Discussion About Single & Hdb Flat Ownership + Hdb Loan (Compiled)

[keyboard]

im interpreting what he meant along the lines of living space. Why would a single person want to have the same chance to own a 5-room flat against a family of more than 5 to own a 5-room flat? Is this fair? If the single is living alone, why would that single need the extra rooms for. We are talking about public housing and everyone should have the same chance to have that livable space and the more people staying under the same roof should have priority given in getting the bigger space so as to equate every person having around the same space as much as a single person would essentially need.

Thanks for the reply! Agree, but this should fall under the government in this case to build sufficient flats for all isn't it.

 It's like because government didn't build enough, so we penalise singles. Fair?

[awkwardpenguin]

Thanks for the reply! Agree, but this should fall under the government in this case to build sufficient flats for all isn't it.

It's like because government didn't build enough, so we penalise singles. Fair?

hehz.. Thats another issue to be discussed about.. I dont know anything about economics but i just can never understand how public housing can be sold so much so it is seen as a cashcow. It shud really be about livability essentially. Ok im deviating, but its like their main idea is to get singles to marry and have kids to get these benefits earlier.

[abang]

This came to me suddenly.. immature estate:

the former Bidadari Muslim Cemetery at the junction of Upper Serangoon and Braddell Road. 

The location is NOT bad at all..just 5 MRT stops to Dhoby Ghaut, 1 MRT stop to Serangoon.

 

The remains had been exhumed for more than 10 years now and this had been earmarked as the next HDB development.

If applications starts end of 2013, the flats should be ready by end 2016.

 

 

 

Article excerpts from a webpage:

 

The site is slated for both private as well as Housing Board (HDB) homes.

Depending on demand, the first HDB build-to-order launch may take place as early as 2015, a National Development Ministry (MND) spokesman said.

This could mean HDB flats completed by 2018 or so, consultants said.

The move to develop Bidadari is part of a twin-pronged strategy to meet ongoing strong housing demand. T

Bidadari, near Potong Pasir, is a former cemetery whose graves were exhumed in 2001 to make way for housing.

Edited March 13, 2013 by abang

[Guest Guest]

im interpreting what he meant along the lines of living space. Why would a single person want to have the same chance to own a 5-room flat against a family of more than 5 to own a 5-room flat? Is this fair? If the single is living alone, why would that single need the extra rooms for. We are talking about public housing and everyone should have the same chance to have that livable space and the more people staying under the same roof should have priority given in getting the bigger space so as to equate every person having around the same space as much as a single person would essentially need.

 

This is almost same as asking why should a newly married couple be given the rights to buy a 5 room flat. And for those having a 5 room flat, should they be obliiged to have 3 kids and above? In fact, should a married couple be obligated to have children? And if they don't have children, should they be banished into a 2 room unit?

[Guest victor]

Well, to each his own.

I am currently living in a 4-room flat with 3 bedrooms, one large living room and one kitchen (all in 1040 square feet).

I know it is quite a luxury for 3 persons, namely myself, mom and her domestic care-giver to use the space.

 

 

Is that really 1040 sq ft?  I am living in a 4-room unit built say 30 yrs ago and have always be curious about its floor area.  I am of course not the first lessee or buyer.  If I were, imagine how much it is worth to me now?

And if it is a luxury for 3 persons, it must be ultra-luxury for one person alone.  

[evianguy]

I am a bi married man. I have wife and two kids. I am also staying with my parents. I am glad that single gay men has the right to buy direct hdb from the government. I am against those gays who felt they have as much rights as I to have a flat bigger than a 3 room hdb. If I with a family of 5 people have an EQUAL chance as a Single man to a hdb 5 room flat, is that fair? If the government gives singles as much rights as married people to. Hdb flat bigger than 3 room than I will bring it up. I do hope that the opposition will protest against such moves by some single people Ho felt they have as much rights as people with a family.

Getting married should not reward you with superior rights as compared to singles.

