The real estate landscape in Singapore is on the cusp of exciting changes, presenting great opportunities for potential homebuyers and savvy investors.  To meet the strong demand for private housing,  the Government will be increasing the supply on the Confirmed List. In total, about 100,000 public and private housing units are set to be completed between 2023 and 2025, providing significant support to address housing needs in the coming years. The number of units on the Confirmed List for the 2H2023 GLS Programme will be raised to 5,160, up from the initial 4,090 units planned for ..read more

In the realm of Singapore’s real estate market, the interplay between interest rates and property dynamics is a crucial factor for both prospective homebuyers and savvy property investors. A comprehensive understanding of the interest rate climate, including the determinants of these rates, the distinctions between fixed and floating interest rates, the influence on housing prices, historical trends, current rates from multiple banks, and the future outlook, is paramount for making informed decisions in this ever-evolving landscape. What are the main factors influencing the interest rates? On ..read more

For many individuals and families in Singapore, owning a home is a significant milestone. As property prices continue to rise, securing a housing loan becomes essential for many prospective homeowners. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to housing loans in Singapore, covering key aspects such as eligibility criteria, loan types, interest rates and other important considerations. Step 1. Calculating Your Maximum Loan Amount: Before you begin the loan application process, it’s essential to determine your maximum loan amount. Banks in Singapore use two main ratios to ..read more

30 Sept 2022– Measures to Promote Sustainable Conditions in the Property Market by Ensuring Prudent Borrowing and Moderating Demand 1. Increase in TDSR and MSR calculation by 0.5 percentage point There will be an increase of 0.5% point in the interest rate floor used to calculate the Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) and the mortgage servicing ratio (MSR). An interest rate floor of 3% has been implemented for determining the eligible loan amount for loans granted by HDB.   2. HDB LTV Limit Reduced to 80% Loan-to-Value (LTV) limit for HDB housing loans will reduce from 85% to 80%. The ..read more

The Singapore property market is in a state of flux, influenced by factors such as interest rates, increased housing supply, and property cooling measures. In this article, we will delve deeper into these factors to help buyers and sellers understand the market dynamics and make informed decisions.   1. Interest Rates: A New Normal Interest rates in Singapore have seen significant hikes in recent times and buyers need to be mentally prepared for any potential rise in interest rates. It is important to know that The U.S. Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions have a significant impact o ..read more

On April 27th, 2023, the Singaporean government announced that it would be raising the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) rates for certain types of property transactions. This is the third round of cooling measures since December 2021. The aim of this move is to promote a sustainable property market and prioritize housing for owner-occupation, while managing investment demand. The revised rates will take effect from 27 April 2023. What is ABSD? The ABSD rates are a tax levied on certain property transactions in addition to the existing Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD). These rates apply t ..read more

For HDB upgraders, new launch condos seem to have the best balance of affordability and potential capital appreciation. But if you’re hoping to buy the new launch before selling your flat, you may run into cashflow issues given the higher cash outlay and Additional Buyer Stamp Duty (ABSD). Is there a way to avoid ABSD entirely? And how do you maximise your loan for the 2nd property? Enter Deferred Payment Schemes.   What is the Deferred Payment Scheme (DPS)? The Deferred Payment Scheme allows you to make a downpayment, and then pay the balance much later on (sometimes up to two years). I ..read more

For many HDB upgraders, buying a resale condo before (or without) selling their HDB seems like the ideal scenario. For one, the timeline is a lot easier to plan. You also won’t have to worry about possibly being homeless in between selling your flat and getting the new place. Best case scenario, the rental income from your flat can help to service the mortgage for your condo. But that’s assuming you can afford it. If that’s still a question, we can help. Today, we’ll go through a checklist of three criteria you need to pass to even think about buying a condo before selling your HDB:   Cr ..read more

If you’re like most Singaporeans, you probably hold most of your net worth in the flat you live in. You’re counting on it to be a good store of value for when you upgrade to your dream home – or when you finally retire. So it can come as a shock when you get to the HDB Resale Completion Appointment only to find out you won’t get any cash – and in fact have to top up out of your own pocket. Just how do you calculate the proceeds from the sale of your HDB flat? How much cash will you get, and in which cases will you have to top up out of your own pocket? That’s what we’ll cover today.   How ..read more

If you’re selling and buying a resale HDB at the same time, managing your cashflow is tricky. Given the number of steps, it’s hard to know what you need to set aside during the HDB resale payment timeline. When do you get the sale proceeds so you can make an offer for the new flat? And how much cash do you need to set aside for things like buyer stamp duty? Read also: Selling and Buying HDB At the Same Time (How to Plan Your Timeline) This article will cover all the payments that come up – and when – that you need to prepare for as both a seller and buyer. We’ll answer questions like: How muc ..read more