We’re into Day 3 of the October 2025 BTO sales exercise, and based on the latest data by the HDB, applications have certainly been coming in thick and fast!
With 10 BTO projects in 8 estates to choose from, this October 2025 launch promises something for everyone; from affordable options in mature estates to new debutants in prime locations, there is a wide selection of flats to suit homebuyers’ budgets, needs, and preferences.
If you’re planning to submit an application for a BTO but have yet to do so, fret not. You can be rest assured that applications are shortlisted via computer ballot and not on a first-come-first-served basis, so there’s no need to rush your applications.
If you’re not too particular on where you’d like to stay in the future, then it may actually be advantageous to adopt a wait-and-see approach to assess how the application rate pans out, so that you can get a better gauge of your odds.
As of the morning of 17th October 2025, here’s how the application rates stand:
Image credit: HDB
Mount Pleasant Crest 3-room & 4-room flats are already oversubscribed
Image credit: HDB
For Mount Pleasant Crest, one of the highly anticipated debutants at this sales exercise, early signs point to a potential for significant oversubscription, which was something we expected in our analysis piece on the project.
Despite its high price and significant 5-year waiting time, there are many more positives about Mount Pleasant: a brand-new MRT station at its doorstep, a prime location, excellent connectivity, and proximity to several well-known schools such as Anglo-Chinese School and Nanyang Primary School.
4-room flats here already have an application rate of 1.3 for first-timer families and 6.6 for second-timer families, while 3-room flats are 0.5 and 8.0 for first-timer and second-timers respectively. That number is certainly expected to climb over the next few days, and we could see Mount Pleasant Crest being the most oversubscribed.
Will it follow the lead of Toa Payoh Ascent, which was the second-most oversubscribed project in the July 2025 BTO launch? We’ll see.
5-room flats continue to hold their popularity
Image credit: SHE Interior
As you would expect, 5-room flats continue to be widely popular amongst homebuyers, particularly second-timer families who tend to be upgraders from smaller flats or even executive condos. This is because as their families grow, there is a corresponding need for a bigger home, and 5-room flats are perfect to accommodate larger households.
Of course, first-timer applicants who have the financial means can also apply for 5-room flats from the onset, in anticipation of their larger families in the future.
For this sales exercise, there are just four projects that have 5-room flats on offer: Chencharu Grove in Yishun, Teban Heights in Jurong East, Fernvale Plains in Sengkang, and Ping Yi Court in Bedok. Here’s how the projects stack up against each other in terms of application rates (both first and second timers combined):
- Chencharu Grove: 19.1
- Teban Heights: 12.0
- Fernvale Plains: 9.6
- Ping Yi Court: 4.6
One of the possible reasons for the difference between the projects is that Chencharu Grove and Teban Heights are BTO projects located next to or close to an MRT station, whereas Fernvale Plains is located next to an LRT station, and Ping Yi Court is relatively further away from an MRT station. It seems that proximity to transport nodes are a key consideration for homebuyers, and thus projects with nearby MRT stations are ranked highest, followed by LRT stations, and then the rest.
Where are the popular BTO projects amongst singles?
Image credit: MyNiceHome
Because they don’t necessarily need a larger flat, most applicants who are single or childless couples tend to go for the smaller flat layouts. As such, the popular unit layouts for singles would be 2-room Flexi or 3-room flats which provide a good balance of affordability and being right-sized for their needs.
Amongst first-timer singles, the most popular projects for 2-room Flexi units are Ping Yi Court (9.6), Teban Heights (7.6) and Bishan Terraces (7.0). With the exception of Teban Heights, the two other projects are located in or close to mature housing estates, and so one possibility is that these single applicants are looking to live close to their parents but still having a place of their own.
Because the rest of the projects have significantly lower application rates, we don’t expect any sudden surprises towards the end of the sales exercise. The three projects above will most likely continue to be the most popular estates amongst singles, and so if you’re considering a 2-room Flexi unit here, you might want to reconsider.
Most popular units & projects
Image credit: HDB
As it stands, the most popular projects based on pure application rates numbers are:
- 5-room flats at Chencharu Grove: 19.1
- 3-room flats at Berlayar Residences: 16.4
- 4-room flats at Berlayar Residences and Redhill Peaks: 13.0
Chencharu Grove, located in the new Chencharu estate as part of the wider Yishun town, is surprisingly pulling ahead of the pack for larger flat applications. It’s conveniently located within easy walking distance to Khatib MRT station, and also close to the main Yishun estate which is well-populated with amenities as well as schools.
As for Berlayar, we’ve always expected it to be popular. Berlayar is seen as the stepping stone into a future waterfront lifestyle destination, offering a seamless blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.
Residents at Berlayar will enjoy scenic sea views, coastal breezes, and easy access to waterfront promenades and parks, along with ample recreational options right at their doorstep, and this is probably why many are flocking to the new estate.
Plenty more action expected in the days to come
Even though it’s still relatively early days in the sales exercise, data as of the morning of 17th October 2025 shows that over 9,700 applications for 3-room and larger flats and 6,009 applications for 2-room Flexi flats have been submitted. Given that there are only 9,144 units on offer, it once again proves how hot the competition is for a BTO, and all the more so given that this exercise features projects that either have Shorter Waiting Time flats or are part of a brand new estate.
If you’re still deciding which BTO project to go for, don’t take too long as applications close on 22nd October, 11:59pm. You can apply through HDB’s Flat Portal and keep an eye on the latest application rates, which are updated regularly throughout the exercise.
Check out our coverage on the existing October 2025 BTO launch exercise:
- Prime project: Redhill Peaks
- Prime project: Bishan Terraces
- Prime project: Mount Pleasant Crest
- Prime project: Berlayar Residences
- Plus project: Oak Ville @ AMK
- Standard project: Fernvale Plains
- Around 3,300 BTO flats to have shorter waiting times
Cover image adapted from: HDB
Drop us your email so you won't miss the latest news.
