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Condo··7 min read

Condo Buying Guide Singapore 2026: Everything You Must Know

From ABSD and BSD to the buying process and financing — the official, up-to-date guide to buying private property (condominiums) in Singapore in 2026.

SG Property Insider
Published February 25, 2026
# Condo# Private Property# ABSD# BSD# TDSR# Singapore Property# Buying Guide

Condo Buying Guide Singapore 2026: Everything You Must Know

Buying a private condominium in Singapore is a major financial decision. This guide combines the official rules (stamp duties, financing rules, HDB/URA guidance) with practical steps and checklists to help you decide, prepare and complete a purchase in 2026.

Quick note: Always verify the exact rates and policy details on the official agency pages before you sign any contract — policies (especially stamp duties and cooling measures) can change. Key official sources used: HDB, IRAS, MAS and URA. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Contents

  1. Who can buy private property in Singapore
  2. Stamp duties: ABSD & BSD (official rates and how they apply)
  3. Loans, LTV and TDSR — what lenders check (official guidance)
  4. New launch vs resale — practical differences and timelines
  5. Step-by-step purchasing checklist (booking → completion)
  6. Hidden costs & running costs you must budget for
  7. How to use CPF for private property purchases
  8. Smart due diligence & data sources (where to check prices and valuations)
  9. FAQs (short, actionable answers)
  10. Next steps (checklist & links)

1. Who can buy private property in Singapore?

  • Singapore Citizens may buy any private condominium without special approval.
  • Permanent Residents (PRs) can also buy condominiums but may face different stamp duty exposures when buying additional properties.
  • Foreigners can generally buy non-landed private residential units (condominiums) but face higher stamp duty rates and restrictions for landed property.

For HDB owners upgrading to private property, check HDB rules (MOP requirements, HFE letters and valuation process) before you transact. Official HDB pages explain eligibility and the resale request/value workflow. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

2. Stamp duties: ABSD & BSD — what you must know

Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD)

  • ABSD is an additional tax on top of standard buyer’s stamp duty and is charged based on buyer profile (citizen, PR, foreigner) and how many residential properties the buyer already owns.
  • ABSD rates and categories have changed over recent years; always confirm the current rate on the IRAS ABSD page before committing. (IRAS provides the official ABSD tables and remission rules.) :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD)

  • BSD is computed on the purchase price or market value (whichever is higher) and is chargeable in marginal bands (first S$180k at 1%, next S$180k at 2%, next S$640k at 3%, exceeding S$1M at 4% for residential property as published by IRAS). Confirm the exact bands on IRAS. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Action: Run a stamp duty calculation (BSD + applicable ABSD) as part of your affordability checks before you place a booking fee.

3. Loans, LTV, TDSR — how lenders assess you (MAS guidance)

Banks and finance institutions apply regulatory frameworks when assessing borrowing:

  • Loan-to-Value (LTV) limits determine how much cash you need upfront; the bank’s permissible LTV depends on loan type and past property ownership.
  • Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) is used by lenders to check that your total debt obligations (including the new loan) do not exceed permitted servicing thresholds; MAS publishes guidance and calculation rules for TDSR that banks follow. Follow MAS guidance for exact computation and exemptions. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Action: Obtain an In-Principle Approval (IPA) from your bank early — it clarifies borrowing capacity and helps you shortlist properties within budget.

4. New launch vs resale condo — key differences

New Launch

  • Progressive payment schedule (developer milestones).
  • Comes with developer warranties and new design finishes.
  • Buyer pays downpayment + progressive installments until TOP/CSC.
  • Potential for capital appreciation if buying early — but also higher uncertainty and longer waiting time.

Resale Condo

  • Immediate completion possible (shorter timeline).
  • Larger floor plates often (older developments).
  • Price negotiation room; valuation and bank loan disbursement happen quickly after S&P.
  • HDB owners upgrading should use HDB valuation / request for value flow when using CPF or HDB loans. Official HDB pages explain the resale application and valuation workflows. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

5. Step-by-step buying checklist (practical)

  1. Prepare documents & budget

    • Proof of income, CPF balance check, monthly expense list.

