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Will be happy to walk you through the upgrading strategy. I can work out the finances with you so you have a clearer view of what your options, are and how to prepare for the next steps. Importantly, you do have to account for resale levy which would be significant.

I'm a Harvard graduated real estate agent with a degree in economics, and I have a decade of experience working on Singapore public policy.

Feel free to reach out via whatsapp or email and we can schedule a free consultation.

Regards
Kay Cloud
The Harvard Educated Agent
Propnex Realty Pte Ltd
cloud@propnex.com
Tel: (+6.5.) 8.5.6.7.4.5.8.5
Whatsapp -> https://wa.me/6585674585 Read More

You should be eligible to use existing CPF OA to pay for the BTO without selling your current place, as long as you are eligible to purchase the BTO. Importantly, you have not fulfilled your MOP now and can only look into applying BTO after MOP is fulfilled, meaning in 2027 and there could be a change of regulations and protocols by then.

——

I have been in the real estate business since 2009, with more than 15 years of experience serving the Singapore real estate market.

I am very active in the residential segment of Singapore real estate market, having transacted hundreds of deals from HDBs to private condominiums and landed properties in Singapore, and have handled many unique cases in sales and purchases as well as rental deals.

Over the years, I have also established a network reaching out to more than 15,900 expatriates, bringing my market presence to both in and outside of Singapore. This has created an additional exposure when I manage my client's portfolios, on top of the conventional on and offline platforms, where other estate agents are relying on. This has allowed me to consistently convert leads into results.

With an evolving market, where change is the only constant, I have also been investing in upgrading of my knowledge and skills sets to improve myself and meet the demands of current and future market.

We are offering our clients a complimentary first consultation without obligations (Absolutely FREE!). Schedule for your FREE session today!

Warmest regards,
Geryl Lim
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Email: geryl.lim@orangetee.com / geryl7772@gmail.com
OrangeTee & Tie Pte Ltd 430 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh #01-01 OrangeTee Building Singapore 319402
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Hi

Assuming regulations are similar by 2027 (the year which you can apply, after MOP fulfilled), and price is approx 700k for a BTO 5-room at desired location, the downpayment at point of agreement of lease (or confirming unit) can be 10% (HDB loan) or 20% (bank loan). If bank loan, there is a minimum 5% cash component, the balance can be CPF OA 15%. Suppose you go for bank loan, the downpayment by then required is 35k cash, 105k CPF OA. The CPF downpayment portion you got it covered since you already have 160k CPF OA prepared, but cash savings will depend on the amount you guys have saved up by then.

https://www.hdb.gov.sg/residential/buying-a-flat/buying-procedure-for-new-flats/sign-agreement-for-lease

For BTO, there is no progressive payment during construction period (ie between agreement of lease and completion key collection). So no payment needed after downpayment done until key collection.

Bridging loan is only applicable close to key collection, if you need to collect keys before your sale proceeds come back. It cannot be used for purpose of funding downpayment.

The advice here will be to save up some cash for the downpayment and also future reno purposes. Do note a resale levy also applies (depending on your 1st subsidized flat), if you manage to a secure a 2nd subsidized flat as a 2nd timer. Also perhaps to consider locations of bto projects that are not heavily subscribed otherwise the chances for 2nd-timers are pretty slim as most of the supply is set aside for 1st-timers. And if you have certain 5-room location in mind, you can monitor the price trends and save up for the downpayment amount accordingly. The price trend of BTO flats have been gradually rising as well.

Hope the above clarifies. I am well-versed with HDB and private property transactions, having helped more than 100 homeowners transit smoothly with their housing plans. Please reach out to me at 97432395  for a more in-depth discussion :)

May I have more info on your requirements so as to make better recommendations? Thanks and looking forward to chat more

Warm Regards,

Ivan Ng Realtor
ERA Senior Marketing Director
ERA Multiple Diamond Award Achiever

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- HDB Executive Maisonette Sellers, Mr & Mrs Yeo --

Before contacting Ivan Ng, our Property Realtor, we were quite apprehensive about our Contra-deal ( concurrent resale & purchase of HDB flats) as at that time the outlook of the resale property market was quite sluggish & pessimistic. But surprisingly our property realtor, Ivan , was able to put us at ease with his professional competence, astute work experience & friendly nature . He was able to consummate our contra-deal within one month of our HDB application. Now we are convinced by his promise that (in Ivan's own words) ... "A contra-deal is where the sale & purchase transactions are done concurrently and completed on the same day. This results in a seamless transition of the funds from your sale proceeds and CPF proceeds towards your purchase price." More importantly Ivan has also managed to clinch a good deal for our contra-deal. We'll certainly recommend him to our kins & friends. Thank you very much, Read More

