Congrats on scoring a BTO queue number—even if it’s a high one or beyond the available flat count. While the most coveted units may have already been taken, that doesn’t mean you’re completely out of luck. Here are 6 smart tips on how to choose the right HDB BTO unit, so you can still make a wise selection—or decide whether forfeiting your turn might be the better option.
1. Check the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) quota
Image credit: @kontinentalist
Beyond refreshing the HDB Flat Portal and monitoring your BTO project’s Telegram group daily, remember to check if your targeted blocks still have units available for your ethnic group.
Even if your desired units are still available, you won’t be able to select them once the quota for your ethnic group is filled up for your block or your neighbourhood. Quota appeals are available but subject to HDB approval on a case-by-case basis.
2. Weighing lower-floor units
Image credit: Singapore Real Estate Exchange
By the time it’s your turn to select your unit, popular units on the higher floors are likely to be snapped up. Thus, lower-floor units are likely the options left for your choosing, which might be less sought after but they come with their perks.
Pros of lower-floor units
Starting off, lower-floor units are generally more affordable compared to higher-floor units. You’ll pay less for stamp duty and downpayment accordingly, saving more money to finance your dream renovations.
In addition, you’ll get convenient access to the ground floor without relying on the lifts, since the staircase is easily accessible during morning peak hours or lift maintenance periods. There’s also more incentive for you to climb the stairs home, allowing you to incorporate incidental exercise into your daily life.
Although you may not have an unobstructed view, these units can be generally more budget-friendly and convenient for your daily commute.
3. Check unit orientation and layout
Image credit: @knockknock.studio
Privacy concerns
Some of the units left in the selection pool might have their front doors positioned directly across from the neighbouring unit, a layout commonly seen in some BTO projects. There will naturally be privacy concerns, but these can be addressed by installing privacy-friendly font gates, such as louvre-style designs that allow natural ventilation while blocking the view from your doorway.
Direct sunlight
An important consideration for future homeowners is the unit’s orientation towards the sun. East-west facing units will get the bulk of the intense afternoon sun throughout the year, which could increase cooling costs as you rely more on fans and air-conditioning to cool your home. Hence, it’s important to pick optimal window treatments (e.g. curtains and UV window film) to reduce the heat and save money on such utility bills.
If possible, it’s still best to opt for units with a north-south orientation to reduce your home’s exposure to direct sunlight. A good rule of thumb is to visit your BTO project site to assess the sunlight and natural ventilation at different times of the day, so you can get a better feel of what it’s like to live there.
Natural ventilation and dust exposure
Image credit: u/catcourtesy on Reddit
Some units might feel stuffy with weak natural ventilation and airflow, especially if surrounding buildings block wind flow. While units facing the main road or the expressway are more accessible, they also tend to experience higher noise levels from traffic and accumulate more dust due to their location. If you’re sensitive to dust, it might be best to invest in an air purifier to improve the air quality at home.
4. Look out for proximity to common facilities
Image credit: Singapore Real Estate Exchange
Units with close proximity to neighbourhood eateries like coffee shops will enjoy increased convenience with these spots right at your doorstep. However, early morning deliveries from vendors and suppliers can cause noise disturbances that wake you up, especially if you’re a light sleeper. If your unit is directly above these establishments, you may also need to keep your windows closed more often to avoid cooking exhaust fumes from entering your unit.
Image credit: u/catcourtesy on Reddit
Units near the carpark have increased convenience, but they are also subjected to noise and light pollution from vehicles, especially when engine noises and headlights stand out late at night. Likewise, units close to common facilities like the lift lobby and rubbish chute could negatively impact your living environment.
For example, units near lift lobbies enjoy greater accessibility but are exposed to increased foot traffic and noise from passersby. Those near rubbish chutes might also experience unpleasant odours and face a higher chance of pests entering your home, making it essential to seal up any exposed cracks or gaps in your unit to prevent them from coming in.
Image credit: Street Directory
Furthermore, units located close to void decks or multi-purpose courts are more likely to be exposed to general noise or loud music during events like weddings or funeral wakes. Another commonly overlooked factor for future homeowners is the unit’s distance from electric and pump rooms. Units near these facilities might experience regular low-frequency humming and noise, which can impact your quality of living in the area.
5. Study the neighbourhood plan
Image credit: HDB
The URA Master Plan is a useful resource for keeping track of future developments in the area that could impact your living environment. For instance, living near a school can be convenient if you have children, but it also means heavier foot and vehicle traffic near your area during school peak hours (drop-off and dismissal times).
It’s also worth checking the Master Plan to understand upcoming transport and connectivity options, such as future residential developments or which blocks in your BTO project are closer to future bus stops or MRT stations, so that you are equipped with more information before making your unit selection.
6. Understand the resale implications
If you are planning to sell your unit at the end of your Minimum Occupancy Period (MOP), lower-floor units might fetch a lower resale price as compared to higher-level units in the same block, with higher-floor units popular among buyers.
However, this might not always be the case as there are definitely other factors that will impact the resale value of your unit. For example, the unit’s orientation and layout will affect how buyers perceive the value of your unit. North-south orientation units tend to command higher prices with lower exposure to the afternoon sun, along with units that receive better ventilation.
What happens if you opt for non-selection
Image credit: PropertyGuru
Considering all of these factors above, some future homeowners might choose to ultimately forfeit unit selection for this round in hopes of getting a better unit in the future. Before making this crucial decision, here are some key pointers to take note of.
Penalties for non-selection
In general, first-time BTO families who don’t select a unit when invited to do so will incur 1 non-selection count. You will be deemed as a second-timer on the ballot for a year, lowering your chances of balloting in future BTO exercises.
Even though HDB allows applicants who receive queue numbers outside of the flat supply to continue applying for upcoming sales exercises, you will lose all queue numbers if you choose to forfeit your unit selection. Moreover, if you have accumulated ballot chances from previous unsuccessful attempts, they will be forfeited accordingly.
For BTO second-timers, not selecting a flat and incurring 1 non-selection count will bar you from applying for a flat for a year. Likewise, if you are a single or senior applying for BTO, not selecting a unit will incur the non-selection count so you need to wait for a year to apply for a flat again.
Conditions for non-selection without penalty
However, there are exceptions to the non-selection count, in light of the limited unit options left. For couples who reached the unit selection stage with 10 or fewer BTO flats or 5 or fewer SBF flats to choose from, the non-selection count penalty will be waived. You can also submit an appeal to waive the penalty, though this is subject to HDB review on a case-by-case basis.
One of the last in line to choose a BTO unit
Being one of the last to choose your BTO unit can feel discouraging, but not all hope is lost. Hopefully, you’ll still be able to select a unit that works well for your needs with these tips, or better weigh your decision between going ahead or taking a chance with future BTO exercises.
For more BTO news and tips:
- 10 unofficial BTO tips & hacks shared by Singaporean homeowners
- July 2025 BTO launch in Bukit Merah, Clementi, Toa Payoh & Tampines
- Renovating a 5-room BTO from as little as $30K
Cover image adapted from: Jason, HDB
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