One of the most significant rites of passage for Singaporeans is buying their first home. Home-buying, whether through balloting for a BTO or purchasing on the resale market, is an exciting time for all. It makes sense that it’s regarded as such a big deal – after all, with homes costing a minimum of 6 figures, buying one is no small feat.
For most of us, our first home will be an HDB flat. But which type? That is the question. With countless configurations to choose from, while needing to balance personal considerations like price and space, it can be tough to make the right call.
However, to help make the decision slightly easier for you, we’ve come up with a list of types of HDB flats in Singapore so that you’ll be better prepared come buying time.
2-room
Image Credit: MyNiceHome
2-room HDB flats are the most modest by far, and while they’re small in size, they’re also affordable. This makes them one of the best options for low-income individuals and young adults looking for a starter home. These flats comprise 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, a living room, a kitchen, and a bomb shelter.
In addition to the typical 2-room flats that can be purchased on the open market, HDB offers 2-room flexi homes for the elderly, which lets eligible elderly have the flexibility to select a lease length that’s most appropriate for them based on their personal needs.
Price: From $250,000
Area size: About 36 square metres (Type 1) and 45 square metres (Type 2)
Best for: Singles and young couples
3-room
Image Credit: @thebareloft
3-room flats are a popular option for those who want a little more space without all the costs associated with a larger home. Having 2 bedrooms means that, unlike the smaller 2-room configuration, these homes can accommodate couples with children.
This configuration consists of 2 bedrooms, including a master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, a common bathroom, a living room, a kitchen, a utility yard and a bomb shelter. 3-rooms can be purchased off the open market or directly from HDB.
Price: From $300,000
Area size: About 60 to 65 square metres
Best for: Singles and young couples who want a bit more space and small families
4-room
Image Credit: Hometrust
4-room flats are Singapore’s most common and popular type of HDB flats. This is because it is ideal for couples with children or those planning to have children. With 3 rooms, the space can comfortably accommodate anywhere from 2-4 children. In addition to a master bedroom with an attached bathroom, such flats also come with 2 other bedrooms, a common bathroom, a living room, a kitchen, a service yard and a bomb shelter.
These homes can also be purchased directly from HDB and off the open market.
Price: From $450,000
Area size: About 90 square metres
Best for: Families of up to 2-3 children
5-room
Image Credit: AsiaOne
5-room flats are perfect for larger households. Although it has the same number of bedrooms as a 4-room flat, the living and dining areas are much more spacious and can even be converted into a study room or a walk-in closet.
These flats come with 3 bedrooms, including a master bedroom with an attached bathroom, a common bathroom, a living room, a kitchen, a service yard and a bomb shelter, and can comfortably accommodate more than 5 family members. They can be purchased directly from HDB or through the open market.
Price: From $480,000
Area size: About 110 square metres
Best for: Larger families or smaller families who’d like more space
3Gen
Image credit: HDB
3Gen flats are ideal for multi-generational families looking to live under one roof. As one of the bigger configurations, they can comfortably support large, extended families. The flats have 4 bedrooms – 2 with attached bathrooms – and a common bathroom, living room, kitchen, service, guard, and bomb shelter.
Unlike other configurations, however, these flats are only available to buyers who meet the eligibility criteria, and the parties in both generations must be listed as the owner/occupier of the flat. This is a good choice if the plan is to have the grandparents take care of the little ones, as everyone is under one roof.
However, something to note is that if you would like to sell your 3Gen flat, only other multigenerational families can buy it. Also, you cannot rent the spare rooms out to someone else even after the Minimum Occupancy Period (MOP) of 5 years.
Price: From $650,000
Area size: About 115 square metres
Best for: Larger families or families that would like to live under one roof
Executive
Image Credit: The Local INN.terior
Today, executive flats are some of the most sought-after in Singapore. They are only available for sale on the open market and are in short supply as they are no longer being produced.
Unlike typical flats, executive flats are far more spacious, with enough space for a study and a balcony.
They have a master bedroom with an attached bathroom, two common bedrooms, a common bathroom, a living room, and a kitchen.
Price: From $680,000
Area size: About 130 square metres
Best for: Families who would prefer a more spacious home with a study and a balcony
Maisonette
Image Credit: @maisonette_3ng
What sets maisonettes apart from other flats is that they are essentially two-storey homes. The additional floor offers more square footage, meaning these flats are typically larger and more spacious.
This extra space comes at a cost, though – as maisonettes are considered luxury flats, they are typically priced much higher than regular flats, commonly costing close to a million dollars.
There are three types of maisonettes: 5-room maisonettes, executive maisonettes, and penthouse maisonettes. The former 2 are on lower floors, while the latter occupies the top floor.
Price: From $700,000
Area size: About 140-150 square metres
Best for: Families who would prefer an even more spacious home that’s separated by 2 floors
Types of HDB flats in Singapore
With seven configurations and countless subtypes, it’s easy to see how one could get overwhelmed when evaluating different HDB flat types for suitability.
So if you’re a growing family or someone looking for their first home to buy, we hope that this list has helped you better understand the types of HDB flats and made it easier to narrow down your options to fit your needs and preferences.
For more, check out:
- What is an HDB Executive Apartment
- What Is A DBSS HDB Flat?
- A guide to Executive Condos in Singapore
Cover image from: MyNiceHome, The Local INN.terior, @maisonette_3ng
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