Singapore Watch

Who is eligible to buy a resale HDB flat?

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(Part of “The Almost Complete Goondu’s Guide to Buying a HDB Flat in Singapore” series.)

Housing Development Board (HDB) was created with the intention of making housing affordable for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents. As such, there are many rules and restrictions which you have to qualify before you can purchase a HDB flat.

You have to fall into one of the following categories:

(a) Public Scheme: Parent(s) + child(ren) family.

    eg.
    My mother wants to buy a flat with me.
    My father wants to buy a flat with my mother and me.
    My father wants to buy a flat with my mother.
    If you include your children as owners, they can pay for the flat using their cpf too. This option is not advisable if your children intend to get married someday.

(b) Fiance/Fiancee Scheme: Couples intending to get married.

    eg.
    We are getting a new flat, and will ROM before we get our keys in 3-5 years time.
    We are getting a resale flat, and will ROM before or when we get our keys.

(c) Single Citizen Scheme: Any Singaporean 35 and above, or a single orphan above 21 can buy alone.

    eg.
    I’m already 36 and I want my own bachelor’s pad (flat).
    I’m 36 and my partner is 35. We want to live together in our own flat but we can’t get married, or don’t intend to.
    I’m an only child and above 21, but my parents are no longer alive. I want to live independently in my own flat.

(d) Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme: Singaporean marrying a foreigner.

    eg.
    My wife/husband is malaysian/vietnamese/chinese/thai/(insert country), and we want a home in Singapore.

(e) Non-Citizen Family Scheme: Singaporean + Non-citizen parents/children

    eg.
    I’m a Singaporean but my parents/kids are not, and we want a home in Singapore.

(f) Orphans Scheme: An orphan and his siblings.

    eg.
    I’m above 21, and my parents are no longer alive. I’m not an only child and wish to live with my siblings in our own flat.

(e) SPR Siblings: Two Permanent Resident (PR) siblings. Scheme has been scrapped.

For more details about the above scheme, visit the HDB Website.

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148 thoughts on “Who is eligible to buy a resale HDB flat?”

  1. I’m Singaporean and my husband is Singapore PR.
    Is there any scheme for my case?
    what scheme I should choose ?
    Thanks.

  3. Hi,

    My fiance owns a HDB flat under his name (Single Citizen Scheme).
    We are getting married this year. I’m a Singapore PR. Will i be qualified to buy HDB resale flat with my sister ( also Singapore PR )under the SPR Siblings Scheme.

  4. Hi Chayyi,

    If you buy with your sister now, you’ll qualify. You definitely will not qualify once you are married. However, you’ll also be forgoing any top-up grant when you do get married to your fiance ($19k if eligible).

    If you were to ask HDB, their official position would be that you will have to sell the flat acquired with your sister if you get married. In theory, HDB doesn’t allow married couples to own two different flats, but according to some forums online, HDB only checks your status at point of sale, and not after. Don’t quote me on this though.

  5. Hi,
    I am 20 right now and would like to buy a HDB flat when I reach 21. My mother died when I was 3 and my Dad abandon me when I was 16. Now I am staying with my grandma and I have no idea where my Dad is. Is there a possibility for me to buy a HDB flat through the Single Citizen Scheme?

  7. Hi Elle,

    No you don’t qualify. 2 SPRs can only buy a resale HDB if they are married, or if they are siblings.

  8. what is the definition of orphan?must it be both dead?missing(with police report made) or abandoned child counted?

  9. i would also like to know what defines “orphan”… my biological parents abandoned me and my siblings when we were young and we havent heard from them since. we have been living with an adoptive parent since. can my siblings and i leave our current residency to purchase a new house on our own using the orphans scheme? (reply to email thank you)

  10. Hi astroboi & curious,

    this one, is best to consult HDB direct. you can email/call or visit them at their office!

  11. hi curious,hdb only consider both parent dead then consider orphan. Consult a lawyer,see if can certify u a orphan

  13. Andre: Sure can do, only if the mother currently doesn’t own a flat alone or with the father.

  14. my wife is a singapore citizen, i am not and dont resdide in singapore, i sent paper work for her to buy a flat hdb, do i have part ownership of it.
    thanks for your help

    1. The quickest way to find out if you have part ownership is whether you are currently paying part of the mortgage every month. If you are, you definitely have part ownership, as only owners can help pay the mortgage.

