How to buy a flat: offers from owners and agents
New build or resale
The first decision is the type of home. A new build offers a modern layout and sometimes a payment plan from the builder, but it needs finishing work if you buy it unfinished, and perhaps a wait for handover. The resale market lets you move in sooner and see the real state of the building and the area, but an old building may have worn-out pipes and wiring and higher upkeep costs.
Next, choose the area: both the price and daily life depend on it, so drive through it at different times of day. Also fix your budget and your way of paying. Cash or a home loan changes the circle of sellers who will answer you, so be open about it.
What to put in your request
- area — city and area or metro station;
- number of bedrooms;
- budget;
- size — from how many sq ft;
- type of building — new build or resale, a gated community or a standalone building;
- condition — renovated, not renovated, needs updating;
- floor and whether there is a lift;
- way of paying — cash, a home loan, a payment plan from the builder;
- amenities — parking, power backup, water supply, clubhouse;
- no brokers, if you want to deal with the owner.
Example: “Looking for a 2-bedroom flat in Singapore, from 900 sq ft, a new build or a building in a good gated community. Renovated, floors 3–9, with a lift and power backup. Payment by a home loan. Budget up to $120,000, preferably from the owner.”
How to search through BlaBlaPrice
Instead of scrolling through hundreds of listings, you create one request. It is checked, and you are told which details are missing. Owners and agents reply in the chat: what they offer, the price, the size, the documents, photos. Each can see where their offer stands, so they often improve their terms. Your phone number is hidden, and only the seller you choose gets your contacts.
What to check in the offers
- Documents: who the owner is, whether there are any claims, and whether all co-owners agree to the sale.
- The real size and layout: whether there were any alterations without approval.
- The state of the building: roof, pipes, lift, basement, the housing complex and the size of its maintenance charges.
- Maintenance and electricity bills for the last year.
- Who lives in the flat now, and whether they will move out.
Before you pay a booking amount, it is worth checking the documents with a property lawyer.
Common mistakes
Looking only at the price per sq ft. Not checking for alterations. Not viewing the flat in the evening and in the morning to judge noise and light. Paying a booking amount without a written agreement. Underestimating the cost of renovation. Forgetting to keep a reserve for stamp duty, registration and the move.
If you want to try living there first, see long-term rent of flats, and for new homes new-build flats. More on how the service works is on the “How it works” page.
