Wondering why your IPA (In-Principle Approval) is so low? This 2025 expert guide explains hidden reasons your home loan approval is smaller than expected, including credit bureau timing, bank policies, stress-test interest rates, variable income haircuts, TDSR issues, and how to increase your loan eligibility legally

A complete 2025 guide on how property tax is calculated for HDB and private properties in Singapore. Learn the difference between owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied rates, how Annual Value (AV) affects your bill, how to update your property classification with IRAS, and the penalties for wrong declarations.

As young Singaporeans push for affordable, central, and amenity-rich BTO homes, expectations collide with market realities. A housing advisor breaks down the evolving Standard–Plus–Prime system, rising competition, affordability concerns, and the strategic decisions every homebuyer must make.

Insights & Updates Latest News It’s a question that few homeowners want to think about,

Adding parents as co-borrowers can increase your mortgage loan eligibility — but it may trigger ABSD or CPF restrictions if they’re co-owners. Fairloan explains how to structure ownership and borrowing smartly to maximise approval while avoiding unnecessary taxes.

Singapore Permanent Residents can buy only resale HDB flats, not BTOs, and must use bank financing. Both applicants must be PRs for at least three years. Fairloan explains eligibility, financing options, and how PRs can plan smartly for home ownership in Singapore.

HDB often approves higher loan amounts because it uses a lower stress-test rate than banks’ 4%. While both now cap at 75% LTV, HDB loans let you use CPF for the full downpayment, offering stability versus fluctuating bank rates.

The HDB loan rate stays at 2.6% because it’s pegged 0.1% above the CPF Ordinary Account rate. While stable, not everyone qualifies. With banks now offering fixed packages around 1.88%, some borrowers may benefit more from a well-timed bank loan strategy.

HDB resale transactions plunged 38% in October 2025 — the lowest since 2020. While volumes dipped, prices only softened slightly. Fairloan analyses whether this signals a buying opportunity amid rate cuts and new launches, and how sellers should position in a cautious market.

CPF savings can ease your property purchase, but strict limits apply. Once you reach the Withdrawal Limit, future home loan payments must be made in cash. Understanding these limits early helps you plan wisely for HDB or private property financing.