      Alternatively, your wife can log on to HDB’s myHDB page with her Singpass. Under the Flat details section, it’ll state who the owners and occupiers are.

  15. Hi , planning to get a resale flat but my bf is a malaysian and i’m a singaporean. Does it mean that i fall into the non- citizen spouse scheme? thanks . And in this case can i apply for the esales BTO flats?

    1. Hi linda,

      I’m assuming the two of you are planning to get married. The above post are the conditions for the purchase of resale flats. Under the non-citizen spouse scheme, you would not be able to apply for a BTO flat, as those are classified under ‘new flats’. You’ll still be able to purchase a resale flat on the market now.

      1. Hi , thanks for replying. so i have to produce my rom cert after getting the keys right? must it be a singapore rom marriage cert? or any country will do? thanks

        1. Any country’s marriage cert will do, as it’s still recognized in singapore. They’ll ask you for your i/c to verify you are singaporean, so you don’t need a singapore marriage cert.

          As for when you have to produce your cert:

          “Marriage certificate must be presented to HDB within 3 months from resale completion date. ”

          Usually if you’re producing your cert after the 2nd appointment (where you’ll get your keys), they’ll want some proof that you do intend to get married (eg. receipt of deposit for banquet dinner to be had, or receipt of church wedding that will happen soon…)

            1. Yes it is alright. You wouldn’t be able to “convert” your malaysian marriage certificate to a singaporean marriage certificate anyhow.

              On ROM Website:
              “The law does not require couples who contracted marriages overseas to re-register (includes “converting” or “endorsing” a foreign marriage certificate) with the Singapore ROM. The marriage certificate issued by the competent authority of the foreign country may be accepted as prima facie evidence of a marriage between the parties named in the certificate.” (FAQ #19)

  16. hi, im below 21 years old. currently im staying with my mum who is a divorcee. She is considering about getting a 4 room resale. I heard that two names will be needed. can she use my name? and will it affect me from getting any house grant in the future?
    thanks

    1. If your mum is above 35, she would be able to buy a 4room resale under the singles scheme. However, if your mum is 55, she would only be able to take a 10 year loan (max loan age is till 65) and thus her installments each month will be pretty heavy. She might want to include your name as a result and buy under the family scheme, as with your name, she would be able to take a longer loan, perhaps up to 30 years, thus making the loan payments more affordable.

      If you decide to get this flat with your mum, but do not take a grant, you’ll still be eligible for a grant in future if the 4 room flat is sold in your mum’s name. If a hdb loan is taken, you would be deemed to have taken a hdb loan, and might or might not be able to get a hdb loan in future.

      Note that if you decide to get the flat with your mum, and in future you get married, you would have to either sell off the 4room flat or transfer ownership of the flat to your mum (ie, get your name out totally), before you can buy another flat with your husband. Note that with transfer of ownership, your mum will have to take up a new loan if flat is not paid off. She may have to take a bank loan (I’m not too sure about this). If she is past 65 by then, it’ll be impossible to get a loan. Likewise, if the loan amount is below $100k, it’ll be impossible to get a bank loan.

  17. Hi, I am a SPR, still single but over 21 yo. Can I buy a resale flat together with my brother and his wife who are PRs too? What should i do for my ownership and my spouse if i get married someday at a later day? Thank you.

  18. There are only 2 ways the flat can be purchased:
    1) You and your brother
    2) Your brother and his wife

    However, since your brother is married, I’m not sure if you can still buy a flat with your brother.

    In the event that you can buy with your brother and you get married one day, you and your spouse will be eligible to get your own resale flat, if you can transfer your ownership of existing flat to your brother and wife. Your brother will not be able to own the flat alone.

    I would advise that your brother and wife get the flat and you just be an occupier, as transfer of ownership is a quite troublesome and will cost a few thousand dollars, as it involves lawyers and hdb, and fees to discharge your existing bank loan, stamp fees, plus fees to get a new bank loan under the rates offered then.

    1. Thank you for your reply, Justina. Yes, it is advisable to purchase my own hdb with my spouse for avoiding the future transfer of ownership problems etc.

