Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Last Updated 14th Mar 2025.
The Housing Development Board (HDB) plays a crucial role in shaping Singapore’s residential landscape by constantly innovating to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of the housing market. Recently, HDB launched a new Resale Flat Listing (RSL) service, which is expected to transform how resale transactions are conducted.
This article will summarise the RFL service, including its features, benefits, and potential impact on buyers and sellers in the HDB market.
What is the Resale Flat Listing (RFL) service?
The RFL service is a platform designed to facilitate the listing and transactions of HDB resale flats. It aims to provide a trusted, transparent, and reliable option for HDB flat owners and property agents to list flats for sale and manage transactions directly through the HDB Flat Portal.
The service is scheduled for a soft launch on 13 May 2024, with a full rollout planned later in the same month. Its aim is to align with HDB’s goal of streamlining the resale process and fostering a more stable and efficient marketplace.
Features of the RFL service
The RFL service has been integrated with the HDB Flat Portal. It offers a range of comprehensive tools, such as new Build-To-Order (BTO) flat details, loan-listing services, and customisable financial calculators. Its key features include:
- Verified listings: Ensuring all listings are genuine and non-duplicative to maintain the integrity of the marketplace.
- Price alerts: Automated alerts for listings priced 10% above the highest transacted rates of comparable units in the past six months, aiding sellers in setting realistic prices.
Read this: HDB resale grants: How much can you get in 2024
Benefits for sellers
Sellers can list their flats independently or engage a property agent to manage the listings through the HDB Flat Portal.
The simplified listing process auto-populates key flat details such as address, flat type, and floor area from HDB’s records, providing flexibility to sellers. Here are some more benefits:
- Increased exposure: The centralised platform increases the visibility of listings, reaching a broader audience of potential buyers.
- Streamlined transactions: The integrated system simplifies the transaction process, making it quicker and more user-friendly.
Benefits of buyers
Buyers using the RFL service can access a comprehensive overview of the flats, including new and resale options.
This integrated approach enables buyers to make informed decisions by comparing all available options seamlessly. Let’s look at the other benefits:
- Detailed information: Access to flat details, transaction histories, and nearby amenities.
- Financial planning tools: Customised calculators and eligibility checks streamline the financial planning process, ensuring buyers understand their commitments.
Read this: What is HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter and how to apply in 2024
Impact on the real estate market
Implementing the RFL service is expected to have a significant impact on the resale market’s operation by increasing price transparency and contributing to stabilising market prices.
Integrating technology in this field aligns with HDB’s general objectives of improving service delivery and customer satisfaction in the real estate industry.
How to use the RFL service
To access the RFL service, sellers must have a valid Intent to Sell, while buyers must receive an HFE letter to access the full features.
HDB offers an extensive range of online resources, including user guides, FAQs (we’ll also like this later), and instructional videos to help users navigate the new system (this will be made available on the official launch date).
Comparing the 99.co to RFL
Since the RFL has not officially launched, we are calling ourselves to list how 99.co does property listings better. Here we go:
Why choose and use 99.co?
99.co is a digital property advertising service that offers several benefits. Our user-friendly design simplifies the property search process for buyers and renters. We provide accurate listings and have a strong presence in Southeast Asia, especially in Singapore and Indonesia.
This makes our platform a top choice for local property seekers.
How can 99.co help you?
Using our strong digital marketing tools, we can help property owners and agents reach more people. Our platform’s smart search system makes sure that listings are easy to find for potential buyers and renters. We also provide detailed statistics and insights so property owners can see how their listings are doing and change attracts more attention.
We focus on being clear and accurate in our listings to build trust with users, which is important for successful property deals.
Personalised listing technology
Our platform offers an Owner Listing Widget, allowing property owners to list their properties directly. This tool simplifies the listing process, making it accessible even to those without technical expertise. The Owner Listing Widget ensures that property details are presented accurately and attractively, increasing the likelihood of attracting interested parties.
By streamlining the listing process, 99.co enables property owners to manage their listings more efficiently and effectively.
Here’s what it looks like:
When owners and agents list properties on our site, they get:
- to use interactive maps
- access to price insights that include price trends, transaction history, and more
- property listing alerts
- virtual tours of listed properties
Here’s what a transaction history would look like for a listing:
We have a variety of calculators you can use to determine your property affordability, progressive payments, mortgage, and type of mortgage. Below are what two of them look like:
Recent updates on the HDB Resale Portal
The HDB RFL service aims to provide a transparent and reliable platform for buying and selling HDB flats. It potentially encourages more DIY transactions among Singaporeans. However, experts believe the service only replaces a small part of what property agents do.
Agents like Mark Lim from OrangeTee & Tie argue that while the portal helps match buyers and sellers, it doesn’t cover essential services such as screening nuisance calls, conducting house viewings, managing no-shows, and negotiating sales. Lee Sze Teck of Huttons Asia adds that while the portal might appeal to those handling straightforward transactions, many cases involve complexities such as divorce, stay extensions, or HDB Contra, causing professional guidance.
Despite some concerns, the resale portal could benefit agents by increasing exposure to a larger audience and resolving issues, such as duplicate listings. Lim and Lee acknowledge the platform might make supply and demand more transparent.
However, they emphasise the need for additional features to prevent misuse, such as auto-matching based on specific requirements and addressing issues related to listing price guidance. Overall, the portal is a useful tool that complements agents rather than replaces them, as it cannot replicate the personalised service and problem-solving abilities that real estate professionals bring.
Updates above sourced from Singapore Business Review.
Keeping you updated
We offer helpful digital tools and hold regular webinars about Housing & Development Board (HDB) properties. These webinars provide valuable information and updates, helping potential buyers and renters understand the HDB market and the latest trends and receive expert advice. Our educational sessions aim to help users make informed decisions and establish 99.co as a knowledgeable and trustworthy leader in the real estate market.
Conclusion
The RFL service marks a major milestone in HDB’s digital transformation efforts by providing a more efficient and transparent process for reselling flats.
As the market adjusts to this new platform, it promises to provide added convenience and security for all parties involved in transactions.
This article is a product of 99.co and is based on information gathered from various sources, including The Straits Times and HDB. These sources are used in good faith to provide valuable insights. The source of the referenced content is duly credited and we recommend readers refer them for a comprehensive understanding of the topic. 99.co is not responsible for errors, omissions, or consequences from using this information.
About Azhann Rosmin
Azhann Rosmin is a writer who has 6 years of professional forte. He specialises in writing about real estate and lifestyle topics. His coverage mostly focuses on HDBs, condos, BTOs, and landed houses while also favouring topics of food, nightlife, and technology. He has worked in multiple writing positions that include cryptocurrency, fintech, e-commerce, fashion, and cosmetics. Azhann graduated with a bachelor's degree in Applied Linguistics and also writes poetry.
Looking to sell your property?
Whether your HDB apartment is reaching the end of its Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) or your condo has crossed its Seller Stamp Duty (SSD) window, it is always good to know how much you can potentially gain if you were to list and sell your property. Not only that, you’ll also need to know whether your gains would allow you to right-size to the dream home in the neighbourhood you and your family have been eyeing.
One easy way is to send us a request for a credible and trusted property consultant to reach out to you.
Alternatively, you can jump onto 99.co’s Property Value Tool to get an estimate for free.
If you’re looking for your dream home, be it as a first-time or seasoned homebuyer or seller – say, to upgrade or right-size – you will find it on Singapore’s fastest-growing property portal 99.co.
Meanwhile, if you have an interesting property-related story to share with us, drop us a message here — and we’ll review it and get back to you.
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