These HDB BTO Projects Have Seen The Biggest Rise In Flat Values. Here’s Why.

Can you really profit a lot from a BTO unit? Here are the top six BTO projects that have reaped over 80% profits, as well as up-and-coming BTO launches that are also expected to appreciate.

The common advice given to 1st-time homebuyers is to gun for a BTO unit instead of a private property or a resale HDB unit, given the lower price points and availability of several government subsidies. 

Even as a property investor, choosing to live in a BTO unit may also be a viable choice, since its lower price would mean more room for prices to appreciate. But is this really true?

With four BTO launches each year featuring five to seven projects each time, it can be hard to keep track of the new developments springing up. This is why we have shortlisted the top BTO projects that have recently reached their Minimum Occupancy Period (MOP) which has brought about marginal profits.

Related to this topic:
How Much Do You Need To Buy Your First Home In Singapore?
HDB BTO, SBF Or Resale: Which Should You Pick?
BTO Vs Resale Vs EC - Which Is A Good Investment In 2022?

1. Fernvale Crest — 89.85%

Homeowners of Fernvale Crest were able to make huge profits from their unit when the development reached its 5-year MOP back in 2017. Their four-room flat units appreciated the most, at an average of 89.85%.

The project sits between Jalan Kayu and Sengkang West Way, and is within walking distance to the LRT stations of Fernvale and Thanggam. They are both connected to the Sengkang MRT station on the North-East Line (NEL). The development is also accessible to The Seletar Mall by foot.

Though Sengkang is still considered a non-mature estate, the neighbourhood itself already has a variety of malls, including one major mall Compass One, and other smaller malls like Rivervale Mall and Rivervale Plaza. Punggol Digital District is also an upcoming development that residents of Fernvale Crest can benefit from, and is slated to open in 2024.

2. Eastwave @ Canberra — 87.05%

The second BTO project that had the most gains upon MOP was Eastwave @ Canberra, where homeowners of five-room units were able to bag an average gain of 87.05% with an average transaction price of S$650,000. 

Located along Canberra Crescent in Sembawang, this project is well within walking distance of the newly-constructed Canberra MRT station, located on the North-South Line (NSL) in between Sembawang and Yishun stations. If you travel by foot, you will also be able to reach Canberra Plaza and Sembawang Shopping Centre, while a short 5-minute drive will also get you to Sun Plaza.

With the North-South Corridor slated to open in 2027, road connectivity for residents will be improved with dedicated bus lanes, cycling trunk routes and pedestrian paths. There is also an array of recreational areas and parks around, including Sembawang Park and Canberra Park.

Looking for a new home? Compare home insurance plans to get the best protection

3. Keat Hong Pride — 85.63%

Upon reaching its MOP in 2020, four-room flat owners of Keat Hong Pride were able to close the deal at an average transaction value of S$471,500, about 85.63% higher than the purchase price of S$254,500. It is located along Brickland Road and Choa Chu Kang Avenue 6.

Situated near Keat Hong LRT Station, residents can easily access both Choa Chu Kang MRT station and Bukit Panjang MRT stations.

OrangeTee & Tie senior vice president of research and analytics Christine Sun suggests that locations like Choa Chu Kang and Sembawang offer more affordable flats, which is why “demand has been quite healthy in these two areas”. She adds “There are also newer flats that are able to attract buyers and hence command slightly higher prices.”

4. Keat Hong Quad — 81.90%

Owners of four-room units in Keat Hong Quad were able to secure up to 81.90% in profits when it reached its MOP in 2021. The units were sold at an average of S$430,000. On the other hand, five-room flats weren’t too shabby either, as they netted gains of 72.3%.

Keat Hong Quad sits on one of the former training camps and Keat Hong is in close proximity to a wide range of amenities. One of which is Keat Hong Garden which is within walking distance, that spans 1.3km long along Keat Hong Link for recreational activities. Food isn’t an issue either as the project is in the near vicinity of Choa Chu Kang Market & Food Centre.

Get the best deal by comparing the best home loan rates.

5. Keat Hong Colours— 81.90%

Another project at Keat Hong, Keat Hong Colours managed to net profits of 81.90% for their four-room flats, similar to Keat Hong Quad. The units sold at an average price of S$472,944.This is probably because the two projects are both located along Choa Chu Kang Avenue 7 so prices move in tandem.

The project is conveniently situated near Keat Hong and Teck Whye LRT stations, which are both connected to Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang MRT stations on the NSL and DTL, making commuting to other parts of the city very easy.

Keat Hong Colours is also near a range of amenities like the Choa Chu Kang Market & Food Centre, Keat Hong Garden, and the Choa Chu Kang Sports and Recreation Centre.

6. Keat Hong Mirage — 81.52%

Situated at the junction of Choa Chu Kang Way and Choa Chu Kang Avenue 1, the project’s four-room units were sold at an average of S$501,000, an 81.52% increase from its purchase price of S$276,000. Interestingly, the land used to be an old SAF training camp.

Keat Hong Mirage is located near Teck Whye LRT station and South View LRT station, where residents can access both Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang MRT stations.

With a number of nearby eateries including McDonald’s and Swee Heng Bakery, residents won’t have to travel far in search of food. Nature-lovers can also access the nearby park connector that features military-themed playgrounds great for the kids.

Plan ahead by comparing the best home loan rates so you can get the best deal.

Upcoming BTO developments under the PLH model

In the recent BTO launches, there have also been a couple of developments that seem to have the potential to appreciate to the extent of some of these projects on the list. Out of these are some of those that belong under the Prime Location Housing (PLH) model.

In October 2021, the government implemented the PLH model to ensure that flats located in prime and central locations remain affordable and accessible. As part of this model, there will be a subsidy clawback for homeowners who sell these projects, meaning that they will have to give a small percentage of the sale proceeds back to the government when they sell them. On top of that, the original five-year MOP will also be extended to ten years instead.

As such, such developments that fall under the PLH model might see great profits upon MOP since they are located in such good locations. But because of the 10-year MOP, these projects would be twice older than normal BTOs after their MOP, which could potentially impact the profits.

These are the four BTO projects that have been officially launched under the PLH model, since November 2021’s BTO launch. We’ve only included the prices for four-room flats and above.

Upcoming BTO developments reaching MOP in 2022

Keep your eye out for these BTO developments that are reaching its MOP in 2022. Not only are they located in good locations, but prices are also expected to increase due to a variety of factors including new amenities developed. We’ve only included the prices for four-room flats and above.