[abang]

Is that really 1040 sq ft?  I am living in a 4-room unit built say 30 yrs ago and have always be curious about its floor area.  I am of course not the first lessee or buyer.  If I were, imagine how much it is worth to me now?

And if it is a luxury for 3 persons, it must be ultra-luxury for one person alone.  

My unit is a corner unit in potong pasir... yours?

Yes you can come and view my unit...

[Guest Guest]

I am a bi married man. I have wife and two kids. I am also staying with my parents. I am glad that single gay men has the right to buy direct hdb from the government. I am against those gays who felt they have as much rights as I to have a flat bigger than a 3 room hdb. If I with a family of 5 people have an EQUAL chance as a Single man to a hdb 5 room flat, is that fair? If the government gives singles as much rights as married people to. Hdb flat bigger than 3 room than I will bring it up. I do hope that the opposition will protest against such moves by some single people Ho felt they have as much rights as people with a family.

 

Why should singles have less "RIGHTS" to public housing than married people? Do we pay less taxes because we take up less space? Do we serve fewer number of years during National Service because we have less family members to defend? Furthermore, using your own reasoning, shouldn't old married couples whose children are now married out of the family be forced to give up their 5-room flats to take up 2-room units too? While you can defend your supposed "rights" to bigger units, why should singles be forced to suffer?

 

The truth is this:

The easiest solution that the ruling party could have done was to increase the supply of all types of flats. But they didn't do that. They would rather restrict the types of flats that singles can buy. If there is currently no restrictions on the purchase of resale flats of any type on singles, why should they restrict the sale of BTO flats on singles? This is just another way that PAP is trying their best to stratify us Singaporeans. And they are using a method as simple as restricting a resource (the supply of flats) to create internal rivalry among Singaporeans. If they cannot win the votes in 2016, the next best thing to do is to divide and conquer us.  

 

And you, my dear guest, have fallen straight into their trap by taking on the side of one to fight the side of another.

[Guest Hydronaut]

I find it not a wise move to just bould 2-room on this land-scarce "small red dot" island. If we single are given a choice to HDB ownership, I think in logical sense we should be phrasing out 2 room and make 3-room the minimal as it will at least maximise the land use. Building an extra room, will see good in the long term as it might open up to future foreigner talent (according to the White Paper of 6.9 millions) who might want to rent a room. Also it will also make it easier if we have can have visitor or friends who is dropping by to visit to have a proper place for them to stay over. Even if those singles who have parents, can eventually opt to sell one of the flat and have their old parents to move in with them so that they can take care of them.

 

There are more good in having that extra room than anything that is negative from all I can say....

[Guest Hydronaut]

I know someone might have ask this similar question before...but just to make sure.

What if I have like $190,000 in my OA? My 2-room flat cost $110,000....do I need to fork out any cash? As downpayment or what ever? Or I can just use my OA to pay for everything?

 

Thanks.

[Guest Guest]

I know someone might have ask this similar question before...but just to make sure.

What if I have like $190,000 in my OA? My 2-room flat cost $110,000....do I need to fork out any cash? As downpayment or what ever? Or I can just use my OA to pay for everything?

Thanks.

yes, you can use your OA for all. If you get HDB loans, they will take all your OA before they loan you the balance.

[keyboard]

$190,000 in your OA? That would mean you are actually quite old already (?), assuming we use the current $5000 cap on cpf contribution per month. 35 and below, 23% ($1100/mth)* goes to OA out of the 20+16% cpf contribution.

 

That's 14 years of OA to reach $190,000 if based on working alone. If you have so much OA, why don't you put it into SA/RA and earn the 4% interest instead?

 

On a side note, now given a chance (be it 2,3,4,5 room), which area will you want to live in, which floor and what amenities would you want?

I havent decided on the location (still not sure), but definitely top floor (hate noise, mosquitos) and have supermarket nearby + coffeeshop. It's now almost like buying TOTO and waiting for the number to be announced.

