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The Housing & Development Board's (HDB) June 2026 Build-to-Order (BTO) sales exercise has revealed a clear split in buyer preferences, with shorter waiting-time projects in Sembawang seeing surprisingly low demand while Prime projects in Bishan and Bukit Merah continued to attract overwhelming interest.
A total of 6,952 flats across seven projects were launched in Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Bukit Merah, Sembawang and Woodlands. By the close of the application exercise, 22,634 applicants had submitted applications, resulting in an overall application rate of 3.3 applicants per flat, broadly in line with the February 2026 exercise.
One of the biggest highlights of the exercise was the exceptionally low application rates for Sembawang Portico and Sembawang Brook, both classified as Standard projects with waiting times of less than three years.
The projects recorded application rates of below one for first-timer families across all larger flat types, effectively giving eligible applicants a very high probability of securing a unit.
The estimated completion periods are particularly attractive:
Sembawang Portico: 2 years 7 months
Sembawang Brook: 2 years 9 months
Application rates among first-timer families remained modest:
Three-room flats: 0.7
Four-room flats: 0.6
Five-room / 3Gen flats: 0.4
The only highly subscribed category was the two-room Flexi flats, where first-timer singles recorded an application rate of 4.4, while seniors applied at 2.3 times the available supply.
Overall, the two Sembawang developments attracted 2,574 applicants for 2,035 flats, translating to an application rate of approximately 1.3.
For first-time buyers seeking quicker access to a new home, the Sembawang projects represented one of the least competitive opportunities in recent years.
Unlike neighbouring Sembawang, the Woodgrove Acres project in Woodlands experienced healthy demand despite having a longer waiting time of approximately 3 years and 6 months.
Application rates for first-timer families ranged between 2.3 and 3.9 across three-room and larger flats.
The two-room Flexi flats were particularly popular among singles, attracting around 18 applicants for every available unit, making them one of the most competitive Standard flats in this launch.
Despite stricter ownership rules under HDB's Prime classification, Berlayar Rise in Bukit Merah and Lakeview Cascadia in Bishan emerged as the most sought-after developments in the June exercise.
Together, these two projects accounted for approximately 65% of all applications submitted.
The standout performer was Berlayar Rise.
Its 988 four-room flats attracted 5,023 applications, producing the highest demand across all flat types and towns.
Among first-timer families, the application rate stood at 3.2.
The project's 816 two-room Flexi flats also proved highly popular with singles, recording an application rate of 7.5.
The newly launched Lakeview Cascadia also saw exceptionally strong demand.
Its two-room Flexi flats recorded an application rate of 7.3 among first-timer singles, while four-room flats achieved an application rate of 3.7 among first-timer families.
The project's popularity is hardly surprising.
Bishan remains one of Singapore's most desirable mature estates due to its central location, excellent transport connectivity and proximity to established schools.
With very limited new housing supply introduced in Bishan over the years, many young couples viewed Lakeview Cascadia as a rare opportunity to secure a new flat in the town.
The strong response also demonstrates that buyers remain willing to accept the tighter conditions attached to Prime flats.
Both developments come with:
A 10-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP)
Higher subsidy clawback requirements upon first resale
The subsidy clawback rates are:
Berlayar Rise: 14%
Lakeview Cascadia: 10%
Despite these restrictions, many applicants appear to prioritise location and long-term lifestyle benefits over future resale flexibility.
The two Plus projects in Ang Mo Kio—Kebun Baru Ridge and Kebun Baru Breeze—recorded balanced demand.
Application rates for first-timer families were:
Three-room flats: 1.3
Four-room flats: 1.3
Meanwhile, two-room Flexi flats at Kebun Baru Breeze attracted an application rate of 3.8 among first-timer singles.
The figures suggest buyers remain receptive to the Plus classification, although demand was considerably more moderate than for Prime developments.
The overall application rate of 3.3 indicates that competition for BTO flats has continued to moderate.
This follows HDB's sustained increase in housing supply over the past few years, which appears to be helping meet underlying demand more effectively.
The contrasting performances between Sembawang and the Prime projects also illustrate that buyers are becoming increasingly selective.
While affordability and shorter waiting times remain attractive, many applicants continue to place a premium on mature estates with strong transport links and established amenities.
Looking ahead, HDB plans to launch approximately 7,960 new BTO flats in the October 2026 sales exercise.
The upcoming projects will be located in:
Bedok
Geylang
Sembawang
Tengah
Toa Payoh
Yishun
In addition, HDB will launch Singapore's sixth Community Care Apartment project in Caldecott, Toa Payoh, expanding housing options for seniors seeking integrated care and independent living.
The June 2026 BTO exercise highlights an increasingly balanced public housing market. Buyers looking for a faster path to home ownership found excellent opportunities in Sembawang's shorter waiting-time projects, while highly sought-after locations such as Bishan and Bukit Merah continued to command intense competition despite stricter Prime housing rules.
As HDB continues ramping up BTO supply, prospective homeowners can expect more choices and improving odds in future launches, particularly in non-mature estates offering shorter construction timelines.
