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What price tag for resale flat can I afford?
I'm planning to buy a 3-Rm resale flat without loan. But I get all confused about the withdrawal limits, retirement sum (I'm 41) to be put aside and blah blah blah. So, need some help to estimate how much I can afford for a flat. Been looking at flats that are below 300k to be on the safe side that I won't need to fork out cash. But also wondering if I can afford a more expensive flat, say at 330k, for a better location.

In my CPF OA, I have around 240k which are invested, and last check in June, valued at 300k. Unused balance is 22k.

In my SA, it's around 125k invested and valued 150k. Unused balance is 40k.

Hope to get some advice from you all! Thank you!
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1 Answer

Hi,

1) It is important to check your withdrawal limit using the link below. This will be advised how much you are allowed to withdraw from CPF based on the remaining lease of the flat intend to purchase against your age.
https://www.cpf.gov.sg/eSvc/Web/Schemes/CpfHousingWithdrawalLimits/CpfHousingWithdrawalLimits

2) This is because once you reach the point of the withdrawal limit, it means you have to continue to service your mortgage with cash only/

3) Even though you are not taking any mortgage loan, there is still a limit on how much you are allowed to withdraw for a flat with lower remaining lease against your age.

4) This will affect your choice of flat with the lower remaining lease. In your case, as long as you are not buying any flat lower than 55 remaining leases, you should be able to withdraw to the max.

5) Since this is your 1st property you don't have to worry about the retirement sum. It is only for those who are buying 2nd property using CPF has to keep a Basic Retirement Sum and are only allowed to use the excess to pay for their 2nd purchase using CPF.

6) You will need only to focus your budget under CPF OA because this is the only account that can be used for buying property.

7) It is important that you cash out your investment before start looking for your purchase. I had encountered a case where the investment didn't return on time and nearly burst the purchase.

8) Apart from timing, it is also able to confirm the total amount before committing so that you are aware you are not over-committed in the purchase.

9) You cannot just be based on the CPF OA amount to be your final budget because you also need to put buyer stamp duty in the purchase.

10) Buyer stamp duty for a flat of $300k is $4,200 & $320k is $4,600. This is not a sum you can just ignore based on your intention is to minimize cash payout.

11) Legal fees for conveyance are also a sum need to be put into your purchase budget. Check your legal fees using this link:
https://www.hdb.gov.sg/cs/infoweb/residential/buying-a-flat/resale/financing/costs-and-fees

12) Do note that there is a maximum of $5k cash for option & exercise fees. Thus if your seller wanted to have the maximum option and exercise fees, you will need to prepare this amount to prevent any disappointment.

13) There are also caveat and miscellaneous payments that need to be pay using cash. Please check this website to calculate your cost.
https://www.hdb.gov.sg/cs/infoweb/residential/buying-a-flat/resale/financing/costs-and-fees

Hope the above answer to your main concerns, but if there are more query, 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://R056727F.propnex.net/
https://www.facebook.com/Homesellerbuyer

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