Buying a new-launch condominium requires more than comparing the advertised starting price with your maximum loan amount. A realistic property budget must account for the down payment, Buyer’s Stamp Duty, possible Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty, legal fees, CPF usage, progressive payments, mortgage interest, maintenance charges, renovation, and emergency savings.
The Dunearn House residence is a 99-year leasehold condominium planned along Dunearn Road in District 11. It will comprise approximately 380 homes across five residential blocks, with two-, three-, and four-bedroom configurations. The project preview date is listed as July 10, 2026.
For buyers, the most important budgeting principle is simple: the unit price is only the starting point. Your actual financial commitment depends on your citizenship, property ownership count, loan eligibility, selected unit, purchase structure, CPF balance, and long-term ownership costs.
Key Dunearn House Budget Takeaways
- Published starting prices begin at approximately S$1.475 million for selected two-bedroom units.
- Buyers using a bank loan may need a minimum 25% down payment when eligible for the maximum 75% loan-to-value ratio.
- At least 5% of the purchase price must generally be paid in cash under a 75% bank-financing structure.
- Buyer’s Stamp Duty applies to every residential property purchase.
- Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty may substantially increase the budget for permanent residents, foreigners, and buyers who already own residential property.
- CPF Ordinary Account savings may be used for eligible housing expenses, subject to applicable limits.
- Renovation, legal fees, maintenance charges, insurance, and property tax should be budgeted separately.
- Published prices and unit availability can change during the launch and sales period.
What Is the Current Dunearn House Price Guide?
The published Dunearn House Residences pricing page currently provides the following indicative minimum prices:
| Unit type | Published size range | Number of units | Indicative starting price |
| 2 Bedroom / 2 Bedroom + Study | 530–680 sq. ft. | 176 | S$1,475,000 |
| 3 Bedroom / 3 Bedroom + Study | 870–1,010 sq. ft. | 96 | S$2,597,000 |
| 4 Bedroom / 4 Bedroom + Study | 1,180–1,380 sq. ft. | 108 | S$3,588,000 |
These figures are reference prices rather than guaranteed quotations. The project pricing page states that prices may change without prior notice. The final amount for an individual unit may depend on its floor level, size, stack, facing, layout, view, release phase, and current sales availability.
Buyers should therefore avoid building a budget around the lowest advertised figure alone. A preferred high-floor, corner, pool-facing, or premium-layout unit may cost considerably more than the starting price for that bedroom category.
Start With the Total Purchase Budget
Your total property budget should include four categories:
- Purchase price and down payment
- Taxes, legal fees, and transaction expenses
- Mortgage and progressive-payment obligations
- Post-purchase and ownership costs
A common mistake is calculating affordability by multiplying monthly income by an estimated loan amount. Banks must also consider existing debts, loan tenure, age, creditworthiness, and the Total Debt Servicing Ratio.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore states that the TDSR threshold is generally capped at 55% of a borrower’s gross monthly income. The calculation includes the proposed housing loan and other debt obligations, such as car loans, personal loans, and credit facilities.
Estimate the Down Payment
Budgeting With a 75% Bank Loan
For a buyer who qualifies for the maximum 75% loan-to-value ratio, the remaining 25% must generally be funded through cash, CPF savings, or a permitted combination of both.
Under this structure:
- At least 5% of the purchase price is generally payable in cash.
- The remaining 20% may generally be funded using cash or eligible CPF Ordinary Account savings.
- The bank loan may cover up to 75% of the lower of the purchase price or valuation, subject to approval.
The actual loan-to-value limit may be lower when the buyer has outstanding housing loans, chooses a longer loan tenure, or reaches certain age and tenure conditions. MAS identifies 75% as the maximum LTV for qualifying borrowers without an outstanding housing loan, but lower limits can apply in other circumstances.
Illustrative Initial Budget
The following examples assume a 75% housing loan, no valuation shortfall, and no ABSD:
| Indicative price | Minimum 5% cash | Remaining 20% cash/CPF | Estimated BSD | Initial funds before other costs |
| S$1,475,000 | S$73,750 | S$295,000 | S$43,600 | S$412,350 |
| S$2,597,000 | S$129,850 | S$519,400 | S$99,450 | S$748,700 |
| S$3,588,000 | S$179,400 | S$717,600 | S$154,880 | S$1,051,880 |
These figures exclude ABSD, legal expenses, loan-related charges, renovation, furnishing, insurance, and emergency reserves. They should be used only for preliminary planning.
Calculate Buyer’s Stamp Duty
Buyer’s Stamp Duty is calculated on the higher of the property’s purchase price or market value. The current residential BSD tiers are:
- 1% on the first S$180,000
- 2% on the next S$180,000
- 3% on the next S$640,000
- 4% on the next S$500,000
- 5% on the next S$1.5 million
- 6% on the remaining amount
The top marginal residential BSD rate has been 6% since February 15, 2023.
BSD is separate from your down payment. It must therefore be included as an additional transaction cost rather than deducted from the 25% buyer-funded portion.
Determine Whether ABSD Applies
Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty can be one of the largest costs in a Singapore property purchase. It is based on the buyer’s citizenship or residency status and the number of residential properties already owned.
Current headline ABSD rates include:
- Singapore citizen buying a first residential property: No ABSD
- Singapore citizen buying a second residential property: 20%
- Singapore citizen buying a third or subsequent property: 30%
- Singapore permanent resident buying a first property: 5%
- Singapore permanent resident buying a second property: 30%
- Singapore permanent resident buying a third or subsequent property: 35%
- Most foreigners buying residential property: 60%
For joint purchases involving buyers with different profiles, the highest applicable rate generally applies to the entire property value. Certain married couples, qualifying seniors, and eligible nationals under free-trade agreements may qualify for remission, subject to detailed conditions.
