New SG Citizen (33M, Ex-Malaysian) - BTO(or Sales ofBalance) or Resale as first house

Hi everyone, I'm a 33-year-old Malaysian male, married with a 1-year-old child. My wife and I are both PRs, and I’ve just gotten my IPA approval for Singapore citizenship, which should be finalized in about 2 months.

We’re currently renting a room, but now starting to plan for our first property purchase in Singapore. I’m considering whether we should:

Wait and apply for a BTO, or
Go for a resale flat

Preferably in the East (Paya Lebar, Ubi, MacPherson, Bedok, etc.)

We’re not in a rush to move, since my mother-in-law is helping with childcare, so we can afford to be patient if needed. But at the same time, we’re thinking long-term — stability, grants, space for our kid (4 rooms), and location convenience.

Well, there’s really no “correct” answer — it ultimately depends on each family’s priorities and circumstances. But here’s the reality most people overlook:

BTO Pros:
Yes, BTOs are subsidised. But you’re also subject to balloting, and there are only 3 launches a year. Popular estates will definitely be oversubscribed, which means you risk multiple failed attempts. On top of that, you still have the construction period of around 3 years.

Realistically, your total waiting time can stretch to 4–5 years before you even collect keys.

If you’re renting during this period, say at $3.5k/month, that’s $168k in rental paid out over 4 years — money that doesn’t build any equity.

Based on my research, BTOs are on average $200k–$300k cheaper than resale. But if you factor in rental, almost 50% of the “BTO savings” gets eroded immediately.

Resale Advantage: More Grants Than BTO

A lot of people don’t realise this — resale flats actually come with more grants:

First-Timer Grant: up to $80k
Proximity Housing Grant: up to $30k
Enhanced CPF Housing Grant: up to $80k

That’s up to $190k in grants for resale buyers — more than double what a BTO buyer receives.

Unit Selection: Control vs. Luck

Even if you manage to secure a BTO unit, balloting means you may not get the:
• facing you like
• storey you prefer
• layout you want
• block or stack you hoped for

With resale, you get full control.
You can view the actual unit, assess sunlight, privacy, neighbours, layout, condition and only commit when you’re satisfied.

Also, most resale flats are in established towns with full amenities: MRTs, schools, shops and connectivity. BTOs tend to be in newer areas lacking infrastructure for years.

If convenience, certainty, and maximising your total financial benefit matter to you, resale may ultimately be the smarter, more strategic option.