HDB Sale of Balance Flats: Guide to SBF & Open Booking (2024)

Although the SOP for buying an HDB BTO flat has been well-documented, buying a flat via HDB’s Sale of Balance Flats (HDB SBF) or the new open booking system is a little less talked about.

• HDB SBF: The flats here are unsold units from previous BTO launches. These launches happen twice a year—in 2024, we had one in Feb 2024.
• HDB Open Booking of Flats: This is where any remaining unsold units after SBF will be available. These units can open for booking any time during the year.

 

A Guide to HDB Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) and Open Booking of Flats (2024)

1. What is a Sale of Balance (SBF) flat?
2. Sale of Balance Flat (SBF) vs Built to Order (BTO)
3. How and when can I view SBF flats?
4. What are Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) launches like?
5. How do I apply for Sale of Balance (SBF) flats?
6. How do I apply for HDB Open Booking flats?
7. I don’t have enough money for my BTO or SBF
8. HDB Loan or Bank Loan?

 

1. What is a Sale of Balance (SBF) flat?

Sale of Balance (SBF) flats are flats that are leftover flats (“balance” flats) that weren’t sold during previous BTO sales launches, repurchased flats, and more. They open for application in May and November each year, alongside the May and Nov BTO launches.

The main advantage that buying a balance flat gives is the chance to jump the BTO queue. After all, the standard HDB BTO route does have some disadvantages:

1. 1. Fewer options: HDB BTOs are launched typically only 4 times a year, and they may not be located in the estate you want. This year, there are only 3 BTO launches: Feb, Jun, and Oct 2024.
   2. Scarcity: Even if HDB has released a suitable location this time round, there’s no guarantee you’ll get a flat because everyone has to go through the dreaded balloting process. Getting invited to select a flat in a “hot” BTO development like Kallang/Whampoa is like striking 4D.
   3. Long waiting time: Finally, after you manage to secure a BTO flat, there’s still a long wait of 3 to 6 years for most BTOs. That’s another 1,000+ days you have to spend living at your in-laws’ place. ‘Nuff said.

Key advantages of an HDB SBF flat include:

1. 1. More locations to choose from: Not limited to the 3 – 5 areas in the current BTO launch.
   2. Shorter wait: Because the flat is already under construction (in some cases, ready to move into).
   3. Viewing: More often than not, your SBF project would already be halfway or even done. You can walk up to the estate to view and check out nearby amenities and try taking the MRT or bus to your workplace etc. If the project is already up, you can even go right up to the unit to check out your potential neighbours.
   4. Easier to gauge chances: You can see how many flats are available for your ethnicity.

But there are also big disadvantages, such as:

1. 1. Slim chances: Because the supply is much smaller than HDB BTOs, the chances of a successful application can be slim.
   2. Less choice: Want a high floor corner unit? These might have been snapped up by BTO buyers. If the high floor units are available, they may be ridiculously expensive (that’s why people are not buying).
   3. Ethnic quota restrictions: Flats may not be available for certain races, especially Chinese.
   4. No cost savings: Sadly, HDB doesn’t have a “reduced to clear” policy for their unsold flats. In fact, balance flats may sometimes cost a bit more.

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2. Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) vs Built to Order (BTO) flats

There are 2 ways to get a balance flat: 

First, there is the HDB Sale of Balance Flats (SBF), which comprises mainly flats left over from previous HDB BTO launches. These either did not get selected by the BTO ballot winners, or were selected but later given up (e.g. if the applicants decided to break up or go for condo).

So, what if there are any leftover, leftover flats? Well, they’ll be offered under HDB’s Open Booking of Flats. Here are the differences:

	HDB Sales of Balance Flats	HDB Open Booking of Flats
When it’s available	Twice a year (the first in 2024 was in Feb 2024)	All the time
Application period	1 week (during sales launch)	Generally open throughout the year
What flats are available	Leftover flats from previous HDB BTO launch, repurchased flats, etc	Leftover flats from previous HDB SBF launches
How many units	Over 1,000 (May 2023 exercise had 1,500)	Depends, but typically less than 100
Unit mix	Most unit types available	Limited unit sizes
Locations	Mature & non-mature estates	Mature & non-mature estates, but only a few in each
Ethnic quota	Fairly spread out among races	Very few units for Chinese buyers

Do note that since these are, like I mentioned, the balance flats of the balance flats, they are NOT for fussies.

If you are super duper particular about being on the top floor or the fengshui of your unit, then it goes without saying that you should probably give this a miss. Instead, these balance flats were meant for those in more pressing need of housing, and don’t mind taking a look at what’s available as long as they can get their keys ASAP.

However, from my personal experience, there are some pretty great units at HDB SBF launches. Many couples default on their super hyped $400k or $500k high floor units after realising that they can’t pay up for the hefty down payments, can’t get sufficient mortgage to cover their flat’s price, or umm… broke up.

