If you’re thinking about buying Executive Condo in Singapore, 2025 is a great year to act.

With condo prices still rising and demand for affordable private housing increasing, Executive Condominiums (ECs) offer the perfect middle ground — combining private condo living with government support.

This guide walks you through every step of buying an EC, from eligibility checks and financing to application, booking, and ownership rules.
Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or upgrading from an HDB, you’ll find practical tips and current rules to help you buy confidently and avoid costly mistakes with Property Launcher.

Before You Buy – What Is an Executive Condo?

An Executive Condo (EC) is a hybrid housing type unique to Singapore — built by private developers but sold under HDB’s eligibility rules.

It’s designed for middle-income Singaporeans who exceed the income ceiling for HDB flats but can’t yet afford full private condos.

Key Features

• Sold at 20–25% below private condo prices
• Equipped with full condo facilities (pool, gym, clubhouse)
• Subject to 5-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP)
• Becomes fully private after 10 years, open to foreigners
• Eligible for CPF Housing Grants

💡 Example: Buyers who purchased Parc Canberra EC in 2020 for ~$1,080 psf now see prices above $1,450 psf — a 30% increase within five years.

Who Can Buy an Executive Condo in 2025

Before starting the buying process, you need to confirm that you meet HDB’s eligibility criteria for EC buyers.

1. Citizenship

• At least one applicant must be a Singapore Citizen (SC).
• The other applicant (if any) must be an SC or Singapore PR.
• Foreigners cannot buy new ECs, only resale ECs after 10 years.

2. Family Nucleus Requirement

You must apply under one of these HDB family schemes:

• Public Scheme: Married couple or family with children.
• Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme: Engaged couples intending to marry within 3 months.
• Orphans Scheme: Siblings without parents.

3. Income Ceiling (2025)

• Combined monthly household income must not exceed $16,000.
  
  (Previously $14,000, adjusted by HDB to reflect inflation.)

💡 Tip: If you’re near the limit, avoid CPF withdrawals that may increase assessable income right before application.

4. Age Limit

• Minimum 21 years old under family schemes.
• Singles aged 35 and above can only buy resale ECs (not new launches).

5. Property Ownership

You’re not eligible if:

• You own or sold a private property (including overseas) within the last 30 months.
• You already own an HDB flat that’s still within its MOP period.

Step-by-Step Guide to Buying an Executive Condo in Singapore

Let’s go through the full buying journey, from planning to key collection.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Use HDB’s Eligibility Checker to confirm your status under:

• Citizenship & family nucleus
• Income ceiling
• Property ownership history

If you’re eligible, you can proceed with pre-financing steps.

Step 2: Secure Loan Pre-Approval (No HDB Loans for ECs)

EC buyers cannot use HDB loans — only bank financing applies.

Loan-To-Value (LTV) Ratio

• Maximum LTV: 75% of purchase price
• Minimum cash downpayment: 5%
• Remaining 20% can be paid via CPF or cash

Debt Servicing Ratios

• TDSR (Total Debt Servicing Ratio): ≤ 55% of gross income
• MSR (Mortgage Servicing Ratio): ≤ 30% of gross income

💡 Pro Tip: Get an In-Principle Approval (IPA) from your bank before ballot day. This shows you can afford the unit you book.

Step 3: Apply During the EC Launch (E-Application)

When an EC project opens for sales:

1. Submit an e-application via the developer’s website.
2. Wait for ballot results to see if you’re shortlisted.
3. If successful, you’ll be invited to select your unit on booking day.

Step 4: Book Your Unit

• Attend your appointment at the developer’s showflat.
• Choose your preferred block and stack.
• Pay a 5% booking fee (cash only).

💡 Tip: Bring proof of loan IPA and CPF contribution statement — developers require these for booking confirmation.

Step 5: Sign the Sale & Purchase (S&P) Agreement

Within 3 weeks after booking, you must:

• Sign the S&P Agreement.
• Pay the next 15% downpayment (CPF/cash).
• Appoint a lawyer for conveyancing.

Developers will send your documents for HDB’s eligibility verification.

Step 6: Progressive Payment Schedule

Unlike HDB flats, ECs under construction follow progressive payment stages based on completion milestones.

Stage	Payment Due
Booking	5% (cash)
Foundation Completion	10%
Reinforced Concrete Framework	10%
Brick Walls	5%
Roofing	5%
Ceiling / Carpark	5%
Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP)	25%
Completion	15%

Each stage is billed by your bank directly to the developer.

Step 7: Collect Keys Upon TOP

Once construction completes (typically 3–4 years):

• You’ll receive your keys and move in.
• The 5-year MOP starts upon TOP issuance.
• After 5 years, you can sell to SC/PR buyers; after 10 years, to foreigners.

