Balloting day — the first day of unit selection for a new launch development — is one of the most high-pressure events in the Singapore property buying calendar. For buyers who haven't been through it before, the pace and atmosphere can be disorienting. Being prepared is not optional: arriving without a plan risks making a $1–2 million decision under time pressure, in a crowded room, with limited opportunity to reconsider.
What Happens On Balloting Day
Registered buyers are assigned a ballot number that determines their selection sequence. Lower ballot numbers get to choose first from the full range of released units; higher numbers choose from whatever remains after earlier buyers have made their selections. The developer sets the unit release — not all units in the development are typically released on day one — so even buyers with high ballot numbers may find reasonable options if only a portion of the stack is open.
Each buyer (or couple) is typically given a short window — 10 to 20 minutes — to select their unit, confirm the price, and sign the booking form. The booking fee (typically 5% of the purchase price for private properties) is payable immediately by cashier's order or cheque.
How To Prepare
Before balloting day, you need to have made your unit shortlist in descending order of preference — typically three to five units ranked by priority. Know your first choice, your second choice, and your acceptable fallback. Don't arrive expecting to make a fresh decision in the room.
Have your booking fee ready: a cashier's order is the safest format, made payable to the developer. Some developers also accept cheques or bank transfers; confirm in advance. Bring your NRIC. If buying jointly, both buyers should be present with their identification.
Your agent should be in the room or on the phone with you throughout, providing real-time information on which units have been taken and adjusting your shortlist accordingly as the selection proceeds ahead of you.
Balloting day rewards preparation and penalises hesitation. The buyers who secure the units they want are invariably the ones who knew exactly what they wanted before they walked in.