A CPF grant which assists Singapore Citizens live with or near their child or parents is the Proximity Housing Grant (PHG). The PHG was introduced to help more families to buy a resale flat to live with or close to each other for mutual care and support.

This particular CPF grant is meant to help a family, especially married/ engaged couples or families who are buying an HDB resale flat to live with or near their parents/ child. The CPF Grant is also meant to help Singles buying an HDB resale flat to live with or near their parents.

This CPF grant provides amounts ranging from $10,000 – $30,000 for buyers of resale HDB flats.

Recipients of this CPF grant may also be eligible for CPF Housing Grant for Family, or CPF Housing Grant for Singles. They may further qualify for the Additional CPF Housing Grant.  The citizenship, age and family nucleus requirements to be eligible for this CPF grant are similar to CPF Housing Grant Scheme for Single Singapore Citizen Applicants and First-Timer Applicants.

CPF Housing Grant Scheme for CPF Housing Grants for Resale Flats – do you qualify?

For the CPF grant to be disbursed, you must not have received the PHG previously, and there is also the Proximity Condition.

The Proximity Condition specifies that the parents/ child must be living with you in the resale flat you intend to buy; or must be living in an HDB flat or a private residential property, which is within 4 km of the resale flat you intend to buy.

Applicants also have to note that as for the parents/ child helping the grant applicant qualify for the PHG, at least one of them must be a Singapore Permanent Resident. If your parents/ child do not own the private residential property, it must be owned by their immediate family members (defined as child or adopted child, parent(s) or parent(s)-in-law, or siblings).

Singles living near parents may use the PHG to buy a 2 to 5-room flat, while singles living with parents may use the grant to buy any flat type. The remaining Lease of Flat for the resale flat has to be at least 30 years.

Applicants have to note that having no income doesn’t entitle you to more grants. While CPF grants are typically higher for those with lower income, no income means you can’t service your home loan and that cuts you out. For example, the Additional CPF Housing Grant and Special CPF Housing Grant are applicable only if one of the flat buyers have worked continuously for at least one year. This is to ensure you can finance your home loan.

If you are thinking of selling your flat and applying for the same grants in getting a new flat, please do not be under this illusion as most grants apply for first time home applicants. Also, if you have intentions to sell your flat to buy another one, be prepared to pay a resale levy (please see below).

Table 2: HDB Flat Resale Levy amount, adapted by iCompareloan, HDB

Be mindful that a CPF grant is not cash handout, neither is it a loan. It has to be returned to your CPF account.

Most CPF grants are for first time applicants so do use it carefully. After taking the grant, the balance outstanding amount will need to be financed from a home loan. You can consider taking a HDB home loan which is currently charging you 2.6% or a HDB flat home loan from the bank which is much lower at 1.5% to 1.9% range (correct at the time of publishing). If your interest cost is too high, you will end up withdrawing too much CPF to pay for your house, then when you sell your house, you may end up with NO CASH. If you intend to take a bank’s HDB home loan, you can read more about the mortgage loan terminology.

Written by: Phoenix Lee/Contributor iCompareLoan

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Whether you are looking to buy, sell or refinance apartments, condominiums, executive condos, HDB flats, landed houses or commercial properties, we bring you Singapore’s most comprehensive and up-to-date property news and best home loans trends to facilitate your property buying decisions.

Our Affordability Tools help you make better property buying decisions. iCompareLoan Calculators help you ascertain the fair value of a property and find properties below market value in Singapore.

Our trademarked Home Loan Report is Singapore’s first one-of-a-kind analysis platform that provides latest updates of detailed loan packages and helps property agents, financial advisors and mortgage brokers analyse best home loan packages for their clients, so that they may give unbiased home loan/commercial loan analysis for their property buyers and home owners. Our distinguished Panel of Property Agents who are users of our Home Loan report can give the best all-rounded advise to real estate seekers.

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Under the CPF Housing Grant Scheme, you may be eligible to receive a housing subsidy to help with the purchase of your resale flat.

CPF Housing Grant Scheme for Single Singapore Citizen Applicants

As a first-timer single Singapore Citizen (SC) who is 35 years old or above, you might be eligible for the Singles Grant, as well as the Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG) (Singles).  The Singles Grant is meant to provide assistance to single applicants aged 35 or above who buy an HDB resale flat. Such singles may apply under the Single Singapore Citizen Scheme or the Non-Citizen Family Scheme.

You must be a first-timer applicant, meaning that you must not be the owner of a flat bought from HDB, or an Executive Condominium (EC) or Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) flat bought from a developer. You must also not have sold a flat bought from HDB, or an EC/ DBSS flat bought from a developer.

In addition you must not have received any CPF Housing Grant for the purchase of an HDB resale flat, and also not received any form of housing subsidy (e.g. benefitted under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS), HUDC estate privatisation).

Your average gross monthly household income must not exceed $6,000 if you are buying a resale flat under the Single Singapore Citizen Scheme, and $12,000 if buying a resale flat under other schemes.

Single Singapore Citizen Applicants may buy a 2 to 5-room flat under the Single Singapore Citizen Scheme, or 2-room or bigger unit under other schemes. The remaining Lease of Flat for the resale flat has to be at least 30 years.