I got a 23rd floor leftover BTO unit near Clementi MRT in an SBF exercise years ago. And you can actually spend a weekend going around to “view” the units available on the SBF list, create a top 5/ top 10 list, before going to HDB on your appointment day to choose. 

The greatest advantage is that the waiting time for open booking flats is way shorter than both SBF and BTO. If successful, you can get invited to HDB to select your flat as early as the next working day of your application! That’s crazy efficient.

Plus, since they are farther along in the HDB BTO timeline, you can expect a much shorter wait for these balance flats to be built. Some might even be available to move into already.

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Getting ready to BTO? Prepare yourself for your home ownership journey with our BTO guides! Buying an HDB BTO Flat in Singapore: A Step-By-Step Guide (2024) Guide to the HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) Letter (2024): When You Need It, How to Apply, and More HDB BTO Jun 2024 Review: Locations, Prices, Site Plans, Expected Application Rates, and More HDB Downpayment Guide: How Much Do You Need for BTO, Resale & EC? What Is The Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) “99-1 Loophole” in Singapore and Is It Illegal? (2024) HDB Sale of Balance Flats: Guide to SBF & Open Booking (2024)

 

3. How and when can I view SBF flats?

SBF flat exercises generally happen twice a year. They’re usually every May and November, but this year HDB bucked the trend by holding one in Feb 2024. That’s probably because they also cut down their BTO launches from 4 to 3 this year, and SBF periods coincide with BTO ones.

SBF applications typically open for about a week. During the SBF periods, you can view the SBF flats available by going to the HDB website, clicking onto SBF, and go to the “Finding a Flat” webpage. You will be shown a map, and individual estates’ details will show up. Go to the estate you’re interested in to view available units there.

Here’s an example from a previous SBF exercise in May 2022. If I’m looking for a SBF unit near Hougang MRT station, this is what I will see on the map:

If you were to click into the SBF Hougang Ave 5 bubble, a dedicated webpage will pop-up to show you more details of the available SBF units in this estate:

You will then be able to select your flat size of choice, your ethnicity, and the blocks that are available to you. Then, you’ll be able to see the exact unit number:

 

4. What are Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) launches like?

HDB SBF launches happen twice a year, coinciding with HDB BTO launches. You have to choose either the BTO or SBF route for each round of applications—applying for both during the same launch is not allowed.

You can take a look at the previous HDB Sale of Balance Flats launch in Feb 2024 for an idea of the number of units and flat mix. The Feb 2024 exercise saw 1,588 balance flats, of which around 12% were already completed.

One thing that makes HDB Sale of Balance Flats very different from applying for a BTO is the sheer variety and depth of information provided.

With HDB BTOs, it’s a leap of faith. All you really need to do is to choose your preferred location and flat size. HDB provides just the generic map, so you just have to hope that it’ll live up to your expectations.

But with the SBF, HDB provides a ton of information, right down to the block number (so you know exactly where it is), unit number (so you know which floor it’s on), and the ethnic quota (so you know whether you got chance or not).

Plus each batch has over 1,000 units across virtually all flat types and locations, which can really send you into decision paralysis.

Fortunately, each SBF launch is about a week long, so you and your partner/family can take your time (sorta) to carefully review the information available and make your choice. You can only choose 1 location and 1 flat type, so please weigh all the factors (especially flat supply!) carefully.

As for the flat itself? Well, it’s the same as the other BTO flats in your block, although possibly on a low floor or facing West or some other factor deemed as “dealbreaker” by a picky buyer. To take a case study, my colleague bought a low floor flat in Punggol through an SBF exercise, and the wait was only one year.

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5. How do I apply for Sale of Balance Flats (SBF)?

We’ve talked about how the time frame for HDB SBF is the same as that of BTOs—and guess what? It turns out that application procedure is similar as well.

Step 1: Check eligibility. The eligibility criteria, income ceiling, and housing schemes that apply to BTOs also apply to Sale of Balance Flats. For a recap of the criteria, see our step-by-step guide to applying for a BTO or HDB’s official eligibility page.

Step 2: Apply for your flat. Apply for your HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) Letter and submit a simple online application on the sales launch page, and pay a $10 admin fee. This needs to be done within the 1-week window that HDB usually gives for their BTO/SBF launches.

Step 3: Wait for results. After application closes, prepare to spend the next few weeks in an insomniac state as HDB conducts the balloting process. This is basically a lottery, but HDB has set it up in such a way that your chances are better if you are a first-time applicant, applying as a couple or family. If eligible for one of the HDB priority schemes (e.g. for living near your parents), you can improve your chances.

Step 4: Hear from HDB. At the end of about 3 weeks, you’ll get a letter from HDB with your ballot queue number. If it’s something ridiculous like #1,735 then GG, better luck next time. But if your queue number is reasonably small, you get an appointment with HDB for the event of the year: Your SBF flat selection. *pops champagne*

Step 5: Go to HDB and book your flat. At HDB Hub, you’ll be shown what’s available to you, and, if you like what you see, you can book it on the spot (must pay an option fee of $500, $1,000 or $2,000, depending on the size of your flat). Once you have your finances in order, you can come back and sign the official lease agreement and make the downpayment of 20% (HDB loan) or 25% (bank loan) of the flat price.

