The Ultimate 2025 Guide: How to Increase Your BTO Chances in Singapore

A colleague of mine applied for a Build-to-Order (BTO) flat 12 times before finally getting the keys to his dream home. To be fair, he was a bit choosy about location… but still, 12 tries! That’s enough to make anyone feel like the universe is against you.

If you’ve applied for a BTO, you’ll know this struggle well. Balloting can feel like 4D—random, frustrating, and out of your control.

But here’s the thing. While luck plays a part, there are ways to tip the odds in your favour.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through 5 smart strategies to boost your BTO chances in 2025, from using the right priority schemes to timing your application like a pro.

 

How to increase your BTO chances (2025 guide)

1. Apply for a priority scheme
2. Apply for 2 priority schemes if you qualify for FPPS
3. Maximise your first-timer advantage
4. Gain extra chances after unsuccessful attempts
5. Choose the right BTO project and apply at the right time
6. How do I get a smaller queue number?
7. What happens if you reject a BTO flat?
8. Conclusion

 

1. Apply for a priority scheme to boost your BTO chances

One of the simplest ways to tilt the odds in your favour is to apply under a priority scheme. HDB lets each household apply for 1 scheme if you meet the eligibility requirements at the point of your HFE letter application.

Scheme	Who qualifies
Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS)	First-timer married couples or families with at least one child under 18 (or expecting a child).
Family Care Scheme (FCS)	Parents and children (married or single) applying to live together or within 4 km of each other. Two parts: Proximity (from Jul 2025) and Joint Balloting (from Oct 2025).
Third Child Priority Scheme (TCPS)	Families with 3 or more children who are Singapore Citizens (with at least one child born on/after 1 Jan 1987).
Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS)	Parents and their married child applying for two flats in the same project (will be folded into FCS Joint Balloting from Oct 2025).
Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (ASSIST)	Divorced or widowed parents with at least one child aged 18 or below.
Senior Priority Scheme (SPS)	Seniors buying 2-room Flexi flats near their current home (will be folded into FCS Proximity from Jul 2025).
Tenants’ Priority Scheme (TPS)	Long-term tenants of HDB rental flats who want to purchase their own home.

Most applicants will encounter 2 main schemes:

FPPS (Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme)

Designed to help first-timer families and young couples secure a home sooner, FPPS gives priority for up to 40% of BTO flats and 60% of SBF flats in each launch. If you qualify for FPPS, you may also apply for one additional scheme, such as FCS or TCPS—more on this in the next section.

FCS (Family Care Scheme)

New in 2025, the FCS comes in 2 parts:

• FCS (Proximity): Priority if parents and children want to live together or within 4 km of each other.
• FCS (Joint Balloting): Priority if parents and children want to secure two flats in the same BTO project by applying together.

FCS component	Who qualifies	Replaces	Roll-out
FCS (Proximity)	Parents and children (married or single) applying to live together or within 4 km of each other.	Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS) and Senior Priority Scheme (SPS)	July 2025 BTO exercise
FCS (Joint Balloting)	Parents and children (married or single) applying jointly for two flats in the same BTO project (must include 2-room Flexi or 3-room flats).	Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS)	October 2025 BTO exercise

For many families, FPPS and FCS are the most powerful levers to boost ballot odds, especially if you’re a first-timer planning to live near your parents.

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2. Apply for 2 priority schemes if you qualify for FPPS

The Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS) is one of the strongest levers to increase your BTO chances in Singapore. Why? Because up to 40% of BTO flats and up to 60% of Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) are reserved for FPPS applicants. That’s a big share of flats set aside just for young families and first-timer couples.

Who the FPPS is for

The FPPS is designed to help families settle down more quickly. You qualify if:

• You and your spouse are first-timer buyers.
• You have a Singapore Citizen child aged 18 or below (natural or legally adopted).
• You or your spouse is expecting a child with a doctor’s certification.

If you fall under the FT(PMC) category (Parents & Married Couples), you are automatically eligible for FPPS.

Double the ballot chances

If you qualify for FPPS, you can apply for one other scheme (for example, FCS (Proximity) or TCPS). The computerised ballot will consider you under both schemes.

For example, a couple with 3 kids might be eligible for TCPS as well as FPPS. Their application is first balloted under TCPS, and if they don’t get a queue number, it’s balloted again under FPPS.

Example scenario: Double vs single ballot
Couple A applies under FPPS + TCPS. Their application is balloted first under FCS, then again under TCPS. Two shots at the ballot.	Couple B applies under FPPS only. Their application is balloted once under FPPS.

In other words, one application gives you 2 bites at the apple, making FPPS one of the most effective ways to boost your ballot chances.

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ALSO READ: What Kind of Help Can Young Couples Get From HDB When Buying Their First Home in 2025?

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3. Maximise your first-timer advantage in the BTO ballot

Not all applicants are equal in the BTO ballot. If you’re applying for your first home, you already enjoy a head start over second-timers.

Ballot chances at a glance

Applicant type	Base ballot chances	Who qualifies
First-timer	2 chances	Any household applying for an HDB flat for the first time.
First-timer (Parents & Married Couples, FT(PMC))	3 chances	Married couples aged ≤40, families with at least one Singapore Citizen child aged 18 or below, or couples expecting a child with doctor’s certification.
Second-timer	1 chance	Households who have previously bought a subsidised flat.

This system is designed to help young families and new homeowners settle down faster. Second-timers—households who’ve already enjoyed housing subsidies before—are given fewer chances to keep things fair.