Mortgage Broker Singapore – Should I use one?

CPF Housing Grant Scheme for First-Timer Applicants

Eligible first-timer applicants can apply for the Family Grant or Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG). Those who are buying a resale flat to live near or together with their parents can also apply for the Proximity Housing Grant.

The Family grant of between $30,000 – $50,000 is meant to provide assistance for married/ engaged couples or families who are first-timer applicants buying an HDB resale flat.

To be eligible, applicants have to comprise of a Singapore Citizen and at least 1 more Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident, and be at least 21 years of age. In addition, you family nucleus must comprise of spouse and children (if any), or a spouse-to-be (a photocopy of your marriage certificate must be submitted within 3 months from the resale completion date, if your marriage is registered overseas). Your family nucleus may also consist of children under your legal custody, care and control if you are widowed/ or divorced. If the care and control of your children under the age of 21 is shared with your ex-spouse, you must obtain his/her written agreement before you can list your children in a flat application.

Buying HDB flat using CPF – what are my options?

You and the family member(s) buying the resale flat must be first-timer applicants meaning that you must not be the owner of a flat bought from HDB, or an Executive Condominium (EC) or Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) flat bought from a developer. You must also not have sold a flat bought from HDB, or an EC/ DBSS flat bought from a developer.

Your average gross monthly household income must not exceed $12,000, or $18,000 if you are applying with your extended family. First time applicants may buy a 2 to 5-room flat under the Single Singapore Citizen Scheme, or 2-room or bigger unit under other schemes. The remaining Lease of Flat for the resale flat has to be at least 30 years.

CPF Housing Grant Scheme for First-Timer and Second-Timer Couple Applicants

You can apply for a Half-Housing Grant/ Top-Up Grant, as well as the Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG) if you are a first-timer Singapore Citizen applicant married/ engaged to a spouse/ spouse-to-be that has previously received a housing subsidy, i.e. a second-timer applicant.

If the second-timer applicant has previously taken a CPF Housing Grant for singles or bought a 2-room BTO flat in the non-mature estates as a single, the couple may request for the CPF Top-Up Grant for their existing flat or next resale flat.

Such applicants may get a grant of $25,000 to buy a 2- to 4-room flat, or $20,000 to buy a 5-room or bigger flat. The Grant is meant as assistance for first-timer Singapore Citizen applicants whose spouse/ spouse-to-be had previously received a housing subsidy. The Half-Housing Grant amount is half of the Family Grant that you and your spouse/ spouse-to-be would qualify for if both of you were first-timer applicants.

CPF Housing Grant Scheme for Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme (NCS)

The NCS is similar to the CPF Housing Grant Scheme for Single Singapore Citizens.  The only noticeable difference is, the applicant has to be at least 21 years old. It is meant to provide assistance to married applicants aged 21 or above who buy an HDB resale flat under the NCS.

Then there is the CPF Housing Grant Scheme for Joint Singles or Orphans which is meant to provide single applicants aged 35 or above who buy an HDB resale flat.

By: Phoenix Lee/Contributor iCompareLoan

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iCompareLoan is the best infomercial loans portal for home-seekers, buyers, investors and real estate agents alike in Singapore. On iCompareLoan, you will be able to find all the latest news and views, informational guides, bank lending rates and property buying trends, and research data and analysis.

Whether you are looking to buy, sell or refinance apartments, condominiums, executive condos, HDB flats, landed houses or commercial properties, we bring you Singapore’s most comprehensive and up-to-date property news and best home loans trends to facilitate your property buying decisions.

Our Affordability Tools help you make better property buying decisions. iCompareLoan Calculators help you ascertain the fair value of a property and find properties below market value in Singapore.

Our trademarked Home Loan Report is Singapore’s first one-of-a-kind analysis platform that provides latest updates of detailed loan packages and helps property agents, financial advisors and mortgage brokers analyse best home loan packages for their clients, so that they may give unbiased home loan/commercial loan analysis for their property buyers and home owners. Our distinguished Panel of Property Agents who are users of our Home Loan report can give the best all-rounded advise to real estate seekers.

All the services of our mortgage consultants are ABSOLUTELY FREE, which means it’s all worth it to secure a loan through us.

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The post CPF Housing Grant Scheme for CPF Housing Grants for Resale Flats – do you qualify? appeared first on iCompareLoan Resources.

(Small and Medium Enterprises) SME financing challenges have only been exacerbated by the current slowdown in the domestic economy. Last year, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said it was working with local and foreign banks to explore a shared services platform for doing corporate Know-Your-Customer (KYC).

KYC was to have been a system by which banks obtain their clients’ information to better address SME financing challenges.

Copyright: iCompareLoan

Many small and medium companies cannot access bank loans mainly because they do not have sufficient credit history. The KYC was supposed to have addressed this particular SME financing platform.

However, while they were able to “harmonise” various banking KYC systems, the cost of implementing this cross-border system was too high, so that project has now been put on hold. MAS and Gov Tech were to have used this platform to extract trusted data from government sources on the business and key individuals associated with the SMEs to build a more informed credit assessment.

