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I am currently staying a 7 years old 1 bedder condo (OCR) at a size of 650 sqft with my wife, and we currently are renting out a 4-room HDB (Hougang area - 40 years old) for a monthly of $3,000/- Both properties are fully paid; however our concerned lay with the aging HDB. We are at the age of 53, and are exploring into the possible options. Extended from my question posted earlier, I am keen to let go of both properties and get a dual key apartment, which i can rent one unit out possibly. 1) Is it viable to put this unit solely under my wife name? 2) At our age, there are also concerns if we can purchase another small unit for rental 3) Should we considering selling both units first, and lookout for one later? Or we can do it concurrently? Buy the unit first, thereafter we can sell both units within let say 6 months time. Any suggestions are welcome and appreciate for your professional advices.
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14 Answers

Dear Owner,
There are a few options that you can consider. A lot depends on your financial abilities. If you buy under one name (wife), then, your CPF cannot be used for this purchase, So, ideally you want to buy two properties so that each of you can own one... living in one and renting the other or buying one larger Dual Key unit.

You would need to sell first to avoid paying ABSD upfront. Whilst in the process of selling, you can lookout for a suitable property. All these can be done concurrently. You would need a hardworking agent to assist you achieve your plans successfully.

Please contact me so that I can be of further assistance.
Cheers!

Elan Govan
MABA (Lancaster)
 90170747 
jayelan@gmail.com
www.goodpropertiesguide.com Read More
1
Hi Do contact me at 97970200  to understand more and discuss on your options

Mark, your RIGHT choice
Propnex Read More
0
Hi,

I would be most glad to assist you further and pls feel free to let me know if you need any assistance. Have a good day ahead. By the way, it is always advisable to sell away the existing one first before committing to the next property.

Regards
Aaron Chong
 9730 8455 
aaronchong2774@yahoo.com.sg Read More
0
Hi,

Given that both your properties are fully paid off, I believe the combined amounts after sale will aggregate to approximately $1.2 mil at the minimum. It depends on the size and location (which determines the purchase price) you are looking at for the next 2 or 3 bedder dual key, but if your wife is still getting employment income and has substantial CPF OA, and is able to take up some loan amount, with the funds available it may not be impossible to fund it solely under her name for the dual key unit.

Whether it is possible to afford another 1 bed small unit, we can do some detailed calculations to ascertain the possibility. There are some freehold 1 bedder condos at Geylang with decent rental yield, and it may be a welcome addition to your portfolio since lease decay is no longer an issue.

I suggest to do both sale & purchase viewings concurrently, with sale viewings a bit more priority from the start. This is because you need to secure the exercised sale OTP of both existing properties first to be considered at zero property count, which thereafter you can then purchase the next property without ABSD. This avoids a higher upfront outlay. Buying the unit first will incur ABSD, and it may not be able to be refunded should you go with sole name purchase option since it does not meet the eligibility criteria.

I think I may have answered your query previously as well. Look forward to meet and discuss further. Hope the above clarifies. I am well-versed with HDB and private property transactions, having helped more than 100 homeowners transit smoothly with their housing plans. Please reach out to me at 97432395  for a more in-depth discussion :)

May I have more info on your requirements so as to make better recommendations? Thanks and looking forward to chat more

Warm Regards,

Ivan Ng Realtor
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1
Hi Sir,

Your concerns are valid. Your HDB will face the issue of lease decay in time to come and while the HDB price is at a all time high now, it is a good time to sell and use the funds to buy another private property.

If it is financially comfortable then ideally, each of you should have one unit under each name to avoid the need to pay Additional Buyer Stamp Duty. If not, selling both units and getting a dual key is a good option as well because you may rent out 1 side to generate passive income. The new unit should be a newer one and therefore you do not need to worry about lease decay.

You will definitely need to sell first before buying because you will want to avoid paying the Additional Buyer Stamp Duty and therefore buying first is not advisable.

Please feel free to contact me so that I can work out all the different options for you and run through all the figures so that you can make an informed decision.

