Frequently asked questions

Can foreigners buy property in Singapore?

Foreigners (non-citizens, non-PRs) can freely buy private condominium units and apartments. Landed houses need government approval under the Residential Property Act — granted sparingly, mainly for exceptional economic contribution — except in Sentosa Cove, where approval is faster and routine. Foreigners cannot buy HDB flats. Note the 60% Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty for foreign buyers (see the tax section below); nationals of a few countries with free-trade agreements, such as the USA and Switzerland, are treated as Singapore citizens for ABSD.

Who is eligible to buy an HDB resale flat?

Broadly: Singapore citizen households; citizen singles aged 35 and above; and permanent-resident households where both PRs have held PR status for at least 3 years. Buyers need a valid HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter before making an offer, and Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) quotas apply per block and neighbourhood. There is no income ceiling for buying a resale flat, though CPF housing grants have their own ceilings. We check eligibility before any viewing.

What are the income ceilings for new (BTO) flats?

As at 2026: S$14,000 monthly household income for most BTO families (S$21,000 for extended multi-generation families), S$7,000 for singles buying 2-room Flexi, and S$16,000 for executive condominiums. These ceilings apply to new flats only — resale purchases have no income ceiling.

Can I own both an HDB flat and a private property?

HDB owners may buy private property only after their flat's Minimum Occupation Period. Private-property owners who want to buy an HDB resale flat must dispose of all private property within 6 months of the flat purchase, and a 15-month wait-out period applies to private owners buying resale flats (waived for those aged 55+ downgrading to a 4-room or smaller flat).

Can I sell my HDB flat before the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP)?

Generally no — HDB flats can only be sold on the open market after the MOP (typically 5 years, 10 years for Prime/Plus-model flats). There are limited exceptions; talk to us about your situation.

What stamp duties do I need to budget for when buying?

All buyers pay Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD) — tiered from 1% on the first S$180,000 up to 6% on the portion of a residential price above S$3 million. On top of that, Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) may apply depending on your profile:

Buyer profile	1st property	2nd property	3rd+
Singapore citizen	0%	20%	30%
Permanent resident	5%	30%	35%
Foreigner	60% (any purchase)
Entity / company	65% (any purchase)

Rates as at 2026 and subject to policy change — we confirm the current figures for your case before you commit. Complex ABSD cases (decoupling, trusts, mixed-nationality couples) are handled personally by Mei Ling Tan.

Is there a tax when I sell?

Possibly. Seller's Stamp Duty (SSD) applies if you sell a residential property within 4 years of buying it — 16% in the first year, stepping down to 4% in the fourth (for properties bought on or after 4 July 2025; the older 3-year/12% schedule applies to earlier purchases). Singapore has no capital gains tax on properties held beyond the SSD window.

What ongoing property taxes will I pay as an owner?

Annual property tax is based on your property's Annual Value (AV). Owner-occupied homes are taxed at progressive rates from 0% to 32%; non-owner-occupied (rented out or vacant) residential property is taxed at 12% to 36%. Rental income is additionally taxable as personal income.

How much can I borrow, and can I use CPF?

Bank and HDB housing loans are capped at a 75% loan-to-value ratio for a first loan, with a minimum 5% cash downpayment. All borrowing is subject to the 55% Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR); HDB flat purchases also face a 30% Mortgage Servicing Ratio. CPF Ordinary Account savings can be used for the downpayment, stamp duties, and monthly instalments, within CPF's limits. We walk every buyer through an affordability worksheet before shortlisting.

How much does it cost to sell with you?

Private property: 2% of the sale price. HDB resale: 1.5% (minimum S$4,000). Photography, portal listings, viewings, and completion support are included. Fees are subject to GST.

Does it cost anything to buy through you?

For private property, usually nothing — we receive co-broke commission from the seller's side. For HDB resale purchases, our buyer service fee is 1% of the purchase price.

How long does a sale take?

Our average is 41 days from listing to accepted offer. After that: private completions typically run 10–12 weeks; HDB resale completion is about 8 weeks after the resale application is accepted.

How quickly can I view a property?

Within 24 hours of your request. Viewing slots run daily 10:00–20:00, including Sundays and public holidays by appointment. Viewings are accompanied and last about 30 minutes.

Can I view several properties in one trip?

Yes — give us your shortlist and we'll plan a route. Three to four units per session works best.

How large is the rental deposit?

Typically one month's rent per year of lease (e.g. two months' deposit on a 24-month lease), returned after checkout less any agreed deductions.

Who pays stamp duty on a tenancy agreement?

The tenant, by market convention — 0.4% of the total rent for the lease term, for leases of four years or less. We handle the IRAS e-stamping as part of the leasing service.

What is a diplomatic clause?

A standard clause on 24-month leases letting the tenant terminate after 12 months (with 2 months' notice) if they're relocated out of Singapore or lose their work pass.

Can foreigners rent an HDB flat?

Yes, whole-flat rentals to non-citizens are possible where the flat is approved for subletting and occupancy caps are met. We check eligibility before any viewing.

I disagree with a valuation — what can I do?

Valuation concerns are handled personally by our founder, Mei Ling Tan. Leave your details and she will call you back within one business day.

Do you handle commercial or industrial property?

No — we focus on residential (HDB, condo, landed). We can refer you to a trusted commercial specialist at no charge.

How do I give feedback or make a complaint?

Use the feedback form on our contact page, email hello@harborviewsg.example, or call +65 6010 4400. Complaints are acknowledged within one working day and reviewed personally by Mei Ling Tan.