But yesterday MAS said that it will “take a pause” on its KYC utility experiment due to the unexpected high costs of the project. MAS managing director Ravi Menon said: “The economics did not work out: our proposed solution was going to cost more than the savings that banks would be going to get out of it.”  Speaking at the Singapore FinTech Festival 2018 he said that the corporate KYC verification which was to have enabled better access for SME financing is far more complex than that for personal KYC verification.

The MAS is now working to facilitate financial institutions’ credit assessment of SME financing using trusted government data.

SME Challenges remain while the Ivory Tower celebrates GDP growth

MAS said that it will also work with other government authorities to create a cross-border innovation platform for SMEs. To be known as Business sans Borders, it will enable SMEs to connect a global services marketplace.

The Business sans Borders – A collaborative AI-driven global solutions hub to foster SME digitalisation – is mooted by MAS and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). The platform is to be rolled out in partnership with six private sector partners to create a Proof of Concept (“POC”) hybrid business data and digital solutions hub. The initiative will leverage on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to facilitate the internationalisation and digitalisation of SME. The private sector partners are GlobalLinker1, Mastercard, SAP, Yellow Pages and 99%SME (DBS Bank and SingTel).

• Known as Business sans Borders, this initiative aims to:
  Provide a wide set of digital services and connections to enhance domestic and international trade opportunities for SMEs;
• Promote interoperability between SME ecosystems2;
• Facilitate quick and intuitive access in the provision of digital services (such as financial and professional services) with seamless integration; and
• Provide a sandbox environment to accelerate testing and delivery of new services for SMEs.

The following features will be developed and tested during the POC stage, by first quarter of 2019:

• Multi-ecosystem sandbox, containing anonymised SME data, which can be used to initiate new trading opportunities or services through digital discovery;
• Services App Store for the promotion of new and relevant services to SME ecosystems and SMEs; and
• Smart AI Engine for the seamless matching of demand and supply of services and products between SMEs across various SME ecosystems.

MAS said that its partners recognise that while SMEs are the core pillars of most economies, SMEs face considerable friction and challenges in achieving quick and seamless access to cross-border trade opportunities and financial services. Concurrently, solution providers with innovative and relevant SME solutions – ranging from logistics, professional services, SME financing or payments – face challenges in reaching out to these SMEs. The POC aims to provide a platform to address these challenges and bridge the gaps.

SME Micro Loan For Singapore Local Enterprise – What is it?

The POC will also seek further involvement from interested startups as well as established industry players in developing technical frameworks and potential governance structures for the exchange of anonymised SME data.

Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief FinTech Officer, MAS said “SMEs are an under-tapped source for considerable economic growth in many countries. Business sans Borders aims to ignite a sea change in the way SMEs around the world can easily connect digitally with each other. This pioneering hybrid data and solutions hub will be supported by innovative and relevant financial services and powered with self-learning artificial intelligence. We are confident that Business sans Borders will positively transform economies and propagate financial inclusion through ASEAN and beyond.”

by: Hitesh Shah / Contributor iCompareLoan

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Whether you are looking to buy, sell or refinance apartments, condominiums, executive condos, HDB flats, landed houses or commercial properties, we bring you Singapore’s the most comprehensive and up-to-date property news and best home loans trends to facilitate your property buying decisions.

Our Affordability Tools help you make better property buying decisions. iCompareLoan Calculators help you ascertain the fair value of a property and find properties below market value in Singapore.

Our trademarked Home Loan Report is a Singapore’s first one-of-a-kind analysis platform that provides latest updates of detailed loan packages and helps property agents, financial advisors and mortgage brokers analyse home loan packages for their clients and give unbiased home loan/commercial loan analysis for their property buyers and home owners. Our distinguished Panel of Property Agents who are users of our Home Loan report can give the best all-rounded advise to real estate seekers.

All the services of our mortgage consultants are ABSOLUTELY FREE, which means it’s all worth it to secure a loan through us.

Whether it is best home loans, best commercial loans or refinancing of existing loans or SME loans, CONTACT US TODAY!

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Oxley Holdings Limited announced today that Kent Ridge Hill Residences was 46% sold. 116 units out of the 250 units released were taken up during its official launch on 10 and 11 November 2018. The average price of the units sold was S$1,700 psf. 80% of the units sold comprised 1-bedroom/ 1-bedroom + study and 2-bedroom units. The remaining 20% were 3-bedroom units, penthouses and strata houses.

80% of the buyers are of Kent Ridge Hill Residences are Singaporeans while the remaining 20% are permanent residents and foreigners.

Kent Ridge Hill Residences is a 5-storey residential development at South Buona Vista Road, about 8 minutes’ walk to Pasir Panjang MRT station. It is nestled within a private residential enclave, and on the edge of Kent Ridge Park. It has great accessibility to public transport, and educational and business hubs, and is located close to the 1,000 ha Greater Southern Waterfront site.

Situated on a 319,250 square feet site, Kent Ridge Hill Residences has 548 units, comprising 1 to 3-bedroom apartments, 3-bedroom to 5-bedroom penthouses and 50 strata landed houses. The project also features a wide range of lifestyle facilities.