      Correct me if i am wrong, the SPR Siblings scheme will apply to two Single Permanent Resident (PR) siblings only. Just wonder if it is possible to buy a resale hdb with married brother to have a house here to take care our aged mother together. To join my brother nucleus family to buy the house, is it apply to public scheme?

      Due the high price of current resale market, I think i might not afford to buy a house with 20% house price downpayment and over 10k COV cash here. That’s why i am considering to buy a house with my brother. Thank you.

      1. I believe you are correct. For PR siblings, both have to be single. If that’s the case, you won’t be able to buy with your brother.

  19. Hi, i (age 31) took over ownership of the current 3 room flat in 2005 and the joint tenancy with my mother (age 62), my father lives separately from us in another family ( not divorced with my mum), though he is listed as the occupier together with my brother, a hdb housing loan grant has been taken.

    i was advised by HDB officers that only my father and my mother are the family nucleus which are eligible for buying of a resale flat.

    do i not fall into the public scheme for buying a flat under my mum and my name?

    1. In theory you do fall under the public scheme with your mother. However, if your dad’s name was essential for your brother to get the flat, (ie your brother is under 35 or he took a higher singles grant), then your father’s name is already “tied up” in a flat. Since married couples are only allowed to be involved in one flat, this may be why HDB says you and your mum are not eligible to buy a 2nd flat. If not, every family nucleus out there would be buying flats with their kids and owning more than one. That is probably their rationale.

      HDB has the last say on these matters, so perhaps you would like to make an appeal to HDB and get their approval. If not, the next way is to meet your MP and ask for their help concerning this matter.

  20. I’m a 20 yo SPR studying in a private school and my 12 yo brother (Non-SPR) is studying in a government school. Are we qualified to purchase a resale flat in Singapore?

  21. Hi, my gf and i intended to get a flat under the current sale of balance flats scheme, i’m currently drawing 1.9k/month gross, but the problem is that my gf is still schooling and will have no income for another 6 months, using the loan calculator on hdb site we are able to get a estimated maximum loan of $189000 from hdb. We’re wondering if there are anyway to increase the maximum loan amount from hdb and how will it help if i were to include my dad (currently employed with fix income and a co-owner of a flat with my mum) as an occupier? Thanks.

    1. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to include your dad in your current flat, since he is a co-owner of an existing flat. Only owners can pay for a flat, not occupiers. Besides, an owner of a flat is supposed to be living in his flat, and cannot be an occupier of another flat (unless they have valid reasons like being unable to look after themselves anymore etc.)

      Perhaps your gf could find a part-time job that pays cpf. That might increase your loan amount. However, I believe she would have to get a letter from the employer stating her employment, since her CPF would not reflect any income earned for the last 3 months.

      The alternative of course, is to choose a flat within your maximum loan. $189,000 should be sufficient to get a 3 if not 4 room flat in a new estate.

    2. Renfred: Actually if you and your gf intend to ROM soon, why not try for a resale flat instead? With your current income, you should be eligible for the additional housing grant on top of the existing family grant. That would amount to about $75k. You must have worked for at least a year tho, and flat must be near parents (same estate or within 2km).

      That amount can be used to pay for your downpayment, stamp fees and legal fees. $189k + $75k is rather attractive.

  22. Hi Justina,
    I am impressed for your reply.
    I have question here too.

    I am a SPR and my wife is in China now. Our marriage cert was done in China. She is not a PR now, but going to apply soon.

    Question:
    1. Can I purchse HDB resale flat now? Or I need to wait for my wife to become PR first?

    2. If we are able to buy a resale flat, what grant do we entitled? Do I need to pay 30% downpayment using my own cash? Or I can use my CPF saving?

    3. Do I need to pay my monthly installment using my own cash? Or can it be paid using my cpf monthly contribution?

    Thanks and awaiting for your advise.
    Jeff

    1. Hi Jeff,

      1) Yes you have to wait for your wife to become a PR. PR married couples can buy resale HDB. Single PRs cannot.

      2) PRs have no grants at all. Grants are reserved strictly for citizens. You’ll need to get a bank loan, which means a 20% downpayment + any cash over valuation asked by owner. If you have CPF, you can use your CPF to pay for up to 15% of the downpayment. 5% MUST be paid by cash.

