May 2023 BTO Tengah Review: A Win for Both Drivers and Public Transport Commuters

May 2023 BTO Tengah Review: A Win for Both Drivers and Public Transport Commuters
May 2023 BTO Tengah Review: A Win for Both Drivers and Public Transport Commuters

Note: The May 2023 BTO launches have been released. The application deadline has been extended and will close on 8 June 2023, 11.59pm.

The two Tengah May 2023 BTO projects, Plantation Verge and Parc Meadow @ Tengah, see 2,956 units of 2-room to 5-room flats. In the meantime, everyone’s waiting with bated breath for the first batch of Tengah BTO flats (launched in November 2018) to be completed by the end of this year. This will mark the ‘official’ beginnings of this new “forest town” HDB estate.

Meanwhile, HDB has been busy releasing project after project in Tengah since then, alongside news of the relocation of schools that include Pioneer Primary School and Anglo-Chinese School (Primary), as well as the opening of new schools to cater to the soon-to-be vibrant estate of young families.

On top of that, construction work is underway for the upcoming Jurong Region Line (JRL) that serves Tengah; and of course, not forgetting all the planning and building of new roads, neighbourhood parks, community gardens, community centres, hawker centres, and other necessary amenities for the residents to-be of Tengah.

Want to apply for either of the Tengah May 2023 BTO projects this week but not sure how to start? Check out our quick video guide below!

How to Apply for a BTO Flat in Singapore?

By the way, the new HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter has come into effect! For those applying to any of the current May 2023 BTO projects, you’ll need at least a valid preliminary HFE check when submitting your BTO application.

Plantation Verge Tengah 2023 BTO Map

Location of the Plantation Verge Tengah May 2023 BTO project, bounded by Plantation Close (U/C) and the PIE. Source: <a href="https://homes.hdb.gov.sg/home/bto/details/2023-05_BTO_VEdfRDFDOF8xNjgyMzE4MDYyMDc1" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:HDB;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">HDB</a>
Location of the Plantation Verge Tengah May 2023 BTO project, bounded by Plantation Close (U/C) and the PIE. Source: HDB

Plantation Verge Tengah May 2023 BTO Review

Name of the Tengah HDB BTO May 2023 project

Plantation Verge

Address

Bounded by Plantation Close (U/C) and Pan Island Expressway (PIE)

Types of BTO flats available

2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, and 5-room flats

Nearest MRT stations

Tengah Park and Tengah Plantation MRT stations (from 2028)

Nearest amenities

Bukit Batok Community Club, West Mall, and Hong Kah Community Club

Nearby schools

Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) (from 2030), Bukit Batok Primary School, Bukit Batok Secondary School, Bukit View Primary School (future), Dulwich College, Jurong Primary School, Jurongville Secondary School, Millennia Institute (MI), Pioneer Primary School (future), and Princess Elizabeth Primary School

Plantation Verge Tengah May 2023 BTO project is bounded by Plantation Close, the PIE, and Tengah Garden Avenue. This is great for drivers, as being near the expressway is a boon for speedier travel by car. Being at the edge of Tengah, residents will also be very close to the Jurong East (south) and Bukit Batok (west) HDB estates, so they have more amenities to choose from.

However, there could be nosier traffic due to the proximity to the expressway. This will be buffered by a proposed park (Forest Fridge) so hopefully, this greatly reduces the noise and dust. Non-drivers will be able to take a short walk to the upcoming Tengah Park MRT station as well.

Parc Meadow @ Tengah May 2023 BTO Map

Location of the Parc Meadow @ Tengah May 2023 BTO project, bounded by Tengah Park Avenue (U/C) and Tengah Park Walk (U/C). Source: <a href="https://homes.hdb.gov.sg/home/bto/details/2023-05_BTO_VEdfRDNDMV8xNjgxNzE2NDQ4NzUy" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:HDB;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">HDB</a>
Location of the Parc Meadow @ Tengah May 2023 BTO project, bounded by Tengah Park Avenue (U/C) and Tengah Park Walk (U/C). Source: HDB

Parc Meadow @ Tengah May 2023 BTO Review

Name of the Tengah HDB BTO May 2023 project

Parc Meadow @ Tengah

Address

Bounded by Tengah Park Avenue (U/C) and Tengah Park Walk (U/C)

Types of BTO flats available

2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, and 5-room flats

Nearest MRT stations

Tengah MRT station (from 2027)

Nearest amenities

Bukit Batok Community Club, West Mall, and Hong Kah Community Club

Nearby schools

Bukit View Primary School, Dunearn Secondary School, Millennia Institute (MI), Pioneer Primary School (future), and Princess Elizabeth Primary School

Parc Meadow @ Tengah May 2023 BTO project, which is bounded by Tengah Park Avenue, Tengah Boulevard, and Tengah Central, residents are situated further within the Tengah estate, towards Choa Chu Kang town up north. Good news: the upcoming bus interchange will be adjacent to this plot. Another bonus: ACS Primary’s campus will also be adjacent to the site as well!

Residents have easy access to the upcoming Tengah MRT station, and of course, drivers have their pick of the Kranji Expressway (KJE) and PIE as the plot is roughly equidistant to both.

Plantation Verge and Parc Meadow @ Tengah BTO Prices (HDB BTO May 2023 Launch)

Unit type

Plantation Verge prices (HDB BTO May 2023)

Parc Meadow @ Tengah prices (HFB BTO May 2023)

Previous Tengah BTO price (HDB BTO November 2022)

Previous Tengah BTO price (HDB BTO February 2022)

2-room Flexi

From $125,000

From $127,000

$111,000 to $174,000

$132,000 to $182,000

3-room

From $238,000

From $253,000

$214,000 to $262,000

$231,000 to $273,000

4-room

From $350,000

From $363,000

$307,000 to $397,000

$309,000 to $403,000

5-room

From $454,000

From $489,000

$428,000 to $536,000

$420,000 to $525,000

With a total of 2,956 BTO flats available in this non-mature town, it should be easier to score a flat here, which is imperative for young couples who are aiming to successfully ballot for their BTO flat as soon as possible.

