How to view a resale flat in Singapore

When I first started looking for a home, I didn’t really know what to look out for during viewings. I wanted to know whether a flat was right for me, but I wasn’t sure what to check or what questions to ask.

I’ve put this guide together for anyone starting out with the same questions. It covers what to look up before a viewing, what to check around the block and inside the flat, and what to ask the agent. There’s also a section on renovation work to check before buying, because some problems aren’t obvious just from walking through the place.

Take note that this is written for resale, mostly HDB. Most of it applies to private property too, but the permit and maintenance parts work differently and I will say so where they do.

Before you go for a viewing

Check the PropertyGuru listing for the floor plan. If there isn’t one, ask the agent to send it over before the viewing. Think about how you would use the rooms, especially if you need space to work from home or already have furniture you want to bring over. Save a copy on your phone so you can compare it with the actual layout during the viewing.

Write down anything you want to check while you’re there. If you’re concerned about afternoon sun, for example, ask which rooms get it and arrange the viewing for the afternoon. You’ll get a better sense of the heat by standing in those rooms yourself.

Have a look around the block

Give yourself some time to walk around before going up. If you’ll be taking the MRT or bus every day, walk from the station or bus stop to the block. Check whether the route is sheltered and whether you’re comfortable with the walk.

On the way to the flat, notice where the lifts and rubbish chute are in relation to the unit. Listen for noise along the corridor and check whether cooking smells reach the front door. These are things to pay attention to again if you come back for another viewing at a different time.

What to check inside the flat

Take photos so you can refer to them later

Ask the owner or agent if you can take photos. Start with a photo of the front door with the unit number in view. When you scroll through your photo library later, this helps you tell which flat the following photos belong to. Then take photos of each room and anything you want to look at more closely later. Keep personal belongings and family photos out of the shots where possible.

Compare the layout with the floor plan

Pull up the floor plan as you walk through the flat. Check whether any walls have been removed, rooms combined or doorways moved. Ask what renovations the owners have done and whether they have the plans and any relevant approval documents for the changes.

Look at how those changes affect the space you need. A walk-in wardrobe may have taken up part of a bedroom, for example. Think about whether you would keep it and whether the room would still work for you with your bed or desk inside. If you already know you want to remove it, take photos to discuss with a renovation contractor later.

Notice the sun, airflow and noise

Check which way the living room and bedroom windows face. Notice where the sunlight falls during your visit, and ask whether those rooms get direct sun at other times. If the aircon is running, ask whether you can switch it off briefly and open the windows to get a sense of the airflow.

Spend a moment listening in the bedrooms without talking. Can you hear the neighbours, people outside the front door or traffic through the windows? Try listening with the windows open and closed, with permission. A quiet viewing only tells you what the flat is like at that time, so come back at another time if noise is a concern.

Check how much privacy you have

Can people walking along the corridor see into the living room or bedrooms? Look out of the windows too and notice how close the opposite neighbours are. Think about whether you would be comfortable leaving the windows and curtains open while you’re at home.

Look and smell in the bathrooms

Notice whether either bathroom smells like sewage. If it does, ask about it and make a note to check again on a return visit. You won’t necessarily be able to tell what is causing the smell during a viewing.

Look up at the ceilings and around the pipes for stains or damp patches. Ask about anything you see, including whether there have been leaks and what was done to fix them. Ask before running the taps or flushing the toilet, and watch whether the water drains away.

Check the kitchen and rubbish chute

If the rubbish chute is inside the flat, check where it sits in relation to the food preparation area. Notice any smell around it and look at the condition of the chute door.

Ask whether the owners cook often, and look at the hob, hood and surrounding cabinets. Check for grease build-up, lingering smells and damaged cabinet surfaces. Frequent cooking alone doesn’t tell you how well the kitchen has been maintained; look at its condition and whether the ventilation would suit the way you cook.

Before you leave

Ask what furniture and appliances the seller intends to leave behind. If there’s something you want to keep, point it out and ask rather than assuming it comes with the flat. Make a note of what you’ve discussed so you can confirm it in writing later.

Ask when the seller plans to move out and whether they need to stay in the flat after the sale is completed. If they’re asking for an extension, find out how long they need and whether it works with your own move. You can bring this up when negotiating the price, especially if the wait means paying for temporary accommodation or storage. Don’t assume a discount is already included in the asking price.

Keep track of your viewings

I’m building Be Your Own Agent to help you organise your viewings and keep the flats you’ve seen in one place. If that sounds useful for your own home search, join the waitlist.