 

*amended calculation figures

Edited March 14, 2013 by keyboard

[Guest Guest]

$190,000 in your OA? That would mean you are actually quite old already (?), assuming we use the current $5000 cap on cpf contribution per month. 35 and below, 23% ($414/mth) goes to OA out of the 20+16% cpf contribution.

 

It could also mean you are less capable in making money thus you have less CPF.

[otokonoko]

$190,000 in your OA? That would mean you are actually quite old already (?), assuming we use the current $5000 cap on cpf contribution per month. 35 and below, 23% ($414/mth) goes to OA out of the 20+16% cpf contribution.

That's 38 years of OA to reach $190,000 if based on working alone. If you have so much OA, why don't you put it into SA/RA and earn the 4% interest instead?

20% (cap at 5k) = 1000

16% employer = 800

Of this 36%, 23% goes into OA.

23% of 1800 is about 1100.

So, 190,000/1100 = 14+ years

This is based on the assumption that his annual salary is only 12 months.

I'm sure there are bonuses.

[Guest Hydronaut]

Well, given the new rule of encouraging employers to give raises to their employees as goverment is paying off 40%(government) out of 60%(employer)....more and more ppl would be earning more now. For now.... think many singles out there might be rejecting raises before July as they might fall out of the range of $5000 cap for purchasing the new BTO 2-room flat.

[coconut]

Bingo...cannot buy liao

Well, given the new rule of encouraging employers to give raises to their employees as goverment is paying off 40%(government) out of 60%(employer)....more and more ppl would be earning more now. For now.... think many singles out there might be rejecting raises before July as they might fall out of the range of $5000 cap for purchasing the new BTO 2-room flat.

[Guest Guest]

My 2 Room BTO will be decorated like a 6-star boutique hotel and will be featured in Home & Decor.

[keyboard]

It could also mean you are less capable in making money thus you have less CPF.

 

If you look at the figures I provided, there is a cap when contributing to CPF without voluntary contribution. Which takes 14 years* to get to $190,000 OA. Considering when you start work (If 20, and earns 5k/mth at least), you will be 34 now. And if you earn 5k/mth over 14 years, I'm assuming there should be a huge cash pile also for other alternatives, condos etc.

 

*amended calculation figures

 

23% of 1800 is about 1100.

 

How did you get this?

Edited March 14, 2013 by keyboard

[otokonoko]

If you look at the figures I provided, there is a cap when contributing to CPF without voluntary contribution. Which takes 38 years to get to $190,000 OA. Considering when you start work (If 20, and earns 5k/mth at least), you will be 58 now. And if you earn 5k/mth over 38 years, I'm assuming there should be a huge cash pile also for other alternatives, condos etc.

How did you get this?

36% = 1800

23% = 1100

[keyboard]

36% = 1800

23% = 1100

 

Oh, I think I got it. You used 23% of the 5k, I mis-understood cpf website.

[Guest Hydronaut]

So many Mathematician in BW.... impressed.

 

Back to topic, I thought single having a private space for himself might due to different reasons.... particularly I guess we can have our privacy living under one roof with our dear ones. Having parties of all sort from time to time without having our parents coming back unexpectedly at your doorsteps......watching porn out and loud..... .......walking inside the house and sleeping naked......

 

As for me.....I need a house to housed my weekly and daily Mahjong session!

[abang]

Organising your lifestyle around your family members can be tricky at times.

You want to have friends over but you are conscious of the consequences - will my neighbour gossip?

 

I guess I am not one of those party-animals.

I do invite friends over for dinner but our sessions are more talk, discussions and most events end around 10 pm.

Every once in a while, there are mahjong sessions but then again, we are sort of the quiet sort.

 

As for watching porn or sleeping naked, just locked the door of your bedroom...

Watch them with your headphones on... if die die must watch on big screen, choose the day when the FDW/care giver

goes on her off-day...

[Guest Hydronaut]

Organising your lifestyle around your family members can be tricky at times.

You want to have friends over but you are conscious of the consequences - will my neighbour gossip?

 

I guess I am not one of those party-animals.

I do invite friends over for dinner but our sessions are more talk, discussions and most events end around 10 pm.

