Your search results

Quick Guide for Condo Sellers: Timeline to Sell Condo in 2023

Posted by Jayson Ang on July 9, 2023

| 0

TLDR

When selling a condominium in Singapore, understanding the critical steps is key. First, ensure you are not liable for Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD). Conduct thorough market research to set a competitive price. Focus on home staging rather than costly renovations. Utilize advertising and marketing to attract potential buyers. Prepare for negotiations by knowing the market well. Engage a lawyer for the Option to Purchase process. Once the buyer exercises the OTP, complete the sale smoothly. Consider seeking expert advice for strategic real estate decisions and connecting with the right buyers.

Selling a condominium in Singapore can be more of a challenge than selling an HDB flat, as you are dealing with a private property and with fewer regulations in place.

Having a reliable agent is vital to ensure everything goes smoothly, but you shouldn’t just sit back and relax.

It’s important to have a basic understanding of the process, so you’re not taken advantage of if your agent is inexperienced.

1. Check Payable Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD)

If you bought your condo three years ago and now you’re selling it, this step doesn’t apply to you – skip ahead to step 2!

The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) requires property owners to pay Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD) to be eligible to sell their home.

Don’t forget, SSD is the tax payable to IRAS if you sell a property within the first three years of purchasing it. To ensure you’re not liable to pay SSD, you must hold onto your property for three years prior to selling.

If you are liable, you must make the payment within 14 days from the date of exercising the Option.

SSD rates from 11 March 2017 onwards

Find out how much you’ll need to pay for an SSD based on your home’s actual price or market value – whichever is higher – with this table, valid for properties purchased from 11 March 2017 onward.

Source: IRAS, Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD) for Residential Property

2. Conduct Market Research & Post Condo Listing

Before listing your condo on the market, it is a smart move to research the prices of comparable properties in the area.

This will provide you with a ballpark figure to benchmark against, so that you may set an appealing yet realistic price and avoid being taken advantage of by a savvy buyer.

A couple of factors typically determine the price of a condominium:

Remaining lease on the property (or if it’s a freehold)
Condition of the home
Whether furnishings will be included
Location

Are you curious about your property’s estimated valuation? Look no further!

There are plenty of free property valuation tools available – or, you can contact me for a custom assessment using my specialized software.

3. Home Staging & Renovation

Presenting your home in a way that will draw the most potential buyers is what home staging is all about.

Giving yourself the best chance of a high sale price is as simple as putting your best foot forward and following this process!

Homeowners often set the stage to appeal to potential buyers by furnishing their home with attractive pieces and styling it in a way that helps them imagine themselves living there.

With most listings being viewed online today, hiring an experienced photographer and videographer is almost a must as they can best showcase your home’s features and give buyers a virtual tour.

Renovating your home before selling can be tempting, especially since renovations cost around $82,000 on average. However, buyers may not be willing to pay more for the renovations and new homeowners usually want to personalize their spaces.

Therefore, it is generally not recommended to renovate your home for sale, unless it is to repair broken features.

4. Find Buyers Via Advertising And Marketing

When it comes to selling a house, identifying prospective buyers is a crucial stage of the process. Advertising and marketing can be a great way to attract them.

A good real estate agent can craft a marketing strategy to highlight the outstanding features of your home, such as its position, area, and conveniences.

Your advertising efforts can comprise of online listings, print ads, social media campaigns, and open houses – an effective combination for success.

An experienced agent can leverage targeted advertising to reach key demographics, such as first-time buyers or retirees.

By employing various marketing techniques, your agent can whip up a storm of excitement around your property and attract a wide array of prospective buyers.

Ultimately, the aim is to identify a buyer who recognizes the worth of your home and is eager to make a fair offer.

5. Arrange Viewings & Negotiations

If you want to keep your profit margin, now’s the time to prepare for battle! Your initial asking price isn’t set in stone and buyers may try to knock it down with curveballs.

