By Hetty Musfirah | Posted:
16 November 2012 1445 hrs
SINGAPORE: National Development Minister Khaw Boon
Wan said the prices of Build-To-Order (BTO) flats have largely
stabilised since May last year.
In parliament on Friday, he said the overall BTO prices have
increased by 12 per cent since January 2009.
This is despite a larger 34 per cent increase in the HDB Resale
Price Index (RPI) over the same period.
Mr Khaw said when pricing HDB flats, buyers' affordability is fully
considered.
He assured that BTO flats remain affordable, with first-timers
buying flats in non-mature estates using about 23 per cent of their
monthly income to pay for their housing loans.
Giving examples, he said a four room flat in Sengkang can range
from S$250,000 to S$310,000, while a five-room flat ranges from
S$320,000 to S$385,000.
"Of course people would want even cheaper (flats), but looking at
it from a situation that we are facing today, I find these figures
very reasonable," said Mr Khaw.
"So that is what we have been trying to do in the last few months,
trying to stabilise these BTO prices, but over time, I hope that
the resale pricing will become more moderate and then we can adjust
our prices again."
- CNA/xq
