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HDB SALE OF BALANCE FLATS (NOV 2022)

HDB Sale of Balance (SBF) Flat Nov 2022: A Step-By-Step Guide

profileJustin Oh

Can’t afford to wait for another 4 to 5 years for an HDB BTO flat or pay for an HDB Resale flat?

Source: SpongeBob SquarePants | Giphy

Consider applying for an HDB Sale of Balance flat (SBF).

If you’re lucky, you might even pick up a flat in an HDB BTO estate which you really wanted but couldn’t get before!

Interested?

The latest prices for Nov 2022’s Sale of Balance Flat exercise are out!

Let’s have a look at what’s available, shall we?

Note: You can apply for your Sale of Balance Flat online by 1 Dec 2022 (Thursday), 11:59pm. Successful applicants will be determined by a computer ballot, and it’s NOT on a first-come, first-served basis.


TL;DR: HDB Sale of Balance Flat Nov 2022: A Step-By-Step Guide

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HDB Sale of Balance Flat Prices Nov 2022

Sale of Balance Flats in Non-Mature Estates (Nov 2022)

There are about 6,000 flats on offer in this launch in non-mature estates, and at least 95% of 4-room and larger BTO flats in these estates are set aside for first-timer families.

All the 4-room flats in non-mature estates are also priced below $400,000.

Town/ EstateFlat Application CategoryFlat SupplySelling Price (Excluding Grants)Selling Price
(Including Grants)
Bukit Batok2-room Flexi (short lease)22From $63,000From $4,000 +
2-room Flexi (99-year/ balance lease)From $110,000From $30,000
3-room (income ceiling $7,000)11From $227,000From $152,000
4-room11From $320,000From $260,000
5-room15From $436,000From $391,000
Bukit Panjang2-room Flexi (short lease)14From $68,000From $4,000 +
2-room Flexi (99-year/ balance lease)From $116,000From $36,000
3-room (income ceiling $7,000)1From $242,000From $167,000
4-room6From $327,000From $267,000
5-room4From $431,000From $386,000
Choa Chu Kang2-room Flexi (short lease)10From $60,000From $3,000 +
2-room Flexi (99-year/ balance lease)From $104,000From $24,000
3-room (income ceiling $7,000)1From $196,000From $121,000
4-room4From $317,000From $257,000
Hougang2-room Flexi (short lease)1From $74,000From $4,000 +
2-room Flexi (99-year/ balance lease)From $129,000From $49,000
Jurong East2-room Flexi (short lease)3*From $91,000From $11,000
3-room (income ceiling $7,000)1$228,000$153,000
4-room1$337,000$277,000
5-room1$390,000$345,000
Jurong West2-room Flexi (short lease)9 (6*)From $60,000From $3,000 +
2-room Flexi (99-year/ balance lease)From $103,000From $23,000
3-room (income ceiling $7,000)5From $153,000From $78,000
4-room10From $258,000From $198,000
5-room6From $370,000From $325,000
Punggol2-room Flexi (short lease)55From $72,000From $4,000 +
2-room Flexi (99-year/ balance lease)From $123,000From $43,000
3-room (income ceiling $7,000)11From $239,000From $164,000
3-room (income ceiling $14,000)4From $252,000From $177,000
4-room34From $345,000From $285,000
5-room (12 units)/ 3Gen (4 units)16From $449,000From $404,000
Sembawang2-room Flexi (short lease)16From $60,000From $3,000 +
2-room Flexi (99-year/ balance lease)From $104,000From $24,000
3-room (income ceiling $7,000)5From $221,000From $146,000
4-room1From $330,000From $270,000
5-room (9 units)/ 3Gen (1 unit)10From $399,000From $354,000
Sengkang2-room Flexi (short lease)6From $72,000From $4,000 +
2-room Flexi (99-year/ balance lease)From $124,000From $44,000
5-room (4 units)/ 3Gen (1 unit)5From $435,000From $390,000
Tengah2-room Flexi (short lease)51From $66,000From $4,000 +
2-room Flexi (99-year/ balance lease)From $114,000From $34,000
3-room (income ceiling $7,000)14From $225,000From $150,000
4-room42From $321,000From $261,000
5-room18From $420,000From $375,000
Woodlands2-room Flexi (short lease)30From $60,000From $3,000 +
2-room Flexi (99-year/ balance lease)From $105,000From $25,000
3-room (income ceiling $7,000)5From $212,000From $137,000
4-room20From $315,000From $255,000
5-room21From $399,000From $354,000
Yishun2-room Flexi (short lease)21From $56,000From $3,000 +
2-room Flexi (99-year/ balance lease)From $96,000From $16,000
3-room (income ceiling $7,000)4From $191,000From $116,000
4-room6From $287,000From $227,000
5-room (11 units)/ 3Gen (2 units)13From $372,000From $327,000

