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**If you are in no urgent rush to sell, do not accept the lower offer purely on the premise of a "fast completion."**

In an HDB transaction, "completing quickly" is largely an illusion. Unlike private property where timelines can be compressed, HDB resale completions follow strict statutory administrative windows:

* The buyer gets **21 days** to exercise the Option to Purchase (OTP).
* HDB processing takes roughly **8 weeks** from application acceptance to completion.
* A "fast" buyer can at most save you 1 to 2 weeks by exercising early; they cannot bypass HDB’s standard conveyancing timeline.

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### How to Evaluate the Offer

1. **Benchmark Against Block & Cluster Caveats:** Check the latest transacted prices for your exact flat model and block cluster on the HDB Resale Portal. If the offer sits below median transactions for comparable floors in your precinct, you are giving away equity unnecessarily.
2. **Check the Buyer's Readiness First:** Is the buyer genuinely "serious"? Ask your agent whether the buyer already has a valid **HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter** and confirmed bank/HDB loan in-principle approval. If they don't, they cannot even enter into an OTP legally.
3. **The Counter-Offer Strategy:** Instead of outright accepting or rejecting, make a firm counter-offer midway or at your bottom-line figure. Serious buyers who appreciate your unit’s condition, floor level, or orientation will often negotiate upward rather than walk away over a small gap.
4. **Agent Alignment:** Agents sometimes lean towards closing quickly to lock in their commission and move on. Because you face no deadline, tell your agent clearly: *"I appreciate the buyer is ready, but I am not under pressure to exit. Let's counter-offer at $X, or continue active marketing for another 2 to 4 weeks."*

Hold your ground unless market transaction data shows your target price is unrealistic.

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Gan Eng Joo Onassis 颜荣裕, REALTOR®

MSc BIT (Middlesex, UK); BBA (UniSA)

CEA Reg No: R021244C | Mobile: (+65) 88899918 

Email: onassis@sgagent.com

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Hi there!

I can understand your dilemma, especially when you're not in a hurry to sell.

However, **I wouldn't automatically reject an offer simply because it's below your expected price, nor would I accept it solely because the buyer is serious and ready to proceed.**

The more important question is whether the offer represents a fair market price for your flat.

As a seller, there are three things I would encourage you to consider:

1. **Market value versus expected price** – Is your asking price supported by recent comparable transactions, or is it based on what you hope to achieve?

2. **Market response** – How long has your property been marketed? How many genuine viewings and offers have you received? These can provide valuable insights into how buyers perceive your asking price.

3. **Buyer's readiness** – A buyer who has financing arranged and is prepared to proceed can be valuable. However, that advantage should be weighed against the price difference.

**One thing I've learnt over the years is that the highest asking price doesn't necessarily translate into the highest selling price.**

A good agent's responsibility isn't simply to secure an offer. It's to help the seller evaluate whether accepting that offer represents the best possible outcome under the prevailing market conditions.

Since you're not under pressure to sell, you have the flexibility to assess your options carefully.

**May I ask which part of Punggol your flat is located in, what type of flat you're selling, and how much the current offer differs from your asking price?**

I'd be happy to share an independent perspective on recent comparable transactions and whether the offer appears reasonable.

Best regards,
**Geryl Lim**
CEA Reg. No. R014783H
WhatsApp: 9278 7772  Read More

1. Check market prices – Compare recent resale transactions for similar HDB flats in Punggol before deciding whether the offer is too low.

2. Ask your agent for evidence – Request comparable sales and a clear explanation of why they recommend accepting the offer.

3. Counteroffer first – Negotiate for a price closer to your target while keeping the serious buyer interested.

4. Weigh the risks of waiting – Since you're not in a hurry, you can wait for another offer, but a higher price is not guaranteed.

5. Set your minimum price – Decide what you're willing to accept based on market evidence and your financial needs, not pressure from your agent.

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