Regards,
Nick Tan
(M) +65 96 44 48 54
B.Eng(Chemical)(Hons)(NUS) / Cert-in-REA
(E) nick96444854@gmail.com

SEAA Salespersons Achievement Platinum Award 2020/2022/2023

WhatsApp: https://wa.me/qr/X6VRPGSSIHN5D1

Visit my website to get to know me better:
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Testimonial from my Clients
Nick is THE absolute best agent, guide to navigating the property market in Singapore. From selling to buying, he manages to get the absolute highest when selling and negotiators to the absolute lowest when purchasing. (So double win for me!). In fact, I bought my new home at the absolute lowest transaction across all the transacting homes. Most agents would just give vanilla advice, he puts scrutiny into every potential choice we were making by advising potential gains, rental yields, back up plans. I think we went through a whole list of more than 20 + before narrowing down to a few high potential properties! Super responsive to our questions and handheld us through the process and even answered questions in the middle of the night. Would absolutely recommend working with Nick for anyone looking to buy, sell or just advice!
Kenneth (Seller and Buyer) Jan 2025

Nick was introduced to me by a friend who learned that my previous property agent wasn’t meeting my expectations. During our first phone call, Nick quickly grasped my concerns and provided a detailed financial plan the next day. Since switching to Nick, selling my house has been much more relaxed. His virtual tour and informative fact sheet eliminated the need for my family and me to be constantly present for viewings by unsuitable buyers.
Nick was invaluable in purchasing my next property. He sourced units within my budget and analysed price trends of condo projects I was interested in. With Nick’s assistance, the buying process was seamless, and he expertly coordinated the sale of my current unit with the purchase of the next. Kudos to Nick for his outstanding service and advice!
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During Nick’s presentation to us, he showed confidence and resourcefulness. He showed us his various methods of reaching out to potential buyers instead of just relying on Propertyguru. He also saw the potential of our home to sell at our projected price. Where other agents deem impossible to achieve, he did his analysis and deems it reasonable and achievable. Nick proves trustworthy. From time to time, Nick will update us on the progress and on any viewing. He will filter buyers who could not meet our asking price and provide update and advice on the offers. We are grateful that he helps us to negotiate for a good price for our home. In summary, Nick is dedicated, resourceful, trustworthy and willing to take challenges.
Sunny Ng (Seller) April 2024

Selling our house was a pretty stressful ordeal, as we have already committed to buying our new home and hence have a timeline to meet. Losing a substantial deposit and worse still, not getting our drea Read More
2
Hi, goood day, I will be happy to assist, as buying and selling involve proper timeline planning and also a prudent check on your current financial status to make sure it aligns with your goals when you are reaching your retirement age.

Property is no longer a speculation, so long we are buying within our affordability with a clear roadmap in place. And when its time to exit, this will minimize your risk in any property journey.

I have recently assisted my client on their property restructuring on a HDB and condo.

A customized proposal allow them to own one property for own stay and another one for passive income for their golden years.

With an higher asset value for potential growth and legacy planning too.

Please reach out to me at 9821 6829  and we can discuss further on various options , looking forward to hear from you soon, thanks.

Cheers,
Shoan
PropNex
www.shoanproperty.com
IG/FB/TT @shoanproperty Read More
1
Good day to you,

Several factors need to be considered:
1) Both of you are currently 53 years old. What is the available loan amount and CPF OA for the upcoming purchases after selling the current property?
2) A dual key unit is a good, though it comes with higher premium due to its rarity.
3) If you plan buy first sell, you need to for the 30% ABSD payment, as Singaporean. Subsequently, you must secure qualified buyers within the given timeframe.

Based on above, it is recommended to sell your existing HDB first, before proceeding with the property hunt while concurrently marketing your condo.

Let's get together to materialize your retirement plan.

