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Choosing between a bank loan and an HDB concessionary loan for financing your HDB flat involves more than just the interest rate. It’s about comparing stability, flexibility, long-term cost, and how each suits your financial readiness and risk appetite.
Although public housing remains emblematic of Singapore’s success in affordable homeownership, escalating resale prices and regulatory shifts have tightened the path.
Should you use CPF or cash for your monthly home loan? Learn the pros, cons, and strategies to maximise retirement savings and cash flow in Singapore.
Each path differs in complexity, timing, and financial implications, especially for smaller loans or projects under construction. Understanding which option serves you best can save time, money, and hassle.
These mechanisms allow borrowers to demonstrate additional financial capacity and meet loan eligibility, but their nuances are critical to understand. Here’s your comprehensive guide.
Singapore still allows foreign property ownership, but under tight regulation to preserve sustainability in its housing market. Foreigners can purchase certain private property types freely, while others, like landed homes require special approvals.
While both offer modern facilities and lifestyle perks, they differ in crucial areas such as pricing, grants, eligibility, and financing rules like MSR and TDSR. ECs provide subsidies and long-term appreciation potential but come with restrictions such as a 5-year MOP and limited launches. Private condos, on the other hand, offer full flexibility, immediate resale options, and wider availability.
With Daily SORA dipping below 1% in Sept 2025, Singapore homebuyers face a key choice: lock in historic low fixed rates from 1.65%–1.75%, or ride SORA packages where they can enjoy at 1.3%–1.5% potentially. Beyond rates, features like penalty waivers, partial prepayments, and free conversions after one year make the right mortgage strategy more important than ever.
The Mortgage Servicing Ratio (MSR) limits monthly housing instalments to 30% of gross income for HDB and new EC buyers, while the Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) caps total monthly debt repayments at 55% for all property types. These measures safeguard affordability, curb speculation, and protect households from over-borrowing
Flats in mature estates such as Bishan, Queenstown, and Toa Payoh often command premium prices due to their prime locations, strong connectivity, and proximity to top schools and amenities. Rare unit types like jumbo flats, executive maisonettes, and DBSS units add further scarcity value. With rising household incomes and a desire for larger living spaces, demand for such homes has surged.