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Hi all, I’m looking for some advice on the HDB loan payment timeline and how my cashflow might look like for an upcoming BTO.

My current HDB is valued at around $600k, and I have used approximately $310k of CPF for this flat. I’ve recently received a successful ballot for a 4-room unit at Oakville @ AMK, with prices ranging from about $515k to $600k. I’m planning to take an HDB loan and will likely be selling my existing flat to fund the purchase.

I would like to understand how the payment timeline typically works from now until key collection. Specifically, when are the booking fee, downpayment, and any other payments due, and whether there are any payments during the construction period before key collection.

I’m also trying to understand how the sale of my existing flat usually aligns with the BTO payments. When the flat is sold, how soon will the CPF refund be credited back to my CPF OA, and at which stage can this CPF be used for the new flat?

Based on this setup, I’m hoping to get a clearer picture of how my overall cashflow might look like. Roughly how much cash and CPF would I need upfront, and are there any periods where I may need to bridge payments using cash before the CPF from my current flat becomes available?

Lastly, are there any important things I should plan ahead for, such as resale timing, loan approval considerations, or temporary housing arrangements, that could affect the process?
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10 Answers

Hi there, We have facilitated our clients transition from their current HDB to ECs, Condos as well as BTOs. In your case, we would be looking at the timeline for the funds from your current place to your new BTO, key collection and lastly renovation time in order for you to move to your new place with min interruption.
Do drop me a call or text at 9687 1379  for a more detailed discussion and you should have a better ideal on how to proceed with your transition.
Thanks and Regards
Rix Jim
 9687 1379 
Propnex Read More
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You’re asking the right questions early. That’s good, because BTO + selling an existing flat is really about timing the cashflow, not just affordability.

I’ll break this down cleanly, in the same order you’ll experience it.



1. Payment timeline for your BTO (HDB loan)

a) Booking of flat

When you book your unit at Oakville @ AMK:
• Booking fee:
5% of purchase price
Can be fully paid using CPF OA or cash

Example
If flat price is $560k → booking fee = $28k

No loan starts yet.



b) Downpayment

Because you’re taking an HDB loan, total downpayment is 10%.
• 5% paid at booking
• Remaining 5% paid just before key collection

No instalments during construction.
No progress payments.
No mortgage yet.

So from booking all the way until key collection, no monthly payments for the BTO.



c) During construction period

There are no payments during the build period for an HDB loan case.

Your only ongoing cost during this time is:
• Mortgage for your current HDB
• Living expenses

This is why many owners only sell closer to key collection.



2. Selling your current flat and CPF flow

When you sell your existing HDB

On completion day of the resale:
• Outstanding bank/HDB loan is cleared first
• CPF used ($310k + accrued interest) is refunded back to your CPF OA
• Remaining balance goes to you in cash

CPF refund usually reflects in OA within 1–2 weeks after completion.



When can that CPF be used for the BTO?

Your refunded CPF OA can be used for:
• Remaining 5% downpayment
• Stamp duty
• Legal fees
• Loan amount reduction at key collection

So practically, selling before key collection ensures your CPF is ready and usable.



3. How the timelines usually line up (recommended)

Most people in your situation do this:
1. Book BTO first
2. Continue staying in current flat during construction
3. Sell current flat 6–9 months before key collection
4. Use sale proceeds + CPF refund for:
• Final downpayment
• Completion payment
5. Either:
• Request temporary extension of stay from buyer, or
• Rent short-term while waiting for keys

This avoids cash strain.



4. Rough cash + CPF picture (based on your numbers)

Assuming:
• BTO price ~ $560k
• Existing flat sells at ~$600k

Upfront before selling:
• Booking fee: ~ $28k (CPF OA)
• Minimal cash needed initially

After selling:
• CPF refund: ~$310k + accrued interest (likely >$350k)
• Cash proceeds after loan settlement

That CPF is usually more than enough to:
• Cover remaining 5% downpayment
• Cover stamp duty and legal fees
• Reduce loan quantum

Most buyers do not need bridging cash if sale is timed properly.



5. Things to plan ahead carefully

a) Resale timing

Sell too early and you may need to rent longer.
Sell too late and CPF may not be ready by key collection.

This timing is the single biggest risk point.



b) Loan approval

Make sure your HFE remains valid closer to key collection.
Income changes can affect loan quantum.



c) Temporary housing

Have a backup plan:
• Extension of stay
• Short-term rental
• Staying with family

Don’t assume extensions are guaranteed.



Bottom line

Your plan is very workable, and financially you’re in a strong position. The key is structuring the resale timing so your CPF refund flows smoothly into the BTO completion without forcing you to use excess cash or rush decisions.

If you want, I can:
• Map out a month-by-month timeline
• Stress-test the numbers using different BTO prices
• Advise on the best resale window based on your key collection estimate

Just drop me a message and I’ll walk you through it step by step. Read More
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Good day to you.

Congratulations on successfully securing your ballot for Oaks Ville @ AMK, a Plus category BTO project that requires a 10-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP).

Let’s walk through the process step by step:

1) About four months from Booking on flat date, you’ll sign the Agreement for Lease, which will require a 5% down payment along with legal fees and stamp duty. These payments can be made using your CPF or in cash.
2) After signing, there won't be any payments due until key collection, which is expected around Q3 2030. At that time, you'll need to pay 15%, which can also be covered by your CPF OA or cash if necessary.
3) The remaining amount will be financed through an approved HDB loan, and any outstanding balance must be settled in cash.

