Your search results

Avoid The Possibility Of Negative Cash Sales: Find Out How Much Your HDB Has To Appreciate To Steer Clear Of It!

Posted by Jayson Ang on January 31, 2023
| 0

With resale flat prices reaching all-time highs, it is easy to assume that negative cash sales are a thing of the past. However, this isn’t always the case and negative cash sales still occur in a seller’s market. To avoid such a sale, you need to ensure that your flat has appreciated in value sufficiently.

What’s A Negative Cash Sale?

Having no cash on hand after refunding your CPF when you sell your property can be a major setback. For instance, if you sell your flat for $500,000, but need to give back $515,000 to your CPF account, you will find yourself with absolutely no money.

Even though you can still use your CPF for your next purchase, the banks ask for a minimum of five per cent of the cost to be paid in cash, so unless you are able to get that sum of money together, it can limit your future upgrade options.

Despite the fact that this scenario might not apply to everyone, the majority of people use their CPF to pay their mortgage so that they can save or invest their cash. Therefore, even if they face a negative cash sale situation, it doesn’t have to mean they are in a hopeless situation.

*As long as you sell at the market price, you don’t owe the additional $15,000; all you have to do is refund the full $500,000 into CPF.

Are You At Risk Of Experiencing A Negative Cash Sale If You Sell Right After MOP?

Let’s explore how much you would need to pay back to CPF for a $700,000 HDB resale flat, bought with a 25-year HDB loan and an initial $140,000 down payment plus a Buyer’s Stamp Duty of $15,600 – all of which are taken from CPF.

Assuming the flat is sold after 5 years and the loan is taken at the standard 2.6 per cent per annum with a maximum amount of 80 per cent, or $560,000, here’s what the refund would look like :

At the start of each year, we assume that the BSD and downpayment are made and the mortgage is paid through the same period. The interest accrued is then added to the total CPF amount used, resulting in a new balance which carries over to the following year. Mortgage payments are added to this sum and the accrued interest is added to the new balance, continuing this cycle.

Once you pass the 25th year, the amount of CPF refundable upon sale of your flat increases based solely on the interest that has accrued – given that your flat is already completely paid off.

Please be aware that the aforementioned example includes $2,500 of legal fees and 2% of the selling price as agent fees, both to be paid in cash.

How Much Must Your HDB Property Value Increase To Ensure You Don’t Have A Negative Cash Sale?

Let’s see how much your HDB needs to appreciate if you want to sell it in the fifth year after its MOP and not take a hit in the cash sale – and all this, without having to take into account any other factors than the ones in the table above.

Let’s run a simulation of HDB prices ranging from $300,000 to $1,000,000 and get the numbers!

The more expensive the HDB flat, the greater the potential appreciation in value – even if only incrementally.

From the chart, it’s clear that your flat needs to increase in value by 19% within a five-year span in order to avoid an adverse cash flow situation.

What If You Want To Use Some Of The Cash To Upgrade To A Condo?

For HDB upgraders, the typical price range they can afford is around $1.6 million. Therefore, you must have at least $80,000 in cash as a 5% down payment. To accomplish this, here’s an idea of how much your flat needs to appreciate for you to make the purchase:

In 5 years, the flat must increase in value from $700,000 to $916,230 – a 31% rise, which is not unheard of, but it also means that private property prices are going to be even higher than they are now.

Most Singaporeans don’t end up receiving the maximum loan amount available; the CPF allows up to $20,000 to be kept, any excess needs to go towards the purchase of property.

After subtracting the 2% selling fee, the remaining cash comprises the original price plus a legal fee of $2,500.

By 2023, Obtaining Bank Loans Has Become A Much More Challenging Endeavor

Not all are eligible for an HDB loan, and if you find yourself in the higher income bracket, HDB may suggest opting for a bank loan instead.

This could be an alarming risk for those looking for a cash sale, as the implications of such a decision are vast.

With bank loan rates continuously changing, the prospect of a sudden interest rate surge is disconcerting, especially considering that current interest rates are far higher than they were a decade ago.

Even opting for a fixed-rate loan could be risky as they are currently set at around four per cent.

