Buying your first HDB (Resale)

Start with your HFE letter

Apply for an HDB Flat Eligibility letter before committing to a flat. It sets out your purchase eligibility and, where applicable, grants and HDB loan eligibility. A valid HFE letter is needed before obtaining the seller’s Option to Purchase. If you plan to use a bank loan, obtain the bank’s financing assessment too; an online estimate is not a loan offer.

Work out the cash and CPF you can use

Separate your available cash from your CPF Ordinary Account balance. Budget for the down payment, stamp duty, legal fees, renovation and a reserve for moving. If the agreed resale price exceeds HDB’s valuation, that excess is cash over valuation: it cannot be financed with the housing loan or CPF.

• Compare HDB and bank loans using the actual offer and repayment terms.
• Check the flat’s remaining lease against the youngest buyer’s age; a short lease can restrict funding.
• Keep renovation and daily living reserves outside the deposit budget.

View the home, not only the listing

Use the same home viewing checklist for every flat. Consider layout, noise, condition, access and your daily journey. Compare relevant completed transactions rather than judging value only by nearby asking prices. Ask what is included and identify issues to verify before you offer.

Understand the option and valuation sequence

The HDB option period is 21 calendar days. If you need CPF or a housing loan, submit the Request for Value by the next working day after the seller grants the OTP. Use the option period to confirm financing and the payment plan before exercising it. Check the current transaction instructions and agreed submission dates with your adviser.

Plan the handover and your next step

Leave room for completion, renovation and moving arrangements. Do not assume the seller can remain after completion without an agreed arrangement. Use the affordability calculator to compare borrowing, then review the home, offer conditions and timeline together.