While you’re at HDB Hub, do head upstairs to the “MyNiceHome Gallery” to check out the 2-room, 3-room, 4-room, and 5-room new BTO flat layouts and mentally prepare yourself to stay in a teeny weeny house.

Step 6: Key collection. Assuming all goes well, the next time you’ll hear from HDB is when your key is ready. Hurray! Depending on how far along your flat is in the construction process, key collection day can be as early as within 3 months (if it’s already complete) to 2+ years (if it’s a previously-unsold BTO).

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6. How do I apply for HDB Open Booking flats?

HDB Open Booking was designed to be available all year round, so there was no need to wait till HDB launches a BTO to apply for one or go through the whole balloting process. To be alerted to the next round open booking of flats, you can sign up for the HDB eAlert Service.

It was meant to be first come, first served. You could do it anytime, provided you can find one that you qualify for and suits you.

If you qualify, you’ll be very pleased to know that the HDB open booking is short and simple.

Step 1: Check your eligibility. As with all flats bought directly from HDB, you need to meet certain age/family/income requirements, so check your eligibility here before applying.

Step 2: Settle your loan. At the same time, you should also obtain an HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter and Approval in Principal letter from your bank. Things can move at lighting speed with open booking, so you should prepare all the admin ahead of application.

Step 3: Apply for your flat. No need to wait around for an auspicious date, because balance units are first come, first served. This means that if you see anything you like and have fulfilled all the eligibility requirements, you should apply online immediately. The usual $10 admin fee applies.

Step 4: Get an appointment with HDB. Immediately after application, you’ll receive a queue number and an appointment to book your flat. This can be as early as the same day of your application (if you book before noon on a weekday—otherwise, it’s the next working day). So it’s best to clear your schedule on application day!

Step 5: Book your flat. During your appointment with HDB, you can go ahead and book the flat by paying a $500, $1,000 or $2,000 option fee (depending on flat size). If opting for HDB loan, you also need to submit your HLE letter while booking

Step 6: Sign lease agreement. The next HDB appointment is to sign the official agreement. You will want to make sure you have enough cash/CPF on this day, because it’s also when you’ll be making the downpayment (20% or 25% of your flat), plus legal and stamp fees (1% to 3% of the flat).

Step 7: Key collection. If the flat you booked is already complete, you can collect your keys on the same day as signing the lease agreement. Talk about efficient! Otherwise, you will need to wait till the block is constructed and then collect your key.

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7. I don’t have enough money for my BTO or SBF.

With an HDB BTO, you have what seems like all the time in the world to save up for your downpayment and sort out your finances.

But due to the chop-chop nature of HDB SBF and ROF, some applicants may run into cashflow issues. To help with that, HDB has a few concessions.

Deferment of income assessment: If you and your partner are fresh out of school or NS (within 12 months), you can defer your income assessment until 3 months before key collection for an uncompleted flat or at the time of flat booking for a competed one. HDB will notify you to submit your income documents then. You may also be eligible for a 2.5% initial downpayment—read more about what help young couples can get from HDB when buying their first home.

Staggered Downpayment Scheme: First-timer couple applicants under 30 years old, or current homeowners looking to downsize to a smaller flat, can request for the downpayment to be paid in 2 parts. Assuming you go for an HDB loan, this means you only need to pay 5% when you sign the lease agreement, and the other 15% at key collection.

Deferred Downpayment Scheme: For elderly (age 55 and up) homeowners looking to downsize their current flat to a new, smaller home (3-room or smaller), your downpayment due date will be automatically extended until key collection date. When signing the lease agreement, you will only need to pay the stamp duty and legal fees (1% to 3% of flat).

Temporary Loan Scheme: If you’re in the midst of selling your current flat and want to use the proceeds to pay for your new flat, this scheme allows you to get a short-term loan from HDB to help with the cashflow while you wait for the sale proceeds to come in.

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8. HDB Loan or Bank Loan for my BTO or SBF?

No matter how long you put off financing your HDB flat, you’ll have to deal with the painful money bit of buying your flat at some point.

Like every other home buyer, you’ll need to decide on who you get your home loan from—HDB or a bank.

Requiring no cash downpayment, the HDB loan is the default choice for many new homeowners. However, if you have enough cash for the downpayment, bank loans typically have lower interest rates. Typically! You should always compare the current bank loan interest rates with the HDB loan interest rate.

Currently, HDB loan interest rates (2.60% p.a.) are generally lower than other home loan interest rates. Banks don’t readily publish these rates online though, so you might want to get a home loan quote from MoneySmart. We’ll do the hard work for you!

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