For a slew of homeowners, this year is the year of the magic number 5.
Having received the keys to their Build-to-Order HDB flats in 2016, they would have completed (or will be completing) the mandatory five-year Minimum Occupation Period or MOP from the completion date of their BTOs and will be eligible to put their flat on the resale market, typically for a higher price than when they bought it.
Given the pent-up demand in 2020 due to the COVID-19 circuit breaker measures, as well as the current delays in new BTO projects that have yet to obtain the Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) — also due to COVID-19 — the demand of HDB resale flats is high.
Those who bought BTOs in prime areas may also be sitting on a potential “gold mine”. If there’s a good time to sell and cash out, it’s probably now, before the government introduces cooling measures to curb this “lottery effect”.
But this article is for home buyers, especially those who can’t wait five years or more for a new BTO flat (balloting of units, waiting for the BTO to be built and potential COVID-19 induced delays, renovation, etc).
If you’re looking to move into your new home before the end of this year, take your pick from these 32 HDB BTO projects that are expected to reach MOP soon and be available on the HDB resale market. You’ll surely find somewhere within your price range, in your ideal location and perhaps even your dream floor plan.
Related articles:
- 20,000+ Flats will MOP in 2021: How Will the Surplus in Supply Affect Price?
- Post-MOP Upgrading: Should You Sell Your HDB First?
BTO Projects Expected to MOP in 2021
The following is a list of BTO projects that were launched in 2012/2013 with estimated TOP dates in 2016 — making them likely to reach MOP this year. Depending on the actual TOP date, there may be slight differences in the exact month and date of each HDB project’s actual MOP.
HDB project |
Nearest MRT |
|
1 |
Skyline I @ Bukit Batok |
Bukit Batok MRT (1.3km) |
2 |
Depot Heights |
Redhill (1.7km) |
3 |
Telok Blangah Ridgeview |
Telok Blangah (1.1km) |
4 |
Keat Hong Axis |
Choa Chu Kang (1.8km) |
5 |
Keat Hong Colours |
Choa Chu Kang (1.8km) |
6 |
Keat Hong Mirage |
Choa Chu Kang (1.8km) |
7 |
Keat Hong Pride |
Choa Chu Kang (2.1km) |
8 |
Keat Hong Quad |
Choa Chu Kang (1.5km) |
9 |
Clementi Gateway |
Clementi (900m) |
10 |
Clementi Ridges |
Clementi (650m) |
11 |
Bendemeer Light |
Bendemeer (500m) |
12 |
McNair Towers |
Boon Keng (750m) |
13 |
Tenteram Peak |
Boon Keng (1.3km) |
14 |
Golden Mint |
Hougang (1.8km) |
15 |
Hougang Crimson |
Hougang (1.6km) |
16 |
Hougang ParkEdge |
Hougang (1.5km) |
17 |
Matilda Portico |
Punggol (1.3km) |
18 |
Punggol Edge |
Punggol (1.9km) |
19 |
Waterway Cascadia |
Punggol (450m) |
20 |
Waterway SunDew |
Punggol (2.2km) |
21 |
EastBank @ Canberra |
Canberra (750m) |
22 |
Compassvale Cape |
Sengkang (1.1km) |
23 |
Compassvale Helm |
Sengkang (1.4km) |
24 |
Compassvale Mast |
Sengkang (130m) |
25 |
Rivervale Delta |
Sengkang (1.7km) |
26 |
Tampines GreenForest |
Tampines (2.1km) |
27 |
Tampines Greenlace |
Tampines (2km) |
28 |
Joo Seng Green |
Tai Seng MRT (1.2km) |
29 |
TreeTrail @ Woodlands |
Woodlands (850m) |
30 |
Oleander Breeze @ Yishun |
Yishun (2.2km) |
31 |
Palm Breeze @ Yishun |
Yishun (1.9km) |
32 |
Vine Grove @ Yishun |
Yishun (1.9km) |
Here are some noteworthy ones:
Clementi Ridges
Although it’s technically in the west of Singapore, Clementi is well-linked by roads and public transport networks to town, the central business district, and to the rest of the island. This makes it a popular almost-city fringe location.
Clementi is also surrounded by several districts and HDB towns, such as District 3 (Alexandra, Commonwealth, Tiong Bahru, and Queenstown), District 4 (Harbourfront, Telok Blangah), District 22 (Boon Lay, Jurong and Tuas), District 21 (Clementi Park, Upper Bukit Timah) and District 10 (Tanglin, Holland).
Clementi Ridges, launched in March 2012, TOP-ed some time in September 2016. The BTO project is bounded by Clementi Avenue 6 and Commonwealth Avenue West — making it only 650m (about 8 minutes’ walk) from Clementi MRT station on the East-West Line.
The BTO project is a towering trio of 40-storey blocks, comprising a total of 684 units of 3-, 4- and 5-room standard flats. Clementi is a mature HDB estate, so likewise, expect resale prices to be higher for this prime location.
As fitting of a mature estate, residents can enjoy the numerous amenities nearby, which include medical facilities, top schools (Nan Hua Primary School/High School, ITE College West, Singapore Institute of Management, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, National University of Singapore, etc), shopping centres (i.e. Clementi Mall), groceries, markets and food centres.
Search for a resale HDB flat in Clementi now.
Bendemeer Light & McNair Towers
Though Bendemeer Light and McNair Towers are located about 1km from each other, they are both in the Kallang/Whampoa HDB estate, which is a popular city fringe location. Again, this is a mature HDB estate, so amenities are a dime a dozen, making this a very convenient spot for your new home.
