our ageing population.

(I highly approve of this.)

Oh, and the coolest thing about these flats?

They’ll come with a mandatory service package which includes 24/7 emergency response and an on-site community manager.

The manager will monitor the health status of residents and coordinate for care services as required.

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There’re a total of five BTO projects spread out all over the island for this BTO launch.

Let’s have a closer look at what’s available for this HDB BTO Sales Launch May 2020.

Note: You can apply for your HDB BTO online. Successful applicants will be determined by a computer ballot, and NOT on a first-come, first-served basis.

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TL;DR: HDB BTO Sales Launch May 2020 Deferred Until Further Notice

HDB BTO Sales Launch May 2020 Deferred Until Further Notice

HDB has announced that the May 2020 BTO and Sale of Balance Flat sales exercise has been deferred until further notice.

This also includes the pilot launch of Assisted Living flats in Bukit Batok.

Till then, bookmark this article as I’ll be updating it with the latest updates!

Meanwhile here’s an overview of what to expect for the upcoming BTO launch:

The Most Interesting Launch

I’m pretty excited to see what the prices are like for the Bukit Batok BTO and what the reception is like for the Assisted Living Flats.

Even though it’s only for applicants who are 65 years old and above.

It’s great that the government is taking steps to create living options for elderly Singaporeans.

And I sincerely hope that this project works out.

The One with the Highest Potential

A lot of people have asked me this before and I’ll repeat myself again for everyone’s benefit.

If you want low prices, a higher chance of success, and don’t mind waiting for a bit for the estate’s full potential to shine.

Then consider the Tengah BTO (think of it as Punggol, but about a decade ago).

Especially if you’re planning to upgrade after the Minimum Occupancy Period (MOP), then a flat in Tengah with a lower cash outlay and a high potential for appreciation might be worth considering.

I mean, the government’s not going to let an estate just languish amiright?

The One Which Everyone Will Be Gunning For

Between the Tampines and Pasir Ris BTO, I’d say that the Pasir Ris BTO will probably be oversubscribed by east-siders and young families looking for a place to call home.

Why?

The last Pasir Ris BTO was back in 2011 — meaning there’re probably plenty of people who have been waiting damn long for this project.

And if you look at where the projects are located, the Pasir Ris May 2020 BTO project is slightly more accessible as compared to the Tampines May 2020 BTO.

Over in the west, the Choa Chu Kang BTO might be the one to look out for if the prices are kept low enough.

Also, HDB has mentioned that this particular project will have a shorter waiting time as compared to other projects.

So… How Do I Apply For the Upcoming BTO Launch?

Just use this step-by-step guide and you won’t go wrong.

But besides this, there’s plenty to think about such as whether you should go with a bank loan or HDB loan.

Or whether you should you do cash top-ups to fund your HDB BTO purchase.

If you’ve got questions, you can always ask the friendly SeedlyCommunity who’re more than happy to help!

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Non-Mature Estate May 2020 HDB BTO Launch

If you’re a #westsider for life, here are your options for the upcoming May 2020 HDB BTO launch.

Bukit Batok May 2020 HDB BTO Launch

As mentioned earlier, this project is built specifically for older folks (65 years and older) who wish to be able to live independently while having ready access to the care they might need.

A total of 160 units of Assisted Living Flats will be available for application.

How Much Will the Bukit Batok BTO Flats Cost?

Unfortunately, I don’t have a clear estimate as these Assisted Living Flats will be the first of its kind in Singapore’s housing scene.

The closest HDB housing type which I can think of that resembles this model of housing is probably the Kampung Admiralty HDB project in Woodlands.

This 104-unit HDB project was completed in 2017.

And is an integrated housing for the elderly with a wide range of social, healthcare, communal, commercial, and retail facilities.

The majority of units are studio apartments which cost between $91,000 and $115,000 for a 30-year lease.

But considering that the Assisted Living Flats come with a mandatory service package, I believe that there’ll be a slight premium to these prices.

Although I hope that it won’t be prohibitively expensive because that kind of defeats the purpose of building something for our senior folks right…

(side-eyes HDB)

Chances are the Bukit Batok BTO flats will most probably be offered under the Senior Priority Scheme (SPS) which helps elderly Singaporeans buy a 2-room Flexi flat in a familiar environment.

Or to improve their chances of being able to live near their children.

What Are The Nearest Shopping Malls?

As always, I believe that an important consideration when choosing a neighbourhood to call home would be whether there are any shopping malls nearby.

This is critical as a shopping mall means you’ll have easy access to:

• entertainment (eg. cinema)
• food and beverage
• supermarkets for groceries
• shopping

I mean, you would still want easy access to these even in your old age, isn’t it?

For the Bukit Batok BTO May 2020 Launch, you’ll be near:

• West Mall (15 minutes bus ride away)

I know what you’re thinking, “SO FAR?!”

Fret not.

This BTO project will probably come with a myriad of facilities to create a self-contained environment where the elderly can mingle, interact, and go about their daily lives.

And based on HDB’s proposed developments, it looks like there might be a hawker centre integrated with this particular residential development.

What Are The Nearest MRT Stations?

For the Bukit Batok BTO May 2020 Launch, you’ll be near:

• Bukit Batok MRT (NS2)
• Bukit Gombak MRT (NS3)

What Are The Nearest Schools?

There are plenty of schools around this project.

But if you’re considering this particular housing type, then you’re probably more concerned about elderly-friendly facilities.

