Cashew
New PurchaseRefinance PrivateRefinance HDB
LoginGet started
Cashew

We make the mortgage process simple, transparent, and tailored to your needs.

Quick Links

  • Home Valuation
  • Rent or Buy
  • Equity Term Loan
  • Home Loan Rates
  • HDB Loan Rates
  • Condo Loan Rates
  • Commercial Loan Rates
  • SORA Rates
  • Access by Cashew
  • Mortgage Eligibility Report
  • Mortgage Guide

Tools & Resources

  • Cashew Academy
  • Max Miles Promotion
  • Refer a Friend
  • AI Assistant
  • Calculators
  • Resources
  • Partner Banks
  • MCST Properties
  • Managing Agents
  • Our Partners
  • Compare Brokers

Cashew Mortgages

  • +65 8021 7460
  • 400 Orchard Road #18-08
    Singapore 238875

  • Meet the Advisors
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • >_MCP
  • Contact Us

© 2026 Cashew. All rights reserved.

Terms of ServicePrivacy Policy
Cashew
New PurchaseRefinance PrivateRefinance HDB
LoginGet started
Resources home

All articles

89 articles on home financing.

Refinancing & Cost Savings

The HDB loan isn't always the safe choice, especially if you're selling soon

The HDB concessionary loan offers stability and flexibility, but if you plan to sell within a few years, a fixed bank loan at a lower rate can result in significant interest savings. The key is securing a package with a sale waiver clause that removes early redemption penalties when you sell, otherwise the penalty can wipe out those savings. Choose the HDB loan if your timeline is uncertain, and consider a bank loan only if you have a firm exit plan and the right package conditions.

Sarah Chen·14 Jun 2026
Home Buying 101

The $14k BTO ceiling hasn't moved since 2019. Here's who gets pushed to resale

The BTO income ceiling of S$14,000 has been frozen since 2019, but rising salaries mean more households now exceed it without feeling financially comfortable in the resale market they are redirected to. Households earning above S$14,000 lose access to BTO subsidies, and those above S$16,000 are excluded from ECs too, leaving resale HDB or private property as their only options. Resale purchases require more upfront cash, larger loans, and tighter TDSR buffers, so understanding which side of the income lines you fall on is essential before committing to a flat.

Sarah Chen·14 Jun 2026
Refinancing & Cost Savings

Refinancing vs Repricing: What Should You Do With Your Home Loan?

When your lock-in period ends, refinancing to a new bank often secures a lower rate than repricing with your current bank, since banks reserve their best offers for new customers. Always get a refinance quote first to use as a benchmark, then choose whichever option genuinely saves you more. If you plan to sell soon, prioritise packages with a sale waiver and a short or no lock-in period, not just the lowest rate.

Sarah Chen·9 Jun 2026
Rate Updates

Singapore Interest Rates Are Finding a Floor

Singapore's 3M-SORA rose for the first time in two years in May 2026, signalling that the period of steadily falling home loan rates is likely bottoming out. With the US Fed holding rates steady and MAS tightening its policy stance, floating-rate borrowers can expect repayments to flatten or edge up modestly. Homeowners approaching a lock-in expiry or weighing fixed versus floating options should review their loan packages while lender pricing remains competitive.

Sarah Chen·9 Jun 2026
Refinancing & Cost Savings

How much equity can you unlock?

You can unlock equity from your private property without selling by taking an equity term loan, which is secured against your home and priced at mortgage rates rather than personal loan rates. The amount you can withdraw is calculated by taking 75% of your property's current valuation, then subtracting your outstanding loan and any CPF principal and accrued interest used. Cashew's free equity term loan estimator shows you your real withdrawable cash in seconds, with no sign-up or personal details required.

Sarah Chen·8 Jun 2026
Affordability & Financial Planning

Rent or buy?

Whether renting or buying makes more financial sense depends entirely on your specific property, rent, cash position, and how long you plan to stay. The Cashew rent versus buy tool lets you enter your postal code, unit, and current rent to instantly compare your monthly mortgage against your rent, showing the equity you build, the upfront cash required, and the true cost gap. There is no universal winner, but the tool replaces guesswork with real numbers so you can make the decision based on your actual situation.

Sarah Chen·8 Jun 2026
Advisor Hub

How to Generate a Loan Eligibility Report using ACCESS by Cashew

Get an accurate indication of how much your client can qualify for in minutes, before they kickstart their IPA process. Cashew's loan eligibility report securely pulls your client's data from Singpass, with a few details like car loans and credit card balances added manually. The report goes straight to your client, giving them a clear picture of how much home they can afford. It's not a replacement for an IPA, but it's a great immediate tool to guide your client and help them start planning their house hunt. Here's how.

