The June 2026 BTO exercise has attracted healthy demand across most projects, although interest varies significantly depending on location and flat type.
As of 24 June 2026, 12pm, several projects have already been heavily oversubscribed, particularly those in mature estates such as Bishan and Bukit Merah. At the same time, some projects in non-mature towns continue to offer applicants better chances of securing a flat.
For first-timer families, the median application rate currently stands at 2.5 times for 2-room Flexi units and 1.3 times for larger flats. Meanwhile, second-timer families are facing much stiffer competition, with median application rates reaching 7.2 times for 2-room Flexi units and 13.6 times for 3-room and bigger flats.
Table of contents
- What do the current application rates tell us?
- Bishan’s Prime project draws the strongest demand
- Bukit Merah continues to attract heavy competition
- Ang Mo Kio Plus projects see healthy demand
- Sembawang remains the least competitive option
- Woodlands emerges as one of the most competitive Standard projects
- What can you expect in the October 2026 BTO launch?
What do the current application rates tell us?
The application figures so far highlight several clear trends. First, centrally located projects in mature estates continue to command strong demand, particularly those in Bishan and Bukit Merah.
Second, Standard projects are not necessarily less popular. Woodgrove Acres demonstrates that projects in non-mature estates can still attract intense competition if buyers see strong long-term potential.
Finally, applicants seeking higher odds of success may find better opportunities in projects such as Sembawang, where application rates for larger flats remain below one.
That said, an application rate above one does not necessarily mean that applicants will be unsuccessful. HDB typically shortlists more applicants than the available flat supply. Depending on the applicable quotas, the number of shortlisted applicants can exceed the flat supply and may even reach up to twice the number of available units. This means that some applicants who receive a queue number may still have an opportunity to book a flat if those ahead of them decide not to proceed.
Bishan’s Prime project draws the strongest demand
Among all projects launched this exercise, Bishan’s Lakeview Cascadia has emerged as one of the most sought-after developments.
The Prime project has received 2,000 applications for its 476 2-room Flexi units, translating to an application rate of 3.4 times among first-timer families. Demand is even stronger among first-timer singles, with the application rate standing at 7.2 times.
The demand becomes even more apparent for larger flats. Lakeview Cascadia’s 745 4-room units have attracted 3,676 applicants, resulting in an application rate of 3.6 times for first-timer families and 16.6 times for second-timer families.
This is hardly surprising. Bishan remains one of Singapore’s most centrally located and highly sought-after residential towns. Furthermore, the Prime classification means buyers are being offered homes in a mature estate with strong connectivity and established amenities.
Even so, applicants should remember that Prime flats come with tighter resale conditions, including a longer Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) of 10 years and subsidy recovery requirements upon resale.
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Bukit Merah continues to attract heavy competition
Another project that has generated strong interest is Berlayar Rise in Bukit Merah.
The Prime development has seen 3,167 applications for its 816 2-room Flexi units. This translates to an application rate of 2.5 times among first-timer families and 7.4 times among first-timer singles.
The competition is even steeper for larger flats. The project’s 172 3-room units have attracted 565 applications, resulting in an application rate of 1.3 times for first-timer families and a significant 21.6 times for second-timer families.
Meanwhile, its 988 4-room units have received 4,899 applications. As things stand, first-timer families are competing at an application rate of 3.1 times, while second-timer families face an application rate of 21.8 times.
These figures make Berlayar Rise one of the most competitive projects in this BTO exercise. As with Bishan, Bukit Merah’s mature setting, city-fringe location and well-established amenities continue to appeal strongly to homebuyers. However, applicants should also factor in the additional restrictions that come with Prime flats.
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Ang Mo Kio Plus projects see healthy demand
Ang Mo Kio’s Kebun Baru Breeze and Kebun Baru Ridge have also attracted healthy levels of interest.
For 2-room Flexi units at Kebun Baru Breeze, there are currently 925 applications for 377 units. This works out to an application rate of 2.4 times among first-timer families and 3.7 times among first-timer singles.