Navigate Property Decisions with Confidence

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Regards
Mike Lim
 96929209 
R026708F
m52i@yahoo.com
ERA Read More
1
Tan Pei Cheng (Pei)
I would be glad to assist you.
Feel free to contact me at wa.me/6597100155
Hope to hear from you soon.
Pei Mobile: (65) 9 7 1 0 0 1 5 5.
Email: peicheng.tan@propnex.com
Associate Group Director
Propnex Realty Pte Ltd Read More
1
To purchase a unit first without selling existing will require you to cough out the ABSD, and application of remission for ABSD will not be possible since it is not a replacement of matrimonial home (since you have 2 existing properties).

To look into a dual key unit seems a good plan, provided you are ready to accept your housemate (in a different door) in terms of the living habits (sound from TV, phonecalls and etc).

I would say to sell off current place and move back into the HDB instead given the relatively sluggish resale market for private homes especially for 1 bedder. This should buy you some time after the sale should your decision is to purchase another resale HDB with fresher lease (15 months wait out period) and make use of the excess funds for retirement life style. Otherwise you can always purchase another private home after selling the HDB.

——

I have been in the real estate business since 2009, with more than 15 years of experience serving the Singapore real estate market.

I am very active in the residential segment of Singapore real estate market, having transacted hundreds of deals from HDBs to private condominiums and landed properties in Singapore, and have handled many unique cases in sales and purchases as well as rental deals.

Over the years, I have also established a network reaching out to more than 15,900 expatriates, bringing my market presence to both in and outside of Singapore. This has created an additional exposure when I manage my client's portfolios, on top of the conventional on and offline platforms, where other estate agents are relying on. This has allowed me to consistently convert leads into results.

With an evolving market, where change is the only constant, I have also been investing in upgrading of my knowledge and skills sets to improve myself and meet the demands of current and future market.

We are offering our clients a complimentary first consultation without obligations (Absolutely FREE!). Schedule for your FREE session today!

Warmest regards,
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Senior Division Associate Director
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2
1. **Explore your purchase structure:**
Buying a property under one name (e.g., your wife's) means **only her CPF and income can be used**, but it allows you to **plan for owning two properties**—one for own stay and the other for investment or rental.

2. **Avoiding ABSD:**
To steer clear of paying Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) upfront, it’s wise to **sell first**, while concurrently scouting for the next property. Timing and coordination are key.

3. **Dual key or two-unit strategy:**
**. Depending on the location and layout (2- or 3-bedroom dual key units), and if your wife has steady income, CPF savings, and some loan eligibility, it's **possible to purchase under her sole name**.

4. **Additional property potential:**
If you're considering a **second, smaller 1-bedroom unit**, we can do detailed affordability calculations to assess the feasibility based on current market conditions and loan capacity.

Let’s chat more when you’re ready—I’ll be happy to assist every step of the way.

> “Opportunities don't happen. You create them.” — *Chris Grosser*
WhatsApp me at: ABLE Toh (65) 9856-9255  or through this link.:https://wa.me/6598569255
----------------------------888--------------------------------888--------------------------->>>
(1) "If you need more assistance with property matters:
like renting / selling, buying / or investing, I'm here to help!
WhatsApp me at: ABLE Toh (65) 9856*9255 or through this link.:https://wa.me/6598569255
(Unfortunately, this platform doesn't allow direct contact, but you can easily reach me )

(2) (***) ✅✅ You can READ my REVIEWS here:
✅✅ https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/agent/able-s-k-toh-61591.

(3) ✅✅ For PRIVATE Home Buyers, I offer solutions for sourcing resale and new PRIVATE homes at ✅✅ ZERO charge (Because Most PRIVATE seller Agent are willing to share commission with Buyer Agent)