Mr Ching Chiat Kwong Executive Chairman and CEO of Oxley Holdings said: “Situated next to the Kent Ridge Park and surrounded by landed properties and low-rise apartments, residents at Kent Ridge Hill Residences will enjoy an exclusive, luxurious and serene lifestyle. With the launch of Kent Ridge Hill Residences, we are one step closer to our sales target of 2,000 units in 2018. We are cautiously confident that Oxley will deliver on our promise to home buyers.”

Good riddance to Hong Kong-style housing in Singapore

Kent Ridge Hill is an exciting brand new property launch by the renowned developer Oxley Holdings, located along Buona Vista Road at the heart of Pasir Panjang area. The 99-years lease condo development will sit on a staggering 319, 250 sq ft piece of land and is expected to house 11 block rising 5-storeys high.

The project site lies within a quiet residential enclave that’s surrounded by several low-rise condos and landed houses as well. There’s lush greenery both within and outside the development, something that not only brings residents closer to nature but also provides a relaxing atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Unit Types

The ambitious Kent Ridge Hill residential development will feature 498 apartment units (all housed in the 5-storey blocks) and a set of 50 strata landed houses. In terms of configuration, the residential development will consist of a thoughtful mix of 1 to 5 bedroom units, including the penthouse
and strata landed. This makes Kent Ridge Hill an ideal home for everyone, right from singles to newlyweds all through to multi-generational families.

Key Facilities

Future residents of Kent Ridge Hill will never get bored one tiny bit as there is a gamut of facilities that can guarantee an all-rounded fun living experience. Some of the main facilities available within the condo include a lap pool, indoor gym, spa, BBQ pavilion, clubhouse, function room, basement car parks and more.

Transport To and From the Development

Pasir Panjang Villa MRT, which operates along the Circle Line, sits approximately 600 meters(less than 10 minutes’ walk) away from Kent Ridge Hill Residential development. That means future residents will have an easier time accessing such areas as Harbourfront, One-North and Holland Village. The arterial roads stemming from the residence also swiftly connect to the West Coast Highway and the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), which makes transport to and from other parts of Singapore quite seamless.

Nearby Amenities

Shopping Centers

Shopping, dining and entertainment amenities abound within Kent Ridge Hill’s immediate neighborhood. Viva Vista mall sits just down the road while Vivo City and Alexandra Retail Center are located 10 minutes and 6 minutes away respectively. Star Vista Mall and Holland Village can also be accessed in less than 10 minutes from the residence.

Even closer to the residence are restaurants and specialty cafes spread along Pasir Panjang and South Buona roads, where residents can indulge in a delightful mix of authentic local and international cuisines. Those wishing to shop for fashion items, household goods and other general stuff at the best deals can go to Singapore’s most famous shopping street, Orchard Road, which is just 15 minute’s drive away from Kent Ridge Hill.

Educational Institutions

Kent Ridge Hill’s immediate neighborhood is home to many prestigious local and international schools. Hence access to education and formal training for those living at the development won’t be a hassle. Some of the notable educational institutions found nearby include the highly established National University of Singapore, the United World College and the ISS International School.

Singapore property hunters spoilt for choice, DBS Research

Nature Reserves and Parks

Kent Ridge Hill is strategically located in close proximity to a number of parks and reserves in Singapore known for their serine and relaxing natural settings. Future residents will enjoy plenty of nature-inspired outings in the nearby Kent Ridge Park, Southern Ridges and HortPark. There are also other parks to the South like Coastal Walk, Lebrador Nature Reserve that can be worth spending weekend or holiday time in.

Whopping Price paid for Site

The residential site was bought by the developer at a whopping $418 million, above the price expected by the owners. That translates to a breakeven price of $1,096 psf.

How to Secure the Best Home Loans Quickly

iCompareLoan is the best infomercial loans portal for home-seekers, buyers, investors and real estate agents alike in Singapore. On iCompareLoan, you will be able to find all the latest news and views, informational guides, bank lending rates and property buying trends, and research data and analysis.

Whether you are looking to buy, sell or refinance apartments, condominiums, executive condos, HDB flats, landed houses or commercial properties, we bring you Singapore’s most comprehensive and up-to-date property news and best home loans trends to facilitate your property buying decisions.

Our Affordability Tools help you make better property buying decisions. iCompareLoan Calculators help you ascertain the fair value of a property and find properties below market value in Singapore.

Our trademarked Home Loan Report is Singapore’s first one-of-a-kind analysis platform that provides latest updates of detailed loan packages and helps property agents, financial advisors and mortgage brokers analyse best home loan packages for their clients, so that they may give unbiased home loan/commercial loan analysis for their property buyers and home owners. Our distinguished Panel of Property Agents who are users of our Home Loan report can give the best all-rounded advise to real estate seekers.

All the services of our mortgage consultants are ABSOLUTELY FREE, which means it’s all worth it to secure a loan through us.

Whether it is best home loans, best commercial loans or refinancing of existing loans or SME loans, CONTACT US TODAY!

The post Kent Ridge Hill Residences sells over 46% of units released at official launch appeared first on iCompareLoan Resources.