Sale of Balance Flats in Mature Estates (Nov 2022)

Town/ EstateFlat Application CategoryFlat SupplySelling Price (Excluding Grants)Selling Price
(Including Grants)
Ang Mo Kio2-room Flexi (short lease)4From $108,000From $28,000
2-room Flexi (99-year/ balance lease)From $189,000From $109,000
3-room1$403,000$343,000
4-room3From $547,000From $502,000
5-room2From $687,000From $657,000
Bedok2-room Flexi (short lease)8 (1*)From $107,000From $27,000
2-room Flexi (99-year/ balance lease)From $186,000From $106,000
3-room1$331,000$271,000
4-room5From $613,000From $568,000
5-room1$654,000$624,000
Bishan2-room Flexi (short lease)9 (3*)From $113,000From $33,000
2-room Flexi (99-year/ balance lease)From $190,000From $110,000
3-room4From $411,000From $351,000
4-room19From $587,000From $542,000
Bukit Merah3-room5From $444,000From $384,000
Clementi3-room2From $382,000From $322,000
4-room3From $506,000From $461,000
5-room (1 unit)/ 3Gen (1 unit)2From $773,000From $743,000
Geylang2-room Flexi (short lease)15From $125,000From $45,000
2-room Flexi (99-year/ balance lease)From $218,000From $138,000
3-room15From $379,000From $319,000
4-room116From $499,000From $454,000
Kallang/ Whampoa2-room Flexi (short lease)8*From $140,000From $60,000
3-room4From $398,000From $338,000
4-room21From $599,000From $554,000
Pasir Ris2-room Flexi (short lease)6From $83,000From $5,000 +
2-room Flexi (99-year/ balance lease)From $143,000From $63,000
3-room3From $294,000From $234,000
4-room6From $426,000From $381,000
5-room6From $580,000From $550,000
Queenstown2-room Flexi (short lease)23From $190,000From $110,000
2-room Flexi (99-year/ balance lease)From $329,000From $249,000
3-room11From $422,000From $362,000
4-room7From $581,000From $536,000
Tampines2-room Flexi (short lease)8From $90,000From $10,000
2-room Flexi (99-year/ balance lease)From $156,000From $76,000
3-room11From $260,000From $200,000
4-room71From $345,000From $300,000
5-room (38 units)/ 3Gen (1 unit)39From $499,000From $469,000
Toa Payoh2-room Flexi (short lease)32 (15*)From $99,000From $19,000
2-room Flexi (99-year/ balance lease)From $203,000From $123,000
3-room19From $363,000From $303,000
4-room64From $460,000From $415,000
5-room (30 units)/ 3Gen (1 unit)9From $688,000From $658,000

*Only for elderly (aged 55 and above), and will be sold on a short lease of between 15 to 45 years.

Note: pay attention to the latest number of applications received here to see which Sale of Balance Flat projects have a higher ballot chance.

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What Is a Sale of Balance Flat?

A Sale of Balance Flat is an HDB flat that is sold under the HDB Sale of Balance Flat exercise.

Sale of Balance flats are usually pooled from:

  • Unsold flats from past BTO sale launches
  • Leftover replacement flats from Selective En-bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) projects, OR
  • Flats repurchased by HDB

This means that these flats are either under construction or have already been completed, so you can expect to move into your new home a lot quicker!