Good day to you,

You can use the CPF OA balance to pay for the downpayment on your upcoming BTO selection. If you plan to buy a new unit before selling your current one, there are some important points to consider:
1) Choosing a bank loan for your purchase will require a cash downpayment of 5%. Be prepared for this, depending on the price of the property.
2) A bridging loan may be necessary to cover the gap between the purchase price, your approved loan, and available funds while you sell your current unit.
3) It’s wise to have a financial buffer in case of negative sales, as the HDB market trends leading up to 2030 are uncertain.

Navigate Property Decisions with Confidence

With over 15 years of experience in Singapore's residential property sales and purchase (S&P) cases, I understand the complexities involved in the process. I aim to guide you every step of the way with clear communication, ensuring that all parties are legally represented and protected.

I offer in-depth knowledge in:
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Schedule a Free Consultation Today! Let's discuss how I can assist you in your property journey. For more informative insights, follow our short video here: https://www.youtube.com/@YourSGHomeCompass-MLnU.

Regards
Mike Lim
 96929209 
R026708F
m52i@yahoo.com
ERA Read More

Hi Andrew,

1) It is always good to plan early. But, I would think you are planning too far ahead. :))
2) Getting BTO is not as easy and fast as you would like.
3) You can only apply for a BTO/SBF in 2027 after meeting MOP.
4) It took around 3~4 years to get a BTO, as per in today's context for 1st timer. 2nd timer only stands 5% among all applicants in getting a BTO. So, this could be extend for anther 2 years or more.
5) It took around another 3~4 years to have the BTO ready for key collection.
6) The worst situation would be collect key at 2037 and earliest at 2035.

Answer to your query:
1) Yes, you may use your all the funds in CPF OA for the downpayment provided you are not at 55 yrs or elder. Since you are using a bank loan, 5% of the downpayment must be in cash.
This sum have to be ready at the time of signing the lease agreement. Around 3~6 months after booking the BTO.

2) You may engage the bank for bridging loan when the BTO is ready for key collection. The bank is using the selling flat as a mortgage for the bridging loan. Do note that bridging loan tenure is 3~6 months only. So, you will have to ensure your flat is sold within this period.

3) It is best that you sell your flat in advance before getting the keys. This is so that you really know how much loan you need from the bank.
The bank will issue the highest possible loan according to your income if you did not specified in advance this figure before the issue of LO (Letter of Offer).
You might be getting too much loan from the bank while having too much in your CPF OA after the sales.
You will have to pay a penalty of $2.5k or more in order to do a lump sum payment to reduce your loan.

4) It is a norm that seller expect the record sales price and when this asking is too much beyond the market. All planning will go haywire. Time and money will be sacrifice through the upgrading journey.

All The Best!!!

Hope the above answers your main concerns, but if there are more queries, please feel free to contact me at 90110636  , or email: ling.ck7@gmail.com if more information is needed.
I'll be glad to assist.

Best regards
Ling CK
 90110636 
ling.ck7@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckling/
https://agents.huttonsgroup.com/R056727F/

Note:
Any response to our answer does not reach us until we scroll through every query posted daily.
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1. Once you've met your Minimum Occupation Period (MOP)—which will be in 2027—you’ll be allowed to apply for a new BTO flat. Until then, you won’t be eligible to join a BTO launch. Keep in mind, rules may evolve by the time you qualify.

2. When the time comes, you can use your existing CPF Ordinary Account (OA) savings to help pay for the new flat, including the downpayment, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.

3. If you decide to secure a new home before letting go of your current one, plan for the following:

* Taking a **bank loan** will mean paying at least **5% of the purchase price in cash** upfront.

* You might need a **bridging loan** to cover the shortfall while waiting for funds from the sale of your current flat.

* Always set aside a **safety buffer**, in case the sale proceeds fall short of expectations, especially since the housing market in the years ahead remains unpredictable.

As Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
WhatsApp me at: ABLE Toh (65) 9856-9255  or through this link.:https://wa.me/6598569255

----------------------------888--------------------------------888--------------------------->>>

(1) "If you need more assistance with property matters:

like renting / selling, buying / or investing, I'm here to help!