Demand for larger flats has been relatively moderate. The 95 3-room units at Kebun Baru Ridge have received 304 applications. This translates to an application rate of 1.3 times among first-timer families and a much higher 21.4 times among second-timer families.
Meanwhile, the combined supply of 592 4-room units across Kebun Baru Breeze and Kebun Baru Ridge has attracted 1,122 applications. First-timer families currently face an application rate of 1.3 times, while the application rate for second-timer families stands at 7.2 times.
Although these projects have not attracted the same level of competition seen in Bishan and Bukit Merah, demand remains relatively healthy given Ang Mo Kio’s popularity among buyers. Additionally, as Plus projects, the flats come with a 10-year MOP and subsidy recovery requirements upon resale. Nevertheless, they still offer buyers an opportunity to live in a mature estate with good amenities and transport connections.
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Sembawang remains the least competitive option
Sembawang emerged as the least competitive town in the June 2026 BTO exercise, particularly for larger flat types.
The two Standard projects, Sembawang Portico and Sembawang Brook, have collectively attracted 1,227 applications for 461 2-room Flexi units. The application rate currently stands at 2.2 times for first-timer families and 4.3 times for first-timer singles.
However, competition for larger flats remains relatively subdued. The 187 3-room units have received 271 applications, resulting in an application rate of just 0.6 times among first-timer families. Likewise, the 764 4-room units have attracted only 624 applications, also translating to an application rate of 0.6 times.
Perhaps most notably, the 623 5-room and 3Gen units have received just 397 applications, resulting in an application rate of 0.4 times among first-timer families. These figures suggest that many applicants currently have a favourable chance of securing a home in Sembawang, particularly those applying for larger units.
Part of the softer demand could be attributed to the town’s location being farther from the city centre. However, for buyers who prioritise affordability and a potentially higher chance of success, Sembawang may represent one of the most attractive options in this launch.
Woodlands emerges as one of the most competitive Standard projects
While Standard projects generally see lower demand than Prime and Plus projects, Woodlands is proving to be an exception.
Woodgrove Acres has attracted 1,041 applications for just 157 2-room Flexi units. This translates to an application rate of 3.7 times among first-timer families and a substantial 17.5 times among first-timer singles, making it one of the most competitive 2-room projects in this exercise.
Demand remains robust across larger flat types as well. The 80 3-room units have received 359 applications, resulting in an application rate of 2.2 times for first-timer families and 13.6 times for second-timer families.
The 162 4-room units have attracted 784 applications, translating to an application rate of 3.9 times among first-timer families and 13.8 times among second-timer families. Meanwhile, the 257 5-room units have received 768 applications, resulting in an application rate of 2.4 times for first-timer families and 8.9 times for second-timer families.
The strong demand suggests that buyers increasingly see Woodlands as an attractive housing option. The town has undergone substantial transformation over the years, with improvements in amenities, transport connectivity and employment opportunities helping to boost its appeal.
What can you expect in the October 2026 BTO launch?
HDB is expected to launch around 8,000 flats across Bedok, Geylang, Sembawang, Tengah, Toa Payoh and Yishun in October 2026.
Among the upcoming launches, the Bayshore projects in Bedok and the Toa Payoh development are expected to attract strong interest due to their mature estate locations and proximity to MRT stations. Meanwhile, projects in Tengah, Yishun’s Chencharu estate and Sembawang North could appeal to buyers seeking larger homes, potentially lower prices and the long-term growth prospects of newer precincts.
Taken together, the October exercise is expected to offer a wide range of options across different locations and price points, much like the June launch. Whether demand remains concentrated in mature estates or becomes more evenly spread across towns will become clearer once applications open later this year.
About Sophiyanah David
Sophi, a seasoned copywriter specialising in Singaporean real estate and property, is one of the minds behind 99.co's informative articles. Like her colleagues at 99.co, Sophi is dedicated to keeping you informed about the ever-changing world of real estate so you can find your forever home. When off the clock, you can find her giggling and kicking her feet as she reads her romance novels, watching anime - if FMBA is not your fave, she might fight you (but you'll probably win) and looking up latest skincare trends.
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