To make things a little clearer,

Here’s a look at the advantages and disadvantages of applying for a Sale of Balance flat when compared against an HDB BTO flat and an HDB Resale flat:

Build to Order (BTO) vs Sale of Balance (SBF) vs Resale FlatsHDB BTO FlatHDB Resale FlatsSale of Balance Flat
Initial Flat Cost$
$$$$$
Grants AvailableUp to $80,000Up to $160,000Up to $80,000
Renovation Costs$$$ - $$$

Note: generally higher but depends on age and condition of flat
$
Wait Time4 to 5 yearsAs little as 8 weeks Shorter than BTO because some flats might already be under construction or are ready to move into
LocationLimited to where HDB BTO projects are launchedCan choose flats from all over SingaporeLimited to wherever Sale of Balance flats are available but locations are usually more than BTO exercises which usually only launch in 3 to 4 areas
Choice of FlatCan choose preferred location and flat size (also largely depends on your ballot number)Depends on your preference and what is available on the marketLesser choice as compared to BTO because you can only pick from whatever is left
Ethnic Quota RestrictionsGenerally available for all racesMore restricted than BTOs due to quota being almost filledMore restricted than BTOs due to quota being almost filled
Potential Growth in Value Full 99-year lease leaves room for price growthGenerally less than BTO and SBF due to lesser remaining years of leaseIf it is close to a 99-year lease, leaves room for price growth

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How To Apply for an HDB Sale of Balance Flat?

Applying for a Sale of Balance flat is pretty similar to applying for an HDB BTO (Built-To-Order) flat.

1) Check Your Eligibility

Before you start applying for one, you’ll want to complete this survey to check your eligibility first.

Generally, you’ll need to fulfil the following criteria:

  • At least one of the applicants has to be a Singapore Citizen while the other applicant has to be either a Singapore Citizen or PR
  • Either one or both of the applicants need to be 21 years or older
  • Applicants combined income does not exceed
    • $14,000 for families
    • $21,000 for extended families
  • Applicants or occupiers listed in the flat do not own other local or overseas property
  • You have not sold any property within the last 30 months
  • You have not bought more than one new HDB/DBSS flat or EC before
  • You have not received more than one CPF Housing grant

2) Apply for Your Sale of Balance Flat

Just head over to the HDB website and apply online by 1 Dec 2022, Thursday, 11:59pm.

FYI: you have one week to mull over your options and decide which project is best since the process is a ballot, and NOT on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you’re looking for a specific location, check out the exact locations of available SBFs here.

You can also check on the latest number of applications received to get a sense of which Sale of Balance Flat project you should go for.

Naturally, you’ll have a higher chance of getting an SBF project which has lesser applicants.

Source: SpongeBob SquarePants

Oh, you’ll also need to pay a non-refundable admin fee of $10 for your SBF application.

You will know the outcome of the ballot within six weeks after the application closed (i.e. Feb 2023).

Psst… just like if you’re applying for an HDB BTO flat.

Did you know that you can increase your ballot chances if you apply under certain HDB priority schemes?

3) Apply for a Mortgage Loan

If you’re planning to take an HDB housing loan, you’ll need to produce a valid HDB Loan Eligibility (HLE) letter when booking your Sale of Balance flat.

So once you know that you’re going to book a flat, you’ll want to apply for one asap.

For first-timer couples who are:

  • full-time students
  • National Servicemen
  • recently completed studies or National Service within 12 months prior to flat application

You may defer the income assessment for CPF housing grants and HDB housing loan until just before key collection.

You’ll need to submit your income documents to HDB for assessment when you receive the notice of Probable Completion Date — which is about 3 months before your flat is complete.

If you’re booking a flat that is already completed (yep, some SBF projects are already done).

Your income for CPF housing grants and HDB housing loan will be assessed when you book your flat.

And if you’re taking bank loan, you’ll need to get a valid Letter of Offer before signing the Agreement for Lease.

4) Registration and Selection (aka Booking Your Flat)

If you’re successful, you’ll be invited to book a flat.

The selection exercise will start in March 2023.