  2. Get IPA from a bank (know your max loan & LTV ratio).

  3. Research properties using URA’s price tools and past transacted prices; shortlist by location, connectivity (MRT), schools, and price psf. URA provides official market data and buyer guidance. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

  4. Check stamp duty & cash needed (BSD + any ABSD).

  5. Inspect unit & do valuation checks — request HDB valuation for resale HDB; for condo, compare recent URA transacted prices.

  6. Place booking fee / option fee (read the developer or seller terms carefully).

  7. Sign Sale & Purchase Agreement (S&P) — usually within option exercise period for resale deals.

  8. Complete financing & legal conveyancing — solicitor handles title transfer; bank releases loan on completion.

  9. Take possession and arrange reno/insurance.

6. Hidden costs & running costs you must budget for

  • Stamp duties (BSD + ABSD where applicable). :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
  • Legal fees & conveyancing
  • Valuation fees (if any)
  • Renovation costs
  • Maintenance/management fees (monthly)
  • Property tax & insurance
  • Agent commission (if you use agent for sale)

Rule of thumb: Add ~5–8% of purchase price for immediate non-loan costs (stamp duties, fees, initial reno) as a conservative buffer.

7. Using CPF for private property

You can use CPF Ordinary Account (OA) savings for private property under specified rules (subject to limits). URA/HDB guidance and CPF rules determine how much you may use and what happens on resale — always check CPF/URA pages for exact limits and conditions. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

8. Due diligence & official data sources (where to check)

  • IRAS — Official BSD & ABSD rates, remissions and stamp-duty policy. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
  • MAS — Guidance on TDSR and lender practice. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
  • HDB — Resale process, valuation requests, HFE letters (if upgrading from HDB). :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
  • URA — Transaction prices, planning, and private property guidance. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

Tip: Save these official pages in your project memory (vector DB later) and have OpenClaw fetch them before drafting policy-heavy sections.

9. FAQs (short answers)

Q: How much ABSD will I pay?
A: It depends on your buyer profile (SC/PR/foreigner) and how many residential properties you already own. Check IRAS ABSD tables. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

Q: What is BSD and how is it calculated?
A: BSD is calculated on the purchase price or market value (whichever is higher) using marginal bands outlined by IRAS. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

Q: Do banks always apply TDSR?
A: Most banks apply TDSR as part of their credit checks following MAS guidance; there are limited exemptions — read MAS TDSR guidance. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}

Q: Can I use my CPF for a condo purchase?
A: Yes, subject to CPF usage rules for private properties and limits — check URA/CPF guidance. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

10. Next steps — 7-point checklist before you bid/commit

  1. Get IPA from a bank and calculate realistic monthly repayments (stress test + 2% buffer). :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
  2. Run full stamp duty calculation (BSD + ABSD as applicable). :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
  3. Check recent URA transacted prices for the building/area. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
  4. For resale HDB buyers: request HDB Request for Value and confirm HFE eligibility early. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
  5. Budget for renovation, legal fees, and 3 months’ maintenance fees upfront.
  6. Plan exit strategy (rental vs hold) and expected yield scenarios.
  7. If unsure, consult a qualified lawyer or licensed mortgage advisor.

Official sources used (select)

  • HDB — Resale process & Request for Value. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
  • IRAS — Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) & Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD). :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
  • MAS — Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) guidance. :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}
  • URA — Buying private property & transaction data. :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}

Want this expanded into cluster posts?

I can automatically generate the supporting cluster articles (Markdown files) that link from this pillar, for example:

  • content/absd-explained-2026.md (detailed IRAS rules + sample ABSD calculator)
  • content/tdsr-and-your-loan.md (step-by-step TDSR calculation with examples)
  • content/new-launch-vs-resale.md (detailed pros/cons + cashflow examples)
  • content/best-districts-near-mrt-2026.md (data-driven district picks using URA transacted prices)

Tell me which cluster pages you want first and I’ll generate them (with the same official sourcing and citation).

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