By Romesh Navaratnarajah: In Parliament yesterday, MPs questioned National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan about the executive condominium (EC) scheme and whether the government will review the EC policy and implement tighter measures to regulate the market. Mr Khaw shared that ECs are still relevant and aims to meet the aspirations of higher-income Singaporeans to
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By Romesh Navaratnarajah: In his latest blog post, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan has spoken out on the recent controversy over the sale of expensive executive condominium (EC) units, like the 4,349 sq ft presidential suite at CityLife EC in Tampines that was sold for over S$2 million. Below is Mr Khaw’s full statement,
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By Romesh Navaratnarajah: As the government’s current priority is to increase the supply of executive condominium (EC) units and Build-to-Order (BTO) flats, it is not in a rush to finishing reviewing the Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS). This follows the suspension of DBSS land sales back in July 2011 due to controversy sparked by
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By Romesh Navaratnarajah: In a bid to provide ample supply of large and small homes that cater to the diverse needs of home buyers in Singapore, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has announced new guidelines to cap the number of shoebox units, particularly at all new non-landed private residential developments in suburban areas. With immediate
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By Romesh Navaratnarajah: The mortgage industry has been buzzing of late with the introduction of a 50-year home loan applicable for HDB flats and private homes. However, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan has slammed the idea and urged Singaporeans to be more prudent when taking out financing for home purchases given the tough economic
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              By Romesh Navaratnarajah: The bumper supply of public housing this year has given more chances for both first-timers and second-timers to own their own homes, according to National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan in his latest blog post. “The mega launch in March of a combined BTO (Build-to-Order)
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                            By Romesh Navaratnarajah: The popularity of small apartments pushed down the total value of non-landed homes by 22 percent last year compared to 2010, according to the latest report by CBRE. A total of 13,611 caveats were lodged for new non-landed
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                                The huge number of applications for the 7,978 Build-to-Order (BTO) and balance flats released a week ago has exceeded supply by over three times. Applications reached about 26,350 a few hours before closing yesterday. Balance flats drew the most
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                          National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan has said in his latest blog post that the Housing and Development Board (HDB) is set to release new flats to help other buyer groups, apart from first-timers. In a move to increase the Build-to-Order (BTO)
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                  Divorcees with full custody of all their children will no longer be barred for five years from buying a second subsidised flat from the HDB. Khaw Boon Wan (pictured), Singapore’s Minister for National Development, also revealed that divorcees are no longer required to obtain prior consent
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