18 Jun 2026 · John Lai

Five things first-time HDB buyers get wrong

The mistakes I see most often from first-time buyers — and how a little planning up front saves real money and stress later.

Buying your first home is exciting — and a little overwhelming. After helping dozens of first-time buyers, the same avoidable mistakes keep coming up. Here are the five I'd watch for.

1. Shopping before sorting out finances

Get your HDB Loan Eligibility (HLE) letter or bank in-principle approval first. Falling in love with a flat you can't finance is the fastest way to a bad week.

The usual suspects

  1. Forgetting the cash outlay for the option fee and stamp duty.
  2. Ignoring the remaining lease and how it affects future resale.
  3. Underestimating renovation costs — budget early.
A home you can comfortably afford beats a dream home that keeps you up at night.

Not sure where to start? Message me and we'll map it out — no pressure.

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