Every once in a while, there are mahjong sessions but then again, we are sort of the quiet sort.

 

As for watching porn or sleeping naked, just locked the door of your bedroom...

Watch them with your headphones on... if die die must watch on big screen, choose the day when the FDW/care giver

goes on her off-day...

Yeah...all this could be done at the convenience of staying alone i guess.....but for me....cannot play mahjong at my current house with parents. My household is anti-mahjong.....only me is an mj addict...hahaha...

 

Even if I had my ex bf  and flings over for the night....I have to cover their mouth with my hands while I am F%^$^^ing them. I just love to hear the loud moaning of pleasure from my partner but cannot....infear that my folks next door can hear me.

[Guest Hydronaut]

I am just having this dilemna now....as my current 3-room house with parents at Bukit Merah might be going M-block soon.....so they might relocated us to nearby with a new bigger 3 or 4 room flat. If my parents is going to put the name of the flat together with me, I cannot own my own 2-room flat. Cause 1 person cannot have names to 2 property at the same time... Very vexed now.

 

Now is either choice between "Freedom/Liberty"(get the 2-room single housing) or $$$ (as I can have the new 3/4 room flat under my name in a matured estate, at the same time I have have my CPF intact, renting out the excess room to gain some $$$). 

 

If the governement is giving the single a choice of a 3-room flat, I wouldn't have this worries. I would have taken it up without any much hestitation. As I still can rent one room out in future to come to get some revenue out of it and not lose much. Also not worry about throwing $100K over onto a property that might reap no return in time to come.

[abang]

I understand your plight...

 

 

Just some questions:

How old are your parents?

Are they healthy financially and physically?

Are they dependent on you to make major decisions?

What is the amount you have to fork out to get a bigger flat?

[Guest Hydronaut]

I understand your plight...

 

 

Just some questions:

How old are your parents?

Are they healthy financially and physically?

Are they dependent on you to make major decisions?

What is the amount you have to fork out to get a bigger flat?

 

They are around 70+

They are still healthy, as they are old they are not working currently and retired.

Well, not too sure on this. Can be or dun have to. It is their flat anyway.

If we get a equal size new flat, think they will need to compensate us as our current location is very prime. I did asked they might need to compensenate us $20,000 to $30,000 depend on the evaluation of the flat. But if we get a bigger 4 room, we might need to top up probably a bit like say $20,000- $30,000 depend on the time of application.

 

But all is said but we dun really know for sure the exact date that the M-block is going to occur. The funny thing is....we just did our HDB upgrading just 3 years back.

 

So I am also thinking, instead of thinking....and wasting the time... I might as well make my decision fast this coming July so that i might get my flat in the next 3 years to come.

 

A bit headache lor.....

[Guest Hydronaut]

The new of Single HDB ownership comes as a happy tiding and also a headache to me. Sianzzzzz.....

 

Also think, we have to use the grant somehow too....since Single can have like $15,000 single grant for first time purchase, that 2-room flat is really a dirt-cheap purchase. But might not be a wise investment choice. Quite a funny decision to be building more 2-room HDB now for Singles when the HDB are upgrading more and more 2-3 rooms HDB flats in other estates? Might as well, built all 3-room for now and phrase out 2-room forever?

 

 

 

 

 

[otokonoko]

I am just having this dilemna now....as my current 3-room house with parents at Bukit Merah might be going M-block soon.....so they might relocated us to nearby with a new bigger 3 or 4 room flat. If my parents is going to put the name of the flat together with me, I cannot own my own 2-room flat. Cause 1 person cannot have names to 2 property at the same time... Very vexed now

Which part of bukit merah?

[Guest NEC]

hey guys, i have a problem too. 

currently staying with my aged parents, but they are very old and i recently suggested selling their current 5 room flat so that they can move in to a studio apartment. 

elderly always good to have $ in hand as everything is $.

 

is this a good idea? or should it be rented out? 

what are good options?

[Guest Guest]

Which part of bukit merah?

