Singapore homes are known to be small and expensive, so space is considered a premium. Unfortunately, landed homes and condominiums are too expensive for most. If you’re looking to upgrade to a bigger home without breaking the bank, one type of home to consider is the HDB executive maisonette.
Though they were discontinued in 1995 and thus have shorter remaining leases, executive maisonettes (or EMs) in Singapore are still highly sought-after among home buyers because of their rarity and unique attributes that set them apart from regular HDB flats. In fact, resale executive maisonettes can reach up to $1 million. An executive maisonette at Bishan Street 13 for example, was sold for $1.09 million in 2014. Recently, an executive maisonette in Toh Yi Drive was sold for $1.21 million.
Without further ado, here is what you need to know about HDB maisonette homes in Singapore and what makes them highly desirable.
What Are HDB Maisonette Flats?
HDB executive maisonettes (or sometimes pronounced as mansionette) are a type of HDB flat that are no longer in production, and were replaced by the executive condominium (EC) scheme. As such, there is a limited supply of executive maisonettes left in Singapore, mostly in mature estates such as Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Bedok, Bukit Panjang, Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, Hougang, Pasir Ris, Queenstown, Serangoon and Sembawang.
How Are Maisonettes Different From Regular HDB Flats?
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Typical HDB flats
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HDB executive maisonette flats
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One-storey
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Two-storeys
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Typical size
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147 to 160 sqm, which is around 1.5 to 2 times the size of typical HDB flats
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No/small balcony
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Large balcony space
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Two bathrooms
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Up to three bathrooms
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The most notable feature of executive maisonette flats is that they have two floors of space. Yup, that’s right. Executive maisonettes are essentially small, two-storey HDB flats.
The bedrooms are located on the upper floor while the living and dining area is on the lower floor. This unique design provides more privacy to the home owners, especially when there are guests around. Also, while this isn’t exactly a huge deal breaker, executive maisonettes come with three bathrooms, which is more than your typical HDB flats. They also come with balcony space.
Since HDB executive maisonette flats come with two floors, they’re also noticeably larger; executive maisonettes usually range between 1,527 to 1,700 sq ft, making them popular among couples or larger families who require more room.
There are also ‘penthouse’ maisonettes – these are executive maisonettes that are located on the highest floor, and therefore feature an open terrace design. The penthouse-like design of these flats gives an exposed view of the surroundings. These HDB maisonettes with sky terraces can be found in estates like Bishan, Pasir Ris or Hougang and can go up to 2,314 sq ft. But know that these start from $800,000, which is more expensive than some of the freehold condos in Singapore!
Executive Maisonette vs Jumbo Flats vs 3Gen Flats
But executive maisonettes aren’t the only large flat type by HDB. In fact, if you’re looking for a flat design that has more space, then you might also consider jumbo flats and 3Gen flats. But like executive maisonettes, these unique flats don’t come cheap!
Here’s a quick comparison between all the flat types:
Executive maisonette
1,527 to 2,314 sq ft
$750,000 to $1 million
Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Bedok, Bukit Panjang, Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, Hougang, Pasir Ris, Queenstown, Serangoon and Sembawang
Jumbo flats
1,582 to 2,142 sq ft
$480,000 to $1 million
Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Bedok, Hougang, Jurong East, Pasir Ris, Tampines, Woodlands, Yishun
3Gen flats
About 1,237 sq ft
$300,000 to $500,000
Punggol, Tampines, Yishun
Looking to live in one of these spacious flat types? Find executive maisonettes, jumbo flats and 3Gen flats for sale on PropertyGuru now.
Executive Maisonette Floor Plan: Here’s What It Looks Like
Source: Renotalk
Jumbo Flat Floor Plan: Here’s What It Looks Like
Source: Teoalida
3Gen Flat Floor Plan: Here’s What It Looks Like
Source: HDB
What to Consider Before Buying an Executive Maisonette
Before committing to buy an executive maisonette, ask yourself the following:
1. Do You Need the Extra Space?
An HDB maisonette might give you a lot more space and look swanky with proper interior design, but if you don’t plan to have any kids then you’ll likely have spare bedrooms that will go to waste. In this case, it might be better to buy a home according to your needs, especially when you have property tax and financial health to consider.
If not, you might also want to consider renting out a room for extra money.
2. Figuring Out Your Loan
Speaking of money, figuring out how much you can borrow from HDB is crucial (i.e. loan amount). The amount you can borrow will depend on factors such as your age, income and your financial standing. Read this article for more information about HDB loans and eligibility.
If you need financial advice on your mortgage repayments and loans, get in touch with PropertyGuru’s Finance Advisors.
3. Can You Afford the Down Payment?
Remember, while the maximum loan amount you can get from HDB is 90%, you have to pay the remaining 10% via cash, CPF or both.
Say if you’re buying an executive maisonette that costs $600,000, you need to have at least $60,000 at hand. This doesn’t include other costs including renovation, which could be at least $20,000.
Of course, if money is no object to you, then you shouldn’t worry.
Ready to Buy an Executive Maisonette?
Check out executive maisonettes for sale on PropertyGuru now. You can also check out some of these executive mansionettes that are selling for less than $650k.
For more property news, content and resources, check out PropertyGuru’s guides section.
Looking for a new home? Head to PropertyGuru to browse the top properties for sale in Singapore.
Need help to finance your latest property purchase? Let the mortgage experts at PropertyGuru Finance help you find the best deals.
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