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Hi Experts, I am planning to purchase a HDB resale to live with my NR spouse this year however there are great amount of constraints as far as we have figured and we hope to get your advice on the fastest and bestest way to approach this.

Facts
- I am SC, turning 35 this mid-September
- GF is foreigner, plans to relocate to Singapore after married to live together.
- GF has a private property under her name and will be selling before June 2024.
- Started Pre Marriage LTVP Assessment on 30 Dec 2023.
- Plans to ROM (in SG) after April proposal, before September.
- Plans to apply LTVP as soon as we ROM.
- Plans (ideally) to purchase a resale by the time we are registered.
- Plan to complete the relocation to Singapore by Christmas 2024, barring renovation limitations etc.

As you can probably tell, we are very eager to live together in our nest asap therefore i hope to see experts’ advise on a timeline that complies with the housing rule here.

What I hope to understand, considering the Facts above
- When should i Start Preliminary HFE check?
- When can I apply HFE?
- Do I include my GF in the HFE application?
- Realistically, when can we complete the resale progress?
- Any ways to fast track? I’m happy to bring forward the proposal + ROM timeline.
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5 Answers

You will only be eligible to apply for HFE, after you are officially married (ROM) under the foreign spouse scheme as the fiance/fiancee scheme is only applicable for SC/SPR couples. In addition, if you are below 35 years old, your spouse must have a valid+ Long Term Visit Pass or Work Pass of at least 6 months from the date of issue at the time you submit your application to buy a resale flat as per extracted from HDB website.

Hope this helps you plan out and revise your timeline if required.

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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.

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Hi, appreciate your sharing. Best to settle the LTSP soonest and proceed with HFE application to work out your budget.
Looking forward to assist you at 9696 4398  or email me at stewartlim96964398@gmail.com

Cheers
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Hi,

You can only apply the HFE letter after she has obtained LTVP status and you guys have officially attain married status (ROM), because only then you are eligible to buy under the non-citizen spouse scheme. The other issue I foresee is the private property she owns. She is probably below 55 years old, so it means a 15-month wait out period after selling before she can be included as an essential occupier for this application (you most likely have to appeal this for a waiver with HDB but it may not be easy to get).

The final way is to buy under single singaporean citizen scheme when you turn 35 years old, but that will mean to hold off on the marriage plans for the time being.

Hope the above clarifies. May I have more info and requirements about your plans so as to make better recommendations? Thanks and look forward to value-add to your housing plans.

Warm Regards,

Ivan Ng Realtor
ERA Senior Marketing Director
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  • GT
    Hi Ivan, I really appreciate your advice so far especially when you covered the part about her private property ownership. From my interpretation of the rules so far, it seems like I have to apply under the Single scheme without listing her as an occupier- is this what you meant? How does this affect our marriage plans- can i still ROM in June, apply for HFE closer to my birthday in September and pursue a resale flat with that letter?
Robbie Chen Chee Howe
Hi Sir,

As you're below age 35, you can only apply for HFE to purchase a HDB resale flat with her after you have ROM, under Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme. Do take note that as a foreigner, she cannot own the HDB flat. Hence, it will be under sole owner, with her as the essential occupier. This means that your loan assessment will be based on your sole income only.

Another thing to note, as she currently own a private property overseas, she will not be eligible to be listed as the essential occupier until she has sold off the property and serve a 15-month wait out period. Is there any reason why she is holding back the sale till June 2024?

Otherwise, you can wait till after your birthday in Sept 2024 to purchase the resale HDB flat under Single Scheme. This will mean that you will need to delay your ROM till after you complete your HDB flat purchase, probably after December 2024/January 2025.

Alternatively, you can look for private residential instead, where both of you can co-own the property, and where loan assessment will be based on both your incomes.

I am experienced and well-versed in both HDB and private transactions. I will be able to assist you in your property plans. Please get in touch with me for a more in-depth discussion.

Should you need require further assistance in matters relating to property, please contact me at my mobile +65 97 48 63 05. I will be happy to assess and share with you the possibilities for you in the current market.

Thank you.

Best regards,
Robbie Chen
+65 97 48 63 05
PropNex Realty Read More
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