HDB BTO Launch Oct 2023: What's new for homeowners

What happened?

The October 2023 HDB BTO sales launch is now open! 

This comes after HDB earlier announced that about 1,900 Build-to-Order (BTO) flats in Choa Chu Kang will be offered for sale in the upcoming exercise in early October.

The upcoming BTO launch is highly anticipated, as the sales launch was initially intended for August, but was subsequently pushed back to October.

This is intended to take into consideration applicants from the May BTO sales launch who were informed that they would get their ballot results in August instead of July. This was after all, the first time that the new HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter procedure was used.

If you are searching for your dream home in the upcoming HDB BTO launch, read on to find out more about the projects that are coming up.

Which projects are available in HDB’s BTO launch in October 2023?

In HDB's BTO launch in October 2023, there are four mature estates in Kallang/Whampoa and Queenstown.

The Choa Chu Kang and Tengah projects make up the remaining non-mature estates in this sales launch.

Note that the new classification of standard/plus/prime flats will only take effect from 2H 2024 onwards. Check out our guide to the new HDB BTO categories for more information.

For a brief summary, refer to the table below:

What you need to know about projects in the HDB BTO launch in October 2023

Verandah @ Kallang (Kallang/Whampoa)

The Verandah @ Kallang BTO Project ranks as one of the top choices for those who place a big emphasis on buying a flat in a good location.

This project is only a mere 6 minute walk to Kallang MRT and Lorong 1 Geylang Bus Terminal.

As you might expect, this falls under the Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) model.

It is also close to the KPE which makes it convenient for drivers although the close proximity also leaves much to be desired when it comes to noise.

For shopping and food options, residents will have no shortage of choices at Geylang Road, Sims Avenue, and even the Upper Boon Keng Market and Food Centre located slightly further out.

Residents who enjoy walking can even take a leisurely stroll to Kallang Wave Mall.

If travelling by car, Bugis Junction and Bugis+ are very easily accessible as they are only a short drive away.

Source: HDB

Location of Verandah @ Kallang project

Source:HDB

Rajah Residences (Kallang/Whampoa)

The Rajah Residences BTO project does not offer much in terms of its location and surrounding amenities.

This is because the nearest MRT stations are not within walking distance and residents would need to take a bus to either Toa Payoh MRT station, Potong Pasir MRT station, or even Bendemeer MRT station.

One bad thing about this project is that it’s located close to the PIE and CTE which may give rise to some level of noise pollution.

The nearest shopping malls would be the HDB Hub at Toa Payoh, Shaw Plaza, or Zhongshan Mall in Balestier.

Interestingly, only 2-room Flexi and 4-room units are offered in this estate; 3-room flats are not featured.

Source: HDB

Location of Rajah Residences project

Source: HDB

Tenteram Vantage (Kallang/Whampoa)

The Tenteram Vantage BTO project is also not very accessible in terms of its proximity to an MRT station.

It is in fact located right next to the intersection between the PIE and CTE, which may be noisy and does not exactly give a great view.

As for surrounding amenities, there are no major malls nearby.

The Poiz Centre and Venue Shoppes appear to be in the vicinity on the map, but there is no direct route in driving there.

Source: HDB

Location of Tenteram Vantage project

Source: HDB

Tanglin Halt Cascadia (Commonwealth Drive)

The Tanglin Halt Cascadia BTO project is located along One-North Crescent and Commonwealth Drive.

It is another project with a great location near Commonwealth MRT as well as Buona Vista MRT.

Needless to say, this falls under the Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) model.

Residents of this project will enjoy the close proximity to malls like The Star Vista and Galaxis at One-North, as well as access to Holland Village.

It is also located near to IKEA, Alexandra Hospital, and the Queenstown Stadium and Swimming Complex.

Similar to other BTO projects that have been launched in this area, only 3-room and 4-room flats are featured.

Source: HDB

Location of Tanglin Halt Cascadia project

Source: HDB

Rail Green I and II @ CCK (Choa Chu Kang)

The Rail Green I and II BTO project is the biggest out of all the other sites offered in this launch.

It is a large-scale development with 1,870 units available for selection, comprising 12 blocks that range from 13 to 31 storeys high.

Most importantly, it will have the shortest waiting time of three years and three months!

Flat units will be oriented to provide homeowners with scenic views of the Pang Sua Canal and the linear greenery that runs along it.

It is also located within a 10-minute walk from Bukit Panjang MRT station.

Nearby amenities include Junction 10, Hillion Mall, and Bukit Panjang Plaza.

