Buying Guide
Buying an HDB Resale Flat: The Step-by-Step Process and Timeline
Buying a resale flat involves two parties, HDB and your seller, and a few deadlines that run from days to weeks. This guide follows HDB's own sequence, from your eligibility letter to the completion appointment, and flags the points where buyers most often lose time.
The steps in order
- Get an HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter (steps 1 and 2). It tells you whether you can buy a resale flat, which CPF housing grants you qualify for and how much HDB loan you can take. You can request an in-principle approval from participating banks at the same time. See HDB resale grants and HDB loan vs bank loan.
- Find a flat and agree a price, then obtain the Option to Purchase (step 3). The seller grants the OTP after you agree the price. The seller must have registered an Intent to Sell for more than 7 days. You can manage the purchase yourself or engage a salesperson for a fee.
- Confirm how you will pay (step 4). With an HDB loan, you need a valid HFE letter before the seller may grant the OTP. With a bank loan, you need a valid Letter of Offer before you exercise the OTP.
- Submit a Request for Value (step 5). Required if you use CPF or a housing loan. It is due by the next working day after you get the OTP.
- Convert any in-principle approval into a Letter of Offer (step 6) before you exercise the OTP.
- Exercise the OTP and submit the resale application (step 7).
- Endorse the resale documents and pay the fees (steps 8 and 9).
- Receive HDB's approval (step 10).
- Attend the completion appointment (step 11) and collect the keys.
The deadlines that matter
| Stage | Timing |
|---|---|
| OTP option period | 21 calendar days from the date the OTP is granted, including weekends and public holidays |
| Request for Value | Submit by the next working day after the OTP date, with a scan of page 1 of the OTP. Processing fee $120 including GST. The outcome is typically available within 10 working days |
| Validity of the valuation outcome | 3 months. Both parties must submit their portions of the resale application within that window, or a new Request for Value is needed |
| Resale application | Both parties submit within the number of days agreed on page 4 of the OTP, and within 7 days of each other |
| HDB acceptance | Within 28 working days of a complete application and documents |
| Resale documents ready to endorse | About 3 weeks after acceptance |
| Approval | About 2 weeks after both sides have endorsed the documents and made the payments |
| Completion | About 8 weeks after HDB accepts the application. This is the earliest possible date and cannot be brought forward |
These are HDB's stated timelines. Actual timing depends on how quickly both sides submit documents and pay.
Points that catch buyers out
- You must wait for the valuation outcome before exercising the OTP. The Request for Value sets the basis for your CPF usage and the reference for the loan amount (unless your bank says otherwise). It is not needed only if you use cash alone.
- Use HDB's prescribed OTP only. Other or supplementary agreements about the sale are not valid under the Housing and Development Act, and declaring a false resale price is an offence. See OTP explained and option fee vs exercise fee.
- If you let the OTP expire, the option fee is forfeited.
- The household in your resale application must match your HFE letter. If anything changes (members, marital status, citizenship, private property ownership), cancel and reapply for the HFE letter if you have not yet submitted the resale application. If you have, write to HDB.
- Endorse promptly. If documents are not endorsed within HDB's timeframe the application may be cancelled.
What you pay along the way
- Option fee and exercise fee to the seller. The option fee is $1 to $1,000 and the exercise fee brings the total to no more than $5,000. Both form part of the price.
- Request for Value: $120 including GST.
- Legal fees, registration and miscellaneous fees. If HDB acts for you, its legal fee is a tiered scale based on the resale price, with a $21.80 minimum, and HDB also lists Singapore Land Authority fees: title search $32, transfer registration $38.30 and buyer's caveat $64.45, plus $16.35 in miscellaneous fees. With a bank loan and private solicitors, legal fees depend on the firm.
- Stamp duty. Buyer's Stamp Duty is based on the higher of price or valuation; see the BSD guide. HDB says stamp duty is payable by CPF savings unless you write in to ask to pay cash. Singapore PR households buying their first resale flat also pay ABSD at the completion appointment.
- Initial payment once you endorse the documents, if you have a loan. With an HDB loan at 75% loan-to-value, it is 25% of the lower of price or value, payable by cash and/or CPF Ordinary Account savings including grants. With a bank loan at 75%, the minimum cash is 5% and the remaining 20% can be cash or CPF.
- Balance purchase price by the completion appointment, by cashier's order payable to HDB or NETS via AXS (for payments below $9,999) if HDB is your solicitor.
The completion appointment
If HDB acts for you, you attend in person at the HDB Resale Office; private solicitors' representatives can attend for you. Appointments for HDB loans are in the morning, for bank loans in the afternoon, and for those with no loan either. Before you go:
- Inspect the flat with the seller to make sure vacant possession will be delivered.
- If you have an HDB loan, buy HDB fire insurance (unless the seller's valid policy transfers) and bring the certificate.
- Bring identity cards for all buyers, payment receipts and the balance payment.
At the appointment you sign the mortgage (HDB loan), acknowledge receipt of keys, pay the apportioned property tax to the sellers and state how you will pay the first service and conservancy charges. You then become the owner, liable for the loan, charges and property tax; see the property tax guide. Check the MOP rules that apply to your flat.
FAQ
How long does it take to buy an HDB resale flat?
HDB's own timeline puts completion about 8 weeks after it accepts your resale application, and acceptance can take up to 28 working days after a complete application. Allow for the HFE letter, the 21-day option period and the valuation before that.
Do I need an agent to buy a resale flat?
No. HDB says you can manage the purchase yourself or engage a salesperson for a fee. If you use one, HDB advises checking registration on the CEA public register.
What is the Request for Value for?
It sets the value that forms the basis for your CPF usage and the reference for your loan amount. You need it if you use CPF or a housing loan, but not if you pay entirely in cash.
Can I change my mind after exercising the OTP?
The OTP is a legally binding contract once exercised. Before then, you can let it expire and forfeit the option fee. Read HDB's OTP notes and the resale terms before you exercise.
When do I get the keys?
At the resale completion appointment, after the balance price and any outstanding fees are paid.
Figures current as of October 2026, from HDB's resale pages. Timelines, fees and procedures are HDB's and can change; check My Flat Dashboard and your appointment letters for your own dates. HDB's resale page shows a stamp duty table that differs from IRAS's current BSD rates, so rely on IRAS for stamp duty. This guide is general information only and is not legal or financial advice.
Planning a resale purchase and want to check your budget and cash needs before you get the OTP? Use PropLeh's Purchase Calculator, or message us on WhatsApp.