Cashew·8 Jun 2026
Refinancing & Cost Savings

What's your home worth today?

Your home's current value drives every major financial decision tied to your property, from refinancing eligibility and loan-to-value ratios to selling price and equity access. Cashew's free home valuation tool gives you an indicative value in seconds by entering your postal code and unit number, with no sign-up required. The estimate is powered by Amicus, using the same automated valuation model banks rely on, and connects directly to relevant loan packages, a mortgage calculator, and an affordability check.

Sarah Chen·8 Jun 2026
Affordability & Financial Planning

11 new condo launches, one emerging price ceiling: what H2 2026 means for your mortgage budget

With up to 11 new condo projects launching in H2 2026 and analysts signalling that average prices are unlikely to breach S$4,000 psf, buyers have more choice and a clearer pricing ceiling to plan around. This environment rewards buyers who anchor their budget to LTV limits and TDSR headroom rather than developer asking prices, and who treat any negotiated discount as a reduction in borrowing rather than a reason to stretch further. Securing an in-principle approval and knowing your stress-test repayment before you shop puts you in a stronger position when the right launch arrives.

Sarah Chen·8 Jun 2026
Affordability & Financial Planning

Big salary, tight loan: how slowing real wages are redefining Singapore's HENRYs

High earners in Singapore increasingly find that a strong salary does not automatically translate into strong borrowing power or enough cash to complete a property purchase. Slowing real wage growth, combined with TDSR and MSR limits, stress-tested interest rates, and a 25% minimum cash and CPF outlay requirement, means the gap between income and actual purchasing ability is wider than the headline salary suggests. HENRYs benefit most from clearing existing debt before applying, separating borrowing capacity from comfortable repayment capacity, and considering refinancing if already on a mortgage.

Sarah Chen·4 Jun 2026
Affordability & Financial Planning

Job worries vs. buying a BTO: the financing reality young Singaporeans should run first

Young Singaporeans worried about job security can still consider buying a BTO flat due to its below-market entry price and long construction timeline, but the decision depends on whether your income comfortably clears the Mortgage Servicing Ratio (30% of gross income) and Total Debt Servicing Ratio (55% of gross income) at loan approval. The HDB concessionary loan offers added stability through a fixed rate and no mandatory cash outlay, making it worth considering for those with income concerns. The honest case for buying is not fearlessness but having sufficient buffer, ideally six to twelve months of repayments in reserve, before committing.

Sarah Chen·3 Jun 2026
Affordability & Financial Planning

Renovation loan, personal loan, or cash: how to finance your reno without the debt stress

Renovation loans, personal loans, and cash each carry different costs and trade-offs, and all affect your overall financial position after a mortgage. The key is to budget your renovation as part of the same decision as your home purchase, not separately, since renovation loan or personal loan repayments count toward your TDSR and reduce future borrowing headroom. Paying cash avoids interest but can dangerously deplete your emergency buffer, so the right choice depends on how much you need and how much reserve you can maintain.

Sarah Chen·2 Jun 2026
PreviousPage 3 of 8Next
Cashew

We make the mortgage process simple, transparent, and tailored to your needs.

Quick Links

  • Home Valuation
  • Rent or Buy
  • Equity Term Loan
  • Home Loan Rates
  • HDB Loan Rates
  • Condo Loan Rates
  • Commercial Loan Rates
  • SORA Rates
  • Access by Cashew
  • Mortgage Eligibility Report
  • Mortgage Guide
  • Tools & Resources

    • Cashew Academy
    • Max Miles Promotion
    • Refer a Friend
    • AI Assistant
    • Calculators
    • Resources
    • Partner Banks
    • MCST Properties
    • Managing Agents
    • Our Partners
    • Compare Brokers

    Cashew Mortgages

    • +65 8021 7460
    • 400 Orchard Road #18-08
      Singapore 238875

    • Meet the Advisors
    • About Us
    • Careers
    • >_MCP
    • Contact Us

    © 2026 Cashew. All rights reserved.

    Terms of ServicePrivacy Policy
    AllAffordability & Financial PlanningHome Buying 101Rate UpdatesMortgage Basics & FAQsRefinancing & Cost SavingsRegulations & PolicyTech & ToolsAdvisor Hub