Cash downpayment: From January 1, 2005 onwards, buyers taking a bank loan for their flat have to pay four per cent cash down payment. The remaining 16 per cent can be paid from CPF and CPF housing grant, if any.
Property agent’s commission: If you are buying (and selling off your old flat) through an agent, do not forget to include his fee.
Legal fees: If you are taking a bank loan, you can get HDB to provide legal services or engage your own lawyer to do the legal paperwork. Some banks offer a subsidy for the legal fee as part of their loan package. Legal fees can range between 1 and 1.5 per cent of the property purchase price.
Stamp duty: This is a government tax payable by the property buyer. Stamp duty is calculated on a scale: one per cent on the first $180,000; two per cent on the next $180,000 and three per cent thereafter. CPF funds may be used to pay the stamp duty.
Fire insurance: It is compulsory for HDB homeowners with a mortgage loan to buy a fire insurance policy. Banks also usually require a fire insurance policy to be taken on the property mortgaged.
Service and conservancy charges: This is payable every month to the town council for the maintenance and upkeep of common property and cyclical maintenance work. The bigger the flat, the higher the charges. | 
PROPERTY
