Ok, confession... I dreamt of owning a place of my own... someday... with a ring on my finger or not.
and I would like to stay near my parents...
I strongly believe I should exercise my rights to buy a HDB 1st... then mayb a private property...

The recent uproar over DBSS flat pricing is demoralising...despite repeated views, comments, feedback... or mayb i should say "civilised arguments"... the govt is still not doing anything...

I read this forum input from Netizen Patrick Tan and I am rather impressed by his ability to articule his views in a very constructive manner... c'mon, singaporeans like to complain right? It's not useful as not possible corrective actions is offered! This man is different!

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Story

Jun 21, 2011

FLAT PRICING

Four questions on DBSS

I WAS appalled when I read Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan's response that Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) flats should not be compared with ordinary HDB flats ('Don't compare DBSS flats with regular ones: Khaw'; Sunday).
Instead of addressing the problem head on, we are fudging the issue here.

First, the land on which DBSS flats are built is Housing Board land. Unless HDB has profited from the land sale, the private developer must have bought the land at a subsidised rate.

Second, the flats sold are subject to the same HDB regulations. Therefore, for all intents and purposes, and in the mind of every ordinary Singaporean, those are just better- designed HDB flats.
I would like answers to the following questions which, I think, is in every ordinary Singaporean's mind:

Is the land on which DBSS flats are built not HDB land and sold at a subsidised rate?

Why would HDB allow a private developer to bid for land at a subsidised rate without any form of control on the selling price of flats built on that land?

Is that not allowing the private developer to profit at the expense of ordinary Singaporeans?

What is in it for HDB when the private developers profit at the expense of ordinary Singaporeans?
For a private developer to buy the land at a subsidised rate and then sell the property at market rate - that is gross profiteering.
The Housing Board's mission is to build affordable housing for ordinary Singaporeans. For a major part of our history, it fulfilled its role well. But, over the past several years, it has completely lost its direction and purpose.
Young couples have to defer marriage because they are unable to get a flat and prices continue to skyrocket beyond the reach of ordinary Singaporeans. It is time for a change.

Patrick Tan

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Some of my cats hating/scarily friends blasted endlessly abt Govt caring more abt Cats than Citzens, Trust me... I am torn on which side i wanna be!

Yes, I have cats, 2 ! n I knew I was violating the laws of keeping cats in my flats all along, can u imagine my relief when Mr.HDB looked into this matter? Hey, like any Human Parents... I just wanna keep my kids safe away frm the dangers on the streets! I want to be a Law Abidding citzen too u know!

And I dream of affording a place of my own too... near my parents... wedding ring or not... now try imagining how torn i am living in the heart of the whole uproar, Tampines?!

And we all knew that the GRC Tampines was under.... the previous Mr.HDB... well, casting my vote in an objective manner was a tough call for me already... hence I was really glad that the new Mr.HDB will be addressing these problems...

So far so good... except for the "Don't compare DBSS flats with regular ones" (Then compare with what? when they are sitting on the land allocated to HDB and govern by certain HDB rules (like not cats?! ONLY 1 dog?! )

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Singapore

Home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story

Jun 19, 2011

Don't compare DBSS flats with regular ones: Khaw

Following the stir caused by the recent high prices of a Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) development launched by a private developer, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan (above) sought to explain the difference between DBSS developments and HDB flats. -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG

FOLLOWING the stir caused by the recent high prices of a Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) development launched by a private developer, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan sought to explain the difference between DBSS developments and HDB flats.
In his latest blog entry on Saturday afternoon, he said that price control was not a term of the contract when private developers tender for the site, and buyers can choose to walk away from the purchase.
Mr Khaw wrote that on his part, he is ramping up BTO (Build-To-Order) launches and working on pricing them appropriately.

The DBSS development in question - Centrale 8 by developer Sim Lian, to be located in Tampines - will set a buyer back $880,000 for a five-room unit. This amounts to $750 psf, typical of suburban condominiums. The social media scene was abuzz following the news. The discussion thread on straitstimes.com garnered 116 comments in one day, mostly negative.

Here is the start of Mr Khaw's latest blog entry titled 'DBSS Is Not HDB': 'A private developer's DBSS launch in Tampines, with the upper end of the 5 room units priced at $880,000, caused a stir in the social media. The negative reaction was not surprising. DBSS is a class of housing type between HDB flats and Executive Condos (EC)/private condos. It forms a tiny portion of the total housing options for Singaporeans.

'While HDB flats are designed and priced by HDB, DBSS flats are designed and priced by private developers. If the private developer prices it too high and there are no takers, there will be no sales. Netizens would like MND (Ministry of National Development) to come in and tell the private developer to cut its price.

When they tendered for the land, price control was not a term of the tender. If contracts, after they are awarded, can be varied arbitrarily, this will damage Singapore's reputation as a business hub, with severe repercussions.

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When the govt is supposed to be the quick one to adapt and listen to the hearts of the pple... it was the private developers who beat them to it! This morning's paper!

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Jun 22, 2011 IN THE ST NEWSPAPER TODAY

Prices slashed after DBSS flats uproar

Five-room units drop from $880,000 to $778,000 now By Cheryl Ong

DEVELOPER Sim Lian Group has slashed the prices of its Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) flats at Centrale 8 in Tampines by up to $102,000.
The move follows the public outcry at the record prices of the designer Housing Board (HDB) units launched last Thursday, when the developer asked $880,000 for the biggest five-room flats.
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I made me question if the country I so love, should be ruled in a Private Ltd or Public Listed manner.....

Soya's New World!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Will i ever be able to afford my own place?