How to get the best price when selling your Singapore condo or house in 2026
- Lissa
- Apr 5
- 5 min read
Updated: May 2
By Jimmy & Lissa | JLT Realtors
Published: jltrealtorsg.com
5-minute read | jltrealtorsg.com
Selling a condo in Singapore is not about listing and waiting. Buyers in 2026 are more informed than ever. The difference between a good price and a great price comes down to three things: preparation, presentation, and strategy.
Most sellers leave money on the table — not because their property is not good enough, but because they were not told what to fix before the first buyer walked in.
In this guide:
1. Price it right from day one
2. Pre-sale advisory — fix what buyers will negotiate on
3. Choose the right agent — 5 questions to ask
4. Timing your sale
5. For $5M+ properties: JLT Prestige Circle
6. Real case: how pre-sale advisory made a difference
7. What sellers ask us most
1. Price it right from day one
The single biggest mistake sellers make is overpricing at launch. A property that sits on the market for more than 4–6 months attracts a stigma. Buyers ask: what is wrong with it? Price reductions after a slow start rarely recover the full asking price.
• Use URA REALIS to find actual transacted prices — not asking prices — for the same development within the last 6 months
• Adjust for floor level (typically $10,000–$20,000 per floor), facing, and renovation quality
• A professional valuation ($500–$800) is worth every cent as a negotiation reference
• Price at or slightly above the highest recent comparable transaction to anchor credibly
“Price reductions after a slow start rarely recover the full asking price. You get one chance to make a first impression on the market — make it count.”
2. Pre-sale advisory: fix what buyers will negotiate on
Most agents list your property as it stands. We don’t. Before a single buyer walks through the door, Jimmy and Lissa conduct a full pre-sale assessment — identifying targeted improvements that lift perceived value without unnecessary spending.
A buyer who sees deferred maintenance negotiates hard — and usually wins. We remove their ammunition before they arrive.
High-ROI improvements we recommend:
▶ Deep cleaning — $300–$500
Signals meticulous ownership. Buyers check exhaust covers, cabinet interiors, window tracks.
▶ Lighting upgrade to warm white LED — Under $1,000
Rooms feel larger, photograph better, read as more premium.
▶ Marble / parquet floor restoration — $800–$3,000
Restores the premium finish buyers notice within seconds of entering.
▶ Grout cleaning and partial retiling — $500–$2,000
Refreshes bathrooms dramatically without a full renovation.
▶ Aircon servicing + certificate — $200–$500
Removes a common buyer objection before it becomes a negotiation point.
▶ Kitchen cabinet refacing — $3,000–$8,000
80% of visual impact at 20% of full replacement cost.
▶ Waterproofing rectification — Varies
A resolved issue with documentation is an asset. An unresolved one is a price reduction.
▶ Termite inspection — $150–$300
Non-negotiable. Signs of termites will end viewings immediately.
What we do NOT recommend:
• Full kitchen or bathroom renovation — buyers rarely pay dollar-for-dollar for another person's choices
• Full flooring replacement unless structurally damaged — buyers prefer to choose their own
• Bold or personalised paint colours — always neutral white or off-white
• New furniture or appliances — rarely adds to sale price
“Lissa’s background as a certified costing accountant means every recommendation comes with a realistic cost estimate. You will never be advised to spend money that will not come back to you.”
3. Choose the right agent — 5 questions to ask
Before signing any exclusive, ask every agent you are considering these five questions:
1. How many transactions have you closed in this development or district in the last 12 months?
→ An agent with zero comparable transactions is learning on your property.
2. Can you show me the last three properties you sold and what price they achieved vs asking?
→ Results, not promises.
3. What is your pre-sale advisory process?
→ If the answer is “I’ll list it on PropertyGuru,” that is your answer.
4. What is your marketing plan beyond portals?
→ Private networks, WhatsApp broadcast lists, and targeted buyer matching all matter.
5. What is your experience with the physical condition of properties like mine?
→ Only a construction-trained eye can properly assess and advise on condition-related value.
4. Timing your sale
Singapore’s property market has clear seasonal patterns. Listing at the right time can mean three competing offers vs three quiet weekends.
✅ Jan – Mar — Post-CNY surge. Buyers active after bonus season. Good viewing turnout.
✅ Apr – Jun — Steady mid-year activity. Expatriate tenants relocating. Solid period.
⚠️ Jul – Aug — School holidays. Some buyers travelling. Slower viewings.
✅ Sep – Oct — Second peak. Pre-year-end decisions. Motivated buyers.
❌ Nov – Dec — Year-end slowdown. CNY prep begins. Avoid launching if possible.
5. For $5M+ properties: JLT Prestige Circle
High-value properties require a completely different playbook. Mass-market portals reach mass-market buyers — not the qualified, discreet buyers that $5M+ properties demand.
• Private introductions — qualified buyers are approached through our professional network before any public listing
• Patience as strategy — we never pressure sellers into premature price reductions
• Dedicated landing pages — premium units get their own private property page, not a shared portal listing
“The buyer for a $5M+ property is not scrolling PropertyGuru. They are being introduced by people they trust. That is the network we have built.”
6. Real case: how pre-sale advisory made a difference
District 10 Resale Condo — Real Case
A seller came to us after their unit had sat on the market for 9 months with another agent with no offers. The asking price had already been reduced once. The unit was clean but dated — tired grout in the bathrooms, dull marble floors, and original 2008 kitchen cabinets.
We paused the listing and coordinated $14,000 in targeted improvements: marble restoration, full grout cleaning, kitchen cabinet refacing, lighting upgrade, and a professional deep cleansing.
The unit relisted three weeks later. Two offers came in within the first weekend. It sold at $120,000 above the previously reduced asking price — a net return of over 8x on the pre-sale investment.
7. What sellers ask us most
How long will it take to sell?
A well-prepared, correctly priced condo in a good location typically sells within 4–8 weeks. Overpriced or unprepared units can sit for months.
Should I sell before buying my next property?
It depends on your financial position and timeline. We model both scenarios so you can make an informed decision rather than a forced one.
Do I need an exclusive agent?
We recommend exclusive arrangements. Multiple non-exclusive listings create price confusion and often result in agents competing on price rather than strategy.
Is now a good time to sell?
Singapore’s 2026 market remains supported by limited supply and steady demand. Correctly positioned properties in good locations are transacting well. The question is never just timing — it is preparation.
The sellers who achieve the best prices are not the ones with the best properties. They are the ones who prepared properly, priced strategically, and chose the right representation.
If you are considering selling in 2026, we would be glad to walk through your property with you, give you an honest pre-sale assessment, and tell you what it would realistically take to achieve the best possible outcome.
Ready to sell your Singapore condo?
Start with a free pre-sale advisory consultation. 📲 WhatsApp Lissa: +65 8048-6872 🔗 jltrealtorsg.com/contact-8 Before committing to any buyer, request a free PrimeKey Analysis: jltrealtorsg.com/primekey-analysis
Thinking of upgrading first? Read our complete first-time private property buyer guide →
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