Singapore is Asia’s financial heart, home to many global firms — and therefore many expats. As a developed, global city with a mixed, tolerant and vibrant community — and all the amenities you could possibly need — it’s a fantastic place for a foreigner to settle.
However, this utopia doesn’t come cheap. It’s also among the most expensive places in the world to live. If you’re ready to open your wallet and buy property in Singapore, it’s important to learn all about your options as a foreigner.
Read along for our full guide covering the most important things you need to know before diving into the world of Singapore home ownership.
What’s the Singapore property market like?
Even though the Singaporean economy faced challenges throughout the Covid-19 pandemic — as did most places — the housing market remains healthy¹.
Due to a high demand, and not so many new properties being built, housing prices in Singapore are steadily increasing.
During the last quarter of 2020 the pricing faced an increase of 2.08% — or 1.67% when adjusted to inflation), and the tendency is for this number to keep rising.
In general terms, Singapore’s stability in the Asian region means it’s considered a safe place to invest in property, even if returns aren’t huge when compared to other markets.
Can foreigners buy property in Singapore?
Yes, foreigners can buy property in Singapore. Though the Residential Property Act of 2005 puts some restrictions in place.
When looking for what kind of property to buy, keep in mind that options for expats are limited. Foreigners can only purchase apartments in buildings of less than six stories — if you wish to live higher up, government approval is needed. As for vacant land, permission from the Singapore Land Authority is required².
On the other hand, there are no restrictions for non-residents to buy a condo.
To make sure you’re purchasing property under the right conditions, it’s crucial to have local expert advice when buying your Singaporean home.
At what age can you buy an apartment in Singapore?
In order to purchase property in Singapore you need to be at least 21 years old³.
Parents wishing to buy a condo, house or apartment for their children can do so in the form of a trust — the child will be the legal owner of the home when he or she turns 21.
Buying property in Singapore: step by step
Once you find a real estate agent and lawyer that you trust, all you’ll need to do is follow the steps below²:
Step 1. Set the price with the seller and secure a mortgage with a bank if you need it. Your options range between getting a loan from a local bank or getting an overseas property mortgage in the US.
Step 2. Secure the Option to Purchase — the buyer pays a 1% down payment of the purchase price to secure the property for a couple of weeks. The terms of this option will later on become the terms of the actual deed, so it’s recommended that you get a lawyer to draft it for you.
Step 3. Pay the remainder 9% of the down payment to confirm the intention to buy — this is added on top of the Option Fee and must be done within the timeline agreed in the Option to Purchase agreement.
Step 4. The lawyer will formulate the option, confirm the property ownership and that it can be legally sold.
Step 5. The lawyer will then prepare the documents transferring title of the property, which are signed by both buyer and seller.
Step 6. The lawyer will then arrange documents transferring the title of the property, and ensure the sale is registered properly.
Step 7. The purchase is completed, you can now enjoy your new Singapore home! 🎉
Considering the steps above, the upfront cost when purchasing a house in Singapore is usually: 1% option fee + 9% down payment (+ any additional amounts agreed with the seller). The overall procedure to transfer title and register the property takes around 6 days.
Cost of buying a house in Singapore
If you’re thinking of buying an apartment in Singapore, the price you pay will be influenced significantly by where you want to live. You’ll get more for your money if you’re prepared to have a bit of a commute into the city centre.
All property in Singapore comes at a premium — although you’ll find housing stock at a wide range of sizes and levels of luxury.
Below you can find an example of the average property price per square foot in Singapore:
| Property type | Price range (sqft) |
|---|---|
| Apartment⁴ | 1,300 SGD – 25,000 SGD |
| Condo⁵ | 1,300 SGD – 4,800 SGD |
| Walk-up⁶ | 1,400 SGD – 1,600 SGD |
Note: prices for 1 bedroom apartments or studios. Correct at time of research (checked 12.22.2021).
| Check how much would a square foot cost you in USD using the conversion calculator below |
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Finding and choosing real estate in Singapore
Finding and buying a house in Singapore can be complicated — especially for expats, as there are restrictions on the way that foreigners can buy both land and property.
To avoid falling foul of scams and pitfalls, you’re strongly recommended to use a local property agent you can trust. Although there will be a fee to pay for this service, they’ll help you with avoiding costly mistakes, and might be able to negotiate with the seller better than you can alone.
So, even though you can manage without, it’s more common for home buyers in Singapore — be them native or foreigners — to use an agent.
⚠ Keep in mind that even if you don’t choose a specialist buying agent to help you with your purchase, you’ll have to pay towards the fees levied by the main agent selling the property. Usually this means you’ll pay a fee of 1% of the purchase price, while the seller will pay the rest.
What type of property is for sale in Singapore for foreigners?
Singapore has a well developed real estate sector, although as a highly urbanised area, there’s a pressure on living space in many areas.
You’ll have a wide choice of apartments, or flats in built up areas and cities, with houses and villas more readily available in newer developments in the suburbs, and, for example, in some exclusive beachside developments.
It’s important to remember that, as a foreigner, you have the following options:
- CondosApartments in buildings up to six storiesNon-residential property
- Apartments in building over six stories
- Vacant land
Make sure to check the condition of the property
It’s a smart idea, though not required by law, to get a survey done on any property you choose before you commit to buying it. Your lawyer can help you find a surveyor who knows the area well.
Buying property is a big and exciting step, but navigating the system in a new country brings new challenges.
When diving into the property market in Singapore, take this guide as your starting point — but don’t forget to go after local help and advice for a hassle-free purchasing process.
| And for all your international money needs, make sure to try Wise and the Wise Multi-currency Account. This way you can send, spend and receive SGD as a local! |
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Sources:
- – Singapore – Singapore buying guide – What is the minimum age to buy a property? – Apartment prices – Condo prices – Walk-up prices
Sources checked on 12.21.2021
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