 

Ummmmm.... stalking not allowed leh.

[Guest Guest]

hey guys, i have a problem too. 

currently staying with my aged parents, but they are very old and i recently suggested selling their current 5 room flat so that they can move in to a studio apartment. 

elderly always good to have $ in hand as everything is $.

 

is this a good idea? or should it be rented out? 

what are good options?

 

Is it a good idea to sell their current 5 room flat so that they can move into a studio apartment? Yes and no.

 

Yes, if they do not have enough savings to tide themselves through a medical expenses etc. But even then, please don't move into a studio unit. You may need some rooms so that you can have a maid and yourself to stay in case they start needing caregiver's assistance.

 

No, if they already have enough of such savings to tide themselves through very stormy weather. It can be very hard for old folks to adjust to new surroundings etc.

 

I was actually hoping to get a larger unit for myself and my aged parents, so that they can rent out their existing place as a form of extra income to take care of themselves. But look what our Minister is doing to pigeonhole us?

[Guest NEC]

Is it a good idea to sell their current 5 room flat so that they can move into a studio apartment? Yes and no.

 

Yes, if they do not have enough savings to tide themselves through a medical expenses etc. But even then, please don't move into a studio unit. You may need some rooms so that you can have a maid and yourself to stay in case they start needing caregiver's assistance.

 

No, if they already have enough of such savings to tide themselves through very stormy weather. It can be very hard for old folks to adjust to new surroundings etc.

 

I was actually hoping to get a larger unit for myself and my aged parents, so that they can rent out their existing place as a form of extra income to take care of themselves. But look what our Minister is doing to pigeonhole us?

 

I would love to buy a BIGGER unit for my parents too. But houses now are SO expensive!!! 

[Guest Hydronaut]

Is it a good idea to sell their current 5 room flat so that they can move into a studio apartment? Yes and no.

 

Yes, if they do not have enough savings to tide themselves through a medical expenses etc. But even then, please don't move into a studio unit. You may need some rooms so that you can have a maid and yourself to stay in case they start needing caregiver's assistance.

 

No, if they already have enough of such savings to tide themselves through very stormy weather. It can be very hard for old folks to adjust to new surroundings etc.

 

I was actually hoping to get a larger unit for myself and my aged parents, so that they can rent out their existing place as a form of extra income to take care of themselves. But look what our Minister is doing to pigeonhole us?

That was my initial plans too.... I am thinking if I can have a few years of my Single carefree singlehood living alone then i can have my parents staying with me then if need be....they can rent out their entire unit for their retirement needs.....but now, with a 2-room flat, dun need it is even possible for them to stay with me.

 

There might only be possibilites of subletting my whole 2-room flat after the still pending minimal occupation period that we need to keep which is yet to be reveal.

 

Sometimes.... 天不从人愿

[Guest Hydroanut]

I can just visualised.....all the gay singles going to see the show flats at Seng Kang in July when the launch of the new BTO 2-room. Hopefully, i can have a cute neighbour which stay next door.....then we can knock down the 2 pigeon holes and make it a bigger nest. Hahahaa....

[keyboard]

I would love to buy a BIGGER unit for my parents too. But houses now are SO expensive!!! 

 

Buy a bigger unit? 5 room already still want bigger? :smokin: I think when you get to that size, the bigger ones just give you more balcony space or weird stuffs. But if you are willing to move to Johor, they have 2-storey villa, 3 bedrooms for around SGD$350,000 for 300sqm (yes, you didn't see the size wrong).

 

If the old folks don't mind having strangers living under the same roof, then rental is a better option at least for the next few years as rental market is still good for now.

[alien]

I was reading thru the site and there was a mention that living room can be partition as another room. Wouldnt it be nice if we can design it like those tranforming room whenever you have guest stayover.. Hehe.. But ive to wait 7 years before i can even apply ... Sigh

If the living rm is well organize, still can allow ur guest to sleep in the living rm la. Unless u r those who always have friends staying overnite, then with an extra bed rm is confirm better.

