SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) - After a 10-year run, property developer Bukit Sembawang Estates will round off its 999-year Luxus Hills landed development with a preview of the final 39 houses. Just like the previous phase launched last August, the houses for sale – located in Seletar Hills estate – are completed and ready for occupation.
The 39 houses for sale – known as the Contemporary Collection – comprise 36 terrace houses, two semi-detached houses and a villa unit. Terrace houses have gross floor areas ranging from 3,703 sq ft to 4,219 sq ft while the semi-detached units range from 4,306 sq ft to 4,553 sq ft. Meanwhile, the villa boasts a floor area of 6,028 sq ft. According to the developer, the units will be previewed over the Feb 22 and 23 weekend with prices starting from $3.29 million.
As the developer gears up for the Luxus Hills preview, it is also implementing precautionary screening measures such as temperature taking, travel declarations and contact tracking in light of the novel coronavirus situation.
A typical five-bedroom inter-terrace at Luxus Hills boasts a spacious floor area of 4,133 sq ft.
For the first time, Bukit Sembawang is offering two architectural styles in the same sales phase. The Courtyard Concept Terraces features a design that highlights outdoor spaces such as the rooftop courtyard and balcony verandas. The central air well is also integrated with the living, dining, and family spaces to emphasise openness.
The 3-Generation (3Gen) Concept Terraces is a fresh take on the traditional multi-generational family house design. It features a mix of flexible spaces on the first floor that could double as a grandparents’ suite, guest suite or SOHO arrangement.
Two different architectural styles will be offered, including the 3-Generation Concept Terraces which targets younger buyers.
This house design will feature a conventional kitchen on the first floor, as well as another kitchen on the second floor fitted with induction cookers. The second floor will also feature a small dining area beside the kitchen.
With the 3Gen design, Bukit Sembawang hopes it will attract younger home buyers who desire the luxury of creating their own spaces at home. “We’ve maxed out the space for the family, and we ensured that rooms can be turned into alternative spaces besides just bedrooms,” says Jenny Ho, general manager of marketing at Bukit Sembawang Estates.
Replacing an open air rooftop courtyard, the developer has turned the area into flexible indoor spaces.
The developer is also taking this as an opportunity to test its two design concepts to determine which is preferred among younger and older buyers. “We’ve never had anything like the 3Gen or Courtyard collection for our freehold projects, but unfortunately we only have 39 units in this sales phase,” she adds.
Flexible payment schemes
Bukit Sembawang also says it will pace the sale of its Luxus Hill inventory. “We intend to take a bit more time to sell these properties, because it will be a few years before we are ready with our next batch of freehold properties,” says Ho.
To support buyers, the developer will offer two flexible payment schemes when the houses are launched for sale. This was also offered during the last sales phase last August, which it says helped to contribute to successful sales at the time.
The living room of the showflat showcasing the Courtyard concept. Bukit Sembawang will also offer two flexible payment schemes as part of this sales phase.
The most popular was the Reservation Scheme, which allows a buyer to place a 10% deposit upfront and another 10% payable about a year later. The balance is to be paid three months after the exercised Option to Purchase date.
Ho says “this [scheme] is attractive for buyers who may have concerns if they are unable to let go of their current property in time, especially in terms of their cash flow. But we also notice that many people on the reservation scheme tend to change to the Stay & Pay scheme and complete the payment early because they want the house as soon as possible.”
Under the Stay & Pay scheme, for example, buyers need to pay a 20% downpayment with the remainder payable about a year later.
Bukit Sembawang says it needs to cater to a growing group of younger landed home buyers with different sets of lifestyle aspirations. Closer to Luxus Hills, Bukit Sembawang also has its Nim Collection – a 99-year leasehold landed estate located along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 – which was first launched for sale in February 2018.
“Younger buyers, such as those who bought units at our Nim Collection, don’t appear to prioritise land tenure compared to some older landed home buyers. Among the key purchase factors for younger buyers are the built-up space available, and a layout that best suits their needs,”Ho continues.
The Courtyard Concept highlights outdoor spaces such as its spacious verandas.
Earlier this month, Bukit Sembawang sold the last unit in the first sales phase of the Nim Collection, which comprised 47 terrace houses. It is left with the last three units from the second sales phase, which comprises 51 houses. Terraced houses at Nim Collection have been sold at prices ranging from $3.38 million ($1,101 psf) for a terrace house on a 3,078 sq ft plot to $3.25 million ($2,013 psf) for a terrace house on a 1,615 sq ft plot, based on caveats lodged last year.
Ho adds: “We plan to wrap up our Luxus Hills development for now, and incorporate our new housing designs into future Nim Collection phases as we work to clear our inventory of 99- year leasehold projects.”
New projects
Upcoming projects in the pipeline include the 99-year leasehold former Katong Park Towers – which Bukit Sembawang bought in a collective sale in March 2018 – as well as the freehold The Atelier on Makeway View, which is located near Newton Food Centre. However, Ho says they are in no hurry to launch these two projects.
While focusing on its Luxus Hills and Nim Collection landed properties this year, the developer says it may launch The Atelier in 4Q2020, or in 2021. The redevelopment of the former Katong Park Towers, which is expected to comprise of 298 units, could also see a 2021 launch.
In addition, Bukit Sembawang is marketing its luxury high-rise project 8 Saint Thomas on St Thomas Walk, which went on sale in August 2018. The 250-unit freehold project is about 60% sold so far. Local buyers account for about 55% of owners of the development, Ho says.
A pool view at the already-completed 8 St Thomas by Bukit Sembawang Estates (Picture: Bukit Sembawang Estates)
And after more than 10 years entrenching its position as a landed home developer in Seletar Hills and Sembawang, Bukit Sembawang is exploring options to strengthen its visibility in the area with a permanent flagship sales gallery along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5.
Ho believes this will enhance the buying experience for those looking to purchase a landed home in the area, as well as trumpet the developer’s track record in the area. “Though it is still under the planning stages, we want to show buyers that we are an established developer in this area,” she says.
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