HDB will reach out to potential BTO owners via mail and the HDB Portal approximately six months before key collection. You’ll want to start planning your transition prior to that.

Here are some key points to consider:
- If you’ve received a housing grant and taken out an HDB loan on your current unit, keep in mind that you’ll need to contribute 50% of your cash proceeds to the purchase price of the BTO, and pay the HDB resale levy in cash.
- The CPF from the sale of your current unit will be refunded to your CPF OA around two weeks after the completion date.
- Make sure to coordinate any extension of stay arrangements with the buyers.

Regarding the financing details, let's address that as we approach 2030, considering potential pay increases and variations in resale pricing and policies.

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(✔1) The key to moving from an existing HDB to a BTO is cashflow timing, not affordability, and planning early puts you in a strong position.

(✔2) For a BTO under an HDB loan, the booking fee is 5 percent of the purchase price, payable using CPF OA or cash, with no loan instalments starting yet.

(✔3) The total downpayment is 10 percent, split into 5 percent at booking and the remaining 5 percent just before key collection.

(✔4) There are no progress payments or monthly instalments during the construction period; your only ongoing housing cost is your current flat.

(✔5) When you sell your existing HDB, CPF used plus accrued interest will be refunded to your CPF OA, typically within one to two weeks after completion.

(✔6) Refunded CPF can then be used for the remaining downpayment, stamp duty, legal fees, or to reduce the loan amount at key collection.

(✔7) Most owners sell their current flat about six to nine months before key collection to avoid cash strain and ensure CPF is ready.

(✔8) Proper resale timing helps minimise the need for bridging cash and reduces reliance on short-term housing solutions.

(✔9) Loan eligibility should be monitored, as changes in income before key collection can affect the approved HDB loan amount.

(✔10) Sellers should plan ahead for temporary housing, such as extension of stay or short-term rental, as extensions are not guaranteed.

(✔11) If you previously took an HDB loan and grants, be prepared to set aside resale levy and channel part of your sale proceeds(50%) into the new purchase.

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(✔12) Keeping a buffer in cash and CPF helps absorb unexpected costs like renovation overlap or delayed resale completion.

“Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower Read More
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BTO combined with selling an existing flat is mainly about timing your cashflow, not whether you can afford the purchase.

When you book your BTO under an HDB loan, you only pay the 5% booking fee, which can be fully covered using CPF OA or cash. No loan and no monthly instalments start at this stage. The remaining 5% downpayment is only paid at key collection. During the entire construction period, there are no progress payments and no mortgage instalments for the BTO.

While waiting for the BTO to be completed, you continue staying in your current flat and only service your existing HDB loan. This is why most owners do not rush to sell early.

When your current flat is sold, the outstanding loan is cleared first, followed by a refund of CPF used (plus accrued interest) back into your CPF OA, with any remaining balance paid out in cash. The CPF refund typically comes back within 1–2 weeks after completion and can be used for the BTO’s final downpayment, stamp duty, legal fees, or to reduce the loan amount at key collection.

In practice, most owners book the BTO first, continue staying in their flat during construction, and sell their existing flat about 6–9 months before key collection. This allows CPF funds to be ready in time while avoiding unnecessary cash strain. A short extension of stay or temporary housing can then bridge the final period if needed.

Bottom line: The plan is workable and financially sound. The key risk is selling too early or too late. Get the resale timing right, and the CPF and cashflow will align smoothly for BTO completion. Read More
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Tan Pei Cheng (Pei)
I would be glad to assist you.
Feel free to contact me at wa.me/6597100155
Hope to hear from you soon.
Pei Mobile: (65) 9 7 1 0 0 1 5 5.
Email: peicheng.tan@propnex.com
Associate Group Director
Propnex Realty Pte Ltd Read More
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Hi, appreciate your sharing able to do a breakdown before you proceed it. Usually given you time to sell and complete the next purchase of BTO altogether.
Looking forward to assist you at WhatsApp +65 9696 4398  or email me at stewartlim96964398@gmail.com

Cheers
Stewart-PropNex Read More
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Hi Sir/Mdm,

I have assisted many clients who are in the same situation as yourself, selling their resale HDB to move into a new BTO.

For finances, you will need to prepare the option fee which is $2,000 when you book the flat and the 10% downpayment, legal fees and stamp duty when you sign the Agreement for Lease within 4 months from the booking.

There is nothing to pay during the construction period and the balance payment can be paid upon keys collection using the CPF and profits from the sale of your current place.

I will usually plan the sale of my clients' flat a few months before their keys collection date and in this way, they will be able to minimise their cash outlay by using the sale proceeds to fund the purchase of their new flat.

If the timeline is planned properly, they are able to transit smoothly from their current place to the new one without the need for an interim place to stay.

Please feel free to contact me so that I can explain to you in greater details.

Regards,
Nick Tan
(M) +65 96 44 48 54
B.Eng(Chemical)(Hons)(NUS) / Cert-in-REA
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Selling our house was a pretty stressful ordeal, as we have already committed to buying our new home and hence have a timeline to meet. Losin Read More
1
Tan Pei Cheng (Pei)
I would be glad to assist you.
Feel free to contact me at wa.me/6597100155
Hope to hear from you soon.
Pei Mobile: (65) 9 7 1 0 0 1 5 5.
Email: peicheng.tan@propnex.com
Associate Group Director
Propnex Realty Pte Ltd Read More
0

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