It’s essential to be ready with counter-arguments. To stay ahead of the game, brush up on the area’s market research. Know the prices of properties in a 1km radius and have the district’s transaction history on hand; that way you can back up your price with solid numbers.

Despite the amount of work an average person can do, engaging a specialized property agent for your transaction will give you the greatest advantage; even more so when your agent is an expert in your town or district.

6. Contact A Lawyer & Grant Option To Purchase

Engaging a lawyer to draft the terms and conditions in the Option to Purchase (OTP) and draw up the required documents for the transfer of ownership is a key step in this process.

In contrast to HDB flats, whose OTPs can be accessed from the HDB website, OTPs for private properties must be prepared by a lawyer or an agent with the legal authority to manage real estate paperwork.

Once you’ve drafted the OTP, your buyer can purchase it from you at 1% of your condo’s selling price – though of course, this amount is negotiable between both parties. The Option Fee acts as an incentive to prevent the buyer from backing out after you’ve turned away other interested buyers and saved the house for them.

Once the buyer and seller have reached an agreement on the price, the seller must sign the OTP to launch the Option Period. This can last anywhere from two to ten weeks, depending on the progress of negotiations.

During this window, the buyer can choose to exercise the OTP, thereby showing their intent to purchase the property.

7. Buyer Exercise OTP

At this point, your only course of action is to wait for the buyer to formally accept your offer. When they do, your legal representative will let you know.

As far as payment goes, the buyer typically pays 4% of the selling price to the conveyancing account of your law firm (unless you’ve previously made other arrangements). After that, you will officially sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement with the buyer.

Remember that if the buyer chooses not to move forward with purchasing your home and does not act on the Option to Purchase within the allotted 14-week timeframe, the Option Fee will be forfeited.

8. Complete The Sale

Once you have engaged a lawyer or property agent for your sale, it should be relatively straightforward from here on out.

On the final sale date, all that remains is to sign the necessary paperwork and present the keys of your property to the new owner.

Be sure to vacate the property prior to the ownership transfer. If you must extend your stay beyond the transfer date, private arrangements should be made between you and the new owner.

They may extend you a courtesy by allowing you to stay rent-free for a while, though they are not obligated to do so since taxes and maintenance become their responsibility upon transfer of ownership.

Should You Buy, Sell or Wait?

If you’re reading this, you must be trying to figure out the best course of action right now: is it the right time to buy or sell?

It’s difficult to give an exact answer since everyone’s situation is unique and what works for one person may not necessarily work for you.

I can bring you a wealth of on-the-ground experience and a data-driven approach to provide clarity and direction. From beginners to experienced investors, our top-down, objective approach will help you on your real estate journey.

I can help you by:

Offering Strategic Real Estate Advice – I can help create a comprehensive plan to guide you through your property journey.
Connecting Your Home with the Perfect Buyers – Through stunning visuals, an effective communication strategy, and an in-depth knowledge of the market, we’ll ensure your home is presented in the best possible way to fulfill your goals.

You May Also Like …

Mandarin Top 5

Top 5 Bakeries in Singapore for Fresh Bread and Pastries

Jayson Ang – May 6, 2024 –

Singapore, a melting pot of cultures and flavors, is well-known for its diverse culinary scene. Among the many gastronomic delights...

All Blog Posts Buying Tips

Avoid These 6 Terrible Property “Tips” in Singapore

Jayson Ang – May 1, 2023 –

TLDR When it comes to property advice, it's crucial to be cautious of common misconceptions. For instance, schemes like the...

All Selling Tips

Selling Your Home for the First Time in Singapore: A Step-by-Step Guide

Jayson Ang – March 10, 2026 –

TLDR Selling your home in Singapore involves careful planning over several stages. Start 4-6 weeks before listing by consulting a...

Mandarin Top 5

Top 5 : Exploring the Streets of Singapore – A Journey Beyond Just Shopping!

