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54 articles on home financing.

Singapore's $10b Q1 property surge: what it means for borrowers as inflation rises

Singapore recorded S$10.03 billion in property investment in Q1 2026, a 179% year-on-year surge in commercial real estate that signals broad market confidence. However, rising core inflation is putting upward pressure on borrowing costs, meaning a strong property market does not automatically translate into affordable mortgage conditions. Borrowers should closely monitor inflation data, MAS policy statements, and SORA movements when making refinancing or new purchase decisions.

Sarah Chen13 May 2026

Home Buying 101

Condo rents hit record highs, HDB resale volumes rebound: what a bifurcated market means for buyers

As of mid-2026, Singapore's property market is moving in two directions: condo rents have hit record highs while HDB resale prices have eased slightly even as transaction volumes recover. This bifurcation creates a more favourable window for prospective HDB buyers compared to 2022 and 2023, while also prompting existing owners to review whether their current loan package remains competitive. Buyers and refinancers should focus on segment-specific data and run affordability calculations against current rates rather than relying on headline market sentiment.

Sarah Chen12 May 2026

Affordability & Financial Planning

Debt-free BTO or keep investing: how to think through the trade-off

When collecting BTO keys, the choice between paying off your mortgage entirely and keeping capital invested depends on your liquidity buffer, the return differential between your mortgage rate and expected investment returns, and how much financial flexibility you need for upcoming commitments. Carrying a low-rate mortgage while investing in equities has a strong expected-value case, but sequence risk, CPF OA guaranteed returns, and personal risk tolerance all affect the right balance. There is no universal answer, but stress-testing both scenarios with your actual numbers before committing is essential.

Sarah Chen11 May 2026

Refinancing & Cost Savings

HDB's 2026 MOP wave: what the supply surge means for your refinancing and upgrade plans

A large wave of HDB flats reaching their Minimum Occupation Period in 2026, combined with the government exceeding its BTO supply targets, is creating a buyer-friendly resale market with softening prices. For buyers, this means more negotiating room and lower loan requirements. For upgraders and refinancers, it requires careful timing and a fresh look at current valuations before assuming previous numbers still apply.

Sarah Chen8 May 2026

Regulations & Policy

Own both an HDB flat and private property in Singapore? Here's what borrowers need to know

Dual ownership of an HDB flat and private property is legal in Singapore, but only after the HDB flat's Minimum Occupation Period is fulfilled. Retaining both properties triggers 20% ABSD for citizens on the private purchase, restricts future HDB financing to bank loans only, and requires both mortgages to be counted under the 55% TDSR cap. The reverse path, buying an HDB resale flat while holding private property, requires disposal of the private property within six months of completion.

Sarah Chen8 May 2026

Regulations & Policy

Executive condo cooling measures explained: 10-year MOP, no DPS, and what changes for first-timers

From 8 May 2026, executive condominiums in Singapore are subject to three major rule changes: the minimum occupation period doubles from five to ten years, the Deferred Payment Scheme is removed in favour of the Progressive Payment Scheme, and 90% of new EC units are reserved for first-timer households for 24 months. These changes extend the effective holding period from launch to first eligible sale to around 13 to 14 years, require buyers to qualify for the full mortgage at the point of purchase, and significantly reduce second-timer access to new EC launches. Buyers should evaluate ECs against resale private condominiums and BTO flats based on their income, CPF position, and financing capacity under the TDSR framework.

Sarah Chen8 May 2026

Affordability & Financial Planning

HFE assessment gaps: how employment changes can cut your HDB loan and grants to zero

The HDB HFE letter assesses both your loan quantum and grant eligibility using the same 12-month income window, meaning a single employment disruption can reduce both to zero simultaneously. Part-time students with CPF-contributing work and applicants between jobs are especially vulnerable because HDB's averaging rules do not distinguish between brief and prolonged income gaps. Timing your HFE application to a period of income stability, requesting reassessment if income was misclassified, and exploring bank loans as an alternative are the main ways to manage this risk.

Sarah Chen8 May 2026

Regulations & Policy

ABSD evasion through nominee ownership: what this $3M case means for borrowers

Using a nominee buyer to avoid Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty is illegal under the Stamp Duties Act and does not withstand scrutiny from banks or IRAS. A recent case involving a S$3 million property showed how a 1% ownership transfer to secure a mortgage exposed the entire arrangement, triggering ABSD recovery, penalties, and potential prosecution. Legitimate options for managing ABSD exposure include spousal ownership structuring or selling the first property before purchasing the next.

Sarah Chen8 May 2026

Rate Updates

HDB resale paradox: new all-time high amid first price drop since 2019

HDB resale prices fell 0.6% in April 2026 and recorded their first quarterly decline since 2019, even as a 5-room flat at City Vue @ Henderson set a new record at S$1.728 million. These two trends are not contradictory: record prices are driven by a small cluster of premium developments in central locations, while the broader resale market is softening due to affordability constraints, a larger BTO pipeline, and higher interest rates. Buyers, sellers, and refinancers should base decisions on broader market data rather than headline record transactions.

Sarah Chen8 May 2026

Homeowner

Fixed vs. floating: why Singapore borrowers stick with certainty over savings

Most Singapore homeowners continue to choose fixed-rate mortgages even when floating rates are lower, prioritising predictable monthly repayments and protection against future rate rises over short-term savings. The fixed-versus-floating decision depends on your cash-flow flexibility, your outlook on interest rates, and how soon you plan to refinance. Neither option is universally better, and the right choice depends on your specific loan and financial position.

Sarah Chen7 May 2026

Home Buying 101

Pearl's Hill to Lakeview: Your Guide to 2026's Biggest BTO Launches

Singapore's first 60-storey HDB at Pearl's Hill and 6,900 June BTO flats across seven sites give first-time buyers more options—and more financing decisions—than ever. Here's what to know before you ballot.

Sarah Chen23 Mar 2026

Home Buying 101

BTO vs Resale HDB 2026: Which Is the Smarter Buy?

With 19,600 new BTO flats and ~13,500 MOP units flooding the market in 2026, first-time buyers face a genuine choice—and the right pick could save S$78,000+ over the life of a loan.

Sarah Chen22 Mar 2026

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All articles

Singapore's $10b Q1 property surge: what it means for borrowers as inflation rises

Condo rents hit record highs, HDB resale volumes rebound: what a bifurcated market means for buyers

Debt-free BTO or keep investing: how to think through the trade-off

HDB's 2026 MOP wave: what the supply surge means for your refinancing and upgrade plans

Own both an HDB flat and private property in Singapore? Here's what borrowers need to know

Executive condo cooling measures explained: 10-year MOP, no DPS, and what changes for first-timers

HFE assessment gaps: how employment changes can cut your HDB loan and grants to zero

ABSD evasion through nominee ownership: what this $3M case means for borrowers

HDB resale paradox: new all-time high amid first price drop since 2019

Fixed vs. floating: why Singapore borrowers stick with certainty over savings

Pearl's Hill to Lakeview: Your Guide to 2026's Biggest BTO Launches

BTO vs Resale HDB 2026: Which Is the Smarter Buy?

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