The HFE letter tells you:

• If you’re eligible to purchase a flat from HDB.
• How much grants you can get.
• If you’re eligible for an HDB housing loan.
  • You can also compare housing loans offered by HDB and participating financial institutions (in other words, banks).

You’ll need a valid HFE letter to apply for your dream BTO. Remember – an HFE letter is only valid for 9 months.

Find out more about the HFE letter and apply here

Want to calculate your housing budget? Click here 

Pick a flat that suits your budget and needs:

• Once a BTO sales exercise is open, you have 8 days to submit your application. Applications aren’t on a “first-come, first-served” basis, so take it easy and apply any time during the application window.
• Log into the HDB flat portal to browse the full range of BTO projects available.
• Apply for a flat that works best for your budget and needs, with your HFE letter as a guide.
• You’ll then be shortlisted through a randomised computer ballot – this keeps everything fair.
• Don’t forget to check your appointment letter for all the legal documents and important info you need for your key collection appointment.

• Pro tip #1
  To boost your chances of securing a flat, apply for BTO projects with lower application rates. You’ll find the application rates of each BTO project on the HDB Flat Portal. This will be provided throughout the 8-day application window.


• Pro tip #2
  You may qualify for priority schemes that enhance your chances of success. Find out more about priority schemes here

If you’ve been shortlisted, expect an email from HDB inviting you to book your flat – congrats!

If you weren’t shortlisted, don’t worry – you can always check out the next BTO sales exercise. Plus, if you’re a first-time home buying couple who didn’t get a queue number for two or more Standard BTO ballots, you’ll get one additional chance for each subsequent Standard flat application – this will help boost your odds!

Lucky you, you’ve been shortlisted! Now, you’ll get a queue number to book a flat. HDB will let you know about two weeks before your appointment date.

During your appointment, you’ll pay an option fee to make the flat yours:

• $500 for a 2-room flat.
• $1,000 for a 3-room flat.
• $2,000 for a 4-room or bigger flat.

The option fee is part of the downpayment for your flat.

Here’s a smart move

If you or your partner are still studying or have just started working, you might qualify for the Deferred Income Assessment (DIA)

• HDB will only assess your income just before you collect your keys, to determine your eligibility for the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) and HDB loan amount.
• By then, you’d have been working for some time – with higher incomes, you’d likely qualify for a higher loan amount.
• No extra steps needed – HDB will let you know if you’re eligible.

Learn more about everything you need to book a flat here.

Check out these FAQs on flat booking you might have.

This is when things get official. First, you’ll sign the Agreement for Lease (a letter that spells out the terms and conditions of getting your BTO).

Settling your downpayment

You’ll pay your downpayment in two parts – when you sign the Agreement for Lease, and the rest when you collect your keys.

The first upfront payment depends on the type of loan you choose:

• HDB loan / No loan: 10% of the total flat price
• Bank loan: 20%

If you’re a first-time home buyer, you may be eligible for the Staggered Downpayment Scheme (SDS), which halves your first upfront payment when signing the Agreement for Lease.

Plus, if you’re eligible for the Deferred Income Assessment (DIA), you’ll only need to pay 2.5% of your flat’s purchase price at this stage.

Other costs

You’ll also have a few other costs to cover at the same time:

• Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD): This is a tax on buying your first flat, and it’s calculated based on the flat’s total price.
• Legal Fees: This covers paperwork and processing fees for your home loan.

Find out more about SDS and DIA here.

The big day is finally here! You’re about to officially own your new flat – just a few final steps to go:

• Look out for an email and SMS from HDB about two weeks before your keys are ready.
• Don’t forget to check your appointment letter for all the legal documents and important info you need for your key collection appointment.
• Take care of your remaining downpayment.

When will your first loan payment start?

Your first monthly loan payment only kicks off the month after you collect your keys, giving you a bit of breathing room before repayments start.

Find out more about key collection and fees here.