All articles

89 articles on home financing.

The ABSD shortcut that could cost you the property

Nominee arrangements designed to avoid Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty are treated as sham transactions by IRAS, meaning the avoided tax becomes payable with penalties. Worse, courts will not enforce ownership claims built on an illegal purpose, so the real buyer can lose the property entirely to the nominee. Legitimate alternatives like decoupling exist but carry their own stamp duty costs and should be fully priced before assuming they save money.

Sarah Chen31 May 2026

Affordability & Financial Planning

A $900k Queenstown flat shows exactly why resale buyers need so much cash

When buying a high-priced resale HDB flat like the $900,000 Queenstown unit, buyers face significant cash requirements beyond what can be financed. The loan is capped at 75% of HDB's assessed valuation, not the agreed price, meaning any gap between the two must be paid entirely in cash as Cash Over Valuation (COV). Budgeting for a realistic COV before making an offer is critical, as the valuation is only revealed after committing to a price.

Sarah Chen30 May 2026

Home Buying 101

How to Decouple a Private Property in Singapore: The Step-by-Step Process

Decoupling a private property in Singapore involves one co-owner transferring their share to the other, leaving a sole owner. The process covers confirming the remaining owner qualifies for the full loan under TDSR, obtaining a market valuation, engaging separate lawyers, restructuring the mortgage, paying Buyer's Stamp Duty on the transferred share, refunding any CPF used, and completing the transfer. Key costs include stamp duty, legal fees, refinancing fees, and potentially significant CPF accrued interest.

Sarah Chen29 May 2026

Regulations & Policy

Decoupling Private Property in Singapore: What Still Works, and What Is Now Illegal (2026)

Decoupling, or a part sale of one co-owner's share to the other, remains legal in Singapore in 2026 and can help couples manage Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty when purchasing a second property. However, IRAS and the courts now draw a clear line between genuine transfers at market value and contrived arrangements like the 99-to-1 scheme, with enforcement including surcharges and criminal prosecution. Whether decoupling makes financial sense depends on your property equity, CPF accrued interest, the remaining owner's ability to qualify for the full mortgage under TDSR, and whether there is a genuine reason for the transfer beyond tax savings.

Sarah Chen29 May 2026

Affordability & Financial Planning

Real wages up 4%, inflation at 1.4%: what it means for your mortgage and refinancing timing

Real wages grew 4% in 2025 while core inflation eased to 1.4%, temporarily expanding borrowing headroom under TDSR and MSR rules for Singapore homebuyers and refinancers. However, the improvement is driven by falling inflation rather than stronger pay, and an expected Q3 inflation spike from July energy tariffs could reverse this advantage. Acting on mortgage or refinancing decisions sooner rather than later may be prudent while the affordability conditions still hold.

Sarah Chen29 May 2026

Home Buying 101

Your mortgage journey with Cashew: from first inquiry to loan disbursement

This article walks through the complete mortgage journey with Cashew, from your first inquiry through loan disbursement. Whether you are buying a new property or refinancing, a Cashew advisor handles each stage on your behalf, including eligibility checks, IPA applications, loan shortlisting, document submission, and coordination with law firms and banks. The process is designed to remove the guesswork and give you a clear picture of what to expect at every step.

Sarah Chen29 May 2026

Rate Updates

MAS tightened in April: what that means for your mortgage decision now

MAS tightened monetary policy in April 2026 for the first time in roughly three years, steepening the S$NEER appreciation slope and raising its 2026 inflation forecast to 1.5-2.5%. While this does not directly move SORA, it signals that rate risks are weighted to the upside, making fixed-rate mortgage packages more attractive relative to floating options than they were six months ago. Borrowers with expiring lock-in periods should treat this as an active decision point rather than waiting for further data.

Sarah Chen28 May 2026

Refinancing & Cost Savings

From lock-in tracking to rate negotiation: what active borrowers do differently

Active mortgage borrowers in Singapore protect themselves by tracking their lock-in expiry date, running a break-even calculation before refinancing, and collecting term sheets from multiple banks before accepting any offer. Borrowers who skip these steps often roll onto higher reversion rates unnoticed or accept packages without knowing whether a better rate was available. The difference between paying more and paying less is not financial expertise but a small number of deliberate actions taken at the right time.

Sarah Chen21 May 2026

Rate Updates

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

PreviousPage 4 of 8Next

All articles

The ABSD shortcut that could cost you the property

A $900k Queenstown flat shows exactly why resale buyers need so much cash

How to Decouple a Private Property in Singapore: The Step-by-Step Process

Decoupling Private Property in Singapore: What Still Works, and What Is Now Illegal (2026)

Real wages up 4%, inflation at 1.4%: what it means for your mortgage and refinancing timing

Your mortgage journey with Cashew: from first inquiry to loan disbursement

MAS tightened in April: what that means for your mortgage decision now

From lock-in tracking to rate negotiation: what active borrowers do differently

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

Tools & Resources

Cashew Mortgages