Buy a condo or private property

Yes. Singapore citizens can buy private property after their HDB flat's MOP and keep the flat. The private property then counts as a second property, which attracts 20% Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) for citizens (as at September 2026).

Married couples with at least one Singapore citizen can get the ABSD refunded if they sell their first home within 6 months of buying a completed property. Permanent residents must sell their HDB flat within 6 months of buying private property.

With a bank loan, you can borrow up to 75% of the price for a first housing loan (if the loan tenure and your age allow). The other 25% is your down payment: at least 5% must be cash, and the rest can be cash or CPF. Buyer's Stamp Duty, and any ABSD, are due within 14 days of the purchase.

Your total monthly debt repayments must also stay within the 55% Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR). We run the full affordability numbers first. Try our resale calculator for a quick estimate.

Choosing between a resale condo, new launch condo or post-launch unit in Singapore depends on your affordability, timeline, risk appetite and long-term property goals. Resale condos may offer immediate rental potential and larger layouts, while new launch and post-launch condos can provide progressive payment benefits, newer facilities and future upside potential.

At David & Audrie Properties, David & Audrie help buyers evaluate location, entry price, future demand and exit strategy using the W.A.T.E.R Concept, C.L.E.A.R Framework and L.E.X Method before deciding which option aligns best with their property roadmap.

Choose an agent who starts with your numbers, not a listing. Check the agent on the CEA Public Register, ask how many homes like yours they have handled, and ask to see a written plan: expected price range, net cash after CPF refund and loan, timeline and marketing approach.

David Ho (CEA R027577A) and Audrie Poh (CEA R060879G) of ERA Realty Network work this way for HDB, condo, landed and new launch clients across Singapore, using their W.A.T.E.R method.

No. Under the Council for Estate Agencies' rules, an agent cannot represent both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction. If you are selling with David & Audrie, we act for you alone, and the buyer is represented by their own agent or acts for themselves.

Freehold property is not always better than leasehold property in Singapore. While freehold properties offer perpetual ownership, leasehold properties may sometimes provide stronger growth potential, better entry pricing or higher future demand depending on location and market positioning.

At David & Audrie Properties, David & Audrie focus on helping buyers evaluate property investments based on location quality, entry price, future exit demand and long-term affordability instead of relying purely on tenure alone.