HDB buyer agent fees in Singapore: fixed fee or 1%
Many HDB buyers pay their own agent. Compare a fixed completion fee with an illustrative 1% before you sign.
Jump to the worked example7 min read · Figures checked 26 September 2026 · By Michelle Lee Ling Ching, CEA R009798I
Why HDB buyers often pay when private buyers often do not
On a private resale, the seller's agent commonly shares commission with the buyer's agent under a co-broke. The fee on the buyer's side can be S$0 to you. On a new launch, the developer typically pays the agent commission. Again, Fairnest's published marketing offer for those paths is a buyer fee of S$0.
HDB resale does not always work that way. Many HDB buyers still engage and pay their own salesperson. Fairnest's answer is a clear fixed fee, instead of an open-ended percentage conversation. CEA does not fix commission amounts. Fees are negotiable. Dual representation, one salesperson acting for both buyer and seller in the same deal, is prohibited. Expect separate representation.
Fairnest's HDB buyer fee
Swipe to see all columns. Keyboard: focus this table and use the arrow keys.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base | S$1,999 |
| GST at 9% | S$179.91 |
| Total, payable on successful completion | S$2,178.91 incl. GST |
The total is S$2,178.91 incl. GST, which is S$1,999 plus S$179.91 GST. It is a marketing offer. Final terms sit in the estate agency agreement with ERA Realty Network Pte Ltd. Payment is on successful completion, not a mid-search invoice. For private resale and new launch, the published buyer fee is S$0 under co-broke or developer pay, as on the buy page. If neutrality matters, ask how we are paid on any private unit you shortlist.
Worked examples
The 1% column is an illustrative buyer-agent fee plus 9% GST. It is not a quote from another agency. Real percentage quotes vary. Once an illustrative 1% plus GST quote sits above S$2,178.91 incl. GST, the fixed package is cheaper on fee alone. On a S$600,000 example, the same method used on the buy page, illustrative 1% plus GST is S$6,540.00 against S$2,178.91 incl. GST.
Swipe to see all columns. Keyboard: focus this table and use the arrow keys.
| Expected HDB purchase price | Illustrative 1% plus GST | Fairnest S$2,178.91 incl. GST | Illustrative difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| S$500,000 | S$5,450 | S$2,178.91 incl. GST | S$3,271.09 |
| S$650,000 | S$7,085.00 | S$2,178.91 incl. GST | S$4,906.09 |
| S$800,000 | S$8,720 | S$2,178.91 incl. GST | S$6,541.09 |
Fee size is not the only decision. Service scope, response speed, and sell-and-buy timing matter. Use the table for the maths. Use WhatsApp for fit.
What the HDB buyer package includes
- Affordability, CPF, and grant planning before you shortlist.
- HDB loan versus bank loan guidance.
- Valuation and offer guidance.
- Negotiation, the Option to Purchase, and Resale Portal paperwork.
- Viewings at your pace, with your salesperson one message away.
- Sell-and-buy timeline mapping if you are also selling.
Grant amounts are not listed here because they change. We walk the current HDB rules with you. The grants guide explains the HFE letter you need before you rely on a budget. On the buy page the same fixed fee is the HDB resale figure, and the private and new-launch rows stay at S$0. Use that page when you want the package list. Use this guide when you want the 1% comparison in dollars.
When a percentage buyer agent might still make sense
- You want a different service model, for example heavier door-knocking or a team structure Fairnest does not run.
- A negotiated percentage on a low purchase price could undercut a fixed fee. Run the numbers before you assume the fixed fee is always lower.
- You already have a trusted salesperson and you accept their fee shape after reading the agreement.
Do not pay a percentage out of habit on an HDB resale if a fixed, completion-tied fee covers the work you need.
Common questions
Private resale often uses a seller-side co-broke. New launch often has developer-paid commission. HDB resale does not always work that way, so buyer-paid representation is common. Fairnest publishes a fixed HDB buyer fee for clarity.
Under Fairnest's published offer, the seller side co-broke pays on private resale, and the developer pays on a new launch. The buyer fee is S$0. Confirm the payment structure on any specific project.
S$2,178.91 incl. GST, which is S$1,999 plus S$179.91 GST, payable on successful completion. The agreement governs.
No. Dual representation is not allowed. Expect separate sides.
Sources
- CEA: what to take note of when engaging a property agent
- CEA: check if your property agent is registered
- HDB: application for an HFE letter
- HDB: Option to Purchase when buying a resale flat
Written by
Michelle Lee Ling Ching
Michelle Lee Ling Ching · CEA Registration Number: R009798I · ERA Realty Network Pte Ltd · CEA Licence Number: L3002382K · Tel: +65 9680 1106
Buying a resale flat? See our fixed-fee HDB buyer package.
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