Sell HDB, Buy Condo \u2014 Complete Month-by-Month Timeline
The full journey from listing your HDB to moving into your condo, with real costs for every stage in between.
Answer: Selling your HDB and buying a condo takes 6\u20138 months on the sell-first path. Month 1\u20132 is valuation and listing, month 3\u20134 is OTP and HDB processing, month 5\u20136 is completion plus temporary housing, and month 7\u20138 is condo completion. Budget $2,000\u2013$4,000/month for temporary housing and $2,400\u2013$5,000 total for storage and double moves.
Month-by-Month Timeline (Sell First)
The safe route \u2014 no ABSD, no risk of losing $200K\u2013$400K
| Month | Action | Cost / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Get HDB valuation, engage agent, prepare flat | Valuation is free (HDB-appointed). Agent commission: 1\u20132% of sale price. Minor touch-ups: $500\u2013$2,000 |
| 2 | List HDB, conduct viewings, receive offers | Average 4\u20138 weeks to get a serious offer. Price your flat realistically based on recent transactions |
| 3 | Grant OTP to buyer, negotiate final price | Option fee: $1\u2013$1,000. Buyer has 21 days to exercise. Start viewing condos now |
| 3\u20134 | Buyer exercises OTP, submit HDB resale application | Both parties submit via HDB Resale Portal. HDB processes in ~8 weeks. Engage conveyancing lawyer ($2,500\u2013$3,500) |
| 5 | HDB resale completion, hand over keys | Receive sale proceeds. CPF refund (principal + 2.5% accrued interest) goes back to CPF. Cash proceeds to your bank account |
| 5\u20136 | Move to temporary housing, store furniture | Rental: $2,000\u2013$4,000/mo. Storage: $250\u2013$400/mo. First move: $800\u2013$1,500 |
| 6 | Exercise OTP on condo (you now own 0 properties) | No ABSD \u2014 you are buying as SC first property. Pay 1% option fee + 4% exercise fee = 5% deposit |
| 6\u20137 | Condo conveyancing, loan disbursement | Pay BSD within 14 days of exercise. Remaining 20% down payment (CPF or cash). Legal fees: $2,500\u2013$3,500 |
| 7\u20138 | Condo completion, collect keys, move in | Second move: $800\u2013$1,500. End rental and storage. You are home |
Cost of the Gap Period
What you actually spend between selling HDB and moving into condo
| Item | 2-Month Gap | 3-Month Gap | 4-Month Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary rental | $6,000 | $9,000 | $12,000 |
| Storage unit | $600 | $900 | $1,200 |
| Move #1 (HDB \u2192 temp) | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| Move #2 (temp \u2192 condo) | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| Total gap cost | $9,000 | $12,300 | $15,600 |
Rental based on $3,000/mo for a 3-bedroom in suburbs. Storage at $300/mo for ~120 sqft. Moving at $1,200 per full-household move.
Temporary Housing Options
| Option | Monthly Cost | Minimum Lease | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stay with family | $0 | None | Families with parents nearby |
| Short-term rental (HDB room) | $800\u2013$1,500 | 3 months | Singles / couples, minimal stuff |
| Condo rental (whole unit) | $2,500\u2013$4,000 | 3\u201312 months | Families needing space |
| Serviced apartment | $3,500\u2013$5,000 | 1 month | Short gap, no furniture to move |
| Airbnb / co-living | $2,000\u2013$3,500 | None | Maximum flexibility |
Pro tip: If you can stay with family for 2\u20133 months, you save $6,000\u2013$12,000 and eliminate one move entirely. Put your stuff in storage and move directly from storage to condo.
Double Move \u2014 How to Minimise the Damage
The biggest annoyance of selling first is moving twice. Here is how to reduce the cost and hassle:
- Negotiate a rent-back: Ask your HDB buyer if you can stay 1\u20132 months after completion by paying them rent ($1,500\u2013$2,500/mo). This eliminates one move entirely
- Declutter before listing: Less stuff = cheaper moves. Dispose of or donate items you will not bring to the condo. A 4-room HDB with less furniture can move for $600\u2013$800 instead of $1,200
- Use a mover with storage: Some companies offer move + store + deliver packages. You move once out of the HDB, they store everything, then deliver to your condo. Costs $2,000\u2013$3,000 total vs $2,400\u2013$3,000 for two separate moves + self-storage
- Time your completions: If you can get your HDB completion date and condo completion date within 2 weeks of each other, you might only need a serviced apartment bridging
Sell First vs Buy First \u2014 Total Cost Comparison
On a $1,500,000 condo purchase, Singapore Citizen
| Cost Item | Sell First | Buy First |
|---|---|---|
| ABSD (20%) | $0 | $300,000 upfront |
| Temporary housing (3 months) | $9,000 | $0 |
| Storage (3 months) | $900 | $0 |
| Double move | $2,400 | $1,200 |
| Risk if things go wrong | $0 | $300,000 lost |
| Total extra cost | $12,300 | $0\u2013$300,000 |
The math is simple: $12,300 in temporary costs vs risking $300,000 in ABSD. Sell first.
Planning your HDB-to-condo upgrade?
Run the numbers for your specific HDB sale price, condo target, and income to see exactly what you can afford \u2014 and how much cash you need at each stage.
FAQ
How long does the entire sell-HDB-buy-condo process take?
The full journey typically takes 6–8 months if you sell first. Month 1–2 is valuation and listing, month 3–4 is OTP negotiation and HDB resale processing, month 5–6 is completion and moving to temporary housing, and month 7–8 is condo purchase completion and moving in. If you buy first, you can compress this to 5–6 months but you risk 20% ABSD.
How much does temporary housing cost between selling HDB and buying condo?
Expect $2,000–$4,000 per month depending on location and unit size. A 3-bedroom condo rental in the suburbs runs $2,500–$3,500/month. Serviced apartments cost $3,500–$5,000/month but offer flexibility with shorter leases. Budget $6,000–$16,000 total for 2–4 months of interim housing.
What about storage costs for furniture during the gap period?
Self-storage units in Singapore cost $150–$400 per month depending on size. A typical 4-room HDB worth of furniture needs about 100–150 sqft of storage, which runs $250–$350/month. Some movers offer storage-inclusive packages at $800–$1,500/month for full household contents.
Can I avoid double moving by timing the sale and purchase?
Yes, if you coordinate completion dates. Ask your HDB buyer for a later completion date and negotiate an earlier completion for your condo purchase. Some upgraders negotiate a rent-back arrangement — staying in the HDB for 1–2 months after completion by paying rent to the new owner. This saves one move entirely.
What happens if my HDB takes longer than expected to sell?
If you are on the sell-first path, a delayed HDB sale simply pushes back your condo purchase timeline. You do not lose any money — just time. If you already committed to a condo purchase (buy-first path), you risk losing the 20% ABSD if your HDB does not sell within 6 months of the condo purchase date.
Should I sell my HDB before or after finding a condo I want?
Sell first. Most upgraders list their HDB, lock in a buyer, then start viewing condos during the 8-week HDB resale processing period. This way you know your exact sale proceeds, can calculate your condo budget precisely, and avoid 20% ABSD entirely. The risk of condo prices rising in 2–3 months is far smaller than the risk of losing $200K–$400K in ABSD.
Related
Last updated Feb 2026. ABSD rates effective 27 Apr 2023. HDB resale timelines are estimates and may vary. Rental and moving costs are approximate market rates. This is informational, not financial advice.