Bendemeer Light is 500m (about 6 minutes’ walk) from Bendemeer MRT station, which is on the Downtown Line; while McNair Towers is 750m (about 9 minutes’ walk) from Boon Keng MRT station, which is on the North-East Line. If you want to stretch your legs, you’ll easily have access to both the NEL and the DTL MRT routes.
Bendemeer Light comprises three 40-storey blocks of 3- and 4-room standard flats, a total of 624 units in all. It TOP-ed around December 2016. Meanwhile, McNair Towers comprises 4 35-storey blocks of studio apartments, 3- and 4-room premium flats, with an integrated day care and service centre for seniors — a total of 861 units.
Like Clementi Ridges, expect mature prices for the resale HDB flats here as the Kallang/Whampoa area is really close to the eclectic Katong (District 15), Lavender (District 12), Jalan Besar (District 08), Fort Road (District 15) and Beach Road (District 06). It’s literally a short bus or MRT ride away from the heritage-rich Bugis-Bras Basah / Rochor district (all your museums, hipster cafes, etc) and also really close to the Singapore Sports Hub and Marina Bay.
You’ll also be spoilt for choice with the food offerings at Bendemeer Market and Food Centre — and while this area doesn’t really have a big mall (yet), it’s nice to enjoy the heartland vibe and have the option of a quick journey to big swanky malls.
Look for your dream resale HDB home in Kallang/Whampoa.
Waterway Cascadia & Eastbank @ Canberra
Don’t think you have the budget for prime, city fringe flats? Let’s move onto Waterway Cascadia at Punggol and Eastbank @ Canberra, which is located in Sembawang.
While these are classified as non-mature HDB estates, Punggol and Sembawang are up-and-coming areas that have seen a lot of development in recent years (especially Canberra), so don’t expect rock-bottom prices (but still cheaper than flats in mature estates, so it helps to stretch your dollar if you’re looking for a bigger unit or if you have a budget to stick to).
While Waterway Cascadia is just 450m (6 minutes’ walk) from Punggol MRT station (North-East Line), residents are served by Sumang LRT station that’s right at its doorstep. Launched in July 2012, this development comprises eight blocks that go up to a maximum of 18 storeys, a total of 1,009 units of 3-, 4- and 5-room premium flats. It’s likely to reach MOP by 3Q 2021.
And don’t think Punggol is very “ulu” (remote). There’s Waterway Point shopping mall nearby, gorgeous waterways for exercise and cycling, convenience stores, eateries and schools. It’s a nice home for those who love to get away from the city’s hustle and bustle and to slow down with nature at the end of a long work day.
Meanwhile, Eastbank @ Canberra, which was launched in May 2013, is likely to reach MOP by Q4 2021. It’s about 750m from Canberra MRT station, about 10 minutes’ walk. It comprises four blocks — the highest level is 15 — of 4- and 5-room flats, a total of 372 units in all.
Nearby, there’s the new gem of Canberra, Canberra Plaza, and other up-and-coming developments such as Bukit Canberra. You’ll also have access to amenities such as primary schools (Ahmad Ibrahim Primary/Secondary School, Wellington Primary School, Sembawang Secondary School), supermarkets, and more.
Seek out your new home in Punggol or Sembawang today.
Compassvale Mast
While Sengkang is not considered super popular as its neighbour Punggol, you can use that to your advantage as prices may be more competitive. This region is surrounded by several prosperous districts, namely Defu Lane (District 19), Seletar (District 28), Punggol (District 19) and Yio Chu Kang (District 19).
Being less north-eastern than Punggol, Sengkang has good transport links to other parts of Singapore. While there are other HDB developments reaching MOP in Sengkang, namely Compassvale Cape and Compassvale Helm, these are 1.1km and 1.4km from Sengkang MRT respectively.
The star is Compassvale Mast, which is just 130m (2 minutes’ walk) from Sengkang MRT — literally at the doorstep of the MRT and the mall. Launched in November 2012, these nine blocks reaching 16 storeys high are likely to reach MOP by mid-2021. The BTO project comprises 3-, 4- and 5-room premium flats, a total of 928 units, with a supermarket, an eatery, shops, RC centre and a childcare centre conveniently built in the development.
Within Sengkang, you’ll also find many schools such as Compassvale Primary/Secondary School and Nan Chiau Primary/Secondary School, CHIJ St. Joseph’s Convent and the University of New Brunswick.
Check out the HDB resale units in Sengkang now.
Depot Heights and Telok Blangah Ridgeview
Both Depot Heights and Telok Blangah Ridgeview are in the mature Bukit Merah area, which extends to part of the River Valley area, Tiong Bahru, Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah, Harbourfront and even Labrador Nature Reserve.
Given that this area will be part of the upcoming Greater Southern Waterfront, prices of resale HDB flats here could likely approach the $1 million mark.
The Depot Heights BTO, situated along Depot Road, was launched in July 2012 and is likely to reach MOP in Q3 2021. The development comprises three blocks, up to 38 storeys high for a gorgeous view of the surrounding verdant area — a total of 418 units (studio apartments, 3- and 4-room standard flats). The nearest MRT is Redhill at 1.7km away, so you’ll likely need to drive or take a bus to the station.
If you’re banking on a view of both greenery and Sentosa, Telok Blangah Ridgeview is your best bet. Launched in July 2012, this project will likely reach MOP next month, in March 2021. Similar to Depot Heights, it’s 1.1km from Telok Blangah MRT. It comprises 3 blocks, up to 25 storeys high, a total of 492 units (3- and 4-room standard flats).
Find your ideal #foreverhome in Bukit Merah now.
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This article was written by Mary Wu, who hopes to share what she’s learnt from her home-buying and renovation journey with PropertyGuru readers. When she’s not writing, she’s usually baking up a storm or checking out a new cafe in town.