Buy Private Property with Us | Condo Buying Process, Step by Step | Property Playbook
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🏙️ For Private Property Buyers

Buying your condo,
backed by data.

Buying private is the biggest purchase most people make. Budget, financing, stamp duty, and finding the unit that's actually worth the price. Here's how I take you from first chat to collecting your keys, and what I do for you at every stage.

Find My Next Home → See the 8 Stages ↓
Data before opinionsEvery unit compared on price, layout and track record.
Honest, even when it's noI'll tell you which units not to buy.
Your price, protectedNegotiated against real transactions, not asking prices.
Market Snapshot

Where the Private Market Stands

The numbers every buyer should know before committing.

+1.4%
Private home prices, Q3 2026

Almost three times Q2's 0.5% rise.

+2.2%
OCR condo prices

The strongest region this quarter, after a flat Q2.

~$830
psf gap: OCR new launch vs resale

About 55% more to buy new than resale in the same region.

What it means for you: Prices are rising on fewer, more concentrated deals, and the gap between new launches and resale keeps widening. Picking the right project and unit matters more than timing the market. Read the full Q3 breakdown →
Source: Q3 2026 (URA flash estimate, 1 Oct 2026) and URA condo transaction records.
The Process

How It Works, in 8 Stages

What happens at each step of buying private, roughly how long it takes, and what I take off your plate.

01
Week 0

Goals & Budget Plan

Before we look at a single unit, we work out what you can comfortably afford and what the home needs to do for you: own stay, investment, or both.

  • Affordability check: cash, CPF, loan limits and TDSR
  • Stamp duty and ABSD worked out upfront
  • Upgrading from HDB? Your sell-buy timing, planned together
02
Week 0–2

Financing Ready

Get your In-Principle Approval (IPA) in place early, so you know your real loan amount and can move fast when the right unit appears.

  • IPA from the bank before you commit
  • Introductions to trusted bankers and mortgage brokers
  • Loan options compared on rate, lock-in and flexibility
03
Week 1–3

Data-Backed Shortlist

I compare projects and units side by side, so you can see which is the better buy, not just which looks nicest on viewing day.

  • Price psf, layout, facing, floor and stack compared
  • Each project's past resale profit and loss record
  • Rental demand and value-retention outlook
04
Week 2–8

Viewings, With Honest Advice

Viewings planned as a strategy, not one-offs. I'll point out what's good, what's overpriced, and which units to walk away from.

  • Showflats and resale viewings lined up for you
  • Red flags spotted: bad stacks, noise, layout waste
  • Straight answers, even when it's 'don't buy this one'
05
When the right unit appears

Offer & Negotiation

Negotiation is where the real money is. A couple of percent off the price usually outweighs everything else.

  • Offer pitched against the latest comparable transactions
  • New launch: best units, discounts and payment schemes
  • Resale: Option to Purchase secured on the right terms
06
Within weeks of OTP

Legal & Stamp Duty

Once you've committed, I coordinate the lawyer, bank and paperwork so every deadline is met.

  • Conveyancing lawyer appointed
  • Stamp duty paid within the 14-day deadline
  • Loan documents and CPF usage arranged
07
Resale: ~8–12 weeks · New launch: at TOP

Completion & Keys

Whether it's a resale unit or a new launch, I'm with you through to the day you get your keys.

  • Resale: final inspection and handover
  • New launch: progressive payments tracked to TOP
  • Defects inspection support at key collection
08
Ongoing

After You Move In

My job doesn't end at key collection. I'm still here for what comes next.

  • Renovation and interior design contacts
  • Tenant search if you're renting it out
  • Market updates and a long-term exit plan
The Big Decision

New Launch or Resale?

Both can be the right buy. It comes down to your timeline, cash flow and how you'll use the home.

New Launch

Best if you can wait and want a fresh start

Why it works

  • Progressive payments: you pay in stages as the project is built
  • Brand-new facilities, layouts and fittings
  • More time to plan, sell your current home or save up

Watch out for

  • Usually a higher price psf than resale nearby
  • A wait of a few years before you can move in or rent it out
  • You're buying from a floor plan and showflat, not the actual unit

Resale

Best if you need a home sooner

Why it works

  • Move in or rent out within months
  • Often more space for the money
  • See the actual unit, view and neighbours before you buy

Watch out for

  • Larger cash and CPF outlay upfront, with no staged payments
  • Older facilities and possible renovation costs
  • Valuation gaps: an offer above the bank's valuation is paid in cash
🧮 Loan eligibility

Find out how much you can borrow before you start viewing. Try the calculator →

🏗️ Browse new launches

Pricing, floor plans and units left for current and upcoming projects. See all launches →

📊 New launch vs resale gap

Why buyers in the same OCR district are often paying far more for new. Read the analysis →

Payment Timeline

When Do You Pay What?

