Hey Yeoh, thanks for opening this topic and guiding us new to this! I have three questions for you:

1. Can you explain to me the process for buying a new landed development house? I've read some PropertyGuru articles on this and the confusion for me is where I (or my lawyer) would have to issue out a letter to state my purchasing the house. Is this still required for new developments?

2. Is the HOC campaign until May 31st 2021 or 2025? I have read somewhere that Stamp Duty is exempted until 2025, is that true or am I missing something?

3. Any recommended agency/lawyers for first-time house buyers? Perhaps those that are more... patient hahah

Assess the property for defects and identify areas which will affect the long term integrity and cause major problems. The 'big four' to look out for are

1) Water damage
2) Plumbing/sewerage
3) Electrical/wiring
4) Presence of termites/major pests like rats

These are usually issues that can cost you up to hundreds of thousands if not nipped in the bud early.

Get a reliable home inspection company to check the property for you and then approach a contractor for costs for fixing/preventing these defects.

Things like painting, appliances, cabinets/wardrobe etc. can be done piece by piece/in stages as and when you get funding.

General recommendation is to not spend more than 10% of the property price on renovation, unless you're rich and this is going to be your forever home/holding it for at least twenty years.