HDB launches 7,214 flats for sale today under the November 2018 Build-To-Order (BTO) and Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise. This comprises 3,802 BTO units and 3,412 SBF units across various towns/estates.

HDB launches offer wide range of flats for different budgets and needs

A wide selection of flats, ranging from 2-room Flexi to Three-Generation (3Gen) flats, is offered in the Nov 2018 BTO exercise to meet the diverse housing needs of first-timers, second-timer families, multi-generation families, elderly and singles.  The 3,802 BTO flats on offer are spread across five projects. Four projects from the HDB launches are in the non-mature towns of Sembawang, Sengkang, Tengah and Yishun, and another is in the mature town of Tampines.

Image credit: HDB

HDB launches first BTO Project in Tengah Town

The BTO project in Tengah, Plantation Grove, is the first to be launched in the new Tengah Town. Located along the Forest Fringe in Plantation District – the first of five housing districts to be developed in Tengah – it will provide a tranquil and rustic environment for residents to enjoy flora and fauna at their doorstep. In keeping with the vision for Tengah as a “Forest Town”, it will be designed with green, sustainable and smart features, such as lush greenery, a myriad of community spaces, dedicated cycling paths, and smart lighting in the estate.

Buyers of the BTO project in Tengah will also have the option of subscribing to a Centralised Cooling System (CCS), offered by SP Group in collaboration with HDB. The first to be piloted in an HDB estate, the CCS is a more energy-efficient cooling solution than conventional air-conditioning systems. Chilled water will be piped to homes from chillers installed on the rooftops of selected HDB blocks, so subscribers of the CCS will not need to install or maintain their own air-conditioner condenser units.

CPF Housing Grants for First Timer Applicants

HDB launches first batch of BTO flats with shorter waiting time

In this sales exercise, HDB will offer the first batch of BTO flats with shorter waiting times in Sembawang, Sengkang and Yishun. Home buyers can expect to obtain the keys to their flats in about 2 to 3 years from the point of application.

The flats with shorter waiting time will come with floor finishes, internal doors and sanitary fittings. This will reduce the renovation works required and enable home buyers to move into their new flats sooner. All units will also come with an open kitchen concept (i.e. no partition wall for kitchen) where the layout permits. With these provisions, flat buyers will no longer be required to make a selection under the Optional Component Scheme.

‘Older HDB flats still have values’, Minister assures homeowners

First-timer families will enjoy higher priority when applying for these flats, with at least 95% of the 4-room and larger flats set aside for them. This is a 10% increase from the current quota of at least 85% in the non-mature estates.

HDB said that its new flats are priced with a generous subsidy, taking into account factors such as location, flat attributes and prevailing market conditions. HDB’s prices are considerably lower than transacted prices of comparable resale flats in the vicinity. In addition, 2-room Flexi flats are priced taking into account the lease chosen.

Eligible first-timer families can enjoy up to $80,000 of housing grants, comprising the Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG) (up to $40,000) and the Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG) (up to $40,000). With these grants, flat buyers could pay as little as $21,000 for a 2-room Flexi flat, $90,000 for a 3-room flat, $191,000 for a 4-room flat, and $322,000 for a 5-room flat.

How to Secure the Best Home Loans Quickly

iCompareLoan is the best infomercial loans portal for home-seekers, buyers, investors and real estate agents alike in Singapore. On iCompareLoan, you will be able to find all the latest news and views, informational guides, bank lending rates and property buying trends, and research data and analysis.

Whether you are looking to buy, sell or refinance apartments, condominiums, executive condos, HDB flats, landed houses or commercial properties, we bring you Singapore’s most comprehensive and up-to-date property news and best home loans trends to facilitate your property buying decisions.

Our Affordability Tools help you make better property buying decisions. iCompareLoan Calculators help you ascertain the fair value of a property and find properties below market value in Singapore.

Our trademarked Home Loan Report is Singapore’s first one-of-a-kind analysis platform that provides latest updates of detailed loan packages and helps property agents, financial advisors and mortgage brokers analyse best home loan packages for their clients, so that they may give unbiased home loan/commercial loan analysis for their property buyers and home owners. Our distinguished Panel of Property Agents who are users of our Home Loan report can give the best all-rounded advise to real estate seekers.

All the services of our mortgage consultants are ABSOLUTELY FREE, which means it’s all worth it to secure a loan through us.

Whether it is best home loans, best commercial loans or refinancing of existing loans or SME loans, CONTACT US TODAY!

The post HDB launches 7,214 Flats in Nov 2018 BTO and SBF Exercise appeared first on iCompareLoan Resources.

If you are applying for a flat as a first-timer household, you may be eligible for two types of CPF Housing Grants – the Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG) and the Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG). You will be considered a first-timer applicant and eligible for CPF Housing Grants if you have not received any housing subsidy from HDB.

