Sell my HDB flat for $1 million?
No way. Not even for $3 million.
That's what one resident at the Pinnacle@Duxton claimed when The New Paper asked her if she would sell in two years' time, when her flat reaches the five-year mark.
And that was the general sentiment of 10 people living there.
But it's possible they will change their minds in 2014 when their flats can be resold on the open market.
Some HDB flat owners in other areas have cashed in recently by selling their homes for record prices.
When news of the sale of the first $1 million executive mansionette at Queenstown broke, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan assured Singaporeans that HDB flats were still affordable.
But he acknowledged that there would be "many millionaires" when the HDB flats at the Pinnacle@Duxton enter the resale market.
It is the first 50-storey project in Singapore and consists of seven blocks, with a total of 1,848 units.
But eight out of 10 residents interviewed by TNP last week were reluctant to sell their flats.
Foodstall owner C.M. Foo, 54, said she wouldn't sell her flat even if someone were to offer her $3 million forit.
She and her businessman-husband, Mr Foo Soo Lim, 57, bought the five-room flat on the 49th storey, the highest living level on the block, for $450,000 in 2004.
There is a sky garden on the 50th storey.
They live there with their 11-year-old daughter and Mrs Foo's 86-year-old mother.
Mrs Foo cited easy access to transportation, with two train stations within walking distance, the gorgeous view and the proximity to town as reasons for not budging.
And the excellent fengshui.
Mrs Foo, whose popular yong tau foo stall at Tanjong Pagar Food Centre is just a stone's throw from the Pinnacle@Duxton, said: "I am facing the sea and harbour. It is very auspicious.
"When we bought the place, people were saying that we were foolish because it was considered expensive then. But I had the foresight to realise that there probably won't be another new HDB development in this area in the future."
The family moved into the 1,130 sq ft flat, which has a balcony outside the master bedroom, two years ago.
The estate reaches the five-year minimum occupation period in December 2014, after which residents can start selling their flats.
A self-employed resident of the 49th storey in another block, who wanted to be known as Mr Chan, 39, said he was a first-time buyer when he bought a four-room flat with his wife in 2004 for $370,000.
Describing the price as high at the time, he said: "Single-home owners like us bought the place to live in, not for investment.
"I grew up nearby at Tanjong Pagar. This area holds many memories for me. Every weekend, I can see the fireworks from Resorts World Sentosa from my living room.
"If I buy a flat somewhere else, I would have to compromise something for the price difference."
Desirable location
The desirable location was cited by residents who were unwilling to sell.
Mrs Karen Chan, 38, a housewife, said: "It is so convenient here. During non-peak hours, it costs only $5 to get to VivoCity and less than $10 to get to Orchard by taxi."
Her husband, Mr W.L. Chan, 38, who works in logistics, sold his car after they moved to the estate.
He joked: "If we move, I would have to buy a car and be her chauffeur."
The Chans, who have a four-year-old daughter, bought the 969 sq ft, four-room flat for $375,000 in 2004 and moved in about 11/2 years ago.
Mrs Chan said: "At night, the lights at the harbour are so beautiful. I have no intention of selling. I am keeping this flat for my little girl."
Political scientist Reuben Wong said the residents may be coy about selling now, but they might change their minds when their flats can be sold in two years' time.
"It is too early to say now because they don't have the freedom to sell yet. But people are rational," he said.
"The Pinnacle@Duxton is a good place to live in, but there are other good places to live in at a cheaper price."
Some residents agreed.
Mr N.K. Foon, 39, a marketing manager who has a five-room unit on the 49th storey, was reluctant at first, but finally conceded that he would consider selling his flat for $1.5 million.
The father of three primary school-going children, who bought the flat for $430,000 in 2004, said the family might move to a place nearer a secondary school.
Mr Richard Ong, 62, a semi-retiree who was visiting his son, said that his son and daughter-in-law might have to look for a bigger place in the suburbs if they have more children.
The couple, who have one child, live in a 1,184 sq ft five-room flat on the 48th storey.
They had bought the flat for $600,000 in 2008.
Mr Ong said: "The location is fantastic, but priorities will change when you have more children.
This flat is simply not big enough to raise a family."
Housing agents are confident that flats in the area will breach the $1 million mark.
OrangeTee head of research and consultancy Tan Kok Keong said: "It depends on the market climate in two years' time, but if a flat at the Pinnacle@Duxton were put on sale in the market now, it would definitely fetch about $1 million."
Associate branch director at PropNex Ron Lim agreed, and even upped the amount.
He said: "Compared to the million-dollar HDB flat at Mei Ling Street, these flats are even more attractive because they are newer and at a better location.
"The Pinnacle@Duxton is a landmark for HDB. There will definitely be a frenzy in two years' time.
At least the housing agents will be excited."
ERA Realty key executive officer Eugene Lim was more cautious about putting a price tag on properties that will be available only in two years' time.
But he said there would definitely be a "hot response".
"Yes, if they sell high, they will have to buy high, but they also bought their flats for a very low price. With the tidy profit, they can easily make the downpayment for a condominium unit."
But the Foos are convinced there is no place better than their home.
Mr Foo, who enjoys watching the sunset over Mount Faber from his flat every evening, said he can't set a definite price on his flat.
He said: "Some things cannot be measured with money. The Chinese word 'jia' ('home' in Mandarin) has a lot of meaning, and this is 'jia' to me."