In case you were not aware, HDB previously pledged to launch 100,000 flats from 2021 to 2025, not only to catch up with the construction delays due to Covid but also to ensure a steady supply of new homes for new couples. 2024 saw the launch of 21,225 new flats, bringing the total built so far to just over 84,000 flats, so HDB is well on track to hit the 100,000 target as planned.
For those of you intending to try your luck next year, here’s an early look at all the available details for the February 2025 BTO sales exercise.
Over 10,000 BTOs and SBFs up on offer
Image credit: HDB
For the upcoming February 2025 sales exercise, HDB will be launching about 5,000 BTO flats in Kallang/Whampoa, Queenstown, Woodlands and Yishun. On top of that, there will be more than 5,500 flats across various towns and estates on offer as part of the largest-ever Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise. This brings the total number of flats on offer to more than 10,500, which certainly eclipses the supply of past exercises.
At this point, it’ll be useful also just to recap some of the key lessons that we’ve learn from the most recently concluded October 2024 BTO exercise:
- The new Standard, Plus, and Prime flat classification system is estate-exclusive━projects within the same estate can be classified differently.
- Based on the past application rates, it seems that it’s of greater importance to homebuyers that proximity to. public transport options, such as MRT stations, than being located in central Singapore.
- The easing of rules for singles means that you can expect significantly more competition for 2-room flats, especially in “mature” estates.
- For Plus and Prime flats, the 10-year MOP and other sales restrictions isn’t too big of a concern for families.
5,000 new BTO flats across 4 estates
Here’s an overview of all the BTO flats that will be put up for sale in the upcoming sales exercise:
Kallang/Whampoa
Image credit: HDB
One of the star picks for the upcoming exercise is undoubtedly this project in the Kallang/Whampoa estate. There will be around 800 units launched, with the majority of them being 2-Room Flexi and 4-Room flats.
As seen in past launches, Kallang/Whampoa continues to be decently popular amongst prospective homebuyers because of its central location. Based on the HDB’s site map, this project sits along Tanjong Rhu Road, right next to East Coast Parkway, and in between Tanjong Rhu and Katong Park MRT Stations, both of which seem to be just a short walk away.
If you are familiar with the area, you’ll know that the area is also well connected by major routes such as Nicoll Highway, Mountbatten Road and the ECP highway, which is great news for those of you who drive.
Image credit: Design and Architecture
Based on its location, proximity to MRT stations and how close it is to the future Kallang Alive sporting precinct and waterfront living, we expect this project to be classified as Prime.
Queenstown
Image credit: HDB
Another estate that’s a hot pick with homebuyers is Queenstown, due to its central location and perceived status as being one of the more ‘upper class’ estates in Singapore, thanks to the many private housing developments in the area. In this upcoming exercise, there will be about 1,110 BTO flats that will be launched. Similar to Kallang/Whampoa, the majority of these will be 2-Room Flexi and 4-Room flats.
Right off the bat, it’s worth highlighting that the project is situated just off Mei Chin Road, where several headline-making, million-dollar HDB flats have transacted in the past few years.
Based on the site map provided, the project will be located just down the road from iconic landmarks such as Queensway Shopping Centre and IKEA Alexandra. It also appears to be just a few minutes walk from Queenstown MRT Station.
One benefit of living in Queenstown is that because it is a fairly mature estate, there will be no lack of amenities, schools, and F&B outlets in the vicinity.
However, a key aspect to keep an eye on about this BTO project is the number of 2-Room Flexi units. Given the easing of application restrictions for singles, plus how close the project is to the city centre, it is very likely that there will be a good deal of oversubscription for the 2-Room units amongst singles, especially those working in the CBD.
Our prediction for this project is that it will be classified as Prime.
Woodlands
Image credit: HDB
Moving away from central Singapore, one underrated estate that will feature in the upcoming February 2025 BTO exercise is Woodlands. We say underrated because Woodlands has always been seen as ulu and out of the way for most of us, with nothing much to offer in terms of value━apart from being one of the more affordable estates in Singapore because of its far flung location.
