The first step in applying for a HDB flat is deciding on the project you’re going to ballot for. Now, this is easier said than done, because with 4 launch periods per year, it can be tough deciding on which to chiong or hold out for.
To make your life a little easier, here’s the lowdown on all the upcoming BTO launches that will be released in the first half of 2020, specifically February and May. This time, we’ve got a good mix of units across the North, East,West, and Central areas of Singapore, so there are plenty of options to consider.
Note: Price estimations are based on predictions by SRX as well as the prices of recent BTO launches in the same areas.
Image credit: HDB
Type of estate: Non-Mature
Total number of units: 1,400
Types of units: 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, 5-room, 3Gen
Read more about the different types of HDB BTO flats available.
Estimated prices:
The next project at Sembawang looks promising, as it’s located in a prime spot right in front of the new Canberra MRT station that’s part of the North South line. That means you’ll get a direct train route to town that’ll take you just 30 minutes, without the need for a feeder bus.
Here, you’ll get the best variety of room units to pick from, with everything from 2-room Flexi to 5-room and 3Gen flats. Bear in mind that this also means that there will be fewer units per category to choose from – which means more fellow applicants to fight with.
Here’s the Math: Assuming the predicted 1,400 units are divided equally, there will be about 250 units per category – although there will usually be more 3-5 room units than the others.
Image credit: HDB
Although this is a Non-Mature estate with very affordable prices, it’s not short of facilities. You’ll be in close vicinity of minimarts, neighbourhood malls like Canberra Plaza which is directly connected to the MRT, as well as Sembawang Shopping Centre which is a 15-minute walk away.
Rope bridge at Montreal Green
Image credit: Kor Foong Chai
There are also pockets of greenery in the area like Jalan Sendudok Park and Montreal Green, which have play areas and tracks for jogging or cycling.
View the full map here.
Lorong 1/Toa Payoh Rise
Image credit: HDB
Type of estate: Mature
Total number of units: 1,620
Types of units: 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room
Estimated prices:
Good news for those who wish to stay somewhere more central: Toa Payoh has 2 projects this round, with a total of 1,620 units up for sale.
The first one at Lorong 1/Toa Payoh Rise is more easily accessible by public transport, being smack in the middle of both Caldecott and Braddell MRT stations, with an easy 5-minute walk from each.
Image credit: CHIJ Toa Payoh
Couples who wish to prioritise their daughters’ education can consider this plot as it’s less than 10 minutes away from CHIJ Toa Payoh, 15 minutes from Marymount Convent, and is right across the road from the new Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary) campus. Your girl can easily walk home after class and can spend more time on revision rather than travelling halfway across the country.
Of course, with that taken into account, flats located within this site are probably going to be more expensive than those in the other one.
Image credit: HDB
The second plot is located along Kim Keat Avenue. Not too shabby either, as it’s near a polyclinic, neighbourhood parks, and Pei Chun Public School.
Toa Payoh Lorong 7 Market in the vicinity, which has a wet market and lots of good hawker stalls
Image credit: 王元傑
Getting around might be trickier if you don’t have a car – you’ll be a 20-minute walk from both Potong Pasir and Toa Payoh MRT stations, which probably isn’t something you want to go through on a daily basis during your commute to work or school. However, there are existing bus services which will get you to either station in about 10-15 minutes, so it’s not all that bad.
View the full map here.
Image credit: HDB
Type of estate: Non-Mature
Total number of units: 570
Types of units: 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room
Estimated prices:
We haven’t seen Choa Chu Kang BTO launches in over a year, so now’s your chance if you’ve been holding out for one. It’s a small project with only 570 units though, so your fate is really in the hands of the balloting system should this be a popular choice. However, you can probably comfort yourself in the fact that plenty other young couples will be gunning for hot areas like Tengah, Tampines, and Punggol.
Hey Sugar ice cream cafe
Image credit: @famous_jin
Located within walking distance of coffee shops, U Stars Megamart, Watsons, and even an ice cream cafe, this project will give you easy access to all the neighbourhood conveniences you need.
U Stars Megamart – it’s open 24 hours!
Image credit: R Santoso
If you want to venture out, it’s a 6- or 8-minute walk to Teck Whye and Keat Hong LRT stations respectively. From there, you’re only 2-3 stops from Choa Chu Kang MRT and Bukit Panjang MRT on the Downtown Line, the latter of which will bring you to town in about half an hour.
View the full map here.
Image credit: HDB
Type of estate: Non-Mature
Total number of units: 1,040
Types of units: 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, 5-room
Estimated prices:
Tengah is one of the most popular Non-Mature estates these days, and for good reason – it’s got loads of nature spots including a 5KM forest corridor for trekking, neighbourhood farmways where residents can grow edible plants, and it’s set to be Singapore’s first car-free town where vehicles will run underground.
The next launch will be in close proximity to many schools, which makes it convenient for new families with kids.
Image credit: HDB
While transport infrastructure there is still undergoing construction, future residents can look forward to a nearby MRT station which will hopefully be completed before or not too long after the flats are built. This station is going to be one of the 24 stations that are slated for the upcoming Jurong Region Line.
Read our article on Tengah’s cool new features here.
View the full map here.
Image credit: HDB
Type of estate: Mature
Total number of units: 1,070
Types of units: 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, 5-room
Estimated prices:
If “East side, best side” is your mantra, you’ll be glad to know that there will be over a thousand new units launched at Pasir Ris soon. The last time a BTO project was launched in this area was way back in 2011, so you might want to quickly take the plunge to avoid missing out.
Image credit: @gowherehappinessis
You’ll love staying here if you enjoy relaxing amidst nature during your free time – the area is within walkable distance of Pasir Ris Park, Pasir Ris Beach, as well as Pasir Ris Town Park. For a mini getaway, head on over to Downtown East in less than 10 minutes. Even if you’re not there for a staycation, there are plenty of recreational facilities like bowling, Wild Wild Wet waterpark, karaoke, and Cow Play Cow Moo arcade.
Forest4 Darts Cafe at Downtown East
View the full map here.
Image credit: HDB
Type of estate: Mature
Total number of units: 1,070
Types of units: 3-room, 4-room, 5-room
Estimated prices:
Tampines is another Mature estate with over 1,000 BTO units up for grabs. This is the place to be if you want the best of accessibility and nature, while being slightly away from the thick of the bustle at the main Tampines MRT station. Not to worry about convenience, as you’ll be near Tampines West and Bedok Reservoir MRT stations which are both on the Downtown Line.
Image credit: @lodha_sandeep
You’ll also get to enjoy the serene views of Bedok Reservoir itself, which is home to expansive grassy fields, kayaking facilities, and the Forest Adventure obstacle course. There are a couple of park connectors in the area so cycling around will be a breeze.
Forest Adventure
View the full map here.
Now that you know the forecast of BTO projects that are soon to be released, you can make a more informed decision when shortlisting the ones you might want to go for – taking into account factors like affordability, accessibility, and the facilities in the area.
It’s hard to say which projects will be the most sought-after this time, because all of them are in rather popular spots. The more affordable ones may be slightly out of the way, but do have new MRT stations in the works nearby. On the other hand, the ones in more accessible locations like Toa Payoh will have you forking out a lot more. So it’s all in the hands of lady luck now.
If the location of the flat doesn’t matter so much to you as the chance of actually scoring a ballot number, wait till the application period is open so you can see how many people are fighting for a particular project, and make your decision from there.
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