Buying a BTO flat

Check eligibility before applying

Have a valid HFE letter before applying in a BTO exercise. Use it to understand your household’s eligibility, grants and HDB loan position. Read the conditions for the specific exercise and scheme; a first-home purchase does not automatically mean every flat type or priority scheme is available.

Compare Standard, Plus and Prime conditions

Standard flats generally have a five-year minimum occupation period, while Plus and Prime flats have ten years. The latter also have additional conditions, including subsidy recovery and resale restrictions. Look beyond the launch price: consider how the occupation period fits your work, family and possible future move. Construction waiting time is separate from the MOP.

Choose the loan around your household

An HDB loan and a bank loan can create different cash requirements and interest-rate exposure. For a standard 75% financing case, the HDB down payment can be funded with eligible CPF, cash or both; a bank loan normally requires at least 5% cash. Actual financing can be lower depending on your assessment. Compare the current package, future rates, lock-in conditions and your emergency reserve—not just one monthly repayment.

Put every payment on a timeline

Application, booking, Agreement for Lease and key collection involve different payments. Ask HDB for the payment plan that applies to you, including any approved staggered or deferred arrangement. Do not assume a scheme applies automatically, and do not assume every payment can wait until key collection.

• Track cash and CPF available at each milestone.
• Keep stamp duties, legal costs and renovation separate from the flat price.
• Recheck the financing position nearer completion; income or circumstances may change.

If you already own a flat

Read Selling your HDB to buy a BTO flat before relying on sale proceeds. A second subsidised purchase, a second HDB loan and a second property are different concepts, with different conditions.