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89 articles on home financing.

Understanding your sales proceeds

Sales proceeds are what remains after deducting your outstanding home loan, CPF refunds (principal plus accrued interest back to your own account), and selling costs such as agent commission and legal fees from your selling price. The CPF refund is the most commonly overlooked deduction, as accrued interest grows over time and the amount returned goes to your CPF account rather than as cash in hand. Understanding these deductions in advance helps you accurately plan for your next property purchase or financial move.

Sarah Chen3 Jul 2026

Home Buying 101

44% ROI in Serangoon: what Chiltern Park teaches buyers about picking a profitable two-bedder

Chiltern Park's two-bedders achieved a 43.92% average ROI over a decade due to four identifiable factors: a low entry price relative to fair value, location scarcity limiting new supply, a unit size with broad buyer appeal, and a modest quantum that supports liquidity. Buyers can apply this same framework to any project by assessing entry price against district comparables, surrounding land availability, unit size demand depth, and loan affordability across a full rate cycle.

Sarah Chen3 Jul 2026

Mortgage Basics & FAQs

Why a S$30,000 income does not make you a stronger mortgage candidate

A high income raises your borrowing ceiling but does not guarantee easier mortgage approval or better rates. Variable income haircuts, existing debts, borrower age, and additional property LTV rules can all significantly reduce how much a high earner actually qualifies for. Borrowing capacity is a limit, not a target, and income alone does not determine how much you should borrow.

Sarah Chen1 Jul 2026

Home Buying 101

Approved for resale only: how HFE treats commission and irregular income

When HDB cannot verify commission or freelance income due to missing documentation, such as a company income certification letter, it may exclude that income from the assessment entirely. This can lower your verified loan ceiling enough to disqualify you from a BTO loan, resulting in an approved-for-resale-only HFE outcome even if your actual income is sufficient. To avoid this, prepare income evidence including your IRAS Notice of Assessment, bank statements, and employer letters before submitting your HFE application, and use these documents to support an appeal if needed.

Sarah Chen30 Jun 2026

Regulations & Policy

Condo MCSTs can't block rentals: what the BCA ruling means for landlord-investors

The BCA has ruled that condo management corporations cannot use by-laws to block owners from renting out their units, confirming that the right to lease is a property right that by-laws cannot override. This removes a specific risk for landlord-investors who rely on rental income in their mortgage calculations, as an MCST can no longer narrow the tenant pool or restrict leasing after you have committed to a purchase. National rules on minimum tenancy periods, occupancy caps, and tenant eligibility still apply unchanged.

Sarah Chen29 Jun 2026

Regulations & Policy

When does buying property become a securities offence in Singapore?

A property deal becomes a securities offence in Singapore when it functions as a collective investment scheme under the Securities and Futures Act, meaning multiple investors pool money, a manager controls the asset, and participants expect returns from that pooled management. The legal test is based on the substance of the arrangement, not what it is called, so deals marketed as property purchases can still be treated as regulated securities offerings. Unlicensed schemes of this kind require MAS authorisation and a registered prospectus, and buyers in such arrangements often hold far weaker rights than they expect.

Sarah Chen29 Jun 2026

Affordability & Financial Planning

From a $710k DBSS flat to a $1.7M condo: the upgrade math, and the CPF trap at closing

When upgrading from an HDB flat to private property, the key financing mechanics to understand are the 25% downpayment requirement (with at least 5% in cash paid at OTP exercise), and how CPF OA funds are disbursed. CPF OA is released directly to the seller at completion through your conveyancing lawyer, so you do not need to front that portion in cash and claim it back later. Upgraders should confirm TDSR headroom, map out their cash position at both OTP and completion, and instruct their lawyer on the CPF withdrawal early to avoid delays.

Sarah Chen24 Jun 2026

Home Buying 101

Applying for a June 2026 BTO? Get the application and the financing right before you submit

The June 2026 BTO launch covers projects in Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Berlayar, and Sembawang North, with applications closing within days of launch. Before submitting, buyers should calculate the actual monthly cash gap beyond CPF contributions, understand MSR, TDSR, and LTV limits, and choose a project whose financing is genuinely manageable. If you spot an error after submitting, email HDB directly before cancelling, as corrections can be made without forfeiting your deposit or reapplying.

Sarah Chen23 Jun 2026

Tech & Tools

Sell one, buy two calculator Singapore

The sell-one-buy-two calculator models the Singapore strategy where a couple sells their jointly owned home and each spouse buys a separate property in their sole name, allowing both purchases to qualify as first homes and avoid second-property ABSD. It calculates net sale proceeds, available cash and CPF, individual loan eligibility under TDSR, stamp duty on each new purchase, and total upfront cash required to confirm whether the strategy is feasible.

Sarah Chen22 Jun 2026

Tech & Tools

Decoupling calculator Singapore

The decoupling calculator helps Singapore property co-owners determine whether transferring one owner's share to the other is financially worthwhile. It compares the Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty saved on a subsequent purchase against the costs of decoupling, including Buyer's Stamp Duty on the transferred share, legal fees, and refinancing costs, to produce a net benefit figure.

Sarah Chen22 Jun 2026

Tech & Tools

Rental stamp duty calculator Singapore

This calculator works out the stamp duty payable on a Singapore tenancy agreement based on your monthly rent and lease duration. Stamp duty is charged at 0.4% of total rent for leases of four years or less, or 0.4% of four times the average annual rent for longer leases. Tenants are typically responsible for stamping the agreement within 14 days of signing to avoid penalties.

Sarah Chen22 Jun 2026

Tech & Tools

Mortgage stamp duty calculator Singapore

Mortgage stamp duty in Singapore is charged at 0.4% of the loan amount, capped at S$500. Because the cap is reached at a loan of S$125,000, almost every home loan pays the flat S$500. This calculator applies the cap automatically so you always see the correct payable amount.

Sarah Chen22 Jun 2026

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All articles

Understanding your sales proceeds

44% ROI in Serangoon: what Chiltern Park teaches buyers about picking a profitable two-bedder

Why a S$30,000 income does not make you a stronger mortgage candidate

Approved for resale only: how HFE treats commission and irregular income

Condo MCSTs can't block rentals: what the BCA ruling means for landlord-investors

When does buying property become a securities offence in Singapore?

From a $710k DBSS flat to a $1.7M condo: the upgrade math, and the CPF trap at closing

Applying for a June 2026 BTO? Get the application and the financing right before you submit

Sell one, buy two calculator Singapore

Decoupling calculator Singapore

Rental stamp duty calculator Singapore

Mortgage stamp duty calculator Singapore

Tools & Resources

Cashew Mortgages