Anyway, still wondering where will be the others location besides sengkang? If can apply, dun know shld wait or apply for the sengkang?

[thaiboyz]

My opinion is that a single at least able to get his flat direct from the Govt which offered cheaper price than resale market. No doubt most of us prefer bigger space and closer to town area, we should consider the benefits of the day to day chores of maintaining and cleaning our flats. Less housework for smaller flat especially for those who are of certain age. Two bed- room flat should be comfortable enough for either a single or couple, at least a home of our own than rented ones.

[keyboard]

Nowadays don't have to worry about cleaning already. Robot vacuum cleaner costs about $700 (the IT show guy told me parkway parade has a shopfront), that can sweep and mop at the same time your entire house. You finish using can lend to your neighbor to clean their house also. It's 2.8kg so can be lifted easily to change the mop water.

 

There was mention of a new type (range) of housing that might be coming out (big IF), that cannot be rented out, has shorter lease, likely no resale, but way cheaper. What do you guys think of that?

[alien]

Sounds like flat for senior citizens?

[keyboard]

Sounds like flat for senior citizens?

 

Nah, I think it's the normal flats. Because you cannot resale, and the lease is maybe 30-60 (instead of usual 99), so when you sell back to HDB, there's basically very little value left, thus that cheap. Also, flats in SG don't go above 40 (?) years before they get torn down anyway. When asked to move, likely they will move you to another non-mature estate or same district but more outskirt or give you what value is left in the property (note not resale value).

[Guest Hydronaut]

how much it will cost to fully renovate a new BTO 2-room apartment. Any ways to cut cost in make do to something affordable and nice?

[Guest Guest]

Looking forward to see how the HDB rules will disadvantage the single.

[gstc82]

There was never a playing field to begin with and I don't see singles protesting. But now when hdb allows singles to buy flats from 57k, some singles start to "make noise". Did many people say a HDB is a home to stay, hdb shd go back to basics etc?

Edited March 31, 2013 by gstc82

[Guest Guest]

There was never a playing field to begin with and I don't see singles protesting. But now when hdb allows singles to buy flats from 57k, some singles start to "make noise". Did many people say a HDB is a home to stay, hdb shd go back to basics etc?

 

Who say they never protest? Things that u didn't hear does not mean it does not exist. 

 

What is "playing field"? It should be "level playing field"

[alien]

how much it will cost to fully renovate a new BTO 2-room apartment. Any ways to cut cost in make do to something affordable and nice?

Sld cost less than 10k to renovate a 2 rm flat.

[Guest Guest]

Sld cost less than 10k to renovate a 2 rm flat.

U forgot to mention, your statement is made on assumption that contractor don't kar chai tao. If the owner gong gong kerna kar chai tao, then 10k not enough.

[oldschool]

Edited March 19, 2016 by oldschool

[Guest HDB_BTO]

Whatever the size, its good to have a place of your own. Even if HDB doesn't allow profit from this type of flat, at least you don't have to pay rental for the period of your occupation.

 

 

[abang]

Well the price of renovation really depends on 2 factors:

a. What features are there already when you collect your keys?

b.  What the new flat owner wants?

 

If the flat owner is on a budget, probably minimise breaking up the floor tiles.

He can opt to go to IKEA or any less-costly furniture store to furnish his flat.

If the space is small, try buying wardrobe with sliding doors and paint the walls in a brighter tone..

Be daring, go for the SHOUTING colours of pink and its variants.

[keyboard]

The locations for the 2 room HDB out liao

http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10321p.nsf/w/BuyingNewFlatFlatsonOffer?OpenDocument

 

BUILD-TO-ORDER (BTO)

Month of Launch

Town
(click thumbnail to view map)

Design Type

Flat Mix

Estimated No. of New Flats

Jul 2013
(BTO)

Standard

Studio Apartment, 3R,
4R

1470

Standard

2R, 3R, 4R

730

Standard

2R, 3R, 4R, 5R

1640

Edited July 3, 2013 by keyboard