Mark your calendars: another BTO sales exercise is due to take place this July. But that’s not all━on top of the BTO launch, there will also be another Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise happening concurrently, with about 3,000 flats on offer.
This will bring the total SBF supply thus far to about 8,500, including the 5,500 previously launched in February, which makes it the largest offering since 2017.
What are SBF flats?
Image credit: Digby Cheung on Unsplash
Essentially, the Sale of Balance Flats exercise allows you to apply for:
- Unsold HDB flats from previous BTO exercises,
- Flats that were repurchased by the HDB due to factors like bounce-out units or couples giving up BTO flats before they are built, or
- Remaining flats from the Selective En-bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) replacement sites.
In terms of unit types, the range of SBF flats can vary, given that the pool of available units is gathered from various sources. For example, flats from past BTO launches or SERS replacement sites might be units that were less popular━for example flats on a low floor, or facing rubbish clearing points. Alternatively, it might comprise flats that have been repurchased by the HDB due to buyers giving up their flats.
One important point to remember is that unlike new BTO launches, where HDB will publish information about the sites and prices in advance, details about the SBF will only be released on the launch day. The application window for the SBF exercise is also only limited to one week, so you’ll need to be prepared to make a decision fairly quickly on the unit you intend to go for.
Another key consideration is the ethnic quota. Basically, the availability of units is subject to the existing racial profile of resident households in the block, which means that certain units may only be available for sale to applicants of specific races.
To find out more about the SBF exercise, check out our article on everything you need to know about SBF flats, including eligibility, pros and cons, and more.
How much are SBF flats?
Depending on the flat options available, an SBF flat may be cheaper than a BTO flat. We won’t know the price of SBF flats until the sales exercise is officially underway, but data from the previous SBF exercise in February 2025 provides some indicative data points on how prices will be set.
Here’s a snapshot of the number of flats that were available in popular estates, and their selling prices (excluding grants):
Ang Mo Kio
- 434 4-room flats, prices starting from $309,000
- 172 3-room flats, prices starting from $208,000
Bedok
- 18 5-room/3Gen/Executive flats, prices starting from $476,000
- 25 4-room flats, prices starting from $229,000
- 37 3-room flats, prices starting from $158,000
Bishan
- 64 4-room flats, prices starting from $509,000
- 10 3-room flats, prices starting from $208,000
Clementi
- 18 5-room/3Gen flats, prices starting from $516,000
- 13 4-room flats, prices starting from $584,000
Geylang
- 61 4-room flats, prices starting from $329,000
- 20 3-room flats, prices starting from $153,000
Kallang/Whampoa
- 31 4-room flats, prices starting from $494,000
- 34 3-room flats, prices starting from $134,000
Punggol
- 40 5-room/3Gen/Executive flats, prices starting from $421,000
- 96 4-room flats, prices starting from $289,000
- 25 3-room flats, prices starting from $303,000
Queenstown
There were the fewest SBF flats on offer in Queenstown in the February 2025 SBF exercise:
- 1 5-room flat, selling price of $681,000
- 17 4-room flats, prices starting from $289,000
- 25 3-room flats, prices starting from $143,000
Tampines
- 98 5-room flats, prices starting from $576,000
- 131 4-room flats, prices starting from $384,000
- 22 3-room flats, prices starting from $248,000
Tengah
The Tengah estate saw the most SBF flats available for purchase in the February 2025 SBF exercise:
- 375 5-room/3Gen flats, prices starting from $475,000
- 681 4-room flats, prices starting from $355,000
- 137 3-room flats, prices starting from $261,000
Get your HFE letter ready before July 2025
Image credit: Uchify.sg via Lemon8
If you’ve set your mind on participating in the upcoming July 2025 BTO or SBF sales exercises, remember that you will need a valid HDB Flat Eligibility Letter (HFE).
According to HDB, the application process for the HFE takes about a month, and it may take longer than that since there will be an influx of applications closer to the start of the sales exercise. As such, HDB encourages all flat applicants to submit their HFE applications as early as possible, by 15th May 2025.
The later you submit your HFE application, the higher the risk of not getting your HFE approved and issued in time. This will in turn prevent you from participating in the upcoming July 2025 BTO/SBF exercise.
In short, the HFE informs you of your eligibility to either buy a BTO/SBF flat from HDB or a flat from the resale market, the amount of grants you will be eligible for, and the loan quantum you can get from HDB.
All you have to do is to log in to the HDB’s Flat Portal, and the rest of the process is pretty straightforward. You’ll have to fill in details like your particulars, income, and housing loan options, submit the application, and wait for HDB to process it.
Do note that the letter is valid for 9 months from the date of issue, so it should be able to cover you for at least two BTO/SBF exercises. Find out more about applying for a HFE letter on the HDB website.
5,400 BTO flats on offer at upcoming July 2025 BTO exercise
On top of the SBF exercise, there will also be about 5,400 brand new BTO flats up for sale in Bukit Merah, Bukit Panjang, Clementi, Sembawang, Tampines, Toa Payoh, and Woodlands. Altogether, the HDB has committed to launch over 50,000 flats from 2025 to 2027, ensuring that there will always be a steady supply of public housing options for all Singaporeans. Further details will be released closer to July.
For more housing content:
- Neighbourhoods within 1km of popular primary schools
- Where to find executive maisonettes in Singapore
- Newly MOP-ed HDB estates in 2025
Cover image adapted from: Max Oh on Unsplash
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