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Friday, January 15, 2010

Applied for HDB's Hougang BTO

The HDB Hougang BTO's location is a little disappointing to me... The location isn't that ideal...

The description given by HDB:
At Buangkok Vale in Hougang, you will live amid lovely landscaped grounds that feature a variety of leisure and fitness facilities. Shop and dine to your heart’s content at Hougang Mall and Hougang Plaza. Enjoy island-wide connectivity with the comprehensive bus and MRT networks provided by the Buangkok MRT station, Hougang MRT station and bus interchange. Prices start from $88,000 for a 2-room flat, $142,000 for a 3-room flat and $231,000 for a 4-room flat.
First of all, why did they even bother to call it an Hougang BTO when it's at the Buangkok and Yio Chu Kang junction? :(

The nearest fitness facility is the park connector that leads to Punggol Park.... Hougang Mall and Plaza are not exactly very near (other than the common chin up bars around the region).... The nearest is Hougang Festival Market, which is still about 2 to 3 bus stops away, or 10 mins walk if we cut through the HDBs separating Buangkok Vale... Sheng Shiong is just as far as Hougang Festival Market is... The nearest super market is Shop N Save, which is about a few minutes walk...

It's not within walking distance to any MRT stations as well. You need to take bus to the different stations... My estimation is 10 mins to Buangkok MRT by bus 43, 10 mins to Hougang MRT by bus 72, 20 mins to YCK MRT by bus 70, 15 mins to Sengkang MRT by bus 159 and 156, 15 mins to Serangoon MRT by bus 70 and 103, 25 mins to Yishun MRT by bus 854, 20 mins to Bishan MRT by bus 156 or 88, 15 mins to Ang Mo Kio MRT by bus 88....
Nothing special in my opinion...

The surrounding amenities aren't that great as well. Everything is near with a car, but everything is very far without.


But..........................................

I still went to apply it with my girlfriend. At 93 sqm, the price works out to around $250 to $300 psf... Still acceptable for a pigeon hole in this location amidst the property fever I guess...

2 comments:

  1. Hi WB,

    I feel that you should not "waste" your chances on applying for HDB flats that are not in your desired locations.

    Purchasing a HDB flat is a huge decision and impacts our finances tremendously. It is important that you get the flat that is right.

    I have spoken to quite a few friends and it seems that your chances of getting a good queue number usually happens within the first two or three tries. This was certainly the case for me too.

    That is why I feel that you should make use of your first few applications wisely =)

    Just my two cents.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi SgFF,

    Thanks for your comments!

    Actually the location is not exactly very bad, but not exactly very good. The Sengkang EC that's coming up near is at a much better location, but is nearly twice as expensive. The locations are just within 2km from where I stay with my parents now, and I know the place pretty well. In fact, it's right at the centre between my house and my gf's house.

    So this post is mainly writing in reverse, a little on purpose :p I mean, 10 to 20 mins to most major locations isn't that long actually...


    Sometimes, I feel that proximity to town or MRT is over-rated. For this development, I have done a recee at the area, and I have determined which is the best facing... If I get a good queue number, I guess that would be the best...

    Once again, thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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