Route A: sell first, then buy
Best for: buyers who do not need a specific unit, or who cannot fund 20% ABSD upfront.
| Month | Step |
|---|---|
| 0 | Get a valuation estimate and agree your asking price |
| 1–2 | Market the flat and accept an offer (issue the OTP) |
| 2 | Buyer exercises; resale application submitted to HDB |
| 4–5 | HDB completion; cash and CPF proceeds released |
| 4–7 | Extension of stay (up to ~3 months) or temporary housing |
| — | Buy at launch as a first-property buyer: no ABSD, full 75% LTV |
Watch-out: launch timing. If One Chuan Grove launches before your sale completes, you would be buying while still owning the flat. Coordinate closely.
Route B: buy first, then sell (married couples)
Best for: couples who want to secure a preferred unit at launch and move only once.
| When | Step |
|---|---|
| Launch | Book the unit (5%). Still own the HDB flat |
| +8 weeks | 15% down payment. With an HDB loan outstanding, the minimum cash is 25% |
| +14 days after S&P | Pay BSD + 20% ABSD |
| During construction | Progressive payments; family keeps living in the HDB flat |
| TOP − 9 months | List the HDB flat |
| TOP | Collect keys and renovate |
| TOP + 6 months (deadline) | HDB sale completed → claim the ABSD refund from IRAS |
Read the details in the ABSD remission guide.
Which route saves more?
| Sell first | Buy first | |
|---|---|---|
| ABSD | $0 | 20% upfront, refunded if eligible |
| Move twice? | Often (temporary housing) | No |
| Unit choice at launch | Depends on timing | Full choice |
| Cash pressure | Lower | Higher (ABSD + 25% cash if HDB loan outstanding) |
| Market risk | Sale price known before buying | HDB sale price unknown until later |
Many couples choose buy-first for a new launch because of the long TOP runway. Use the affordability calculator and the stamp duty calculator to test whether you can carry the upfront ABSD.