LinkTown Residences vs Nearby Hougang Condos: New Launch or Resale?
How the expected pricing of LinkTown Residences (Hougang Central Residences) compares with Sengkang Grand Residences, Riverfront Residences and The Florence Residences, and what the psf gap buys you.
LinkTown Residences (Hougang Central Residences) will not be the only private option in the area when it launches. Hougang and Sengkang already have plenty of condos, including one integrated development that has been completed. The real question for most buyers is simple: is the new launch worth the premium over a resale Hougang condo already on the market?
This guide compares the expected pricing of LinkTown Residences with three reference points, using only reported transaction data. It then walks through the trade-offs between buying new and buying resale.
The three comparables
- SGRSengkang Grand ResidencesA CapitaLand and CDL joint venture with 680 units, integrated with Sengkang Grand Mall, a bus interchange, a community club and a hawker centre. Completed around 2023. Resale averaged about S$2,011 psf in 2025.
- RRRiverfront ResidencesA Hougang resale condo and a useful benchmark for non-integrated private homes in the town. Transactions over the last 12 months to mid-2026 averaged about S$1,736 psf.
- TFRThe Florence ResidencesAnother Hougang resale benchmark. Transactions over the same period averaged about S$1,877 psf.
All figures are based on reported transaction data and are approximate averages. Individual units vary widely by size, floor, facing and stack.
The psf gap in numbers
Analysts expect LinkTown Residences to average around S$2,500 to S$2,600 psf. There are no official prices yet, but using that range gives a useful sense of scale:
| Project | Type | Avg psf (reported) | Gap to S$2,500 | Gap to S$2,600 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LinkTown Residences | New launch (expected) | ~S$2,500–2,600 (estimate) | – | – |
| Sengkang Grand Residences | Integrated, completed ~2023 | ~S$2,011 (2025 resale) | +S$489 (~24%) | +S$589 (~29%) |
| The Florence Residences | Hougang resale | ~S$1,877 | +S$623 (~33%) | +S$723 (~39%) |
| Riverfront Residences | Hougang resale | ~S$1,736 | +S$764 (~44%) | +S$864 (~50%) |
What that means in dollars
Percentages can hide the real cost. Take a unit of 1,066 sq ft, the size of the indicative 3-Bedroom Premium layout we use as a guide (borrowed from Parktown Residence, not official). At each project’s average psf, the illustrative price would be roughly:
- Riverfront Residences: about S$1.85m
- The Florence Residences: about S$2.00m
- Sengkang Grand Residences: about S$2.14m
- LinkTown Residences: about S$2.67m to S$2.77m (estimate)
That is a difference of roughly S$520,000 to S$920,000 for the same floor area. In practice, resale units are often laid out differently, and older condos tend to have larger units with more space given to balconies or bay windows, so compare actual listings rather than averages.
New launch vs resale Hougang condo: the real trade-offs
| Factor | LinkTown Residences (new) | Hougang/Sengkang resale |
|---|---|---|
| Price per sq ft | Highest; expected ~S$2,500–2,600 | Lower; ~S$1,736–2,011 among these examples |
| Age | Brand new at completion (~2030/2031) | Already a few years to many years old |
| Lease remaining | Full 99 years from the land award | Shorter, depending on when each lease started |
| Integration | Directly linked to Hougang MRT, new mall and bus interchange | Only Sengkang Grand is integrated; the others are not built over a mall and transport hub |
| Wait time | Several years until completion | Move in or rent out soon after completion of purchase |
| Payment | Progressive, spread over construction | Full loan drawn at once |
| Inspection | Showflat and plans only | You can view the actual unit |
Price and payment
With a new launch, you pay in stages under the progressive payment scheme. Only 20% is due in the first couple of months (5% at the option and 15% at the Sale and Purchase Agreement), and the rest is drawn as construction progresses. That spreads interest costs, which can help if you are still selling an HDB flat. With resale, you pay the full price at completion and start servicing the full loan straight away. See our progressive payment guide.
Age and lease
A 99-year lease that starts in 2026 will still have a long runway when your children are adults. Older leasehold condos in Hougang are perfectly liveable, but banks and future buyers pay more attention to remaining lease as it shortens. This affects resale value more than day-to-day living.
Integration
This is the biggest difference and the main reason for the price gap. Of the three comparables, only Sengkang Grand Residences offers the “mall and bus interchange downstairs” lifestyle. That is why it trades at a premium to Riverfront and The Florence. LinkTown Residences adds an MRT station that is set to become an NEL–CRL interchange around 2030, so its location is arguably stronger again.
Waiting time
If you need a home or a rental income now, a resale condo gives you both today. With LinkTown Residences, completion is expected around 2030 to 2031. That is several years of rent, or of staying in your current home, that should be part of your maths.
Reading the Sengkang Grand signal
Sengkang Grand Residences is the most useful local benchmark because it proves the integration premium exists in the north-east. At about S$2,011 psf in 2025 resale, it sits comfortably above other neighbourhood condos. For LinkTown Residences, the gap of roughly S$500 to S$600 psf over Sengkang Grand’s resale average is the number to watch. A new launch usually carries some premium over a completed project, but the smaller that gap, the more room there is for future appreciation.
Which should you choose?
A Hougang resale condo may be better if…
- Your budget is below the quantum you would need at LinkTown Residences for the same size.
- You need to move in or collect rent within the next year or two.
- You prefer bigger living space over newness, and are happy with a walk or bus to the MRT.
LinkTown Residences may be better if…
- You value direct MRT and mall access every day and expect to stay long term.
- You want the full 99-year lease and new-build condition.
- You are an HDB upgrader who benefits from progressive payments while you sell your flat. See our HDB upgrader guide.
- You believe the CRL interchange will add long-term value to the location.
Sengkang Grand Residences may be a middle ground if…
- You want integration now, at a lower psf than a new launch, and do not mind a completed project with a few years on the clock.
How to compare properly once prices are out
- Compare by total quantum and size, not just psf. A smaller new unit can cost the same as a larger resale unit.
- Check remaining lease and maintenance fees of the resale options (LinkTown’s fees are not yet announced).
- Factor in holding costs while you wait for completion, including rent if you are selling first.
- Run the numbers on stamp duty and loans using our calculators.
- Look at the walking route to the MRT for each resale option. Sheltered, direct access is what you pay for at an integrated site.
Bottom line
LinkTown Residences is likely to be priced well above existing Hougang condos, and that premium is mostly about location and lease. For buyers who will use the MRT, mall and interchange every day, the gap may be worth it. For buyers focused on space or immediate move-in, the resale market offers real value. Read our price estimate for illustrative quantums, then decide which trade-off suits you.
When official prices are published, we will update this comparison. Register your interest to receive the price list and floor plans.