*** You can reach me at my Singapore mobile: (65) 9856 9255  or email me at Able.selling@gmail.com.

From: ABLE Toh- Your Property ASSISTANT : )
“ i am ABLE to Help As Much As You are ABLE To PM (Private Message) me ”
=========
(4A)✅✅ For the Below Condominium that may Achieve TOP ( Temporary Occupation Permit / Relatively New Condominium which may faced Difficulties/ Challenges to rent / sell at your Expected Pricing as facing too many neighbour’s units competing to Sell / Rent Out ,...
(4B)✅ ✅ ✅ I am okays NOT TO be the Sole Exclusive Agent , but the “ Open Listing “, additional pair of hands to help you bring the matching buyer / tenant . “ May the Hardworking + Lucky agent close the Deal !!, ( Whether it’s me or another agent ,✅✅✅ I will still be HAPPY FOR THE OWNER !! ✅✅My advantage is : I myself , have a Small Team of Agents who will work together with me to cast a wider Marketing Nets to Reach Your Goal !!!
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(10) MeyerHouse, (11) Midwood, (12) M Suites
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✅ ✅ YEAR 2025 / APARTMENT PROJECTS In Singapore
(5B) ✅ ✅ the LIST :
(1) Arina East Residences, (2) Aurea, (3) Aurelle of Tampines (EC)
(4) Bagnall Haus (former Bagnall Court), (5) Bukit Timah and Duke's Road, (6) ELTA
(7) Former Anson Centre, (8) Former Robertson Walk, (9) Keppel Bay Plot 6
(10) Lentor Central Residences, (11) Marina Gardens Lane, (12) Media Circle GLS
(13) Newport Residences, (14) Orchard Boulevard GLS, (15) Parktown Residence
(16) Plantation Close (EC) (2), (17) The Orie, (18) W Residences Singapore- Marin Read More
2
Hi,

You’ll definitely need to sell your current property before purchasing a new one to avoid paying ABSD. I typically manage both processes concurrently—marketing your existing unit while actively sourcing suitable new options.

Ideally, each of you should own one condo unit individually. Alternatively, a dual-key unit could be a good solution, as it allows you to stay together while still earning rental income from part of the unit.

I’d be happy to help you work out the numbers and create a plan tailored to your situation. Feel free to reach out anytime!

This platform does not allow me to contact you directly so kindly contact me at https://wa.me/6597261112 I would be glad to assist you further.

Thank you and best regards,

Jenny Tran
Propnex Realty Pte Ltd
(HP) +65 97261112 
(Email) jenny.tran@propnex.com
BSc (Real Estate) (Hons)-NUS

Testimonial from Satisfied Clients
-- My husband and I wish to commend the sincere attitude and good customer service rendered by your staff Jenny, who handled the sale of our 5R HDB flat early this year. We have met several agents but none as genuine as Jenny. Being a seller agent, she took our interest at heart in handling the sale, unlike other agents who are self-interest. Jenny is punctual and prompt in the whole dealings and we were convinced that such an agent is hard for find nowadays. Jenny is a trustworthy, honest, sincere and hardworking agent. We are happy with her service and would gladly recommend her to our friends in future. Jenny is an asset to Propnex and the organisation should value her. Thank you Jenny for her efforts--
Mr and Mrs Soo (HDB seller)

--Jenny is very committed and responsive to her clients and she has spent hours updating them and looking out for great deals and even tailor-made property proposal geared towards their needs. Will certainly refer her to others and will definitely approach her again in her future--
Nick and Kim (New launch buyer)

--Jenny did a great job helping my wife and I sell our unit. She took active steps to walk our neighbourhood to understand what she was marketing. During the marketing period, she managed potential buyers and provided timely updates and recommendations so we could stay on top of the process. Overall, Jenny was professional and helped us to achieve a positive result which we are very thankful for--
Aaron ( HDB seller)

--Jenny was very passionate and went the extra miles to help. Thanks to her professional advice and recommendations, I had finally found my dream home--
Yvonne (New launch buyer)

--Appreciate Jenny's clear and prompt communication style with us and other stakeholders. She was also patient and client-centered throughout the process of finding a home that met our criteria. As a first-time home buyer, we appreciate how she went out of her way to explain the process and answer questions we had--
Samantha (Resale condo buyer) Read More
1
1. **Explore your purchase structure:**
Buying a property under one name (e.g., your wife's) means **only her CPF and income can be used**, but it allows you to **plan for owning two properties**—one for own stay and the other for investment or rental.

