How it played out
- Clearing MOP
The family's 4-room flat had just completed its 5-year MOP, unlocking the option to sell on the open market and to purchase private property or an EC for the first time since their original purchase.
- Checking the resale levy
Because their original flat was a subsidised BTO purchase, they confirmed with HDB that a resale levy would apply when buying their next subsidised home — in this case, the EC, since ECs are also subject to eligibility and levy rules while under HDB's public housing framework.
- Listing the flat
They engaged a property agent to market the flat, using recent comparable transactions in Bukit Batok to set a realistic asking price rather than over-anchoring on hope value.
- Securing an EC unit
In parallel, they booked a unit in a new EC launch, which came with its own progressive payment schedule tied to construction milestones rather than a lump sum at purchase.
- Managing the timing gap
Their HDB flat sale completed roughly four months before the EC's expected completion, so they arranged a short-term rental to bridge the gap rather than rushing either transaction.
- Resale levy deducted at completion
The resale levy was deducted from their HDB sale proceeds at completion, which they had already factored into their net proceeds calculation and EC payment planning.
- Settling into the EC
The family moved in once the EC completed, aware that MOP would apply again before they could sell or rent out the whole unit, and that full privatisation (opening the unit to foreign buyers without restriction) was still years away.