A step-by-step Singapore property guide

Your 120-Day
Property Move

A clear sales & purchase protocol for buyers and sellers—so you always know what comes next.

Start your buying plan →Connecting you to your perfect space.

Joyce Yeo pointing towards the 120-day property guide

Day 1Day 40Day 80Day 120

▣PlanKnow the numbers

♧CoordinateKeep every party aligned

✓CompleteHand over with confidence

Buying timeline

Buying: HDB or private

Choose a property type to see the option, financing, submission and completion sequence for your role.

HDB buyer

From OTP to keys

A practical HDB resale sequence, with the valuation and financing work completed inside the option period.

01
Day 1Secure the unit
The seller issues the Option to Purchase (OTP).
02
Days 1–21Value and finance
Obtain the valuation report and secure bank-loan approval before exercising the OTP.
03
By Day 21Exercise and submit
Exercise the OTP and submit the resale application through the HDB resale portal.
04
About 12 weeks laterComplete
Pay stamp duty and the remaining purchase amount after loan deduction using the arranged CPF and/or cash funds.

Selling and buying concurrently

One move. Two timelines. No room for guesswork.

Match the legal dates

Coordinate option, exercise, resale submission and completion dates so the buyer remains able to complete both transactions.

Protect the money flow

Confirm when sale proceeds, CPF refunds and loan drawdown become available. Net cash proceeds are released on completion as arranged by the seller’s lawyer, commonly by cashier’s order or bank transfer.

Manage ABSD exposure

Structure the sequence carefully so the clients understand whether ABSD may be payable and do not risk a completion shortfall. Obtain legal and tax advice for the exact ownership profile.

CPF timing

CPF used for the sold property is generally refunded to the CPF account after completion; allow around 2 weeks for processing. Do not treat it as available cash until the refund is credited.

Your guided timeline

The buyer protocol

Select each stage to see the priorities, actions and watchpoints for that part of your move.

Your buyer progress0 of 24 tasks completed

⌂

Days 1–14

Calculate your buying power

We begin with facts—not listings.

Tap each task when completed

Calculate how much the buyer can borrow
Confirm available cash and CPF balances
Set aside stamp duty, legal fees and renovation costs
Determine a comfortable purchase price and monthly commitment

Stage 1 of 6

Be transaction-ready

Your preparation desk

A smoother move begins before the OTP. Confirm exact requirements with your agent, lawyer, lender and the relevant authority.

▤buyer file

Documents to gather

NRIC / passport details
HFE letter or bank IPA
CPF balances and statements
Income and loan documents
OTP and sale documents
Marriage / ownership details

Three rules

01Verify before you commit

02Write down every agreed term

03Protect the completion timeline

Useful answers

Before you begin

Does every transaction complete in exactly 120 days?+

No. The 120-day protocol is a planning framework. HDB and private-property procedures differ, and financing, legal work, extensions and linked transactions can lengthen or shorten the schedule.

Should I sell first or buy first?+

It depends on your cash flow, loan position, temporary housing options and risk tolerance. Model both sequences before committing.

When should I appoint a lawyer?+

Early enough to review the structure and act within every deadline. For private property, seek legal guidance before exercising an OTP or agreeing to unusual possession terms.

Can the timeline include an extension of stay?+

Yes. For HDB resale, the temporary extension of stay is capped at 3 months and is subject to HDB’s conditions. Private transactions can be more flexible through a properly documented rent-back arrangement.

A plan built around your move

Let’s map the dates before the first big decision.

Financing, sale proceeds, CPF, handover and the next purchase all need to meet at the right moment. Joyce will help you build a plan around your actual position.

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