HDB sets up virtual showflats to attract young buyers
- Channel News Asia 14 January 2001 1059 hrs (GMT) 1859 hrs (SST)
By Bridgette See

Singapore's public housing sector has also been affected by weak demand in the property market. The HDB says while there was an increase in sales in 2000 compared to the previous two years, the take-up rate of new flats was still below that in 1997.

The Board is now trying to boost its sales and service with a new programme for Internet savvy buyers.

In July last year, six designer showflats were launched to promote the HDB's new four- and five-room flats in Sengkang, Jurong West and Sembawang.

Since then more than 300,000 people have thronged to visit it. Some five to six thousand people still visit the showflats weekly. And to make these showflats even more accessible to busy Singaporeans, the Board now has virtual models of them on its website at the Internet. The virtual flat gives you the same visual experience minus the tactile experience. "We think the virtual showflats will help our potential applicants make up their minds whether they want to buy HDB flats and the type of flats they want to buy. By going into the virtual showflat they can see the space, the potential design of the flat," said Tay Kim Poh, Chief Estate Administration and Property Officer, HDB.

However the HDB agrees the virtual site can only act as an 'extra' tool for buyers as most still want to take a physical tour. The HDB is now renovating its Punggol showflats and is considering putting up a virtual copy of those flats on its website.