Your situation
Sequence the sale and purchase, and see the cash, CPF and loan picture.
Has the flat met its MOP?
You can sell the flat on the open market, or buy a private home, only after the Minimum Occupation Period is met. Check the exact date in My HDBPage before planning anything else.
How much cash and CPF comes back?
Take the sale price, then subtract the outstanding loan, the CPF used plus accrued interest, and costs. The CPF portion returns to your CPF accounts, so the cash you receive can be smaller than expected. Your downpayment plan needs both figures.
Which order fits your finances?
There are three routes. Sell the flat first: you buy as a non-owner, which keeps ABSD and the loan limits simpler, but you need somewhere to stay in between. Buy a bigger HDB flat first: no ABSD is payable and you have six months to sell the current flat, but you must have the funds for the downpayment before any sale proceeds come in. Buy a private home first: ABSD is payable upfront. Eligible married couples can apply to IRAS for a refund after selling the flat within the deadline.
Can you finance the new loan comfortably?
Bank loans come under TDSR, and under MSR as well if the next home is an HDB flat. Your age affects the loan tenure. Run the instalment at a higher interest rate, and keep a reserve of cash and CPF after the downpayment and stamp duties are paid.
Where do you live between the two completions?
There are three usual routes: time the purchase to complete before the sale, ask the flat buyer for a temporary extension of stay of up to three months under HDB's conditions, or rent for a short period. Each has a cost, and it belongs in the plan.
First meeting
Financial plan
I set out the sale proceeds, CPF refund, loan and stamp duties for each route: selling first, buying a bigger HDB flat first, or buying a private home first. You choose the sequence.
Sale track: before listing
Prepare and list the flat
You register your Intent to Sell with HDB. Photos and video are produced and the flat is listed.
Sale track: option
Grant the Option to Purchase
You accept an offer and the option period begins. The buyer's valuation request to HDB follows.
Purchase track: search
Secure the next home
With the bank's approval in principle in hand, we shortlist and view. The option dates are set to fit the sale timeline.
Both tracks: approvals
HDB approval and financing
HDB processes the resale application. If you need a bridging loan, the bank releases it only after HDB approves the sale, so the purchase completion is planned around that date.
Completion
Two completions, one move
The sale completes and the proceeds and CPF are returned. The purchase completes and you move, with an extension of stay if one was arranged.
HDB
82 four-room resale flats were sold in Ang Mo Kio in Q2 2026: 44 with leases from before 2000 and 38 with leases from 2000 onwards.
Data: Apr 2021 – Jun 2026Updated 2 Oct 2026
HDB
235 three-room, four-room and five-room flats were resold in Ang Mo Kio in Q2 2026: 110, 82 and 43. No executive flat was sold.
Data: Jan 2024 – Jun 2026Updated 2 Oct 2026
Planning your next move?
Tell James what you are weighing up: selling, buying, upgrading or holding. He will come back with the questions and numbers that matter for your situation.
Prefer to call? +65 9696 9567
I usually reply within one working day.
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General information only, not financial, legal or tax advice. Figures reflect the data period shown and may since have changed; your own circumstances will differ. Full disclaimer.
