Step 1: Check Your Legal Eligibility
HDB Flats: Restricted by citizenship, marital status, and age (e.g., SC/SC or SC/SPR couples under the Public Scheme; single SCs aged 35+ under the Single Scheme).
Private Condominiums: Open to Singapore Citizens, Singapore PRs (subject to 5% ABSD on first home), and foreign nationals (subject to 60% ABSD unless covered by Free Trade Agreements).
Landed Homes: Restricted strictly to Singapore Citizens (foreigners/PRs require Singapore Land Authority Land Dealings Approval Unit approval).
Step 2: Establish Your Budget & Affordability
Downpayment (Max 75% LTV):
Bank loan requires 25% downpayment (minimum 5% liquid cash, 20% CPF OA or cash).
Stamp Duties:
Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD): Tiered rates from 1% up to 6%.
Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD): Based on residency and property count.
Debt Ratios:
TDSR: Total monthly debt obligations cannot exceed 55% of gross monthly income.
MSR: Mortgage cannot exceed 30% of gross income (for HDB and EC purchases).
Step 3: Transaction Roadmap (Purchase to Keys)
In-Principle Approval (IPA) / HFE: Secure bank pre-approval or HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter before committing.
Secure the Unit: Pay booking fee for the Option to Purchase (OTP) (1% cash for private resale, up to $1,000 for HDB resale, 5% cash for new launch).
Exercise OTP & Pay Stamp Duty: Exercise within 14–21 days and pay BSD/ABSD within 14 days of exercising.
Legal Completion: Handled by your conveyancing law firm (typically 8 to 12 weeks for resale properties).
What is your residency status (Singapore Citizen, PR, or Foreigner)?
What property segment and price range are you looking to explore?
Gan Eng Joo Onassis 颜荣裕, REALTOR®
MSc BIT (Middlesex, England, United Kingdom); BBA (South Australia)
CEA Reg No: R021244C | Singapore Line:
(+65) 88899918
Email: onassis@sgagent.com
Singapore First and Most Established Branding for Real Estate Services:
SGAgent.com | SGRealtor.com | SGCommercial.com | SGCBD.com
New Launch & Showflat Portals: SGSHOWFLAT.COM | SGNEWLAUNCH.COM
SG Residential and Commercial Real Estate Specialist with over 1,000 Properties across Singapore
Pioneering 1-Stop Integrated Property Ecosystem:
• Property Financial & Capital Solutions: SGCASH.COM
• Property Repair, Maintenance & Reinstatement: SGREPAIR.COM
• Property Legal Advisory & Conveyancing Network: SGLEGAL.COM
Social (Facebook & TikTok): @sgcommercial
Read More