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Single and 35? Here’s Your Must-Read Guide to Buying an HDB Flat

Published 23 May 2025

If you’re looking to buy an HDB flat as a single 35-year-old, the journey mainly involves checking your eligibility, determining your budget, picking the right location, and knowing the grants you’re entitled to. Sound like a lot? Don’t worry, we’re here to make sure you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

At Ohmyhome, we’re here to make your journey smoother, clearer, and more confident with all the tools, tech, and trusted advice you need. Here’s the complete guide for any single buying HDB flats at age 35 and above.

TL;DR / Key Summary:

– Singles aged 35 and above are eligible to buy a 2-room Flexi flat across all BTO projects.
– Singles buying an HDB flat can tap on grants such as the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG), Singles Grant, and Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) to help offset costs.
– Always secure your HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter or In-Principle Approval (IPA) before committing to any flat — losing your option fee deposit is a real risk.
– From mid-2025, the new Family Care Scheme (FCS) gives singles priority access to BTO flats if you’re looking to live near or with your parents.
– PRs are only eligible for resale flats and must have held PR status for at least 3 years before applying.

1. Check Your eligibility

If you’re single and at least 35 years old, you’re eligible to buy certain HDB flats under the Singles Singapore Citizen Scheme. Here’s what you should know:

You must be a Singapore Citizen (SC).
Permanent Residents (PRs) can only buy a resale flat and must be 35+ and have held PR status for at least 3 years.
Must not own other residential property (locally or overseas).

Good News: From the second half of 2024, singles will be able to apply for 2-room Flexi flats (99-year lease) across all HDB project types (Standard, Plus, Prime) — a significant upgrade from previous restrictions!

If you are below 35, you can consider applying under the Joint Singles Scheme. Ensure that you meet the other eligibility criteria, such as income ceiling and property ownership, as outlined by HDB.

2. Determine Your Budget

Before you start shopping for your flat, it’s important to know how much you can comfortably spend. Apply for an HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter or get an In-Principle Approval (IPA) from a bank. This gives you a clear idea of your loan amount and monthly repayments — and shows sellers you’re a serious buyer.

Pro Tip: Sellers are more likely to work with buyers who already have loan approval in hand. It shows you’re ready.

Use Ohmyhome’s home loan calculator for a quick estimate. We’re connected with nearly every bank in Singapore, so we’ll help you find the best loan for your needs. Don’t forget to factor in other costs like stamp duty, legal fees, and renovation expenses.

Want to go even deeper? Use HomerAI — our home ownership management and e-Valuation tool. It gives you an up-to-date estimate of your potential home value, helps you plan your finances for your next property, and alerts you to nearby transaction trends so you always stay informed. Whether you’re planning to buy or just budgeting smartly, HomerAI gives you the clarity and confidence to move forward.

3. Pick Your Property

Now that you know your budget, it’s time to pick a home that suits your needs.

New Flats: Singles aged 35 and above can nowbuy 2-room Flexi BTO flats across all locations, including mature estates, under Standard, Plus, and Prime housing projects, following the October 2024 HDB policy update.
Resale Flats: You can choose from all flat types (except 3Gen flats) across Singapore.
Consider proximity to work, amenities, transport, and family.

Take advantage of Ohmyhome’s MATCH technology, which allows us to match you with the right listings and sellers based on your preferences — saving you hours of scrolling and searching.

4. Know Your Grants

HDB offers various grants to assist singles buying an HDB flat, including the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) and the Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG). Check your eligibility for these grants and how much you can receive. You may also be eligible for other grants, such as the Family Grant, Proximity Housing Grant (PHG), or Singles Grant.

Beyond grants, singles who wish to live near or with their parents can benefit from the Family Care Scheme (FCS) — a priority scheme that grants singles (and married children) priority access to BTO flats for those who wish to live near or with their parents.

5. Secure a Home Loan

Please, do not sit on this. After you have found an HDB flat that meets your requirements and budget, you can submit an application through HDB’s website. Ensure that you have all the necessary documents, such as your income documents, bank statements, and identity documents.

Once your application is approved, you will need to secure a home loan. Whether you go with HDB or a bank loan, it’s crucial to secure your financing before putting down the option fee.

HDB Loan: Up to 90% financing, 2.6% interest p.a.
Bank Loan: Up to 75% financing, competitive rates from our partner banks

Do not wait till you have put down an option fee for your flat before trying to get a home loan. In the event your loan is not approved, or if the process is delayed, you may be forced to forfeit your deposit.

Single Buying HDB at 35, and in Need of Property Advice?

Buying an HDB flat as a single 35-year-old is a big milestone — and the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll have keys in hand.

Let Ohmyhome’s smart data-matching technology MATCH you with the right home, according to your specific needs. Submit your preferences to us, and our algorithm will filter all our available listings based on those, and we’ll WhatsApp them to you once we find a match.

We’ll also send you relevant content that you can use for your research and inform your home buying decision, so you no longer have to spend hours searching online for the information that you need. Because at Ohmyhome, we’re always by your side, always on your side.

Secure an appointment with any of our Super Agents by dropping us a message on WhatsApp or via our Live Chat at the bottom, right-hand corner of the screen.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying an HDB as a Single 35 Year Old in Singapore

1. Can I buy an HDB flat under the HDB Single Scheme?

Yes, you can buy an HDB flat under the HDB Single Scheme as long as you’re a Singapore Citizen aged 35 and above. You can buy a 2-room Flexi BTO flat across all locations or any resale HDB flat (except 3Gen flats), provided you meet eligibility criteria.

2. Can single PRs buy resale HDB flats?

Yes, single PRs can buy a resale HDB flat, provided you are at least 35 years old, have held PR status for a minimum of 3 years, and are buying jointly with another PR under the Joint Singles Scheme.

3. Can singles buy BTO flats?

Yes, singles aged 35 and above can apply for 2-room Flexi BTO flats across all locations, including mature estates, under Standard, Plus, and Prime housing projects.

4. What HDB grants are available for singles?

Singles buying an HDB flat are eligible for several grants, including Enhanced CPF Housing Grant, Singles Grant (resale flats), and Proximity Housing Grant (for living with or near parents).

6. Can a single below 35 buy a resale HDB flat?

No, but you can apply jointly with another eligible single under the Joint Singles Scheme or buy as part of a family nucleus.

7. What’s the difference between BTO and resale flats for singles?

The main difference is that BTO flats for singles are limited to 2-room Flexi flats, while resale flats offer a wider range of flat types (except 3Gen flats).

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