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I REFER to the letter by Mr Sam Sim, ‘Missed one… the three to four years of waiting to buy a HDB flat after marriage’ (Aug 20).

Buying a flat is a long-term commitment and couples are advised to plan ahead for their housing needs. Buyers looking for a new HDB flat should also take into account the construction time of about three years after booking of the flat. This is similar to the construction time in the private property market.

The HDB has various measures to help young couples start their families. Those who want a new flat can apply even before they get married, under the fiance-fiancee scheme.

This will help minimise the waiting time for a new flat upon marriage. In addition, 90 per cent of the flat supply offered for public applicants are set aside for first-timers.

First-timers are also given double the chances over regular applicants in the ballot to determine their queue position under the Build-To-Order (BTO) and Balloting Exercises (BE). Those who apply under the Married Child Priority Scheme for the BTO and BE are given four times the chances over regular applicants. Additional chances will also be given to first-time applicants who had two or more unsuccessful attempts in BTO exercises in non-mature estates.

Couples who want to buy a flat immediately should look to the resale HDB market where there is a wide range of choices in terms of location, design and price.

First-timers who buy a resale HDB flat are eligible for a housing subsidy in the form of a CPF housing grant worth $30,000/$40,000 to help with their flat purchase.

Ignatius Lourdesamy
Acting Deputy Director (Marketing & Projects)
Director (Estate Administration & Property)
Housing & Development Board
 
Source : Straits Times - 29 Aug 2008