Applicants of CPF Housing Grants must not own any of the following properties whether locally or overseas, or have disposed of any such properties in the 30 months before your new flat application:

• Private residential property (including privatised HUDC flats and ECs)
• House
• Building
• Land

This means that you must not:

• Be the owner of a flat bought from HDB
• Have sold a flat bought from HDB
• Have bought an Executive Condominium (EC), Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) flat or an HDB resale flat with CPF
• ousing Grant, or taken over ownership of such a flat or EC
• Have transferred the ownership of a flat bought from HDB, or an HDB resale flat bought with a CPF Housing Grant
• Have ever taken other forms of housing subsidy, such as Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme benefits or HUDC estate privatisation

Applicants of CPF Housing Grants also have to ensure that the remaining lease of their flats has at least 30 years or more. Applicants of AHG are subjected to an income ceiling of $5,000, and for SHG, the income ceiling is as follows:

• Applications received from November 2015 sales launch – Not more than $8,500
• Applications received from July 2013 sales launch to May 2015 – Not more than $6,500
• Applications received from Feb 2011 sales launch to May 2013 sales launch – Not more than $2,250

The applicants must also ensure that they and all other co-applicants and essential occupiers are all first-timers.

CPF Housing Grants received depends on the average gross monthly household income for the 12 months prior to you submitting your flat application.

Families with lower household incomes will receive a larger CPF Housing Grants.

The Average Monthly Household Income over 12 months will include all working persons (i.e. applicants and occupiers), and all their income are included. From May 2018 sales exercise onwards, young couples may apply for a flat first, and defer the income assessment for the CPF Housing Grants, and HDB housing loan. Couples who fulfil the eligibility conditions may have their income assessed nearer to their key collection appointment.

Applicants who book an uncompleted flat may also make use of the Staggered Downpayment Scheme and pay the required downpayment in two instalments. Half of the downpayment is payable when they sign the Agreement for Lease, which is around 4 months after the flat booking. The remaining amount, as well as the balance purchase price, is payable at key collection when the booked flat is completed.

The CPF Housing Grants will be fully credited into the CPF Ordinary Accounts of eligible Singapore Citizen (SC) applicants. If you are a sole Singapore Citizen applicant, you will receive the full grant. For husband and wife who are Joint Applicants, they will receive half of the full grant each. And for multi-nuclei Singapore Citizen applicants (e.g. married siblings with their respective spuses, or parents and married child), The CPF Housing Grants are given only to a maximum of 2 applicants who are husband and wife. No cash is disbursed.

CPF Housing Grants can be used to offset the purchase price of the flat and to reduce the mortgage loan for the flat purchase. The grant cannot be used for the minimum cash downpayment (if any) and monthly mortgage instalment payments.

If you are buying the flat with a bank loan, the CPF Housing Grants will also be included in the computation of the CPF withdrawal limit.

By: Phoenix Lee/Contributor iCompareLoan

How to Secure the Best Home Loans Quickly

iCompareLoan is the best infomercial loans portal for home-seekers, buyers, investors and real estate agents alike in Singapore. On iCompareLoan, you will be able to find all the latest news and views, informational guides, bank lending rates and property buying trends, and research data and analysis.

Whether you are looking to buy, sell or refinance apartments, condominiums, executive condos, HDB flats, landed houses or commercial properties, we bring you Singapore’s most comprehensive and up-to-date property news and best home loans trends to facilitate your property buying decisions.

Our Affordability Tools help you make better property buying decisions. iCompareLoan Calculators help you ascertain the fair value of a property and find properties below market value in Singapore.

Our trademarked Home Loan Report is Singapore’s first one-of-a-kind analysis platform that provides latest updates of detailed loan packages and helps property agents, financial advisors and mortgage brokers analyse best home loan packages for their clients, so that they may give unbiased home loan/commercial loan analysis for their property buyers and home owners. Our distinguished Panel of Property Agents who are users of our Home Loan report can give the best all-rounded advise to real estate seekers.

All the services of our mortgage consultants are ABSOLUTELY FREE, which means it’s all worth it to secure a loan through us.

Whether it is best home loans, best commercial loans or refinancing of existing loans or SME loans, CONTACT US TODAY!

The post CPF Housing Grants for First Timer Applicants appeared first on iCompareLoan Resources.

Crammed, limited space, Hong Kong-style housing has often been masqueraded and marketed as ‘maximising use of space’, but with its latest policy moves, the Singapore Government has indicated that it is not in favour of too many of these shoe-box units being developed here.

I have been a strong advocate of setting a minimum size of condo units, in which any condo units built should not be smaller than the stipulated size. With a minimum size (i.e. no smaller than a certain size), the dignity of Singapore living will be ensured and the run away land price will be controlled.

Excessive shoebox units development to be deterred with new guidelines

No matter how creative you use the space, you cannot have a bed room that is convertible to a toilet that is convertible to a kitchen that is again convertible to a study, etc. Creative use of space is the devil in the disguise of maximising use of space.

image credit: PXHere

Good riddance to Hong Kong-style housing in Singapore.

Shoebox units are are properties that don’t exceed 500 square feet. In theory, they’re good places for single expatriates to rent . In reality, I think they’re just a plot by psychiatrists to drum up business for claustrophobia treatment. Some of these units, such as The Ebony (Lorong Marican) and Royce Residences (Geylang), are in the range of 300 to 400 square feet.

