HDB Flats in Singapore: 2025 Market Trends & Buying Guide

As of October 2025, Singapore's Housing & Development Board (HDB) flats continue to play a central role in the nation's public housing landscape. Whether you're a first-time buyer, a single professional, or someone considering resale options, understanding the current market dynamics is crucial.

Market Overview: Resale Prices and Trends

In the third quarter of 2025, the HDB Resale Price Index (RPI) rose by 0.4%, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of slowing growth. This moderation follows a 9.6% increase in 2024, nearly doubling the 4.9% rise seen in 2023. Despite the slowdown, certain areas continue to see high demand. For instance, in September 2025, a record 172 million-dollar HDB flats were sold, with top towns like Toa Payoh, Queenstown, and Bukit Merah leading the way Reuters+1.

New Flat Supply and BTO Launches

The government has announced plans to launch over 50,000 new flats between 2025 and 2027, averaging over 16,667 units per year. This is a reduction from previous years, where annual launches exceeded 20,000 units. The upcoming Build-To-Order (BTO) projects include locations such as Woodlands North Verge and Chencharu Vines, with prices ranging from $85,000 for a 2-room Flexi unit to $492,000 for a 4-room flat ohmyhome.com+1.

Eligibility Criteria for HDB Flats

For First-Time Buyers

Age: At least 21 years old.
Citizenship: Singaporean.
Family Nucleus: Must form a family nucleus with parents, siblings, or children.
Income Ceiling: Subject to the prevailing income ceiling for the chosen flat type.
Housing Grants: Eligible for various grants, including the Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG) and Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG), depending on income and other criteria.

For Singles

Singles aged 35 and above can apply for a 2-room Flexi BTO flat under the Single Singapore Citizen Scheme. In mid-2025, the Family Care Scheme (FCS) was introduced, setting aside up to 30% of 2-room Flexi BTO flats for singles applying to live near or with parents MyNiceHome+1.

Buying a Resale Flat: Step-by-Step Guide

Check Eligibility: Apply for the HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter to assess your eligibility to buy a resale flat, receive grants, and take up an HDB loan.
Find a Flat: Use the HDB Resale Flat Portal to search for available flats based on your preferred location, price range, and other criteria.
Secure Financing: Decide between taking an HDB loan or a bank loan. Note that HDB loans have a lower interest rate but come with certain restrictions.
Make an Offer: Once you've found a suitable flat, make an offer to the seller.
Option to Purchase (OTP): If the seller accepts your offer, you'll be granted an OTP, allowing you to proceed with the purchase.
Sign Sale and Purchase Agreement: After exercising the OTP, sign the necessary agreements and make the required payments.
Key Collection: Upon completion of all procedures, collect the keys to your new home.

Financial Considerations

Downpayment: For HDB loans, a minimum of 10% of the purchase price must be paid in cash, with the remaining 90% financed through the loan.
Stamp Duty: Stamp duty is payable on the purchase price or market value of the flat, whichever is higher.
Renovation Costs: Budget for renovation costs, which can vary depending on the extent of work required.

Future Outlook

The HDB resale market is expected to remain stable in the near term. With the government's focus on increasing flat supply and implementing cooling measures, price growth is anticipated to moderate. However, demand for well-located flats with desirable attributes, such as proximity to amenities and transportation hubs, is likely to remain strong.