With only just over a day to go till the conclusion of the February 2026 BTO and SBF sales exercise, applications have certainly been coming in hot and fast. Homebuyers are locking in on a flat that they are hoping to get.
As of 10pm on 9th February 2026, over 11,500 applications have been received for the 4,692 BTO flats being offered. These flats are spread across 6 projects in Bukit Merah, Sembawang, Tampines, and Toa Payoh. This goes to show how competitive BTO launches can get, especially if there’s a star pick amongst the lot.
If you’re still on the fence about where to apply for, here’s some insights into how the competition has been playing out.
Tampines Nova most popular amongst singles
In the case of 2-room Flexi units, which is the unit of choice for single applicants, every project has been oversubscribed already. However, there are some clear standouts which the market is gravitating towards.
Image credit: HDB
As you can see, the undeniable clear favourite is Tampines Nova. It received an absolutely staggering 2,174 applications for just 122 flats so far. The bulk of applications belong to first-timer singles, with a whopping 98.8 application rate. That means there are 98 people competing for just 1 2-room Flexi flat.
Senior applicants are also at 7.5, and second-timer families at 7.0, which are also pretty significant oversubscription numbers.
Why is Tampines Nova so popular?
Well for starters, we’ve already predicted in our analysis of Tampines Nova that it will be the most popular and oversubscribed in this whole sales exercise. Its location is already a huge plus. It is practically part of Tampines Central, which is great because new BTO projects in town centres are almost unheard of.
It’s an easy walking distance to 3 shopping malls and an MRT station that sits on 2 lines. There are also plenty of schools and amenities in the vicinity.
Image credit: HDB
The bonus is that it is also a Shorter Waiting Time project. At 32 months, or 2 years 8 months, it has a considerably shorter waiting time than many other BTO projects. This makes it a great pick for those looking to move in sooner.
It is also a great choice for singles especially because being in Tampines means singles can live close to their parents. Their parents might be living in older mature estates like Tampines, Pasir Ris, or Bedok.
Redhill peaks is 2nd most popular project
The second most popular project in terms of 2-room Flexi flats is Redhill Peaks. It received 1,230 applications for its 368 flats, translating to an average application rate of around 3.3. First-timer singles are at 6.6.
Redhill Peaks is undeniably a great pick as well given its relatively central location. However, it’s perhaps not as popular as Tampines Nova because it’s slightly further away from the closest MRT station and also marginally more expensive.
As for 3-room and larger flats, the tale of the tape is also more or less the same.
Tampines Nova & Tampines Bliss clear favourites amongst first-timer families
Image credit: HDB
4-room flats at Tampines are the clear favourites, with over 2,686 applications for its 337 units. The rate for first-timer families is at 5.8, while second-timers are at 28.3.
Naturally, families will gravitate towards 4-room flats here because it is the largest flat layout. As we’ve analysed earlier, it’s a great pick for families. While HDB does not distinguish applications between Tampines Bliss and Tampines Nova, we’d hazard a guess that the majority of applications would obviously be Tampines Nova.
Sembawang projects really not popular despite having the shortest waiting times
As the new Sembawang North housing estate continues to take shape, new BTO projects have been sprouting up as well. Apart from these 2 projects in the current February 2026 exercise, the next sales exercise in June 2026 will see 2 more Sembawang projects in roughly the same location as well.
However, as the data shows, these projects are really not that popular. While 2-room Flexi units here have been oversubscribed at 754 applications for 479 flats, larger flats are actually undersubscribed.
4-room flats have only attracted 509 applications for its 725 units. Despite being the only project that offers 5-room flats in this exercise, it has only attracted 326 applications for its 662 5-room flats. That’s only about half.
Image credit: HDB
Apart from being very affordable and also having a relatively shorter waiting time of around 3 years compared to other projects, there really isn’t anything else to shout about. It is considerably further away from the nearest MRT station. The lack of amenities right now, or even in the future for that matter, seems to have turned peoples’ interest away.
Why you should still consider Sembawang
Assuming you’re desperate to move in sooner, then do give Sembawang a serious consideration. Yes, it is further away from the MRT station, but if you drive, then this shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
In addition, living further away from an MRT station has its perks. It’s quieter, you won’t have to deal with the track and train noise, and there is generally less footfall. This means less noise pollution and less hustle and bustle.
Surprisingly muted demand for Kim Keat Crest project
Image credit: HDB
As the only other Plus project to Tampines Nova, Kim Keat Crest seems to have muted demand. 623 applications were received for 277 available 2-room Flexi flats, which is considered quite healthily competitive.
However, for larger flats, 847 3-room and 4-room flats have only attracted 869 applicants.
It seems that despite its relatively central location in Singapore, it being not near any MRT station that’s within easy walking distance seems to have indeed made it a dealbreaker for many. We didn’t think so initially, but the data speaks for itself.
It’s also tucked away in a quiet corner of the Kim Keat to Toa Payoh housing estate. While there are a handful of amenities in and around the area, it is still not exactly a star pick for many.
Not long left to the end of the February 2026 BTO & SBF sales exercise
If you’re still biding your time and have yet to apply for a flat, now is probably the time to do so. Remember that the current sales exercise ends on 11.59pm 11th February, so you have just over a day to get those applications in.
Check out more articles about BTO here:
- BTO Feb 2026: >1,300 Flats With Shorter Waiting Times, Earliest Project To Be Ready Within 2 Years
- Kim Keat Crest HDB BTO Feb 2026 BTO: 1,151 Units Launched In Toa Payoh’s First Plus Project
- Sembawang Deck & Sembawang Voyage HDB BTO Feb 2026: 1,950 Units Including 5-Room Flats
Cover image adapted from: HDB
Drop us your email so you won't miss the latest news.
