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We are a PR and Singaporean couple currently staying in a resale 4bdroom HDB located in the Lavender area. MOP has just ended so we are looking to move to a much larger place with a minimum of 4 bedroom + a helper room with at least 1500 sqft. Location is flexible as long as its about a 20 minute drive from City Centre. Based on the type of properties we are looking for, it seems ideal to look for either a condo or a cluster house type with facilities. We are now deciding whether it would be best to rent or to buy, especially with the difficult timing in minimising ABSD and maximising bank loan. If we were to rent, then naturally we would be renting out the HDB to offset the cost. Any advice on rent vs buy would be appreciated.
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5 Answers

Good afternoon,

Thank you for your enquiry. Is there still home loan outstanding on the HDB? If it is likely that the next property you are staying at you would be staying for a good 8 to 10 years, especially to get through the school going periods of your kids, I would recommend to purchase. Simply put, over a longer period, property prices in Singapore are relatively stable and will maintain its value as it is a well regulated market and the government has a strong interest in keeping property prices on a stable and sustainable growth path. Buying the right property will be a good hedge of inflation and also be a good platform for wealth preservation. On the other hand, renting for long-term is a long-term substantial cash outflow. And on top of that as the age of buyer goes higher, the max loan and loan tenure will go lower, reducing your max price range and options available for the ideal property. It will be triple whammy if prices maintain their upward growth trend.

If you plan to purchase, and would like to hold onto the HDB as well, so ABSD will be applicable for your next property purchase. If that's the case, it will be good to use the Singaporean name to purchase, since the ABSD will be at 17% instead of that of SPR's 25% . It is also advisable to restructure the loan on the hdb to a sole borrower (the SPR's name), so that the SC owner can get a higher loan (max 75%) since he is no longer a borrower of a housing loan.

Happy to share more on the optimal financial plan and next move for your property journey. 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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Hi Sir/Mdm,

It is possible to upgrade and avoid ABSD, as well as to minimise your cash outlay and transit from your current HDB to the next place without the need for an interim housing housing. However, proper planning is required so that you are able to transit smoothly and seamlessly.

I would think that a 4 bedroom, 5 bedroom or a cluster house would be good options to fit your requirements. In my opinion, it is better to upgrade now as compared to renting out your HDB because the HDB market is doing quite well now because of the supply shortage due to covid. Once the supply can keep up, HDB prices will be on the down trend again. Interest rates are still low now and therefore it is better to lock in at a lower rates now.

I have assisted many of my clients to transit from a HDB flat to a private property and they do not need to pay ABSD and not need to rent a place to stay in between. Please feel free to contact me so that I can understand your situation better and run through with you in details the plan in terms of your timeline and cash flow.

Regards,
Nick Tan
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Hi,

I would be most glad to assist you further and please feel free to let me know if you need any assistance. Have a good day ahead. By the way and in my opinion, selling of your HDB flat this year would be ideal and upgrade at the same time by doing both the selling and the buying of the next purchase of private property concurrently. As the prices of the HDB flat may not remain high come next year and it may not even be a seller’s market by then.

Regards
Aaron Chong
 9730 8455 
aaronchong2774@yahoo.com.sg Read More
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Hi Sir/Madam

1. Current valuation of your unit
It will be good to know the current market value of your house before deciding to sell
Selling price will be depend on level, facing, condition of unit, etc
Appreciate if you can contact me at (65) 96608508  with details of your unit so I can advise accordingly

2. If you have not sell your current HDB and buy another private property, 2nd property ABSD might apply.
Alternatively you can consider to apply for 2nd ABSD remission if you can meet the conditions

3. It is important to work out your financial plan before making a move to upgrade.
Factors to take into consideration will be sale proceeds from the sale of your HDB flat, current and CPF return, loan, stamp duty, etc
I will be glad to go through the financial planning with you in order to decide if upgrading is the best option.

4. Do you intend to take loan for your purchase?
If yes, Before shortlisting project/unit, I will suggest to check your in principal approval of your loan from banker.
I can connect you with reputable banker for this, free of charge and no obligation.

5. Current rental market
Looking at the current rental market, I believe you can get good rental for your unit

I have assisted many of my clients to upgrade from HDB to a private property smoothly without paying ABSD and not need to rent a place to stay in between
I will be glad to assist you as well
Appreciate if you can contact me at (65) 96608508  with details of your unit
or click here https://bit.ly/WaSilvia to whatsapp me for no obligation discussion
Thank you.

Warmest regards,

Silvia Yang

Senior Marketing Director
ERA Realty Network Pte Ltd
Mobile: (65) 9660 8508 
Email: Silviayang8@gmail.com Read More
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Hi

I fully understand your concern. If you choose to buy first, you have to pay a hefty ABSD of 25% cash (can be refunded if you sell your house within 6 months) and subject to lower loan approval (technically it is still possible to get a maximum loan but with a very restrictive timeline). A simpler way is to sell first and request an extension of stay from the buyer. Once the OTP is exercised by buyer, you can then proceed to option for a private property. From there, you can work on the right timeline to avoid having to put up at a temporary place of stay. In addition, you are not liable for ABSD (IRAS will still deemed you to be having 1 property as property count is based on exercise date not date of transfer) and you still can get a maximum loan from the bank (Once selling option has been exercise, the bank can gives you maximum loan under MAS regulations). I have ever assisted some of my clients in transitioning smoothly from HDB to a private property using this method. However do note that you still need to come out with 5% cash deposit and normal stamp duty rate to be paid in cash (stamp duty can be refunded later by IRAS if you choose to pay stamp duty by CPF). I am well aufait with both HDB and private property and have assisted several of my clients in transitioning smoothly from HDB to private property. Do contact me at 93375051  for a free and non obligatory discussion on this.

Regards
Taufik Hussein
Marketing Director
ERA Realty Network Pte Ltd
CEA Reg No: R061607B
Contact No: 93375051  Read More
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