      3) If your monthly CPF contribution to your Ordinary Account is sufficient to cover your monthly installments, than you need not fork out cash. If it’s insufficient, the bank would ask you to fill up a giro form and the balance has to be paid by cash monthly.

  23. Hi, I am a Singaporean (40) living overseas and I am considering coming back to Singapore because both my parents’ health are deteriorating. I have a Non Citizen spouse who will be joining me. I left Singapore 8 years ago I am no longer up to date with the situation with regards to buying HDB Flats. Am I allowed to purchase a 2 room HDB resale flat? Is there any restriction on that? I cannot afford a 3 or 4 room flat as they are very costly. What is the position if I am earning a salary overseas? Will the Bank still loan the money to me? I have about S$90,000 in my CPF ordinary account at the moment. thanks.

    1. Hi Kate, yes you will be able to buy a resale flat, under the non-citizen spouse scheme. There’s no limitation on flat size.

      As to whether you can buy a flat while still overseas, that would prove to be rather tricky, as getting a flat itself involves the signing of the option to purchase, the 1st appointment and the 2nd appointment over 4-6 months. Unless you intend to fly back and forth, you would need to appoint someone with the ‘power of attorney’, so they can sign on your behalf. You would need to see a lawyer with said person to get that letter.

      If your combined income $8k or less, you’ll be able to get a HDB loan if you don’t currently own any property in any country. If you really want to know if HDB will grant you a loan, feel up their HLE (Housing Loan Eligibility) and submit your pay documents, and see what their reply is. If they grant you a loan, you should be able to buy a HDB without problems.

  24. Hi , i would like to make some enquiries about HBD resale. For both of us husnabd and wife are SPR is it eligible to buy the resale flats from HDB? Can i know what is the procedures to but the flats ? Hopefully can hear from you all. Thanks.

    1. Hi Shirley,

      Yes you and your husband can buy resale flats. By the way, you buy resale flats from existing owners, not HDB. HDB is merely the administrator.

      Have a look around online at some property sites (like nationproperty.sg), or in the classified ads to get a better idea of the area you want to live in, and how much flats cost. Alternatively, I would highly suggest you get a real estate agent to help you out. Ask your friends for contacts of agents they have worked with before, that proved reliable.

      As long as you can afford the 20% downpayment (5% cash, rest can be through CPF), stamp duty & cash over valuation, and agent fees, you’re good to go. The agent will handle the rest.

  25. hi
    My husband is working and 48 years old and I am housewife, 38years old . If we take a HDB loan to purchase a resale flat , whose age will be considered for calculating maximum loan repayment years as I am not working now.

    1. Hi Jane,

      HDB usually takes the average of your two ages. So it’ll be (48+38)/2=43 Thus ur max loan period would be 65-43=22

      I know in theory, they shldn’t take your age into consideration since you’re not contributing at all, but they do. Just to be sure though, fill up the HLE with your husband. It’s free.

  26. i working singapore 3 years and last month i and my wife took pr here.now my wife olso working in singapore.my salary 2000,my wife 1200.only we have one month cpf.how we can get maximum loan amount to buy the resale hdb.
    can we eligible to apply loan in bank

    1. Hi Kuma,

      Since you don’t have cpf savings, do you and your wife have cash savings? If you were to take out a bank loan, you would need to put down 20% deposit, and they’ll grant you 80% remainder loan. On top of that, you need cash to pay for your agent fees, stamp fees, and other miscellaneous fees.

      With your combined salary of $3200, I would advise you to take a loan amount not more than $160k. Any more and you would have to fork out extra cash to service your flat installment. so a $160k loan (80%) + $40k downpayment (20%), your flat price should cost about $200k. This is assuming you and your wife are in your 20s or 30s, and can take a maximum loan of 30 years.

      Banks will loan you money as long as you take out a minimum loan of $100k. Drop by any bank and ask about their home loans. They will usually allow you to use 30% of your total pay to service your mortgage, but do note that the maximum loan they grant you doesn’t mean it’s the maximum loan you should take. Take your financial commitment into consideration, as if one of you lose your job, and you default on your payments, you could lose your whole flat.

