The Singapore First-Home Buyer Playbook
Know what you can afford and what you'll pay in cash, CPF and stamp duty, before your first viewing.
A plain PDF guide for first-time buyers of HDB flats, ECs and condos. Every rule and figure is linked to IRAS, MAS, HDB, CPF Board, URA or gov.sg, with the date we checked it.
Edition 1.3 · 12 A4 pages · figures checked 15 October 2026 · 12 months of updates included.
Rules and figures as of 15 October 2026. General information only, not financial, legal or property advice.
Founding price: S$29
For the first 50 buyers or until 30 November 2026 (SGT), whichever comes first. After that it's S$49.
Founding copies sold so far: 0 of 50.
Buy now — S$29Card or PayNow. 30-day refund, no questions asked. PDF download straight after payment. 12 months of updates.
Who it's for
- First-time buyers looking at a BTO, a resale HDB flat, an EC or a condo.
- People who want to know the numbers and the steps before speaking to an agent, bank or lawyer.
It's not for investors buying a third property, and it won't tell you which home, bank or loan to pick. We don't give recommendations.
What's inside
- Can I afford it? TDSR, MSR, the stress-test rates banks and HDB use, loan-to-value limits, and HDB loan vs bank loan.
- Cash vs CPF. What must be cash, what CPF can pay, the Valuation and Withdrawal Limits, accrued interest, and housing grants.
- Stamp duties. BSD, ABSD by buyer profile, SSD, and when each is due.
- Your path. BTO, resale HDB, EC and condo, including the income ceilings that changed on 24 Aug 2026.
- Viewings. Questions to ask and a 30-point checklist.
- Negotiation. Scripts based on transaction data you look up yourself, and questions for your lawyer.
- Timeline and documents. HFE letter, option to purchase, exercise and completion.
- Key collection to move-in. A step-by-step checklist with a budget column.
Worked examples match our free property calculator and mortgage calculator.
A sample: the three loan tests
| Test | Limit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total Debt Servicing Ratio | 55% of gross monthly income | MAS, checked 15 Oct 2026 |
| Mortgage Servicing Ratio (HDB, new EC) | 30% of gross monthly income | MAS, checked 15 Oct 2026 |
| Stress-test interest rate | 4% bank loans, 3% HDB loans | MAS, checked 15 Oct 2026 |
Why you can check it
- Every figure links to the official page it came from, with the date we checked it.
- Where we couldn't confirm a figure on an official page, we don't state it. We point you to the page instead.
- 12 months of updates: if a rule changes within 12 months of your purchase, we email you the corrected edition free.
Refunds
30-day refund. If the playbook isn't useful to you, email [email protected] within 30 days of buying and we'll refund you in full. No questions asked. Refunds go back to the card or PayNow account you paid with, usually within 5 to 10 working days.
Found an outdated figure? Tell us at the same address. We'll check it against the official source, fix it and send every buyer the updated PDF.
Questions
- Is this financial advice?
- No. It's general information based on official rules. It doesn't consider your situation. Check with your bank, lawyer, CPF Board or HDB before you commit.
- Is it kept up to date?
- Yes. Buyers get a free corrected edition by email for 12 months if a rule in it changes.
- Can I pay by PayNow?
- Yes, or by card.
- What format is it?
- A PDF you download straight after payment.
- Who's behind it?
- SgPropertyInvesting, the website for the r/SgPropertyInvesting community. Questions: [email protected].
General information only, not financial, legal or property advice. Rules change. Check each figure with the official source and a licensed professional before you commit. Figures as of 15 October 2026. See our privacy policy and how we make money.