Apart from being tiny, the other distinguishing trait of a shoebox is a stupidly high price per square foot. For example, City Suites at Balestier road has shoeboxes that range between $1,600 to $1,700 per square foot. 26 Newton has units that go for upward of $2,500 per square foot; at around 474 square feet, you can end up paying $1.2 million for a property that’s smaller than a 3-room flat.

Hong Kong-style housing is good for Singapore banks as ever smaller housing means rising land prices and that means safer asset values for the banks that lend out home loans and hence greater safety for the value of their secured lending for the Singapore’s banking industry.

Banks need to lend safely. The premise of lending safely is that the base stability of the asset quality or secured assets quality. Since there is a limit to how high prices can be for houses, developers that build ever smaller houses will ensure that the unit price (per square feet prices) will rise. With more and more smaller units being built and sold at ever higher prices, this serves to make the surrounding bigger units prices to hold up better. And with ever stronger land price (on a per square feet basis), bank’s are essentially printing money as any default of payments is immediately backed by very strong prices as banks will not lose money.

Bloomberg observed in a recent article that Singapore’s decision to move further away from Hong Kong-style housing is largely a plus for home buyers, but could be detrimental to developers who now have to grapple with a cap on the number of units allowed in any one project.

Mortgage Broker Singapore – Should I use one?

Although I’m very happy with a limit on smaller units, I feel that this is not enough, I want to see a minimum size for condos that are built, not a blended average minimum size. Too many smaller units will lead to huge over-supply and a degradation of Singapore’s liveability.

Singapore is fast becoming a speculative society where land and land related activities make up a bigger part of the economy, and Hong Kong-style housing will only further contribute to this trend.

This is unhealthy for Singapore’s long term survival. We need a more liveable and affordable Singapore so that younger Singaporeans do not have to worry about housing and can innovate and be creative so as to create industries of tomorrow. A more liveable Singapore with bigger spaces will also indirectly benefit birth rates, however little. This is one reason why I am one of the few proponents of a minimum size for condominium units – to avoid land price speculation.

Hong Kong-style housing only serves to make money for developers – as developers can sell the property once they obtain the permit for sale and money will start to come in. This allows too much leverage and hence if developers feel that the cycle is approaching a positive cycle, they will bid very high and pass on the cost to buyers and potentially make explosive profits.

I suggest that a more stable market can emerge if developers can only start selling units if they reach 30 per cent completion. This will then reduce the time-frame developers have for selling the units and hence will price it more for sale. With this, developers will bid responsibly and price attractively. But I doubt the Singapore government will want to do that, as this will reduce the land selling price.

By: Paul Ho / Chief Mortgage Consultant, iCompareLoan

How to Secure the Best Home Loans Quickly

iCompareLoan is the best infomercial loans portal for home-seekers, buyers, investors and real estate agents alike in Singapore. On iCompareLoan, you will be able to find all the latest news and views, informational guides, bank lending rates and property buying trends, and research data and analysis.

Whether you are looking to buy, sell or refinance apartments, condominiums, executive condos, HDB flats, landed houses or commercial properties, we bring you Singapore’s most comprehensive and up-to-date property news and best home loans trends to facilitate your property buying decisions.

Our Affordability Tools help you make better property buying decisions. iCompareLoan Calculators help you ascertain the fair value of a property and find properties below market value in Singapore.

Our trademarked Home Loan Report is Singapore’s first one-of-a-kind analysis platform that provides latest updates of detailed loan packages and helps property agents, financial advisors and mortgage brokers analyse best home loan packages for their clients, so that they may give unbiased home loan/commercial loan analysis for their property buyers and home owners. Our distinguished Panel of Property Agents who are users of our Home Loan report can give the best all-rounded advise to real estate seekers.

All the services of our mortgage consultants are ABSOLUTELY FREE, which means it’s all worth it to secure a loan through us.

Whether it is best home loans, best commercial loans or refinancing of existing loans or SME loans, CONTACT US TODAY!

The post Good riddance to Hong Kong-style housing in Singapore appeared first on iCompareLoan Resources.

The Woodleigh Residences sold 60 per cent of the 50 units released for sale during the soft launch, which prompted joint developers Kajima Development and Singapore Press Holdings to release another 50 units. The developers said that units sold over the weekend achieved an average of above $2,000 per square foot.

The Woodleigh Residences is a 99-year-leasehold property comprising of two-, three-, and four-bedroom units, which start at $1,873 per square feet (psf). A two bedroom apartment has a starting price of $1.088 million, while the four-bedroom units are $2.55 million onwards.

Kajima-SPH first released 50 units in response to growing interest for The Woodleigh Residences, of which about 60 per cent were booked during the preview.

“Given the current challenging property market condition, we were encouraged by the response and released another 50 units,” said Kazunori Ichihashi, Kajima Development’s project director.

image credit: Woodleigh Residences

The developers said that those who had issued blank cheques two weeks ago to indicate their interest in the premium project turned up for a ballot at 11am on Saturday for a chance to choose their units. The doors were open to the public that same day at 1pm. The launch attracted buyers such as families, HDB upgraders, as well as parents buying for their children in trust. Buyers, as expected, turned out to be mainly Singaporean.