WhatsApp me at: ABLE Toh (65) 9856*9255 or through this link.:https://wa.me/6598569255

(Unfortunately, this platform doesn't allow direct contact, but you can easily reach me )

(2) (***) ✅✅ You can READ my REVIEWS here:

✅✅ https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/agent/able-s-k-toh-61591.

(3) ✅✅ For PRIVATE Home Buyers, I offer solutions for sourcing resale and new PRIVATE homes at ✅✅ ZERO charge (Because Most PRIVATE seller Agent are willing to share commission with Buyer Agent)

*** You can reach me at my Singapore mobile: (65) 9856 9255  or email me at Able.selling@gmail.com.

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O5.Skye at Holland – Holland Drive, Read More

1️⃣ Can you use your CPF OA for BTO downpayment before selling current flat?

Yes, you can use your CPF OA (the $160K combined) for:
• BTO downpayment (usually 10% for HDB loan, 20% for bank loan)
• Progressive payments as the BTO is built
As long as your CPF isn’t fully tied up repaying your current flat, HDB will allow usage for the new flat. Just note, if you still have an outstanding loan, there’s a cap on how much CPF you can use for the new purchase (you can’t zero out your CPF totally without setting aside the Basic Retirement Sum if you’re above 55 by then).

⸻

2️⃣ Can bridging loan help before selling flat?

Bridging loans are typically used only near completion, when your existing flat is about to be sold and cash from the sale hasn’t come in yet.
For BTO, the payment schedule is progressive, so banks won’t offer a bridging loan unless you’ve got a confirmed sale with legal documentation and completion date.

So no, bridging loans won’t help during early BTO construction stages. You’ll need to rely on CPF + cash savings.

⸻

3️⃣ Strategies to prepare (2025–2027)?

✅ Reduce CPF usage on current loan if possible — start using more cash if you can afford it, and let your OA build up.
✅ Avoid early lump sum repayments unless you’re reducing interest costs significantly — better to keep CPF accessible for BTO.
✅ Set aside cash buffer (ideally 5–10% of new BTO value) to avoid being forced into bank loans or using all CPF.
✅ Track OA interest — CPF pays 2.5%, which is useful if you’re not in a rush to prepay housing loan.
✅ Keep an eye on loan rules, as TDSR/MSR may affect your eligibility once you carry two mortgages.

⸻

4️⃣ Watch outs from others who did resale → BTO Read More

1. Once you've met your Minimum Occupation Period (MOP)—which will be in 2027—you’ll be allowed to apply for a new BTO flat. Until then, you won’t be eligible to join a BTO launch. Keep in mind, rules may evolve by the time you qualify.

2. When the time comes, you can use your existing CPF Ordinary Account (OA) savings to help pay for the new flat, including the downpayment, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.

3. If you decide to secure a new home before letting go of your current one, plan for the following:

* Taking a **bank loan** will mean paying at least **5% of the purchase price in cash** upfront.

* You might need a **bridging loan** to cover the shortfall while waiting for funds from the sale of your current flat.

* Always set aside a **safety buffer**, in case the sale proceeds fall short of expectations, especially since the housing market in the years ahead remains unpredictable.

As Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
WhatsApp me at: ABLE Toh (65) 9856-9255  or through this link.:https://wa.me/6598569255

----------------------------888--------------------------------888--------------------------->>>

(1) "If you need more assistance with property matters:

like renting / selling, buying / or investing, I'm here to help!

WhatsApp me at: ABLE Toh (65) 9856*9255 or through this link.:https://wa.me/6598569255

(Unfortunately, this platform doesn't allow direct contact, but you can easily reach me )

(2) (***) ✅✅ You can READ my REVIEWS here:

✅✅ https://www.propertyguru.com.sg/agent/able-s-k-toh-61591.

(3) ✅✅ For PRIVATE Home Buyers, I offer solutions for sourcing resale and new PRIVATE homes at ✅✅ ZERO charge (Because Most PRIVATE seller Agent are willing to share commission with Buyer Agent)

*** You can reach me at my Singapore mobile: (65) 9856 9255  or email me at Able.selling@gmail.com.

***(4) ✅ ✅ ✅ DEVELOPER SALES TEAM!!! BEST PRICES !!! ✅ ✅ NO AGENT FEES !! ✅ ✅ LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEED!!!

*** Connect Singapore Line: (65) 9856*9255

FOR : UPDATED INFO / E- BROCHURE / FLOOR PLAN / PRICE LIST!!!

NEW Launches Condominium in 2025 , call , whatsapp me FOR BEST CHEAPEST, LOWEST PRICE: Read More