Cost of Buying of Singapore Property
Buying a home in Singapore is not just about paying the purchase price. Other costs typically include stamp duties, conveyancing, agent fees, valuation fees, and more.
Below is a historical illustration of the total cost stack for a foreigner buying a S$1,500,000 residential property in Singapore (as published with this guide, Aug 2019).
Updated Sep 2026: The table now shows the original 2019 figures next to the same purchase at current rates. The big change is ABSD for foreigners: 20% in 2019, 60% since 27 Apr 2023. BSD on S$1.5m happens to be unchanged. Conveyancing is still an estimate — get a solicitor’s quote. This site does not calculate stamp duty or affordability.
Cost stack: foreigner buying at S$1.5m, then and now
Based on nationality and the number of residential properties, ABSD varies widely — in the original article, “between 0 to 20%”; today, from 0% (a Singapore Citizen’s first home) to 60% (foreigners) and 65% (entities).
| Item | Aug 2019 (S$) | Sep 2026 rates (S$) |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | 1,500,000 | 1,500,000 |
| Buyer Stamp Duty | 44,600 | 44,600 |
| Additional Buyer Stamp Duty | 300,000 (20%) | 900,000 (60%) |
| Conveyancing fee (estimated) | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| Mortgage stamp duty | 500 | 500 |
| Agent fee (negotiable) | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 1,848,100 | 2,448,100 |
For a Singapore Citizen buying a first home at the same price, the ABSD line is 0, so the total is S$1,548,100. For a Singapore Citizen’s second property it is S$300,000 (20%).
Notes from the original framing:
- BSD uses the higher of purchase price or market value.
- ABSD depends on buyer profile and property count — confirm IRAS.
- Conveyancing and agent fees are commercial quotes; treat as estimates.
- Mortgage stamp duty applies when you take a housing loan: 0.2% to 0.4% of the loan, capped at S$500 (IRAS).
- Selling within four years of a purchase made on or after 4 Jul 2025 adds Seller’s Stamp Duty (16% down to 4%) — part of the cost of an early exit.
What this illustration is for
Use it as a checklist of cost categories, not as a live quote. The order of magnitude for stamp duty often dominates cash planning for foreign and multi-property buyers.
See also
- Buyer Stamp Duty — BSD structure and payment timing
- ABSD — second-property and foreign tiers
- LTV & tenure — how much can be financed after cash duties
Next step
WhatsApp with purchase price, buyer profile (SC / SPR / foreigner), and property count — we map the cost categories you must fund before capital is committed.