For example, a Singapore citizen purchasing a second residential property at S$1.475 million may face ABSD of S$295,000, in addition to BSD and the down payment. Buyers should obtain a formal ABSD assessment from their lawyer before submitting a booking fee.
Plan How to Use CPF Savings
CPF Ordinary Account savings may generally be used for eligible private-property expenses, including:
- Part of the down payment
- Housing-loan payments
- Buyer’s Stamp Duty
- Eligible legal fees
- Approved progressive payments
However, CPF usage is subject to housing limits based on factors such as the purchase price, valuation, remaining lease, buyer’s age, and property ownership profile. CPF savings used for the property, together with accrued interest, generally need to be refunded to the buyer’s CPF account when the property is sold.
Using every available dollar in your CPF account is not always the best strategy. CPF recommends maintaining an Ordinary Account buffer and notes that bank-loan borrowers may choose to retain funds for future mortgage installments or emergencies.
Match the Unit Type to Your Real Budget
The most affordable unit is not necessarily the most suitable, while the largest unit is not always the best financial decision. Compare the Dunearn House floor plans based on usable space rather than bedroom count alone.
Review:
- Bedroom dimensions
- Storage provision
- Kitchen configuration
- Study or flex-space usability
- Balcony size
- Household shelter placement
- Circulation space
- Furniture arrangement
- Long-term household requirements
A compact, efficient layout can provide better value than a larger unit with extensive corridors, oversized balconies, or spaces your household will rarely use.
You should also study the Dunearn House residences site plan. Floor level, orientation, block spacing, facility proximity, and road exposure can affect both pricing and living quality.
Prepare for Progressive Payments
Because Dunearn House is an uncompleted private residential development, buyers should expect payments to be collected progressively according to the Sale and Purchase Agreement.
The process commonly begins with a booking fee and the initial purchase payment. Later amounts become payable when certified construction stages are completed. Your bank gradually disburses the approved housing loan, and interest is generally charged on the amount already released.
This means mortgage interest may begin at a manageable level and rise as construction progresses. Your budget should be able to support the eventual full mortgage installment, not only the smaller payments during the early construction period.
Before booking, obtain:
- An in-principle loan approval
- A mortgage stress test
- Confirmation of CPF availability
- An estimated progressive-payment schedule
- A calculation based on higher interest rates
- A six- to twelve-month emergency reserve
Budget for Costs Beyond the Purchase Price
Legal and Financing Expenses
Allow funds for conveyancing, mortgage documentation, valuation, administrative charges, and insurance. The actual amount depends on the law firm, lender, loan package, and complexity of the purchase.
Renovation and Furnishing
Even a new condo may require curtains, lighting, built-in carpentry, appliances, furniture, and minor customization. Avoid funding the entire renovation with unsecured credit after maximizing your housing loan.
Maintenance and Property Ownership
After completion, owners should prepare for:
- Monthly maintenance fees
- Management-fund contributions
- Property tax
- Home insurance
- Utilities
- Repairs and replacement costs
- Mortgage interest
- Future refinancing expenses
Maintenance fees vary according to the development’s share-value structure and operating budget. Request the official estimate before making a purchase decision.
Visit the Showflat With a Budget Checklist
A Dunearn House condo showflat visit should be used to confirm pricing and practical unit details, not merely to view interior finishes. The showflat is currently listed as open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., although appointments should be confirmed in advance.
Ask for:
- The latest unit-specific price list
- Available discounts or incentives
- Stack and floor premiums
- Estimated maintenance fees
- Payment milestones
- Included appliances and fittings
- Expected completion information
- Current unit availability
- Booking and withdrawal conditions
The Dunearn House launch date page lists July 10, 2026, as the preview date. Buyers entering the sales process after that date should request updated pricing rather than relying on preliminary launch information.
Check Availability Before Finalizing Your Budget
The Dunearn House available units page indicates that its published chart was last updated on July 18, 2026. It also warns that availability may change without prior notice.
Prepare budgets for more than one unit because your first-choice stack or floor may no longer be available when you are ready to book. A useful shortlist may include:
- Preferred unit within the target budget
- Same stack on a different floor
- Alternative stack with a similar layout
- Smaller unit requiring less financial strain
- Firm maximum price at which you will walk away
Do not exceed your approved budget simply because a preferred unit becomes unavailable.
Common Dunearn House Budgeting Mistakes
Avoid these costly errors:
- Treating the starting price as the guaranteed unit price
- Booking before obtaining financing guidance
- Forgetting BSD or ABSD
- Assuming a 75% housing loan is guaranteed
- Using all available CPF savings
- Ignoring progressive mortgage interest
- Underestimating renovation and furnishing costs
- Paying a large floor premium without assessing its actual benefits
- Failing to maintain emergency savings
- Relying on an outdated unit-availability chart
Conclusion
A sound Dunearn House property budget should account for the selected unit price, minimum cash contribution, CPF usage, housing loan, BSD, possible ABSD, legal fees, progressive payments, renovation, maintenance charges, and emergency reserves.
The published starting prices provide a useful reference, but affordability must be assessed using the exact unit price and your personal financial profile. Secure an in-principle loan approval, calculate stamp duties, preserve a cash and CPF safety buffer, and compare several suitable units before booking.
For the latest price list, stack availability, floor-plan details, payment information, and viewing arrangements, visit the Contact Us page or contact Lincoln Teo at +65 6100 2177. The project contact page confirms the sales hotline and daily operating hours of 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