For the Bukit Batok BTO May 2020 Launch, you’ll be near:

• Bukit Batok Community Club
• Bukit Batok Polyclinic
• St Luke Hospital For The Elderly

Choa Chu Kang May 2020 HDB BTO Launch

There will be 570 units of 2-Room Flexi, 3-Room, and 4-Room flats available.

How Much Will the Choa Chu Kang BTO Flats Cost?

Even though Choa Chu Kang is a non-mature estate.

You’ll be surprised to note that the subscription rate for a 4-Room flat during the Teck Whye View BTO Launch back in 2018 was a staggering 9.7.

Meaning more than nine applicants applied for one 4-Room flat.

In case you’re wondering where Teck Whye View is, it’s not too far away from where the May 2020 Choa Chu Kang BTO launch is going to be:

For the Teck Whye View 2018 BTO, a 4-Room flat starts at $295,000 (excluding grants).

Value-wise, that’s not too bad considering that’s it right next to Bukit Panjang MRT station and Hillion Mall.

However, you’ll notice that the new Choa Chu Kang May 2020 BTO is not as near an MRT station (although it is close to two LRT stations) as the Teck Whye View 2018 BTO.

Probably about two to three bus stops away if you’re heading to Bukit Panjang MRT station.

So price-wise, I’d imagine that it should be slightly lower than the 2018 offering.

What Are The Nearest Shopping Malls?

For the Choa Chu Kang BTO May 2020 Launch, you’ll be near:

• Keat Hong Shopping Centre
• Teck Whye Shopping Centre

What Are The Nearest MRT Stations?

For the Choa Chu Kang BTO May 2020 Launch, you’ll be near:

• Keat Hong LRT (BP3)
• Teck Whye LRT (BP4)
• Choa Chu Kang MRT (NS4/ BP1/ JS1)

What Are The Nearest Schools?

For the Choa Chu Kang BTO May 2020 Launch, you’ll be near:

Tengah May 2020 HDB BTO Launch

Located within the borders of Tengah Town.

This BTO project will have 1,040 units of 2-Room Flexi, 3-Room, 4-Room, and 5-Room flats available for application.

How Much Will the Tengah BTO Flats Cost?

To get a feel for the prices, here’re the indicative prices from the Tengah BTO May 2019 and November 2019 launches:

So for a 4-room flat in Tengah, I estimate the price to start around the $300,000 mark.

What Are The Nearest Shopping Malls?

For the Tengah BTO May 2020 Launch, you’ll be near:

• West Mall

What Are The Nearest MRT Stations?

For the Tengah BTO May 2020 Launch, you’ll be near:

• Bukit Batok MRT (NS2)
• Tengah Plantation MRT (JE1) [note: will be completed in 2026]

What Are The Nearest Schools?

For the Tengah BTO May 2020 Launch, you’ll be near:

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Mature Estate May 2020 HDB BTO Launch

East-siders rejoice!

For the May 2020 HDB BTO launch, there’re two options available.

Pasir Ris May 2020 HDB BTO Launch

There will be 1,070 units of 2-Room Flexi, 3-Room, 4-Room, and 5-Room flats available in Pasir Ris.

How Much Will the Pasir Ris BTO Flats Cost?

It’s been almost a decade since I last saw a BTO project in Pasir Ris.

The last one was back in May 2011: Costa Ris and Golden Lily.

The prices aren’t going to a good gauge since it’s so long ago, but just for reference sake:

It’s highly unlikely that a 4-Room flat in Pasir Ris in 2020 is going to start from $294,000.

Plus Pasir Ris is considered a mature estate.

So if I were to use the Tampines BTO Launch November 2019 as a gauge…

I’d say that a 4-Room flat in Pasir Ris should start at around $394,000.

P.S. this particular launch is only a couple of minutes’ walk away from Pasir Ris MRT station so… expect to pay a slight premium over the estimated prices.

What Are The Nearest Shopping Malls?

For the Pasir Ris BTO May 2020 Launch, you’ll be near:

• Elias Mall
• White Sands

What Are The Nearest MRT Stations?

For the Pasir Ris BTO May 2020 Launch, you’ll be near:

• Pasir Ris MRT (EW1 / CR5/ CP1)

What Are The Nearest Schools?

Since you’re in a mature estate, there’re plenty of great schools nearby.

For the Pasir Ris BTO May 2020 Launch, you’ll be near:

Tampines May 2020 HDB BTO Launch

There will be 1,070 units of 3-Room, 4-Room, and 5-Room flats available for booking in Tampines.

How Much Will the Tampines BTO Flats Cost?

The last BTO launch in Tampines West was Tampines GreenGem, launched back in November 2018.

Here’s where it is:

Not too far away, huh?

Although not as over-subscribed as Teck Whye View, the subscription rate for 4-Room flats in Tampines Gem was 4.7.

Or almost five applicants vying for one 4-Room flat.

Considering that both BTO projects are just across the road from each other, I’d say that you can expect a 4-Room flat to start from $352,000.

What Are The Nearest Shopping Malls?

For the Tampines BTO May 2020 Launch, you’ll be near:

• Century Square
• Our Tampines Hub
• Tampines Mall
• Tampines 1

And if you take a short bus ride, you’ll find yourself in Ikea Tampines (meatballs and chicken wings, anyone?) and Giant Hypermarket.

Need to catch a flight for your next holiday? Changi Airport is only a 10 minutes cab ride.

What Are The Nearest MRT Stations?

For the Tampines BTO May 2020 Launch, you’ll be near:

• Bedok Reservoir MRT (DT30)
• Tampines West MRT (DT31)

What Are The Nearest Schools?

For the Tampines BTO May 2020 Launch, you’ll be near: