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

The upcoming Tengah May 2023 BTO launch will see around 2,950 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.

Tengah BTO May 2023 Map: Site 1

Location of the May 2023 Tengah BTO project, bounded by Plantation Close (U/C) and the PIE. Source: HDB

Tengah May 2023 BTO Review: Site 1

Name of the Tengah HDB BTO May 2023 project TBA
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
Starting prices TBA
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

The first Tengah May 2023 BTO site 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.

Tengah May 2023 BTO Map: Site 2

Location of the May 2023 Tengah BTO project, bounded by Tengah Park Avenue (U/C) and Tengah Park Walk (U/C). Source: HDB

Tengah May 2023 BTO Review: Site 2

Name of the Tengah HDB BTO May 2023 project TBA
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
Starting prices TBA
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

For the second Tengah May 2023 BTO site, 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.

Tengah BTO Price (HDB BTO May 2023 Launch)

Unit type Tengah BTO price (HDB BTO May 2023) Previous Tengah BTO price (HDB BTO November 2022) Previous Tengah BTO price (HDB BTO February 2022)
2-room Flexi TBA $111,000 to $174,000 $132,000 to $182,000
3-room TBA $214,000 to $262,000 $231,000 to $273,000
4-room TBA $307,000 to $397,000 $309,000 to $403,000
5-room TBA $428,000 to $536,000 $420,000 to $525,000

With a total of about 2,950 units 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 this upcoming May 2023 BTO launch in Tengah. 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 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 upcoming May 2023 BTO flats in Tengah.

HDB BTO May 2023 Tengah unit type Price (estimated) If you take an HDB loan (at 2.6% p.a., 80% LTV) If you take a bank loan (at 3.5% p.a., 75% LTV)
2-room Flexi flat $120,000 $24,000 down payment, estimated $436 monthly mortgage repayments $30,000 down payment, estimated $451 monthly mortgage repayments
3-room flat $220,000 $44,000 down payment, estimated $798 monthly mortgage repayments $55,000 down payment, estimated $826 monthly mortgage repayments
4-room flat $315,000 $63,000 down payment, estimated $1,143 monthly mortgage repayments $78,750 down payment, estimated $1,183 monthly mortgage repayments
5-room flat $430,000 $86,000 down payment, estimated $1,561 monthly mortgage repayments $107,500 down payment, estimated $1,615 monthly mortgage repayments

In the table above, all prices are estimates, as the official prices have yet to be released by HDB. Note that your actual price will vary depending on the unit you select. All prices stated here 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.

Tengah BTO May 2023 Amenities

Good Connectivity in the Future

The Tengah BTO May 2023 flats 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 second Tengah May 2023 BTO site 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 second Tengah May 2023 BTO site), 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 two upcoming 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 second Tangah May 2023 BTO site 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 upcoming BTO launches for May 2023 before applying below:

  • HDB BTO May 2023 Launch Review: Bedok, Kallang/Whampoa, Serangoon, and Tengah
  • May 2023 BTO Kallang/Whampoa Review: Central Location in Little India
  • May 2023 BTO Serangoon Review: First Launch in Almost a Decade, Near Serangoon Gardens Estate
  • May 2023 BTO Bedok Review: 10-minute Walk from Tanah Merah MRT

How to Apply for a BTO Flat in Singapore?

For a guide on applying for a BTO flat in Singapore, watch our video above.

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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