Financial Planning for Buying an EC

Buying an EC requires careful budgeting beyond the purchase price. Here’s a breakdown of common costs:

Expense	Amount / Rate	Notes
Downpayment	25%	5% cash, 20% CPF/cash
Bank Loan	Up to 75%	Tenure capped at 30 years
CPF Housing Grants	Up to $30,000	Family / Half-Housing Grant
Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD)	1–4%	Progressive rate by price tier
Legal Fees	~$2,500–$3,500	Paid to conveyancing lawyer
Maintenance Fees	$250–$400/month	Depends on project facilities

Example Calculation

If you buy a $1.4M EC:

• Cash downpayment (5%): $70,000
• CPF/Cash (20%): $280,000
• Bank Loan (75%): $1.05M
• Buyer’s Stamp Duty: ~$40,000
• Legal & Misc: ~$3,000

Total Initial Outlay: ~$350,000 before monthly repayments.

Buying a Resale Executive Condo

If you missed a launch, consider resale ECs that have completed their 5-year MOP.

Eligibility for Resale ECs

• Singaporeans and PRs can buy after 5 years.
• Foreigners can buy after 10 years (full privatization).
• No CPF grants available.

Advantages of Resale ECs

• Immediate move-in (no construction wait).
• Mature locations with amenities already established.
• Larger unit sizes compared to new EC launches.

📊 Example: The Brownstone EC (Yishun) resale price rose from $820 psf (2015) to $1,330 psf (2025) — a 62% appreciation in 10 years.

Buying Executive Condo vs Private Condo

Aspect	Executive Condo	Private Condo
Price (psf)	~$1,450	~$1,900–$2,300
Eligibility	SC/PR only	Open to all
Grants	Yes (up to $30K)	No
Loan Type	Bank only	Bank only
Ownership Rules	5-year MOP, privatize at 10 years	No restriction
Resale Eligibility	SC/PR after 5 yrs, foreigners after 10	Anyone
Capital Appreciation	15–30% after privatization	Market-driven

💬 Takeaway:
If you qualify, buying an Executive Condo gives you better long-term ROI than an equivalent private condo, with lower upfront costs.

Smart Tips for Buying Executive Condo in 2025

1. Get Bank Pre-Approval Early
   
   Don’t wait until launch week — banks need 5–7 working days to issue IPAs.
2. Choose Early Launch Phases
   
   Developers usually offer better pricing for early buyers before official TOP.
3. Focus on Location & Connectivity
   
   ECs near MRT stations or business hubs (e.g., Tengah, Tampines, Lentor) hold stronger resale value.
4. Plan for the 5-Year MOP
   
   ECs are a medium-term commitment — plan to stay at least until 2030 if buying in 2025.
5. Use CPF Strategically
   
   Avoid depleting your CPF OA fully — keep buffer funds for monthly repayments.
6. Compare Developers
   
   Choose reputable developers (e.g., CDL, Qingjian, Sim Lian) with proven EC quality.

Common Mistakes When Buying an EC

• ❌ Assuming Singles Can Apply: Only families/couples can buy new ECs.
• ❌ Forgetting 30-Month Rule: Owning a private property disqualifies you temporarily.
• ❌ Overcommitting Finances: Ensure buffer for rising interest rates.
• ❌ Ignoring Legal Deadlines: Missing the 3-week S&P signing window can void your booking.
• ❌ Buying Based on Hype: Always evaluate location, tenure, and developer record.

Frequently Asked Questions (2025 Edition)

1. How much cash do I need to buy an Executive Condo?
   
   You’ll need at least 5% cash downpayment, typically around $70,000–$80,000 for a $1.4M EC.
2. Can singles buy ECs in Singapore?
   
   Not at launch. Singles can only buy resale ECs after 10 years when they become fully private.
3. Can PRs buy Executive Condos?
   
   Yes — but only jointly with a Singapore Citizen applicant.
4. Can foreigners buy ECs?
   
   Only after the project becomes fully private (10 years after TOP).
5. Are ECs a good investment?
   
   Yes — most ECs appreciate 15–30% post-privatization, offering excellent value for eligible buyers.
6. Can I rent out my EC before MOP?
   
   No, you must occupy the unit during the first 5 years.

Conclusion

If you’re considering buying an Executive Condo in Singapore, 2025 offers a window of opportunity — before rising land costs and interest rates push EC prices further.

ECs remain the most affordable entry point into private property, combining government support with private ownership privileges.

Before you buy:

• Check eligibility carefully.
• Secure your bank loan pre-approval.
• Prepare 25% downpayment and apply early during launch.

When done right, buying an EC isn’t just about owning a home — it’s one of the best-performing property investments for Singaporean families.

Ready to buy your Executive Condo?
Check upcoming 2025 EC launches, calculate your eligibility, and secure your unit before the next price jump.
Start your EC journey today — smart, informed, and prepared.