HDB pilots new open concept ‘white flats’ in October BTO exercise
HDB is going to pilot a brand-new open concept layout in the October Built-To-Order (BTO) activity, declared Desmond Lee, Minister of Nationwide Development, at a spiel on May 27.
Compared to remaining condos, these “white condos” will definitely have contiguous living and bedroom spot without columns or dividers wall surfaces. The very first series of such white apartments will be offered at the Kallang-Whampoa BTO plan, with 310 three- and four-room units.
“It gives the format of the HDB flat to be tailor-maked and re-configured as household wants alteration,” remarks Eugene Lim, major executive officer at ERA Singapore.
For instance, four-room flats today have 3 bed rooms. Young pairs without kids yet may not require all 3 rooms now. A white flat lets them to dividing the space with furniture or glass partitions. Down the road, when they have youngsters, the space can be repurposed, and the bedrooms created, includes Lim.
A good example is Far East Company’s Inessence label of ultra-luxury homes, such as Alba, Boulevard Vue and Skyline @ Orchard Boulevard in the prime areas of Orchard Roadway. The “white plan” concept allowed purchasers to personalise their units.
In spite of this, Sun anticipates that any type of possible price difference would certainly not be considerable as the building of non-structural wall surfaces is less expensive.
“Public housing flats that come with the white scheme can be a surprise for some investors”, says Sunlight.
He points out that those who intend to renovate their new level could also see price reductions as they won’t require to break walls, unlike those purchasing the standard HDB flats.
According to the HDB, the non-provision of inside dividing wall structures for such white condos will definitely be factored into the prices. Property buyers might opt into the new layout when they are welcomed to book their level.
Nevertheless, she includes that the brand-new design may have a possible downside when selling the unit in the future as it may attract a smaller pool of investors.
Christine Sun, primary researcher & strategist at OrangeTee Group, points out that such “white strategy” ideas that offer property buyers the choice to customise the style of their units were offered just in upscale private homes prior to.