  27. I am 37 single Singapore PR and earning S$3200/month. Can I buy resale HDB flat (at least 3 rooms flats).

    Thx
    Sara

    1. Hi Sara,

      No. Get singaporean citizenship, and then the answer would be yes.

      Otherwise, Get marry a Singaporean or PR, or buy with a PR sibling.

  28. Hello Justina,
    I’m 36 single Singaporean and earning a gross salary of $1800/month. Can I buy a HDB 2 room resale flat? Will I be able to apply for HDB Housing Loan if I’m just a private home tutor who have no pay-slip as proof/past 15 months CPF contribution?
    Thank you.

  29. Hi Chew,

    Yes you can buy a 2 room resale flat. You’ll be applying as a self-employed. What they would need from you in your application (if i recall correctly) is your last 2 years Notice of Assessment (the letter the govt send to you stating your total annual income and how much tax you owe). HDB will also need you to go down to one of their offices (branch or main) and sign a letter declaring how much you have made on average in the past few months. You might have to show proof of income (ie. bank statements).

    Based on your salary of $1800/mth, if you use 30% of your income to service the loan over 29 years (till age 65) it’ll be $540/mth or a total loan of $130,000 (use this calculator to estimate)

    I hope you have accumulated some money in your cpf or have cash savings, because that amount won’t get you a resale 2 room flat these days. Cheapest ones are in the $160k range, including COV (cash over valuation). HDB loan will only cover up to 90% of valuation.

    These are some places which have 2 room flats: Ang Mo Kio*, Bedok*, Bukit Merah*, Central, Clementi, Geylang (Macpherson)*, Kallang/Whampoa, Marine Parade, Pasir Ris, Queenstown, Serangoon*, Toa Payoh, Woodlands*. (Check out HDB for recent resale prices)

    * areas which have cheaper HDB flats (about $160k+)

    1. Thanks Justina for the fast reply.
      Sorry to bother you again.
      What if I do not have the Notice of Assessment since my job income changes at times, but I’m able to produce the bank statement and have cash $100,000, will I still be able to support a 2 room HDB flat?
      Thank You.

  33. i working singapore 3 years and last month i and my wife took pr here.now my wife olso working in singapore.my salary 2700,my wife 1200.only we have one month cpf.howmuch we can get maximum loan amount to buy the resale hdb.
    can we eligible to apply loan in bank
    WIFE WORKING ONLY ONE MONTH

  34. Hi yaya,

    The only loan you can get is from a bank. Approach any bank and get pre-approved for a loan. Only they can tell you what the maximum loan you can take is. They would require your pay slips to calculate how much you can afford to pay towards your house each month.

    This is assuming you have saved enough cash to pay for a 20% downpayment, cash over valuation, stamp duty, agent fees, etc…

  35. Hi,
    3 years back ,Myself and my brother bought a HDB resale flat( under joint tenancy ) with Bank Loan( now we are not in the Lock in period). We both are PR’s and Married. Now I’m interested in buying a new flat, so I wanted to transfer the ownership of the Current flat to My brother and his wife.

    I have found the Transfer information at the following link.
    http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10206p.nsf/WPDis/Changing%20Of%20Owners%20And%20OccupiersPolicies%20-%20Transfer%20of%20Flat%20Ownership?OpenDocument

    But still have some questions in my mind, Can you help to advise,
    1). What is the process for the Transfer of ownership?
    2). Do we need to engage any Agent or a lawyer ?( if agent is needed , what will be the normal commission to the agent from both Buyer/seller)
    3). Do we need to go for a Fresh valuation?
    4). Anyidea about how long does this process takes ?

    Thanks a lot for your time and help.

  36. Hi DP,

    I’m assuming you meant you and your wife want to buy a RESALE flat on your own, and not a NEW one, as PRs are not eligible for new flats.

    A transfer of ownership is really just like selling and buying back the same flat, just under different names. Firstly, your brother and wife must be able to buy over your half of the flat. Your current loan will be redeemed, and a new loan has to be taken out to repurchase the flat under the new owners. (along those lines, your interest rates will be determined by the loans available today, and not when you first took it up.)

    1) Approach HDB and tell them you want to do a transfer of ownership. There’s some paperwork to fill up, and fees to be paid.

