Buyer's Guide

Buyer To-Do List

Everything you need to do to buy a property in Singapore, in order — with realistic timelines for each stage. Switch between the local and foreign-buyer journeys.

For Singapore Citizens and PRs. You can use CPF and buy HDB/EC subject to eligibility.

The journey, end to end

Get your budget & eligibility rightBefore you search · 1–2 weeks
Search & shortlist2–6 weeks
Make an offer & sign the OTPDay 0
Due diligence in the OTP window~2 weeks
Exercise the OTPBy day 14–21
Pay your stamp dutyWithin 14 days of exercising
Completion — keys in hand~8–12 weeks after exercising

Resale: ~10–12 weeks from OTP to keysNew launch (off-plan): 2–5 years, paid progressively

Plan your timeline

Enter your OTP issue date and we’ll map the key dates ahead.

OTP issue dateOption period (days)Completion (weeks after exercise)

Pick your OTP issue date above to generate the timeline.

Remarks

Approximate dates only — your option period and completion vary by contract. Confirm with your lawyer and agent.

Your progress

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1. Get your budget & eligibility right
Before you search · 1–2 weeks
- Set a firm budget that includes the purchase price, stamp duty, downpayment, and legal fees — not just the headline price.
- Get In-Principle Approval (IPA) from 2–3 banks so you know your real loan ceiling before viewing seriously. It's free and takes 1–2 weeks.
- Estimate your BSD, ABSD, downpayment, and total upfront cash.Open
- If you're eyeing an HDB flat or EC, confirm your eligibility — citizenship, income ceiling, and MOP rules.HDB / EC buyersOpen
2. Search & shortlist
2–6 weeks
- View shortlisted units in person — photos hide condition, noise, neighbours, and the real view.
- Benchmark each asking price against actual recent transactions.Open
- Check the tenure (freehold vs leasehold years left), TOP/age, and walking distance to the MRT — not driving distance.
3. Make an offer & sign the OTP
Day 0
- Agree on a price with the seller's agent.
- Sign the Option to Purchase (OTP) and pay the option fee — 1% of price for private property, S$1,000 for HDB.
- You now hold an exclusive 14–21 day window to exercise the option or walk away (forfeiting only the option fee).
4. Due diligence in the OTP window
~2 weeks
- Engage a conveyancing lawyer (budget around S$2,500–4,000 for a typical condo).
- Submit your documents for final loan approval — your earlier IPA was non-binding.
- Have your lawyer check the title for caveats, encumbrances, or unauthorised works.
5. Exercise the OTP
By day 14–21
- Sign to exercise the OTP and pay the exercise fee (typically 4% of price for private). You're now legally bound to complete.
6. Pay your stamp duty
Within 14 days of exercising
- Pay BSD (and ABSD if it applies) through your lawyer's e-stamping — within 14 days. Late payment penalties run up to 4× the duty.Open
7. Completion — keys in hand
~8–12 weeks after exercising
- On completion day, your lawyer pays the balance (your cash plus the bank's loan) to the seller's lawyer.
- Collect the keys and title deed; utilities and conservancy charges are pro-rated to the day.

Tools to run your numbers

AI Property Advisor Mortgage Calculator BSD & ABSD Calculator TDSR Calculator MSR Calculator Rental Yield Calculator HDB Eligibility Checker Property Price Check

Good to know

This checklist is general guidance for a typical private resale purchase, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Timelines vary, and HDB, new-launch, and landed purchases follow different steps. Confirm your specifics with a CEA-registered agent and a conveyancing lawyer.

Buyer To-Do List

The journey, end to end

Plan your timeline

1. Get your budget & eligibility right

2. Search & shortlist

3. Make an offer & sign the OTP

4. Due diligence in the OTP window

5. Exercise the OTP

6. Pay your stamp duty

7. Completion — keys in hand

Tools to run your numbers

Buyer To-Do List

The journey, end to end

Plan your timeline

1. Get your budget & eligibility right

2. Search & shortlist

3. Make an offer & sign the OTP

4. Due diligence in the OTP window

5. Exercise the OTP

6. Pay your stamp duty

7. Completion — keys in hand

Tools to run your numbers