The Housing and Development Board (HDB) launched its new build-to-order (BTO) projects with 1,078 flats located in Punggol, while four more BTO projects in Dawson, Sembawang and Bukit Panjang are expected to be released before the year ends with a total of 2,700 units.

Inclusive of its two latest projects in Punggol, Punggol Ripples and Punggol Sails, HDB offered about 10,800 units under the BTO scheme. Last month, it announced plans to increase the supply of new flats to meet the escalating demand for public housing.

With the effect of the BTO exercise, HDB said 95 percent of the flats with two to five-bedrooms will be reserved for first-time flat buyers.

“This will give greater priority to first-timers, who generally have more urgent housing needs than second-timers,” HDB said.

Punggol Ripples and Punggol Sails will have 109 five-room, 403 four-room, 436 three-room flats and 130 studio apartment units.

CEO of PropNex, Mohamed Ismail, expects that HDB’s new projects will boost public interest.

“Plans are already underway to construct the 4.9km Punggol Promenade linking the estate's two activity clusters,” Mr. Ismail said. “As part of the Punggol 21 Master Plan, this will enliven the area and increase the value of homes there.”

He expects the latest BTO projects to be five times subscribed as the increasing HDB resale price index continuous.

"The BTO projects are 10 to 20 percent cheaper compared to regular resale units," he said.