How the money flows from the day you commit to the day the home is fully paid for, and where each payment comes from.

Resale

Most of the price is paid on one day: completion.
20%75%
CashCash or CPFBank loan
1%1% paid
Option to PurchaseCash
Day 0
Option fee to secure the unit
4%5% paid
Exercise the OTPCash
Within ~14 days
Balance of the 5% cash deposit
on top
Stamp dutySeparate
Within 14 days of exercising
BSD, plus ABSD if it applies
20%25% paid
Completion: downpayment balanceCash / CPF
~8–12 weeks after exercising
Cash or CPF
75%100% paid
Completion: bank loanBank loan
Same day
Loan disbursed; monthly instalments start

New Launch

Paid in stages as the project is built, so early instalments are small.
5%15%5%5%10%5%5%5%5%25%15%
CashCash or CPFBank loan
5%5% paid
Booking (Option to Purchase)Cash
Day 0
Booking fee to secure the unit
on top
Stamp dutySeparate
Within 14 days of signing the S&P
BSD, plus ABSD if it applies
15%20% paid
Sign S&P: downpayment balanceCash / CPF
Within 8 weeks of booking
Cash or CPF
5%25% paid
Foundation complete (first 5%)Cash / CPF
~6–12 months
The last 5% of your 25% downpayment
5%30% paid
Foundation complete (second 5%)Bank loan
Same stage
Bank loan drawdown starts here
10%40% paid
Concrete frameworkBank loan
During construction
5%45% paid
Partition wallsBank loan
During construction
5%50% paid
Roofing / ceilingBank loan
During construction
5%55% paid
Doors, windows, electrical, plumbingBank loan
During construction
5%60% paid
Car park, roads, drainsBank loan
During construction
25%85% paid
TOP: keys collectedBank loan
~3–5 years after booking
15%100% paid
CSC: Certificate of Statutory CompletionBank loan
~1 year after TOP
Resale: you need the full 25% downpayment, at least 5% of it in cash, plus stamp duty, all within about 3 months. Your loan and monthly instalments start at completion.
New launch: you put down 20% in the first 8 weeks, then the final 5% of your downpayment when the foundation is done. After that, the bank pays in stages as the building goes up, and you only pay interest on what's been drawn, so instalments start small and grow towards TOP.

Assumes a 75% first housing loan within the maximum tenure; banks lend less (and require more cash) for longer tenures, older borrowers or second loans. New launch percentages follow the standard Normal Payment Scheme; timings are typical and vary by project. Resale option fee and timelines are common practice and can be negotiated. Stamp duty is paid on top of the purchase price.

Backed By

The Rise Realty Team

You work with me directly, with the Rise Realty team behind me: developer access, bankers, lawyers and specialists ready whenever you need them.

FAQ

Common Questions from Buyers

Should I get an In-Principle Approval (IPA) before viewing?
Yes, ideally. An IPA tells you your real loan amount, so you only view units you can actually buy, and lets you move quickly when the right one comes up.
New launch or resale: which is better?
It depends on your timeline and goals. New launches suit buyers who want a fresh development and a longer runway with progressive payments; resale suits buyers who need a home sooner or want more space for the money. I'll compare both for your budget.
How much cash do I need?
For a first housing loan, banks typically lend up to 75% of the price, and at least 5% of the price must be paid in cash, with the rest of the downpayment from cash or CPF. Stamp duty comes on top. I'll work out your exact numbers in the budget plan.
Do I pay ABSD if I still own an HDB flat?
If you buy a private property while still owning your flat, ABSD usually applies upfront. Eligible married couples can get it refunded if the flat is sold within the deadline. Selling first avoids it. We'll plan the order together.
How long does buying take?
From first chat to an offer can be a few weeks if you're ready. For a resale unit, completion is typically about 8 to 12 weeks after you exercise the option. For a new launch, you get your keys when the project reaches TOP.
Can you help me sell my HDB too?
Yes. Most of my private buyers are upgrading, so I plan the sale and the purchase together. See how I help HDB sellers.
Ready When You Are

Let's Find Your Next Home

Tell me your budget, preferred areas and timeline, and I'll come back with a data-backed shortlist built around you.

Start My Home Search →
Ask me anything!