Florence Residences Review: Affordable Hougang condo that makes a great starter home

HDB upgraders looking for an affordable starter condo might want to consider Florence Residences, a new 99-year leasehold condo in Hougang that recently received its Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) in March 2023.

At The Florence Residences’ launch weekend on 2 and 3 March 2019, 54 units were sold. Touted as the first mega launch of 2019, this very large development consists of 1,410 units spread out over nine 18-storey blocks.

Developed by Logan Property (Singapore) Company Pte. Limited, the Florence Residences is located on Hougang Avenue 9 in District 19 about 8 minutes’ walk from Kovan MRT, making it ideal for those who like the idea of living in the northeast of Singapore.

Florence Residences Review (Summary Table)

*Information from 99.co, Propertyguru, and other property listing websites is accurate as of time of writing

The Florence Residences Price

At its launch in 2019, units at The Florence Residences were priced at an average of about $1,450 to $1,500. Almost a third of the 200 units released at the launch were sold. The starting price for one-bedroom units was $678,000, while the starting price for the 5-bedroom units was $2,449,000.

Fast-forward to the present day, and the sale price range at The Florence Residences, according to PropertyGuru, is in the $780,000 to $2,800,000 range.

These prices are considered very affordable, making Florence Residences a good starter condo for young households or HDB upgraders looking for a relatively inexpensive way to obtain private property.

By comparison, Riverfront Residences, a new 90-year leasehold condo development also within walking distance of Hougang MRT station, set to receive its TOP in 2024, is priced at $790,000 to $3,660,000, according to PropertyGuru. These prices are comparable to Florence Residences’, indicating that these are reasonable prices for a new starter condo.

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Florence Residences Brochure

The Florence Residences brochure can be found here. In the brochure, you’ll be able find out more about the condo’s common areas and shared facilities, as well as have a look at the floor plans for the various unit types.

Find the Florence Residences balance unit chart here. Due to the condo’s relatively budget-friendly prices and good location, there are no more unsold units.

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Florence Residences Location

Florence Residences is located on Hougang Avneue 2 about 8 minutes’ walk from Kovan MRT and 13 minutes’ walk from Hougang MRT on the North East Line.

Near Kovan MRT

It occupies a central location in the Kovan area, while also being within easy walking distance of the Hougang town centre.

Kovan is a popular destination for those looking for late-night bites thanks to the selection of popular local eateries in the area, such as on Upper Serangoon Road.

Near Hougang Mall

At the same time, Florence Residences residents will get to enjoy the many established amenities just a stone’s throw away in Hougang, including Hougang ActiveSG Stadium, Swimming Complex and Sports centre, as well as the area’s major shopping centre Hougang Mall.

Families with children can benefit from a good selection of schools in the area, including Holy Innocents’ Primary School, Montfort Secondary School, Bowen Secondary School,  Rosyth School, Xinmin Secondary School, Hougang Secondary School, Xinghua Primary School, Yuying Secondary School and the International French School.

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Florence Residences Floor Plan

According to the floor plans for Florence Residences, units include 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, 4-bedroom and 5-bedroom. The smallest 1-bedroom units measure 474 sq ft, while the largest 5-bedroom units measure 1,668 sq ft.

All units, regardless of size, are equipped with at least one balcony, while certain 3- and 4-bedroom units have two balconies.

1 Bedroom condo

The one-bedroom units come either with an en suite bathroom that can be excessed from the bedroom or the common areas, or a bathroom that is not connected to the bedroom. The latter units come with a study that is accessible from the bedroom. Buyers should take note of these differences to determine if they prefer to have en-suite bathroom access or a study.

2 Bedroom condo

When it comes to the 2-bedroom units, buyers have a choice between a layout placing the living room in the centre of the apartment with the bedrooms on either size, or a more classic layout placing the living room on one end and the bedrooms side by side, accessible via a corridor.

3 and 4 Bedroom condo

For the 3- and 4-bedroom apartments, there are certain units equipped with two balconies, including one which is attached to the master bedroom. This can be an interesting buy for those who wish to rent out the master bedroom as a studio.

5 Bedroom condo

The 5-bedroom units and most of the 4-bedroom units come with both a wet and dry kitchen, making them ideal for those who need more cooking space or wish to take advantage of additional dining space.

Thanks to the large size of the development, there is a rich selection of different unit types and configurations, enabling buyers to choose features that correspond to their lifestyles.

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Florence Residences Rent

Units at The Florence Residences command rents of about $800 to $7,800, according to data on PropertyGuru. The rent for 2-bedroom units measuring 635 to 774 sq ft is currently about $3,200 to $3,800 a month. 2-bedroom units are currently being sold for about $1,100,000 to $1,347,000. The rental yield is within the average range for condos in Singapore.

Due its good location in the Kovan and Hougang areas, as well being within walking distance of two MRT stations, Florence Residences is likely to see healthy demand. Potential tenants include families with children, professionals looking for a shared apartment and expats.

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The Florence Residences Review

For those looking to live in the Northeast, Florence Residences offers a good chance to do so at a relatively affordable price, while at the same time enjoying a good location less than 10 minutes’ walk from the nearest MRT station.

With a whopping 1,410 units spread out over nine 18-storey blocks, the Florence Residences is a very large development, and is thus more suited to those who are fine with that, rather than those who seek a quieter, more exclusive condo.

With a decent selection of schools in the area, Florence Residences is also a convenient choice for families with kids.

Overall, thanks to its wallet-friendly prices and good location, Florence Residences is a good buy for HDB upgraders and young households looking for a starter home.

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