HDB Resale Timeline

The short version

• The seller must register Intent to Sell before granting OTP. There’s a minimum 7-day wait between the two.
• You (buyer) should lock in your HFE letter before OTP. Bank-loan buyers also need the Letter of Offer before exercising.
• Request for Value is due by the next working day after OTP if you’re using CPF and/or a loan.
• The OTP option period is 21 days.
• HDB acceptance can take up to 28 working days after a complete application.
• Completion is usually about 8 weeks from HDB acceptance.
• Extension of stay (if agreed and approved) can push your actual move-in date later.

Step-by-step sequence

1. Seller registers Intent to Sell (before marketing or OTP)

The seller confirms they’re ready to sell through HDB’s portal. Don’t assume the OTP can be granted right away. This step must come first.

2. Waiting period (at least 7 days after Intent to Sell)

The seller uses this time to prepare the OTP and sort out logistics. Make sure the buyer knows about this waiting period so there’s no confusion on timing.

3. Buyer secures HFE letter (before OTP)

You confirm your eligibility and financing path with HDB. Going house-hunting without this is risky because you won’t know your actual budget or loan ceiling.

4. OTP granted (Day 0)

The seller grants the OTP and the buyer pays the option fee. This is the starting gun for the transaction. Make sure all key terms (price, completion date, extension of stay) are negotiated before this point.

5. Request for Value (by next working day after OTP)

The buyer or buyer’s agent submits the valuation request to HDB. This deadline is tight and easy to miss. If you’re using CPF or taking a loan, don’t skip this.

6. OTP option period (21 days from OTP grant)

You’ve got 21 days to finalise your financing and decide whether to exercise. This is when buyers sometimes discover a cash shortfall, so run the numbers early.

7. OTP exercised (within option period)

You sign the acceptance and pay the exercise fee. If you’re taking a bank loan, your Letter of Offer needs to be ready before this step. No LO, no exercise.

8. Resale application submitted (per agreed page 4 window)

One party submits first; the second party has 7 days to follow. If the first submission lapses, you’ll need to redo it.

9. HDB acceptance (up to 28 working days from complete submission)

HDB reviews eligibility and documents. Missing or inconsistent documents will slow this down. Double-check everything before submitting.

10. Endorsement documents ready (about 3 weeks after acceptance)

Both buyer and seller endorse documents and pay fees. Don’t delay this step; it holds up completion.

11. Resale approval and completion prep (after endorsements and payments)

Final inspection, insurance, and cashier’s order preparation (if needed). Confirm your move-out and move-in dates now so there are no surprises.

12. Completion (about 8 weeks from HDB acceptance)

Legal completion, keys handed over, payment settled. If there’s an extension of stay, the seller stays on after this date.

13. Move in (after completion, or later if extension of stay applies)

You take possession. If an extension of stay was agreed, don’t expect to move in on completion day.

Timeline planning notes

Anchor your calendar on 4 dates

1. Option date (OTP granted)
2. Exercise deadline (21 days from OTP)
3. HDB complete application date
4. Target completion or possession date

These are negotiation items, not admin details

Don’t treat them as afterthoughts. Negotiate them upfront:

• Page 4 submission period
• Completion date
• Extension of stay terms
• Timing of final inspection
• Timing of your next home purchase or move

Related pages

• Resale application, documents and fees
• Completion, handover and extension of stay
• Transaction checklists