2. **Avoiding ABSD:**
To steer clear of paying Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) upfront, it’s wise to **sell first**, while concurrently scouting for the next property. Timing and coordination are key.

3. **Dual key or two-unit strategy:**
**. Depending on the location and layout (2- or 3-bedroom dual key units), and if your wife has steady income, CPF savings, and some loan eligibility, it's **possible to purchase under her sole name**.

4. **Additional property potential:**
If you're considering a **second, smaller 1-bedroom unit**, we can do detailed affordability calculations to assess the feasibility based on current market conditions and loan capacity.

Let’s chat more when you’re ready—I’ll be happy to assist every step of the way.

> “Opportunities don't happen. You create them.” — *Chris Grosser*
WhatsApp me at: ABLE Toh (65) 9856-9255  or through this link.:https://wa.me/6598569255
----------------------------888--------------------------------888--------------------------->>>
(1) "If you need more assistance with property matters:
like renting / selling, buying / or investing, I'm here to help!
WhatsApp me at: ABLE Toh (65) 9856*9255 or through this link.:https://wa.me/6598569255
(Unfortunately, this platform doesn't allow direct contact, but you can easily reach me )

(2) (***) ✅✅ You can READ my REVIEWS here:
✅✅ https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/agent/able-s-k-toh-61591.

(3) ✅✅ For PRIVATE Home Buyers, I offer solutions for sourcing resale and new PRIVATE homes at ✅✅ ZERO charge (Because Most PRIVATE seller Agent are willing to share commission with Buyer Agent)

*** You can reach me at my Singapore mobile: (65) 9856 9255  or email me at Able.selling@gmail.com.

From: ABLE Toh- Your Property ASSISTANT : )
“ i am ABLE to Help As Much As You are ABLE To PM (Private Message) me ”
========= Read More
0
Hi, appreciate your sharing. Able to share the options base on Pro and cons let you decide and seek clarity before proceeding.
Looking forward to assist you at 9696 4398  or email me at stewartlim96964398@gmail.com

Cheers
Stewart-PropNex (Senior Associate Division Director) Read More
1
1. **Explore your purchase structure:**
Buying a property under one name (e.g., your wife's) means **only her CPF and income can be used**, but it allows you to **plan for owning two properties**—one for own stay and the other for investment or rental.

2. **Avoiding ABSD:**
To steer clear of paying Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) upfront, it’s wise to **sell first**, while concurrently scouting for the next property. Timing and coordination are key.

3. **Dual key or two-unit strategy:**
**. Depending on the location and layout (2- or 3-bedroom dual key units), and if your wife has steady income, CPF savings, and some loan eligibility, it's **possible to purchase under her sole name**.

4. **Additional property potential:**
If you're considering a **second, smaller 1-bedroom unit**, we can do detailed affordability calculations to assess the feasibility based on current market conditions and loan capacity.

Let’s chat more when you’re ready—I’ll be happy to assist every step of the way.

> “Opportunities don't happen. You create them.” — *Chris Grosser*
WhatsApp me at: ABLE Toh (65) 9856-9255  or through this link.:https://wa.me/6598569255
----------------------------888--------------------------------888--------------------------->>>
(1) "If you need more assistance with property matters:
like renting / selling, buying / or investing, I'm here to help!
WhatsApp me at: ABLE Toh (65) 9856*9255 or through this link.:https://wa.me/6598569255
(Unfortunately, this platform doesn't allow direct contact, but you can easily reach me )

(2) (***) ✅✅ You can READ my REVIEWS here:
✅✅ https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/agent/able-s-k-toh-61591.

(3) ✅✅ For PRIVATE Home Buyers, I offer solutions for sourcing resale and new PRIVATE homes at ✅✅ ZERO charge (Because Most PRIVATE seller Agent are willing to share commission with Buyer Agent)

*** You can reach me at my Singapore mobile: (65) 9856 9255  or email me at Able.selling@gmail.com.

From: ABLE Toh- Your Property ASSISTANT : )
“ i am ABLE to Help As Much As You are ABLE To PM (Private Message) me ”
========= Read More
1

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