Two ways to buy the same market
Once you've decided to buy private, the next fork is timing: a unit that's already built, or one you wait for. Neither is "better" — they suit different cash flow situations and risk appetites, and the difference goes deeper than just "new" versus "old."
| New Launch (BUC) | Resale | |
|---|---|---|
| Handover | Typically 3–4 years to Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) | Move-in ready, or shortly after completion |
| Payment structure | Progressive payment — staged as construction hits each milestone (foundation, structure, roofing, etc.) | Bulk of the loan disbursed upfront at completion |
| Condition | Brand new fittings, choice of stack/floor while stock lasts | As-is condition — may need renovation |
| Price movement | Priced at today's psf; developer typically raises prices as units sell | More room to negotiate directly with the seller |
| Holding risk | Market can move over the 3–4 year build period, either way | What you see is what you get — less waiting-period uncertainty |
| Rental income | None until TOP — you're carrying the payment schedule without offsetting rent | Can potentially rent out immediately after completion |
Figures are indicative and simplified for comparison — exact payment schedules and TOP timelines vary by project.
Which path fits you?
- Ready to move now, want certainty: resale gets you in faster with no construction-period uncertainty, and you can start renting it out (or living in it) right away.
- Have a few years' runway and want the newest stock: a new launch's progressive payment schedule can be easier on cash flow while you wait, and you get first pick of unit and floor.
- Weighing up rental income during the wait: factor in that a BUC purchase carries payments with no rental offset until TOP — worth running the numbers against a resale unit that could start earning from day one.
There's also a further layer worth understanding on top of this — freehold vs 99-year leasehold tenure, and how that affects long-term value and appreciation on both new launch and resale units. That's a separate topic on its own; happy to walk you through it when we talk.
Get your side-by-side numbers
Tell me a little about your timeline and I'll run the actual payment schedule and cash flow comparison for a project you're considering — not just the general rules above.