    2) Approach your bank, and tell them you want to do a transfer of ownership. Your bank should refer you to a lawyer their bank works with, and they’ll help you with the paperwork involved with redemption of loan. You also need a lawyer for your new loan, though it might be the same lawyer. No agent needed. You’ll have to pay the lawyer obviously. Depending on your loan agreement, there might be fees involved when you break the current loan.

    3) Because a new loan is taken up, a fresh valuation must be done, as banks will only give loans up to 80% valuation. If your home value has risen since, you don’t have to worry about topping up cash. Note that your brother and wife has to pay new stamp fees too, as it’s a title change. It costs slightly less though.

    4) It takes about 3-4 months.

    Hope that helps.

  37. Hi Justin,
    Thanks a lot for your quick and useful reply.
    I have another query on Point (3).
    I wanted to transfer the flat to my brother with the same price ( eventhough our present valaution is 50K higher compared to my old price).
    Is there any restriction on the price side? Suppose if we transfer the flat below the valuation etc. ?

    My case is : we purchased the flat @ 270 K
    We took a bank Loan for – 245K. I guess, we have an outstanding loan amt of 230K .
    So can I transfer the flat @ 270k to my brother.?

    Thanks for your help.

  38. Hi DP,

    The new valuation is just to ensure that your remaining value ($230k) is within the current valuation. I believe the new loan is essentially what is owed on the flat.

    Going by HDB rules, I don’t think your brother can refinance at $270k even if he wanted to.

  39. Hi Justina
    My fiancee and I are getting married next year Mar. We plan to buy 4 rooms Re-sale flat under HDB grant (I am singaporean and my fiancee is PR) but now the resale flat price is very expensive w COV.

    Today, after discussion with some friends and my fiancee, we suddenly thought of one idea to buy 3 room Re-sale flat without grant, then queue for BTO (thankfully, we have applied the Punggol Sails/Ripples), so we can sell our 3 room flat after after 3 years before the new BTO ready.

    Our questions are:
    1. How long we need to hold the resale flat before sell to others? 2 1/2 years
    2. Will HDB allow this arrangement for us to buy 3-room resale flat while applying BTO at the same time?
    3. Any other risks for taking this option?

    1. Hi Sern,

      That is a great idea, though you have to get the order right:

      1) Buy resale HDB without grant.

      If you buy with a bank loan, you can sell off your resale flat after 1 year (note fees involved with early redemption of loan tho. Shld be $2k or more.) If you take HDB loan, you can sell off only after 2.5 years. Make sure your BTO is bigger than your resale, if not no 2nd HDB loan.

      Also, you’re only limited to 2 HDB loans total, so its up to you whether you wanna ‘waste’ it on a resale flat where you’re only staying for 3 years. Usually you use such loans on flats you wanna stay the longest in.

      2) Apply for BTO only AFTER you’ve completed transaction for resale HDB (eg. after you get the keys in about 4-6 months). Sell your resale flat after getting keys for BTO.

      3) You would need enough money to pay for down payments for 2 flats: your resale and BTO.

      If you take up a bank loan for resale flat, the bank will only need a 20% down payment, whereas if you take up a HDB loan, they’ll wipe out your CPF OA.

      1. Hi Justina

        Thanks for your prompt reply

        1)Buy resale HDB without grant.
        Thanks, we have thought to get Bank loan with a 2 years lock in period. While, do Banks offer 2 year loan in plan?

        2)Apply for BTO

        So, if I am not wrong, Resale must settle first bf BTO.

        While, I have applied Punggol Ripple/Sails (Nov 09 – BTO). As my wife-to-be and my joint income will reach $8000 ceiling (prop Mar 2010), which will make us not eligible to apply BTO. Thus, could I buy resale flat (buy now, get 1st apt – Apr, get key – June) and get this BTO at the same time (signing of leasing agreement will be from March to June)

        If timing is too tight, can apply Dec 09 – BTO, Jan 10 – BTO, or Feb – BTO to prevent buy Resale and BTO together.

        3) Loan
        Thanks for reminder as CPF will still wipe out CPF after signing the leasing agreement.
        We plan to give 30% or more (using CPF) to pay for our Re-sale flat,then left enough money for BTO (10% downpayment – $40K).