And here’s a bonus: if you’re unsuccessful multiple times as a first-timer, you can earn extra ballot chances along the way. We’ll explain how that works in the next section.

How do I know if I qualify for the First-timer (Parents & Married Couples, FT(PMC)) category?

Reckon you qualify for the FT(PMC) category? You don’t need to request for it; HDB will evaluate your eligibility and let you know after you submit your flat application. If you qualify for the FT(PMC) category, you‘ll also be eligible for the FPPS.

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4. Gain extra chances after unsuccessful attempts

Here’s some good news for those who’ve tried and failed: unsuccessful first-timer BTO applications aren’t wasted efforts. Since Oct 2023, HDB has given first-timer families an additional ballot chance for every subsequent Standard BTO application after 2 failed attempts.

How it works

1. Base ballot chances:
   • If you’re a first-timer, you normally start with 2 ballot chances.
   • If you’re an FT(PMC) (Parents & Married Couples), you start with 3 ballot chances.
2. Additional ballot chances:
   • Once you’ve been unsuccessful twice, each new application for a Standard flat earns you +1 extra chance, capped at 4 chances for first-timers and 5 chances for FT(PMC).

Example progression

No. of unsuccessful attempts	First-timer chances	FT(PMC) chances
0–1	2	3
2	3	4
3	4 (max)	5 (max)
4+	4 (max)	5 (max)

Note: This rule only applies to Standard BTO flats. You won’t earn extra chances for Plus or Prime flats.

This system rewards persistence. If you’ve been applying for years without success, you aren’t just spinning your wheels—your ballot chances actually improve with each try. Over time, this gives you a stronger edge compared to new first-timers entering the pool.

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5. Choose the right BTO project and apply at the right time

It’s often said that mature estates, which usually fall under Plus or Prime projects, attract the fiercest competition. That’s still true in general. But increasingly, I’ve noticed that what really drives demand is proximity to MRT stations, even in non-mature areas.

Most popular projects in recent launches

Exercise	Project (Town)	Flat type	Application rate (First-Timer Families)
Oct 2024	Costa Riviera I and II (Pasir Ris, Standard)	5-room / 3Gen	6.7
Feb 2025	Tanjong Rhu Parc Front (Kallang Whampoa, Prime)	4-room	3.7
Jul 2025	Simei Symphony (Tampines, Standard)	4-room	6.7
		5-room	8.4

These figures show that even Standard projects can become hot favourites if they’re near MRT lines.

Read more about past BTO projects in our BTO reviews:

• Oct 2024 BTO review 
• Feb 2025 BTO review
• Jul 2025 BTO review

 

Flat type matters too

If you’re flexible, downsizing or upsizing can sometimes guarantee you a better shot.

Exercise	Project (Town)	Flat type	Application rate (First-Timer Families)
Jul 2025	Clementi Emerald (Prime)	3-room	1.0
Jul 2025	Clementi Emerald (Prime)	4-room	3.1
Jul 2025	Sembawang Beacon (Standard)	4-room	1.2
Jul 2025	Sembawang Beacon (Standard)	5-room / 3Gen	0.6

Sometimes, a small shift in expectations, like opting for a smaller flat in a Prime project or a larger flat in a Standard one, can dramatically improve your BTO ballot chances in Singapore.

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6. How do I get a smaller queue number?

Short answer: you can’t.

HDB is very clear: “There is no priority or privilege to secure a small queue number to book a flat.”

There is a big difference between ballot chances and queue numbers:

Ballot chances	Queue numbers
Determine whether you get picked at all in the computerised ballot. More chances = higher likelihood of being selected.	Determine your position in line to pick a flat after you’ve been selected. It’s random—you can’t influence whether you get an early or late number.

In short, ballot chances = entry ticket. They decide if you get into the flat booking queue. 

Comparatively, queue numbers = place in line. They decide how many flats are left when it’s your turn, and are assigned randomly. You cannot influence your queue number.

So while schemes like FPPS or FT(PMC) can boost your odds of getting into the queue, no scheme can guarantee you’ll be first in line.

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ALSO READ: Rising HDB Prices in 2025: How to Decide Between Buying Now, Waiting for a BTO, or Renting

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7. What happens if you reject a BTO flat?

Finally got an invitation to book a flat, but thinking of turning it down? Be careful. Rejecting a flat you’re offered can have serious consequences on your future BTO chances.

Key consequences

Action	What happens
Reject a flat when units are still available	You incur 1 non-selection count
With 1 non-selection count	– Treated as a second-timer for 1 year – All other flat applications are cancelled – Any extra ballot chances earned as a first-timer are reset to 0

When it’s waived

HDB won’t penalise you if:

• There are ≤10 BTO flats left to choose from, or
• There are ≤5 SBF flats left.

So unless you have a very strong reason, it’s best to book when offered. Rejecting a BTO flat could delay your BTO journey by a year.

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8. Conclusion

At the end of the day, getting a BTO flat will always involve a little bit of luck — but as we’ve seen, it’s not just luck. By applying under the right HDB priority schemes, making use of your first-timer advantage, staying persistent after unsuccessful attempts, and being flexible about project and flat type, you can meaningfully increase your BTO chances in Singapore.

Remember too: don’t waste an opportunity if you’re invited to book a flat, and don’t stress over things you can’t control like queue numbers. Focus on what you can control: eligibility, timing, and strategy.

The BTO journey may feel like a marathon, but with the right moves, you’ll eventually find yourself holding the keys to your new home.

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This article was first drafted with the help of AI and later reviewed and refined by the author.