Source: HDB

Location of Rail Green I and II @ CCK project

Source: HDB

Plantation Edge I & II (Tengah)

The Plantation Edge I & II BTO project is located next to the upcoming Tengah Park MRT which is slated to be opened in 2028.

However, the close proximity to the PIE and JRL train tracks may present some level of noise pollution to the surrounding vicinity.

This project is surrounded by supermarkets such as NTUC Fairprice, Sheng Siong, and many eateries and food outlets at Bukit Batok West Shopping Centre.

In case you were wondering, this BTO project unfortunately falls just outside the 1km radius of the new ACS (Primary) campus that will open in 2030.

Source: HDB

Location of Plantation Edge I & II project

Source: HDB

If I want to apply for a BTO in this coming launch, when should I apply for a HFE letter?

HDB has advised prospective homebuyers that those who plan to apply for a flat in the upcoming sales launch should apply for a HFE letter before mid-August.

This is especially important to note as wait times can stretch up till 4-6 weeks during peak periods.

Since the HFE letter is valid for 6 months, there’s no harm in applying early!

If you don’t have a HFE letter yet, you can still apply for one ahead of the December BTO launch.

Do married couples have a higher chance of securing a queue number?

Yes! HDB has introduced a new category for first-timer applicants that will take effect from the September 2023 launch onwards.

This is called the First-Timers (Parents and Married Couples) category, and includes:

• Families with at least one Singaporean Citizen child aged 18 and below
• Married couples aged 40 and below who have not previously owned a residential property and failed to book a BTO/SBF flat in the last 5 years

Applicants who fall into this group will gain an additional ballot chance, on top of the existing 2 ballot chances provided to first-timer applicants.

This means that this group of applicants will have a total of 3 ballot chances.

Is it true that there is likely to be reduced demand in this launch, since the non-selection penalty will now be enforced on first timers?

Earlier in March this year, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee announced that first-timer applicants who do not select a BTO flat when invited to do so will lose priority status for a year.

In the past, applicants have sometimes opted not to select a flat if they get a queue number that is not ideal.

This means that they will be considered second-timer applicants during that period, a change from the previous policy where only those who opted not to select twice in a row would lose priority.

This will take place from the September 2023 launch onwards.

The idea is that applicants will be forced to think twice before applying, and in some sense, weed out the applicants who are not as serious as genuine homebuyers.

However, it is unclear whether this will have a significant impact on the demand during the sales launch.

What do we know about the December 2023 launch?

HDB will offer approximately 6,300 BTO flats in the next sales launch, located across estates in Bedok, Bishan, Bukit Merah, Bukit Panjang, Jurong West, Queenstown, and Woodlands.

Further details will be released at a later date.

What would Beansprout do?

If you are interested in the October 2023 HDB sales launch, you will have to apply online for your choice town and flat type by 10 October 2023, Tuesday, 11:59pm. 

Here are a few scenarios to consider for different aspiring homeowners.

Scenario 1: If you are a couple in your early 20s

If you are in a steady relationship with your partner and are certain of the commitment, you can apply for a suitable project to see if you get a successful queue number.

Do be mindful, however, that if you turn down your chance to select a flat after being shortlisted, you will lose your priority status for one year.

However, university students should be aware that they will have to undergo deferred income assessment which takes place 3 months prior to key collection

Scenario 2: If you are a couple in your late 20s/early 30s who can afford to wait

If you are a couple that can afford to wait for 4-5 years before getting your flat, there is no harm in applying for this round.

If you go for the Rail I @ CCK BTO project, the estimated completion time is only 39 months!

But you may also consider alternative options such as the sale of balance flats (SBF) or resale HDB flats if you are unsuccessful this time round.

However, you should note that SBF are typically units from previous launches that have not been selected and hence may not be ideal (low floors, afternoon sun, non-ideal configuration, etc).

Scenario 3: If you are a couple in your late 20s/early 30s who cannot afford to wait

Going for a resale HDB flat might be a better option if you and your partner find that the 4-5 year waiting period is too long.

This is especially considering that you will not immediately be able to move into your flat upon key collection. You will still need to do renovation works that could take around 6 months or so.

Where can you find more resources on HDB BTO?

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to apply for a HDB BTO.

Learn more about what you would need for your HDB Flat Eligibility Letter (HFE).

Deciding between a HDB loan and a bank loan? Here's what we prefer.

Not eligible for a HDB loan and need a bank loan? Here are our key considerations in taking a bank loan.

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