        What do you think?

        Thanks for your advice, really appreciated

        1. 1) There are banks that offer no lock-in period at all.

          2) You have to complete your second appointment for your resale flat before you can even apply for BTO. So you can’t look at any BTO projects now. If both of you will hit ceiling in Mar, I advise you to go for the BTO now, secure the 2.6% HDB loan, and $30-$40k grant since you’ll not be able to get it after. Bank loan interest will spike when the economy recovers, and it’s not fixed. In the long run, you should save a lot with a HDB loan. But you may have to find alternative accommodations till your flat is ready.

          Alternatively, if you get the resale flat now, one of you might consider quitting your job later to meet the $8k ceiling, then apply for BTO. After successful, get employed again.

          3) Honestly speaking though, if you have intentions to sell in 3 years, it might not be wise to buy a resale flat now. Prices are at an all time high, and you’ll still need to pay COV regardless of what size flat you buy. You might not be able to get back all you have paid for in this flat if you sell 3 years later. Whether the market is up or down, you will be forced to sell your flat. You might possibly make a loss. Is this a risk you’re willing to take?

          1. Hi Sern,

            I was just reading the terms and conditions for the applications for the newly released BTO. You might wanna double check with HDB if your plan would work. Because under the current T&C:

            A person is not entitled to buy an HDB flat if he, his spouse, any occupiers listed in the Application Form or their spouses:

            (a) is the owner of any other flat, house, building or land* or has an estate or interest therein; or

            (b) has at any time within 30 months before the date of applying to buy an HDB flat, or between the date of the application and the date of completion of the purchase, acquired or disposed of any flat, house, building or land, or any interest therein.”

  40. Hi Justina

    Glad I came across this website. I just need a quick check but with a long entry. Actually I’ve been trying to call the HDB officer in charge but he’s always on the other line. Anyways, here’s my case :

    I’m currently 3rd owner in my parents hdb flat. I was still single and just started working when my parents bought the 5rm flat(resale). So it was just a helping hand to serve the hdb loan for them partially. And now I’m married and we’re selling the flat already. First appt in March 2010.

    I’m looking for a 4rm resale flat now with my husband and I’m in the mid of submitting my HLE application when my agent said that it may not be approve since it will be a downgrading case and I need to get a bank loan unless we upgrade to EA. In the first place we’re already not eligible to buy over the current 5rm flat coz we’re only granted 2/3 hdb loan since I’m already 3rd owner and we couldnt afford with our current cpf status. And now what more with an executive flat !

    But I remembered sometime ago, the HDB branch officer told me I still fall under 1st time buyer and eligible for the hdb loan since I’ll be building the family nucleus with my husband as main owner (something like that). But the agent told me this is true only if I get a new flat from HDB. And yes it will take a few years to wait…gosh !

    We cant wait that long as I already have a child and we need to plan for our future. Hope you understand my case and give me some advise on my next step as I’m so confused whether there will be problem getting the HLE and buy a 4rm resale flat for ourself.

    Thanks.

    1. Hi Juli,

      When you sell the flat, make sure it’s not sold under your name. Sell it under either of your parent’s name.. As long as HDB’s system does not register you as having sold a flat before, you’ll be treated as a first time owner, still eligible for grants, and no restrictions on HDB loan or size of flat. You can even apply for a new flat.

      Go ahead and apply for your HLE. It should be approved.

  41. Hi there, my bf has applied for PR for about 5 months now and it hasn’t got approved yet. However, we want to apply for the BTO HDB flats which will close on 28 Dec, which is about 10 days from now. Do you think there’s some form of temporary PR no. (ICA has said that my bf will most prob get his PR – just a matter of time, as he’s been staying here for more than 10 years already) that they can issue, and i can use that to apply for the HDB?
    Or is there no other way that i can apply for the hdb flat?
    I’m a singaporean fyi. Thanks 🙂

    1. I don’t think it works that way. You will probably have to wait for him to get his PR and for the next BTO.

  42. Hi,
    my husband is working in Singapore(E.P).I am housewife(D.P) & we are thinking to buy a resale flat after we get pr.but if we want to leave singapore can we still owns the ownership of that flat.

