Buying your dream home requires tons of research, and that includes understanding the loan options available and the process of financing the purchase. The most common question that many HDB home buyers find themselves asking is: HDB loan or bank loan?
Aside from research, asking the right questions to a knowledgeable consultant is your best course when it comes to any property decision, whether it’s investing in, renting, buying, or selling a home.
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Ready to sell your home? We’re ready to help.
Schedule a consultation with one of Singapore’s top agents.
Ready to sell your home? We’re ready to help.
Schedule a consultation with one of Singapore’s top agents.
Ready to sell your home? We’re ready to help.
Schedule a consultation with one of Singapore’s top agents.
Ready to sell your home? We’re ready to help.
Schedule a consultation with one of Singapore’s top agents.
Before diving deep into HDB loan vs bank loan, let’s take a look at some of the common abbreviations that you will find in this home-buying journey.
What Are Some of the Home Loan Jargon?
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| 1. Loan-To-Value (LTV) | The amount of loan you can take from either a bank or HDB. |
| 2. HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) Letter | It is a requirement by HDB if you intend to buy a new or resale flat. It will assess your eligibility for the flat purchase, CPF housing grants, and the HDB housing loan, all in one application. |
| 3. Approval In Principle (AIP) | A notice from the bank that they are willing to extend the loan to you if you wish to carry on with the purchase. The bank will assess your income and credit records to determine your mortgage loan eligibility. It is recommended to obtain an AIP approval to make an informed decision prior to your property purchase. |
Still confused? Here are some useful reads to help you along:
- HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) Letter: What It Is & How to Apply
- Overview of Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) and Additional BSD
HDB Loan vs Bank Loan Eligibility
| HDB Loan Eligibility | Bank Loan Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Citizenship: At least one buyer is a Singapore Citizen. | Subject to the bank’s credit approval. |
| Household Status: – Have not previously taken two or more housing loans from HDB | Mortgage Servicing Ratio (MSR): Refers to the portion of a borrower’s gross monthly income that goes towards repaying all property loans, including the loan being applied for. MSR cannot exceed 30% of a borrower’s gross monthly income for HDB flats and executive condominiums. |
| Income Ceiling: Average gross monthly household income does not exceed: – $14,000 for families | Calculating MSR: When calculating MSR, we take into consideration: – All the borrower’s property loans To calculate a borrower’s MSR, use the following formula: |
| Ownership/Interest in Property: – Must not own or have disposed of any private residential property in the 30 months before the date of application for an HFE letter | – |
| Remaining Lease: HDB T&C applies | – |
What Are the Differences Between HDB Loan vs Bank Loan?
| Factors | HDB Loan | Bank Loan |
|---|---|---|
| Downpayment | 25% — you can fully use CPF Less cash intensive, as the full down payment can be paid via CPF (if sufficient) | 25% — minimum 5% cash; remaining 20% can be from cash or CPF Full use of CPF to pay for the down payment is not allowed |
| Loan Amount | 75% of valuation price or purchase price, whichever is lower | 75% of the valuation price or purchase price, whichever is lower |
| Interest Rate | 2.6% — pegged at 0.1% above the CPF Ordinary Account interest rate, currently at 2.5% | 75% of the valuation price or purchase price, whichever is lower |
| Repayment | Cash/CPF | Cash/CPF |
| Lock-in Period | No lock-in period, switch to a bank loan anytime | 1–3 years, depending on the loan selected; there may be a penalty for redemption during this period |
So, Which Loan Option Is Better for You?
Cheapest Option
If rates are your primary concern and you are looking for the cheapest option, the bank’s floating package would often be your best bet. As most banks offer packages pegged to SORA, depending on market conditions, they may be lower than the HDB loan’s 2.6%.
However, do note that bank loans require a mandatory cash component (minimum 5%) for the down payment, whereas HDB loans allow you to pay the full 25% down payment using CPF.
In addition, floating home loans come in varying features, such as lock-in period, rollover period, redemption period, clawback period, etc. We strongly recommend you read the fine print on the loan offer letter before committing to a long-term mortgage.
If you are one of those easily overwhelmed by lengthy paperwork or would like to seek third-party assistance, Ohmyhome’s free mortgage advisory service team would be more than happy to assist you.
Middle Ground
The bank’s fixed-rate package is best described as a hybrid between the HDB loan and a floating home loan package. This is because the bank would fix the rates for the loan for the initial years. However, the rates would revert to floating once the agreed fixed period is over.
Although it reverts to floating rates, most banks would allow conversion to another home loan package if the lock-in period for the loan is over. This allows homeowners to convert back to a fixed package or another package of their choice with a fee.
Such packages offer homeowners the ability to fix their rates for some years and, at the same time, secure a competitive rate with a bank of their choice.
Risk-averse Option
Although HDB’s interest rate may vary if the CPF interest rate changes, it has remained constant at 2.6% for many years. For more risk-averse homeowners, HDB offers the best security in comparison to a bank loan. However, the bank interest rate has remained relatively low in contrast to HDB loans and may continue for some time.
Pay for Your New Home, Hassle-free
Want to secure the best loan package across all banks? Learn more about Ohmyhome’s free mortgage advisory service and talk to any of our mortgage specialists. You can also call +65 9755 9283 to learn how much your home is worth and inquire about other property concerns when buying or selling.
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