Mr Ichihashi said: “An integrated development at the city fringe location, The Woodleigh Residences is a good long-term investment home given its limited supply. Along with its good design layout, Japanese craftsmanship, and views of the park and lake, we believe buyers will appreciate the premium attributes of this development.”

The Woodleigh Residences developers said in their Facebook that their sales gallery will close from 19 November 2018, in preparation for the official launch in early 2019, and that their soft-launch prices will still be offered to the public who are keen to make a purchase before 19 November 2018.

Types of Loans in Singapore and its Financing Costs

The developers Woodleigh Residences invited members of the public to drop by our sales gallery beside NEX Shopping Mall (along Serangoon Link) this week to secure their soft-launch prices before it ends.

The Woodleigh Residences is the latest and most ambitious integrated premium housing project of Japanese property developer, Kajima Development Private Limited (‘Kajima’), and Asia’s leading media organisation, Singapore Press Holdings Limited (‘SPH’).

Located at the junction of Upper Serangoon and Upper Aljunied Road, this premium housing project sits on 25,440 sqm of land and is Bidadari’s only integrated development with residences built above The Woodleigh Mall, as well as a transportation hub with an MRT station and linkway to Singapore’s first underground bus interchange. It is also integrated with a neighbourhood police post and a community club, offering a complete and convenient living experience.

Residents of Woodleigh Residences will enjoy direct access to Woodleigh MRT Station and Singapore’s first air-conditioned underground bus interchange. As part of community building, Kajima and SPH will work with the People’s Association and the Singapore Police Force to build a 6,000 sqm Community Club and a 2,190 sqm Neighbourhood Police Centre in the integrated development.

The Woodleigh Residences itself will boast 667 premium residences overlooking the tranquil Alkaff Lake and Bidadari Park, while The Woodleigh Mall will have close to 28,000 sqm of retail, dining and commercial space, including a supermarket.

Mortgage Broker Singapore – Should I use one?

Considered as the Jewel of Bidadari Estate Master Plan, Woodleigh Residences is well-placed to be the heartbeat of Bidadari as the Master Plan unfolds.

It is well-positioned to benefit from the area’s development and will also be the heartbeat of Bidadari’s ‘A Community in a Garden’ concept. Being sited right by a lake and parkland will allow residents to enjoy picturesque views of Alkaff Lake and Bidadari Park.

Its excellent location at the city fringe with major expressways only minutes away has made Bidadari one of the most sought-after new housing estates in Singapore, with its sale of Build-To-Order (BTO) flats receiving overwhelming reception. As such, residents also stand to benefit from a large pool of future potential resale buyers as well as capital gains.

The Woodleigh Residences is also within a 1-2 km catchment of popular primary, secondary and international schools. These include St. Andrew’s Village with its primary and secondary schools and junior college, Maris Stella High School, Cedar Primary School and Stamford American International School.

The Woodleigh Residences is the perfect showcase of the time-honoured tradition of Japanese craftsmanship.

Each of its 2- to 4-bedroom residences will bear the Japanese hallmarks of intricate and clean-cut designs as well as a meticulous attention to detail. These range from thoughtful, space-maximising functions to the seamless, flushed flooring from living room to balcony that extends usable space, evoking a sense of spatial freedom and allowing spectacular, uninterrupted views of the lake and gardens.

On the condominium grounds, pools, lagoons and pavilions are carefully interspersed with a sunken BBQ courtyard, lush gardens, gourmet and alfresco kitchens and tatami rooms to create an immersive environment. There will also be a well-equipped gym, an onsen overlooking Bidadari Park and Alkaff Lake and an Urban Farming Area.

The development is expected to be completed by 31 August 2022.

How to Secure the Best Home Loans Quickly

iCompareLoan is the best infomercial loans portal for home-seekers, buyers, investors and real estate agents alike in Singapore. On iCompareLoan, you will be able to find all the latest news and views, informational guides, bank lending rates and property buying trends, and research data and analysis.

Whether you are looking to buy, sell or refinance apartments, condominiums, executive condos, HDB flats, landed houses or commercial properties, we bring you Singapore’s most comprehensive and up-to-date property news and best home loans trends to facilitate your property buying decisions.

Our Affordability Tools help you make better property buying decisions. iCompareLoan Calculators help you ascertain the fair value of a property and find properties below market value in Singapore.

Our trademarked Home Loan Report is Singapore’s first one-of-a-kind analysis platform that provides latest updates of detailed loan packages and helps property agents, financial advisors and mortgage brokers analyse best home loan packages for their clients, so that they may give unbiased home loan/commercial loan analysis for their property buyers and home owners. Our distinguished Panel of Property Agents who are users of our Home Loan report can give the best all-rounded advise to real estate seekers.

All the services of our mortgage consultants are ABSOLUTELY FREE, which means it’s all worth it to secure a loan through us.

Whether it is best home loans, best commercial loans or refinancing of existing loans or SME loans, CONTACT US TODAY!

The post Woodleigh Residences sells 60 per cent of 50 units released for sale at soft launch appeared first on iCompareLoan Resources.