    1. If both of you maintain your PR status, you can still maintain ownership of flat. If you give up your PR, you would have to sell the flat.

        1. Hi Vidya, sorry I can’t help you concerning that. You should enquire with ICA for more information. I believe it has something to do with your re-entry permit. If you don’t have one, you lose your status.

      1. From HDB’s definition: Repurchased Flats are flats that were previously sold and subsequently returned to HDB.

        So I am wondering if the flat is more than 5 yrs old, we can still purhcase directly from HDB? (as to save COV and agent fee).

        Thanks.

        1. No you cannot. Only from the open market. HDB usually releases these repossessed/returned flats in open ballot exercises. It’s treated like any other new flat released by HDB, and thus the same requirements.

  44. If I am beyond 35 age and wants to buy a 3 room resale HDB flat with salary at 2500. How much cash will I need to finance a flat? How much cpf savings can I use? Can I get grant if my parents are not living with me?

  45. Hi Grace,

    You can use all your OA to pay for your flat. You didn’t state how much you have in your OA, so it’s quite hard to give you an estimate. Since you’re over 35, you can apply for the singles grant, which is $11k.

    To get a better picture of how much you can loan, apply for HDB’s Housing Loan Eligibility (HLE). As you make less than $3k, you’ll be eligible for HDB loan, and thus need only put down 10% downpayment for your flat. It’s free, and you’ll need this if you intend to buy a flat.

  46. May I check if my age is 35 years old and above, and if I give the custody of my kids to my husband (May be in joint custody) during divorce under no choice, would I still be eligible to purchase a 3-room flat in open market after getting back my CPF share after selling the current flat? I am earning more than $2000 a month. Would there be a restriction such as I must wait for a period of time after divorce, which i will then be allowed to buy a 3-room flat?

    1. You can buy on your own under singles scheme after ur divorce, since u’re above 35. As long as you sell off your old flat, shouldn’t be an issue. I’m don’t believe there’s any time restrictions.

  47. Hi,

    My hubby is a co-owner of a 4room flat but we dont live there,his parents and his sister age ard 25yrs old are staying there. Can i check with you, can my hubby change to her sister name as the co-owner of that house or does his sister eligible to buy a 3rm resale flat and bring the parents along instead? What are other options that u can give us? Both of my parents in law age 57 and 72 are still working but with no cpf. His sister has just work for 1yr ++.

    1. Hi Lynnz,

      Is his parent’s flat paid in full? If it is, they can just sell it and his parents can buy a smaller flat. If they need help servicing the monthly mortgage, his sis should be able to be included with his parents, though will she be able to service the whole loan? Also, she may lose first timers privilege if she gets married in future.

      Removing a name isn’t that simple, as any CPF used by ur hubby has to be repaid by the new owners. Since his sister only worked for over a year, that’s quite impossible. I don’t have enough details to really give you much advice.

  48. No, the flat have abt 160k to settle. The parents still have to fork out cash abt $100 mthly. If let say the parents are goin to sell the 4rm flat and buy a 3rm flat using the daughters name, would she be eligible for the grant and how much she must have in her cpf before buying a hse? She earns abt $2500 mthly..and her cpf now is abt 20k…

    1. Please note that the parents will still have to buy the 3room flat under their name. I’m assuming they have taken a grant before, so they won’t be eligible for another. The inclusion of their daughter’s name is only helping out with loan payments. She can’t buy a flat on her own.

      You’ll have to do your own calculations.

      Current flat price – loan oustanding – mortgage paid by your hubby = how much they have to buy a flat

      The balance have to take loan. Will they be able to service the loan (with help of daughter)? If not, then no it won’t work.

  49. Hi,i am in the mid of filing the divorce with my ex wife. We are holding a 4 room flat.In what state can i able to buy new flat or HDB flat. Becos the current flat is mid of selling.

    1. I’m assuming you are eligible to buy a flat on your own (ie. you’re above 35, singaporean etc). You should be able to start looking for a flat now. Usually you are allowed to buy another flat before you sell your existing one, as long as you dispose of your old flat within 6 months of getting your new one.

  50. hi! We just sought help from our MP to write in an appeal letter to HDB regarding the loan amt. May I know roughly how long will it take for HDB to get back to us?

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