Step-by-Step Property Buying Process for Foreigners | Homejourney

The step-by-step property buying process for foreigners in Singapore is broadly: confirm eligibility, set budget and financing, shortlist projects, negotiate and secure an Option to Purchase (OTP), complete legal checks, exercise the OTP, make progressive payments, and complete key collection.

This guide walks you through each stage in detail, with Singapore-specific rules, timelines, and safety checks, so that foreign buyers – including UAE buyers in Singapore, Dubai residents investing from abroad, and other Middle East Singapore property investors – can move confidently and safely with Homejourney.

How this cluster fits into your Singapore property journey

This article is a focused, tactical guide in Homejourney’s broader foreign buyer pillar on "Buying Property in Singapore as a Foreigner".

Use this when you already know you want to buy in Singapore and need a clear, safe step-by-step playbook.

For a deeper overview of taxes, structures, and strategy, refer to our main pillar guide on foreign buyers in Singapore .

Step 1: Confirm what foreigners can (and cannot) buy

Singapore is very clear – and strict – about what foreigners can purchase.

Under the Residential Property Act, foreign buyers are generally free to purchase non-landed private residential property such as condos and apartments.[2][6]

However, HDB flats (public housing) are off-limits to foreigners buying on their own, and landed homes require special government approval.[2][6]

Property eligibility snapshot for foreigners (2025)

Allowed without special approval: private condos and apartments, strata-titled units in approved condo developments, privatised ECs more than 10 years old.[1][2][6]
Allowed with Singapore Land Authority (SLA) approval: landed homes (terrace, semi-detached, bungalows), non-approved strata-landed cluster homes, vacant residential land, most shophouses used as residential.[2][5]
Not allowed: new HDB BTO or resale HDB flats bought solely as a foreigner (non-PR).[2][6]

Insider tip: Most foreign clients – especially Emirati investors and Dubai residents – focus on city-fringe and prime condos around Orchard, Marina Bay, River Valley, and East Coast. These are fully foreigner-eligible and have established rental demand.

Use Homejourney’s property search to filter for foreigner-eligible projects and compare verified listings by location and tenure: Property Search .

Step 2: Understand Singapore’s taxes and cooling measures

Two main taxes apply when buying any residential property: Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) and Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD).

Exact tiers change occasionally, so always verify against IRAS before committing. As of the latest cooling measures (April 2023, still in force into 2025), foreigners pay a significantly higher ABSD.[2]

Key concepts explained (2025 context)

Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD): A tiered tax on the purchase price or market value, whichever is higher. All buyers, including foreigners, pay BSD on residential property.[2]
Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD): An extra tax on top of BSD. Foreigners currently pay 60% ABSD on any residential purchase, due within 14 days of signing the Sale & Purchase Agreement or exercising the OTP.[2]
Loan-to-Value (LTV): The maximum loan percentage banks can grant, capped by MAS guidelines – often up to 75% for a first housing loan, subject to income and credit profile.
Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR): Limits total monthly debt obligations (including the new mortgage) to 55% of gross monthly income for private property loans, per MAS rules.

Important: CPF housing grants, CPF balances, and HDB rules mainly benefit Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. Pure foreign buyers cannot use CPF for property purchases and must fund cash/equity and all taxes in cash.

For updated tax and cooling measure coverage, check recent market news via Straits Times Housing News or EdgeProp Property News .

Step 3: Set your budget and financing safely

Before viewing units, define your safe budget in Singapore dollars. For a UAE buyer in Singapore or an Emirati investor assessing from Dubai, currency volatility and ABSD are the two biggest variables.

Budget checklist for foreign buyers

Cash/equity for downpayment (typically at least 25% of purchase price for a first loan, more if LTV is reduced).
60% ABSD on the purchase price (for foreigners) – this is a large upfront cash outlay.[2]
BSD based on IRAS tiers.
Legal fees (usually S$3,000–S$5,000 for standard conveyancing).
Valuation fees, mortgage processing fees, and agent commission (if payable).
Future renovation and furnishing, plus ongoing costs like maintenance fees, property tax, and insurance.

Use Homejourney’s bank and mortgage rate tools to model repayment amounts from multiple lenders safely: Bank Rates and Mortgage Rates .

Local insight: For a central RCR/CCR condo (e.g., River Valley, Tanjong Pagar, East Coast near Katong) in 2025, a typical one-bedroom can range S$1.3–S$1.8 million depending on age and distance to MRT. ABSD alone can easily exceed S$700,000 on a S$1.3 million unit – this is where many foreign buyers underestimate costs.

Step 4: Shortlist projects and locations

Once your budget and financing are clear, shortlist locations that match your goals: own stay vs investment, rental profile, and lifestyle.

Popular areas for foreign and Middle East buyers

Marina Bay / CBD (Raffles Place, Tanjong Pagar): Premium city living, direct MRT access, strong corporate rental demand. Walking from Tanjong Pagar MRT Exit A to many condos along Anson Road is about 5–8 minutes under sheltered walkways.
Orchard / River Valley: Upscale shopping and dining; Great World MRT to River Valley condos is often a 5–10 minute walk, popular with expats valuing international schools and riverfront living.
East Coast / Katong: Favoured by long-term expats, near East Coast Park and good food. From Marine Parade (future Thomson-East Coast Line), many condos are within 5–12 minutes’ walk.
City-fringe (Queenstown, Redhill, Novena): Strong rental and capital appreciation potential; good compromise between price and centrality.

Homejourney’s projects directory gives verified details on each condo’s age, tenure, facilities, nearby schools, and historical prices: Projects Directory and Projects .

For UAE and Dubai residents buying property in Singapore remotely, also see our dedicated guide: UAE & Dubai Residents Buying Property in Singapore: Homejourney Guide .

Step 5: Engage trusted professionals

To keep your purchase safe and compliant, you should engage:

A licensed real estate agent registered with CEA (Council for Estate Agencies).
A conveyancing lawyer for contract review, title checks, and completion.
A banker or mortgage broker for loan structuring.

Homejourney only works with vetted, licensed professionals and uses user feedback to continuously refine partner panels, minimising the risk of mis-selling.

Insider safety tip: In Singapore, agent fees are typically paid by the seller for private new launches. If anyone requests a large “consultancy” fee up front, treat this as a red flag and verify their CEA registration number.

Step 6: View properties (in-person or virtually)

For foreigners, especially those based overseas, many first viewings are done via high-quality video calls or 3D tours, then followed by a short in-person trip to confirm.