There are a couple of things that you’ll need to bring along during this appointment:

  • Identity cards (if you’re in the SAF, SCDF or SPF, you’ll need to provide a certified true copy of your NRIC from your Personnel Department)
  • Passport for non-citizens
  • Doctor’s certification of pregnancy or birth certificates of your children (if you apply under Parenthood Priority Scheme)
  • Your birth certificate and your parents’ marriage certificate (if you’re buying the flat under the Multi Generation Priority Scheme or Married Child Priority Scheme)
  • Marriage certificate (if you’re married)
  • Divorce certificate (if you’re divorced)
  • Death certificate of your spouse (if your spouse is deceased)
  • Student Pass or Letter from School or College or Institute of Learning for persons who are >18 years
  • Income documents for assessment of income ceiling to buy or take CPF housing grant(s)

If you’re opting for an HDB loan, you’ll also need to submit a valid HLE letter.

When booking your flat, you’ll need to pay an option fee by NETS:

Flat TypeOption Fee Payable
2-room Flexi Flat$500
3-room Flat$1,000
4-/5-room/3Gen/Executive Flat$2,000

5) Sign the Agreement of Lease

The next HDB Appointment is when you’ll sign the Agreement for Lease.

You’ll need to bring the original copy of the following:

  • Identity cards
  • Receipt of booking fee
  • Bank passbook and photocopy of the page stating your name and bank account number
  • Approval in Principle of loan letter from bank or financial institution
  • Power of Attorney (if unable to attend the appointment personally)
  • Latest CPF statements

You’ll also need to make a downpayment for your flat:

  • 10% of your flat if you’re taking an HDB loan (5% for first-timer buyers and existing flat owners right-sizing to a 2-room Flexi or 3-room flat who qualify for the Staggered Downpayment Scheme)
  • 20% of your flat if you’re paying via a bank loan (10% for first-timer buyers and existing flat owners right-sizing to a 2-room Flexi or 3-room flat who qualify for the Staggered Downpayment Scheme)

as well as any other legal fees and stamp duties (1 to 3% of your flat’s selling price).

If you intend to use your CPF to pay for your flat, you’ll need to set-up the 2-Factor Authentication for your SingPass.

FYI: this registration takes up to 10 working days to be activated.

6) Move into Your New Sale of Balance Flat

You’ll need to pay the balance of your flat’s selling price via an HDB housing loan or bank loan.

If you booked a completed Sale of Balance flat and are taking an HDB housing loan, you’ll be invited to sign the Agreement of Lease and collect your keys to your flat at the same time.

To collect your keys, you’ll need the original copy of the following:

  • Identity cards
  • Certificate of Fire Insurance (different from Home Insurance)
  • Power of Attorney (if unable to attend the appointment personally)
  • Latest CPF statements
  • Completed GIRO form (if you’re paying monthly loan installments partially or fully by cash)

If you have booked a Sale of Balance flat that is still under construction, you will be invited to collect your keys when your flat is completed.

FYI: HDB will inform you when is the Probable Completion Date and the Estimated Possession Date

Back to top


When Is The Next HDB Sale of Balance Flat Exercise?

The Sale of Balance Flat exercise happens twice a year, usually during May and November.

And it will coincide with the May and November BTO Sales launches.

If you missed the Sale of Balance Flat exercise and need a flat urgently, you can always try the Open Booking of Flat exercise which happens all year round.

Can I Apply For BTO and SBF At The Same Time?

Unfortunately, you can’t.

You can only apply for ONE type of HDB exercise at any one time.

You cannot apply for both a Sale of Balance flat and a Built-to-Order flat at the same time.

Both are based on a ballot too, so pick whichever one gives you a higher chance and go for it!

Does SBF Have Grants?

Yes!

Just like BTO applications, you may check your eligibility for the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant and Step-Up CPF Housing Grant.

Can Singles Buy Sale of Balance Flats?

Yes, singles can buy an SBF flat.

However, like the BTO scheme, you can only apply for a 2-room Flexi flat in a non-mature estate. The flat allocation set aside for singles is only 5% under the Single’s scheme.

If you’re a first-timer getting a BTO flat as a single, you can get up to S$40,000 HDB grant.

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About Justin Oh
Your average Zillennial who is obsessed with anime, games, movies and of course, personal finance. Join me as I break down personal finance into easily digestible and fun bits!
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