While that may have been true in the past, the Woodlands estate has seen significant transformation in recent years, making it a seriously underrated estate that punches well above its weight.
The upcoming BTO project will be the largest development in this upcoming exercise, with a hefty 1,540 units being offered for sale. Similar to all the other BTO projects, it seems that the majority of unit types are either 2-Room Flexis, or the larger 4-Room and 5-Room variants, with only a small handful of 3-Room flats.
Image credit: HDB
The project is situated right along Woodlands Waterfront Park, and just a short drive or commute away from the Woodlands Checkpoint. One huge game changer is its proximity to Woodlands North MRT Station.
Not only will it give you access to the Thomson-East Coast Line, but it will also be home to the future RTS Link, which will bring you right into the heart of Johor Bahru. This will certainly mean extreme ease of access to Malaysia━perfect for impromptu trips across the Causeway for late night suppers or even grocery runs.
Our prediction is that the project will be classified as Standard.
Yishun
Wrapping up the list of BTO projects up for sale in the upcoming February 2025 BTO exercise is Yishun. Altogether, there will be about 1,510 new BTOs for sale across 2 projects, which are right across the road from each other.
If the location rings a bell, that’s because it’s where the former Bottle Tree Park/Orto used to be, before HDB announced in March earlier this year that it will be taking over the land to build more public housing. According to HDB, the new Chencharu estate will boast around 10,000 new homes, with the majority being public housing. The first batch of flats in the area was offered in the June 2024 BTO exercise.
Image credit: HDB
The first new BTO project in this estate will see 840 units across all unit types: from 2-Room Flexi right up to 5-Room flats. One key difference between this project and the other one in the estate is that this development will be situated right along the main Sembawang Road. Given that it is a busy road━especially in the early morning and evenings━you can expect residents to be subject to some noise and dust.
Image credit: HDB
On the other hand, the slightly smaller second project is located further in from the main road, along Bah Soon Pah Road. This will mitigate any concerns about noise and dust from the busy main road, and so will likely be the more popular pick out of the 2 Yishun projects. There will be only 670 units launched across all unit types except 3-Room variants. Because of their proximity to the existing Sembawang Air Base, you can probably expect that the blocks won’t be very tall, with a height restriction of probably 12 to 15 storeys.
Location-wise, there really isn’t much to shout about at present. The nearest Khatib MRT Station is a slightly further walk away, and there isn’t much else in the immediate vicinity of these projects. However, the HDB site map highlights that commercial and residential developments are in the plans, integrated with a future bus interchange and hawker centre. Other amenities in the pipelines include supermarkets, a nursing home, shops, and preschools, which will then make the developments more appealing for homebuyers.
Our prediction is that both Yishun BTO projects will be classified as Standard.
The upcoming February 2025 BTO and SBF sales exercise
Off the back of the recently concluded October 2024 BTO exercise, this upcoming February 2025 BTO exercise is shaping up to be a pretty exciting one as well.
While it doesn’t have the wide variety that the October 2024 exercise brought, there are still some stellar picks for this upcoming launch, such as the Kallang/Whampoa and Queenstown projects. In addition, we’re confident that Woodlands will be an underrated pick, because of its first-mover advantage as being one of the first few public housing projects in the upcoming Woodlands North Coast, and being next to the future RTS Link station.
In any case, if none of these projects catch your eye, the good news is that there will also be the largest SBF exercise ever, with over 5,500 SBF units up for sale. The SBF supply is drawn from unsold BTO flats of past launches, so there will most certainly be some hidden gems that will be up for sale.
As with all HDB sales launches, remember to do your homework and due diligence to ensure you are able to afford a new property purchase. In order to purchase a HDB, you will need a valid HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter upon point of application. HDB strongly encourages all prospective homebuyers to apply for an HFE letter early and submit all required documents by 15 December 2024, so that there is adequate time to process and approve these applications.
For more HDB content:
- Things to know about the new Bukit Timah Turf City neighbourhood
- Guide to HDB’s Home Improvement Programme (HIP)
- What happens to your HDB flat after you die—estate planning in Singapore
Cover image adapted from: HDB, Design and Architecture
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