Seeing that the November 2022 BTO flats in Tengah piloted a new building tech that shortened the wait time to 3.3 years down from the usual four to five years, we’re hoping this tech is also utilised for both Plantation Verge and Parc Meadow @ Tengah May 2023 BTO launches. If yes, we’re looking at a completed project in 2026/2027. That’s when the first phase of the JRL will be up and running!

As Tengah is an upcoming estate, there are no resale flat statistics. However, due to the affordable price of BTO flats in the area, it is likely that resale flats will eventually be able to turn a decent profit after their Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) expires and the estate grows and develops.

Budgeting for Your Plantation Verge and Parc Meadow @ Tengah May 2023 BTO Home Loan

In general, Tengah BTO flats are more affordable than those in mature estates. Based on past estimates, here are how much you can likely budget for these Tengah May 2023 BTO flats in Plantation Verge and Parc Meadow @ Tengah.

HDB BTO May 2023 Tengah unit type

Price

If you take an HDB loan (at 2.6% p.a., 80% LTV)

If you take a bank loan (at 3.4% p.a., 75% LTV)

2-room Flexi flat

From $125,000

$25,000 down payment, estimated $454 monthly mortgage repayments

$31,250 down payment, estimated $464 monthly mortgage repayments

3-room flat

From $238,000

$47,600 down payment, estimated $864 monthly mortgage repayments

$59,500 down payment, estimated $884 monthly mortgage repayments

4-room flat

From $350,000

$70,000 down payment, estimated $1,270 monthly mortgage repayments

$87,500 down payment, estimated $1,300 monthly mortgage repayments

5-room flat

From $454,000

$90,800 down payment, estimated $1,648 monthly mortgage repayments

$113,500 down payment, estimated $1,686 monthly mortgage repayments

All prices stated above are the starting prices for the more affordable of the two Tengah May 2023 BTO projects, namely Plantation verge. They also exclude CPF Housing Grants.

We have used an interest rate of 2.6% and a Loan-to-Value (LTV) limit of 80% for the HDB loan examples and an interest rate of 3.4% and an LTV of 75% for the bank loan examples. The above examples go on the basis of a 25-year loan. However, if you can make higher monthly repayments, you may want to opt for a shorter loan.

For a more accurate estimate appropriate to your situation, you can use PropertyGuru’s affordability calculator. You can also chat with a PropertyGuru Finance Mortgage Expert for personalised advice on home loans and financing.

Plantation Verge and Parc Meadow @ Tengah BTO May 2023 Amenities

Good Connectivity in the Future

Both Tengah May 2023 BTO projects are a stone’s throw away from their respective nearest MRT stations (Tengah Park and Tengah MRT stations) on the upcoming JRL. Meanwhile, for those who drive, there are two expressways (KJE & PIE) nearby. The Parc Meadow @ Tengah May 2023 BTO project will be really close to the new bus interchange as well.

Smart Energy Town

What used to be a restricted military zone will soon be unveiled as Singapore’s first “forest town”, featuring a car-free town centre, community gardening zones, a forest corridor, and other sustainable infrastructure.

Many Schools in the Vicinity

There are currently quite a few schools in the surrounding estates of Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, and Jurong East. Add to that the upcoming ACS Primary (right beside the Parc Meadow @ Tengah May 2023 BTO project), Bukit View Primary School, Pioneer Primary School, and more to come.

Conclusion: Are the Tengah May BTO 2023 Projects Worth Balloting For?

If you enjoy the greenery and don’t mind living further from the city centre, go for it! Consider the proximity to the expressways, MRT stations, bus interchange, and ACS Primary if you’re choosing between the Plantation Verge and Parc Meadow @ Tengah May 2023 BTO projects.

Though still a big ticket purchase, the flats at Tengah will be easier on your wallet; these should be easier projects to bid for as well, though we think the Parc Meadow @ Tangah May 2023 BTO project might be more popular due to the presence of ACS Primary and the bus interchange.

Crossing our fingers that the faster building tech will apply for these upcoming units as well!

Pros of the Tengah May BTO 2023 Project Launches

  • A relatively large supply of flats

  • Various flat types available, from 2-room Flexi to 5-room units

  • Forest town with community gardens

  • Many schools nearby, with ACS Primary and other schools moving here too

  • Close to three other more-established HDB towns: Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang and Jurong East

  • Close to expressways

  • More affordable flat prices

  • Likely easier to ballot for (and succeed)

Cons of the Tengah May BTO 2023 Project Launches

  • Further from the city centre

  • Connectivity less convenient till 2026

  • Fewer amenities

  • Construction of key amenities is still in progress

  • The first BTO site is near an expressway, which may make nearby residents face noise and dust

Tengah is a non-mature estate and will be easier on your wallet and ballot success. It’s further from the city centre and no one’s moved in yet (the first BTO units released there aren’t ready yet too), so we’re still watching and waiting.

Applying for May 2023 BTO Flats

Not sure if you should ballot for the Tengah May 2023 BTO flats? You could either go for a Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) unit or read about the other May 2023 BTO projects before applying below:

Please be aware that from the August 2023 BTO launch on, first-time BTO candidates who receive a BTO ballot but do not select a flat will be considered second-timers for the following year. If they still don’t choose a flat on their second BTO application, they won’t be able to apply for a BTO flat at all for a year.

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