Episode 4 · 2:02
New Launch vs Resale: Which Is Actually Cheaper?
A new launch looks expensive and a resale looks like a bargain — but the sticker price lies. The real cost is what you carry after you sign.
Key takeaways
- 1
A new launch's higher PSF can cost less in the early years — progressive payments keep instalments small, and there's no maintenance fee or property tax until you collect keys at TOP.
- 2
A brand-new unit needs only light renovation — usually furnishing and finishing, not a full rebuild.
- 3
A resale starts the full mortgage on day one, and maintenance fees plus property tax begin the moment you collect the keys.
- 4
Resale renovation is the hidden cost: hacking, rewiring, a new kitchen and bathrooms can run $100,000 or more — rarely in the buyer's first budget.
- 5
Neither is cheaper by default. Compare the total cost of owning — carrying costs, renovation and timing — not the sticker price. The better buy is the one that fits your cash and timeline.
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