SINGAPORE'S marriage scene is pretty unique. We probably hear the question, 'Shall we apply for a flat?' before, or at least more often than, the more important one, 'Shall we get married?'

But can we blame the average Singapore guy (or whoever pops the question) for not being romantic, and putting the flat application above all else?

No, we can't.

Because buying a flat - and to the average middle-income Singaporean who plan to marry, that means an HDB flat - can be daunting.

There are three ways to buy an HDB flat.

• Built-to-order flats.

  A couple apply for a unit and wait at least three years for construction to be completed. Thus, if they plan to marry after three years in their relationship, they have to apply for a flat immediately after their relationship begins. Good for them if they are still in a relationship or have already registered their marriage when they collect the keys to their new flat. But too bad if the relationship is off - so is the flat.

   

• Balloting.

  There are two broad categories:

  - Surplus new flats under the Selective En-bloc Redevelopment Scheme (Sers), offered to the public after fulfilling needs of Sers owners.

  - Quarterly or half-yearly sale of new but untaken or re-possessed flats. These are mostly completed.

  The former depend on availability and are subject to HDB announcement.

  In the latter, under a priority scheme, 90 per cent of flats are set aside for first-time applicants. They also enjoy double chances over regular applicants under the ballot to determine their queue position. However, additional chances for repeatedly unsuccessful first-timers are limited.

  In the end, first-timers must either apply at least three times (and pay a $10 fee each time) to enjoy the additional chances given to first-time applicants who were unsuccessful twice, or go back to option one and wait another three years for their flat to be built, or go for resale flats.

  It is a bewildering, nail-biting process.

   

• Resale flats.

  Pros? No three-year wait for your flat to be completed. No need to be nervous about your queue number.

  But you have to be cash-rich to pay the price above valuation, which can be $5,000 to $50,000. Which prompts the question: Since HDB flats are subsidised housing, should owners profit from the sale of their flat, with no limits?

  So, why do Singaporeans marry older and older? It doesn't take a genius to figure out why.

   

  Teh Siew Wee (Miss)