The Ultimate Checklist for Selling Your Singapore Home: From Listing to Handover
Selling your home in Singapore? This step-by-step checklist covers everything — from prepping your unit and setting the right price to handling viewings, paperwork, and handover. Don’t miss a single detail!
LOOKING TO SELL YOUR HOME?
You’ve done the math. You’ve thought it through. And you’ve made the big decision: it’s time to sell your home.
That’s a huge and exciting step! But it can also feel a little daunting. There seems to be so much to do. There’s paperwork, legal steps, viewings, negotiations… where do you even begin?
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
But don’t worry. Selling a home is a well-trodden path in Singapore. Millions have done it before you. And the best way to make the process smooth and stress-free is to have a clear roadmap.
This is your ultimate checklist. We’ve broken down the entire selling journey into five simple phases. Follow these steps, and you’ll be in complete control from start to finish.
Phase 1: The Preparation (3-4 Months Before Listing)
This is the “getting ready” phase. Good preparation now will save you a lot of time and stress later.
[ ] Decide: DIY or Engage an Agent?
This is your first big decision.
- DIY (Do-It-Yourself): You handle everything yourself, from marketing to paperwork. The biggest pro is that you save on the agent’s 2% commission. The con is that it’s a huge amount of work, and you might not get the best price if you’re not an expert negotiator.
- Engage an Agent: A good agent handles all the heavy lifting, markets your property professionally, and negotiates on your behalf. The pro is convenience and expertise. The con is the commission fee. For most people, a good agent is well worth the cost.
[ ] Get an Estimated Valuation
You need to know what your home is realistically worth. You can get a good idea by checking recent transaction prices on the HDB or URA portals. An agent can also provide you with a detailed valuation report. This helps you set a realistic selling price.
[. ] For HDB Sellers: Register Your “Intent to Sell”
This is a mandatory first step for all HDB owners. You must log in to the HDB Resale Portal with your Singpass and register your intent to sell. This is free and valid for 12 months. You cannot start marketing your flat until this is done.
[ ] Declutter & Minor Repairs
Now it’s time to get your house ready for its close-up.
- Declutter: This is the most important step. A clean, uncluttered home looks bigger, brighter, and more attractive to buyers. Think “Marie Kondo”—if it doesn’t spark joy, put it in storage or sell it.
- Minor Repairs: Fix that leaky tap. Replace that flickering light bulb. A small investment in minor repairs shows buyers that your home is well-maintained.
Phase 2: The Marketing (1-3 Months)
This is where you find your buyer. How you present your home here makes all the difference.
[. ] Professional Photos & Video
In today’s market, your online listing is your “first viewing.” Grainy, dark photos taken on your phone will get you ignored. Insist on professional photos with a wide-angle lens. They make your home look spacious and inviting and will attract many more potential buyers.
[ ] Craft a Compelling Listing
Don’t just list the number of rooms. Highlight the unique features of your home. Is it a short walk to the MRT? Does it have an unblocked view? Is it near a popular primary school? These are your key selling points.
[ ] List on Major Portals
Your home should be listed on the main property portals in Singapore, like PropertyGuru and 99.co. This is where almost all buyers begin their search.
[ ] Manage Viewings
Get ready for people to come and see your home.
- Be Flexible: Try to accommodate as many viewing requests as possible, including on weekday evenings. The more people who see your home, the higher your chances of getting a good offer.
- Prepare Your Home: Before each viewing, do a quick tidy-up. Open the curtains to let in natural light. Turn on the air-conditioning so it’s cool and comfortable. A pleasant viewing experience can leave a great impression.
Phase 3: The Offer (The “OTP” Stage)
You’ve found an interested buyer! This is where things get serious and legally binding.
[ ] Negotiate the Price
The buyer will make an offer. You can accept it, reject it, or make a counter-offer. This is where a good agent’s negotiation skills are invaluable.
[ ] Grant the Option to Purchase (OTP)
Once you and the buyer have agreed on a price, you will sign a document called the Option to Purchase (OTP). This is a legal agreement.
To secure this option, the buyer will pay you an Option Fee. For HDB flats, this is typically $1,000. For private property, it’s usually 1% of the sale price.
[ ] The Buyer Exercises the Option
The buyer now has a fixed period (usually 21 days) to think it over and secure their loan. If they want to proceed, they will “exercise” the option.
To do this, they will pay you the Option Exercise Fee. For HDB, this is typically $4,000. For private property, it’s usually another 4% of the sale price. Once this is paid, the sale is confirmed!
Phase 4: The Legal Process (8-12 Weeks)
The deal is done. Now it’s time for the lawyers and HDB to handle the official paperwork.
[ ] For HDB Sellers: Submit Resale Application
You and your buyer must both submit your respective resale applications to the HDB Resale Portal. HDB will then review the application and grant an approval.
[ ] For All Sellers: Appoint a Conveyancing Lawyer
You will need a lawyer to handle the legal transfer of the property. If you took a bank loan, you can use a lawyer from the bank’s panel. For HDB loans, you can use HDB’s own legal services.
[ ] Attend HDB Appointments or Sign Legal Documents
For HDB sales, you will attend one or two appointments at HDB Hub to sign documents. For private property sales, you will do this at your lawyer’s office.
[ ] Pay Off Your Outstanding Loan & Refund Your CPF
Your lawyer will handle this. The money from the sale will be used to pay off your outstanding home loan. Any CPF money you used (plus the accrued interest) will also be returned to your CPF Ordinary Account.
Phase 5: The Handover
This is the final stretch!
[ ] Schedule Movers and Plan Your Move-out
Book your moving company well in advance. Start packing up your belongings and arrange for the transfer of your utilities and internet services.
[ ] Final Inspection
Just before the completion day, the buyer will usually come for one last inspection to make sure the property is in the condition you both agreed upon.
[ ] Completion Day
This is the day the sale is legally complete. Your lawyer will receive the final payment from the buyer’s lawyer. Once the money is in, you will hand over the keys to the new owner.
Congratulations, you have officially sold your home!
Conclusion: A Process You Can Manage
Seeing all these steps laid out might still seem like a lot. But remember, it’s a step-by-step process that is very well-regulated in Singapore. You don’t have to do it all at once.
By following a checklist like this, you can stay organised, on track, and in control of your home sale. It breaks a big, daunting task down into small, manageable actions.
So, bookmark this checklist. Refer to it at each stage of your journey. And get ready for a smooth, successful, and stress-free sale. You’ve got this.