The S$1.78 billion reserve price for Pine Grove’s latest attempt at a collective sale excludes any land betterment charge (LBC) that may be payable by the developer to redevelop the site. Mega en bloc sites yielding at least 1,400 residential units will now have seven years to complete construction and sell all units, up from 5.5 years previously. A former resident, known as Tan, who sold his unit a few years ago said repeated collective sale attempts had led to uncertainty among residents. “The sale price is one thing, but the living condition is another,” he said, citing the estate’s unsheltered drop-off point, ageing lift lobbies and dated lighting. He added that after each unsuccessful en bloc attempt, some owners would decide to sell their units.