The Foreigner's Guide to Buying Property in Singapore
A practical guide for foreign buyers and investors. Stamp duty, tax, financing, the buying process, and what locals know that you should too.
Stamp Duty for Foreign Buyers: BSD, ABSD, and What You Will Actually Pay
Singapore's stamp duties are the biggest line item for foreign buyers — often 65%+ of the purchase price for non-PRs. Here is the math.
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Other topics worth knowing before you sign.
Common Pitfalls Foreign Buyers Make in Singapore
After hundreds of transactions, the same handful of mistakes show up again and again. Here is what to watch out for.
From OTP to Completion: The Step-by-Step Buying Process
A typical resale purchase takes 10-12 weeks from offer to keys. Here is what happens in each stage and where things commonly go wrong.
Property Tax and Rental Income Tax for Foreign Owners
Owning Singapore property comes with annual property tax. Renting it out adds income tax. Both have different rates for non-residents.
Mortgages for Foreign Buyers: LTV, TDSR, and Bank Reality
The loan-to-value rules apply equally to foreigners and locals on paper. In practice, getting financed as a non-resident is harder and more expensive.
What Foreigners Can and Cannot Buy in Singapore
Most condos: yes. HDB flats: no. Landed houses: only with government approval. The Residential Property Act explained.
Editorial note
This guide is general information only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Singapore property rules change with policy updates, and every buyer's situation is different. Always consult a CEA-registered Singapore property agent, qualified tax advisor, and conveyancing lawyer before committing to a purchase. Each article cites primary sources (IRAS, URA, MAS, SLA) so you can verify the load-bearing numbers yourself.