Everything you need to know about getting your first BTO flat

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Buying an HDB BTO flat is practically a rite of passage for Singaporeans, a sign that you’re finally ready to start adulting for real. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide to your very first BTO application and buying a BTO flat.

1) HDB BTO eligibility check

In order to buy an HDB BTO flat, you’ve got to first be eligible. To buy a BTO flat, you must:

In addition, you’ll have to ensure you’re not making too much money to qualify for the flat you’re eyeing. Here are the income ceilings for the various types of flats:

You must also not own any other property, HDB or private, locally or overseas. If you are currently a property owner, you’ll need to dispose of your ownership within 30 months of your application.

2) Ballot for your HDB flat

If you thought striking Toto was hard, try balloting for an HDB flat.

First, you’ll have to check the HDB website regularly for news of upcoming sales launches.

When you see a launch in an area that interests you, pay $10 to ballot for it. How many tries it takes you to get a flat depends on your luck. Some people get it on the first or second try, others have to try 10 times.

Expect to wait about one to two months to know if you’ve been successful or not.

The day you receive news that you’ve been allotted a decent queue number, go and buy 4D.

3) Obtain an HDB loan – get your HLE letter or your AIP

Now that you’ve probably got a BTO flat on the horizon, it’s time to look for someone to lend you money to finance it. You need to get all your loan documents in order to sign the lease agreement.

You have a choice between taking out an HDB loan and a bank loan. Don’t just sign up for the first loan that presents itself to you. 

For those taking out a bank loan, you’ll want to receive approval in principle (AIP) from them. It’s basically a letter declaring how much the bank will loan you. If you’re taking out an HDB loan, get an HDB Loan Eligibility letter (HLE), which you can apply for here.

4) Select your BTO flat and pay the option fee

Your queue number will determine your priority in choosing a unit.

The number of people allotted queue numbers will exceed the number of units, so if your queue number is way out there, chances are you won’t be able to get your hands on a unit and will have to ballot again.

When it comes time to show up at HDB Hub to book your flat, don’t forget to bring along your IC and income documents, as well as your HLE if you are taking a housing loan from the HDB.

Once you’ve selected your unit, start the purchase process by paying an option fee on the spot.

This will be $500 for 2-room flexi flats, $1,000 for 3-room flats and $2,000 for 4 room or larger flats.

You will also apply for your CPF housing grants at this point.

Make sure you download the application forms for the Additional CPF Housing Grant and Special CPF Housing Grant if you plan to apply for them, and bring them along to your flat booking appointment.

5) Sign the lease agreement and pay the downpayment

You’ll have to sign the lease agreement within four months of booking a flat. Make sure you’ve gotten your loan arrangements in order by that time.

On the day you sign the lease agreement, you’ll have to fork out the downpayment, as well as stamp duties and legal fees.

How much your downpayment is depends on whether you’re taking out an HDB or a bank loan.

HDB loan folks will have to pay 10% of the purchase price using cash and/or CPF.

Those taking out bank loans will have to pay a 20% downpayment, of which at least 5% must be in cash and the rest can be paid using CPF.

Note that those taking bank loans can only use CPF savings within certain limits.

Legal fees and stamp duties

Your legal fees and stamp duty can be paid using a mixture of cash and CPF. The stamp duty rates are as follows:

Staggered Downpayment Scheme

You may also be eligible for the Staggered Downpayment Scheme.

As the name implies, this allows you to pay half the downpayment when you sign your lease agreement, and the other half when you sign the Terms of Agreement and collect your keys.

Here’s what it looks like if you’re taking a bank loan with a loan ceiling of 80%:

Now, all you can do is wait as construction workers labouring under the hot sun scramble to build your flat. This stage typically takes 2 to 3 years.

6) Collect your keys

At some point, HDB will notify you to say that you can pick up the keys to your unit. Hooray!

Do you have any questions about buying a BTO flat? Ask away in the comments!

2019 upcoming BTO launches

In 2018, there were 3 sales launches of BTOs in May, August and November, many of which were based in the north/northeast Punggol, Sengkang and Yishun areas.

In 2019 there will be fewer HDB BTO flat launches compared to 2018. 

The first sales launch in February 2019 will offer flats in Jurong West, Sengkang and Kallang/Whampoa.

It will likely be a highly anticipated launch as two of the locations (Jurong West and Kallang/Whampoa) are within walking distance to major MRT stations.

This article was first published in Moneysmart Singapore.