Jayson Ang – February 11, 2025 –

Singapore, a vibrant city-state known for its diverse culture and rich history, offers a plethora of unique experiences that go...

Mandarin Top 5

Why Property Investing is the Key to Early Retirement in Singapore

Jayson Ang – April 28, 2024 –

Investing in property is a popular way to build wealth and achieve financial freedom in Singapore. With the right strategies...

Mandarin Top 5

5 Reasons : Why Investing In Conservation Shophouses In Singapore Can Be A Unique Opportunity

Jayson Ang – June 14, 2024 –

Conservation shophouses are a unique and valuable investment opportunity in Singapore. These historic buildings are a key part of the...

All Buying Tips Selling Tips

Should You Purchase a Small Landed Home or a Larger Condo? Insights from Singaporeans

Jayson Ang – August 5, 2024 –

TLDR When deciding between a compact landed house and a spacious condominium, consider key factors like security, parking, maintenance costs,...

Mandarin Top 5

Top 5 : Reasons why Freehold Properties Cost More in Singapore

Jayson Ang – February 21, 2025 –

Freehold properties, a term often heard in the real estate market, are properties that are "free from hold" of any...

Buying Tips Mandarin Top 5

5 Reasons Why Timing the Singapore Property Market is a Risk You Shouldn’t Take

Jayson Ang – June 28, 2023 –

5 Reasons Why Timing the Singapore Property Market is a Risk You Shouldn't Take Entering the Singapore property market can...

Buying Tips Mandarin Top 5

Singapore Luxury Property: 5 Reasons to Add it to Your Trophy Collection

Jayson Ang – July 4, 2023 –

Singapore Luxury Property: 5 Reasons to Add it to Your Trophy Collection When it comes to luxury property investments, Singapore...

All Buying Tips Opinion Selling Tips

The Rise of New Launch 2-Bedroom Condos: Why Homebuyers are Prioritizing Them Over Resale Options in 2025

Jayson Ang – May 27, 2026 –

TLDR Two-bedroom condominiums are shifting from primarily rental investments to popular family homes, especially among small families and HDB upgraders,...

Mandarin Top 5

Top 5 Tourist Attractions in Singapore

Jayson Ang – July 18, 2023 –

Top 5 Tourist Attractions in Singapore Singapore, a vibrant city-state located in Southeast Asia, is known for its diverse culture,...

All Buying Tips Opinion

The Influence of Soaring Land Costs on Singapore’s Real Estate Market: A Look at Land Price Trends Since 1992

Jayson Ang – October 7, 2024 –

TLDR When it comes to understanding the fluctuations in land prices in Singapore, historical patterns reveal significant spikes and dips...

Mandarin Top 5

Maximize Your Property Investment: 5 Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent in Singapore

Jayson Ang – March 23, 2024 –

Buying a property in Singapore can be a daunting task, especially for first-time buyers. It is important to have a...

Mandarin Top 5

Top 5 : Dangerous Ideas Singapore Property Investors Have

Jayson Ang – March 5, 2025 –

Singapore's property market has long been considered a safe and lucrative investment option for both local and foreign investors. The...

All Blog Posts Buying Tips

Are You Worried About Overpaying On Your Property? Here’s The Secret To Finding Out Its Perfect Purchase Price!

Jayson Ang – March 14, 2023 –

TLDR Understanding property valuations and their impact on mortgage loans is crucial in the Singapore real estate market. By considering...

Mandarin Top 5

Top 5 Places to Watch Fireworks in Singapore

Jayson Ang – August 3, 2024 –

Singapore is known for its stunning skyline and vibrant celebrations, especially during events like National Day and New Year's Eve....

All Buying Tips Opinion Selling Tips

The Importance of Caution Regarding Property Oversupply in Singapore

Jayson Ang – March 10, 2025 –

TLDR Recent challenges in China's real estate sector reveal valuable lessons for Singaporeans, emphasizing the importance of understanding governmental interventions...