Those who purchase a flat with a bank loan will need to see greater appreciation on their property than those with an HDB loan; in this example, the flat would need to appreciate to $904,513 with a 4% fixed rate loan taken out over five years, as well as a 25% downpayment.

With an interest rate 4% higher than 2.6%, the difference in cash after 5 years is almost $40K! Plus, opting for a down payment of $700K would have cost an additional 5%, or $35,000.

Buyers Of Resale Flats, Take Heed: Peak Prices Are Unlikely To Last

Purchasing a resale flat in 2023 could mean you are buying at a peak market rate, however, it is highly unlikely that these price increases can remain the same for the next five years.

This is due to the fact that HDB has increased their BTO flat production in 2022 and 2023, meaning a considerable amount of resale flats could be added to the market soon.

Therefore, if you were to sell your flat at this time, it is possible that you would not make the returns you were expecting and could end up with a negative cash sale.

Rather Than Pinning Your Hopes On A Rise In The Value Of Your Flat, The Most Sensible Approach Is To Conserve Your Cpf Funds

If you’re aiming to stay on top of your upgrading goals in 2023, your best move would be to use a mix of cash and CPF – that way, part of your loan can be paid off with cash, while the other part is covered by CPF.

But, if you’re looking to eliminate any risk, why not just use your CPF for the down payment and BSD and make your loan payments in cash – that way, you can guarantee a positive cash sale!

Looking to Sell Your Property?

  • Are you approaching the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) of your HDB apartment or has the Seller Stamp Duty (SSD) window of your condo already passed?

  • It is always advantageous to have an understanding of the potential returns if you were to put your property up for sale. Additionally, you need to ascertain if your gains will enable you to upsize to the dream home in the neighbourhood you and your family have been longing for.

  • For an easy and reliable way to get a free Property Valuation, just send me a request!

  • If you’ve got a property-related story that you’d like to share, don’t hesitate to drop me a message and I’ll get back to you!

  • Alternatively, you can send me a DM and I’ll reach out to you

You May Also Like …


Top 5 Instagram-Worthy Spots in Singapore
Mandarin Top 5

Top 5 Instagram-Worthy Spots in Singapore

Singapore, a beautiful city-state known for its stunning architecture, lush greenery, and vibrant culture, is a photographer's paradise. The island...
Read More
How Much You Need to Earn to Afford a Condo 2023
All Buying Tips

How Much You Need to Earn to Afford a Condo 2023

Are you planning to invest in a private property but uncertain about your affordability? Don't worry, I am here to...
Read More
Reach Your Goal of Owning a Flat Before You Turn 35 : Money-Saving Strategies
All Blog Posts Buying Tips

Reach Your Goal of Owning a Flat Before You Turn 35 : Money-Saving Strategies

Discover the money-saving strategies that will help you reach your goal of owning a flat before you turn 35! With...
Read More
How Can You Prepare for Retirement in an Expensive Real Estate Market? Discover Your Options Now!
All Blog Posts Buying Tips Opinion

How Can You Prepare for Retirement in an Expensive Real Estate Market? Discover Your Options Now!

As you may have heard, the retirement age was bumped up to 63 - yet no need to be surprised,...
Read More
Top 5 Factors to Look for in a Property Developer
Mandarin Top 5

Top 5 Factors to Look for in a Property Developer

With a highly competitive property market, it's crucial to choose a property developer that you can trust to deliver quality...
Read More
Exploring the Resale Condo Market? Here’s What to Watch Out For!
All Blog Posts Buying Tips

Exploring the Resale Condo Market? Here’s What to Watch Out For!

COVID-19 has had a profound impact on Singapore's real estate market since the pandemic's onset, becoming a highly-discussed issue ever...
Read More
Should I Buy In A Newly MOP HDB Or An Older Resale HDB?
All Blog Posts Buying Tips

Should I Buy In A Newly MOP HDB Or An Older Resale HDB?

For Singaporeans, the challenge of securing an affordable yet desirable place to purchase and call home is an ever-present one....
Read More
Checklist for First-Time Homebuyers in Singapore: A Guide to Viewing Condos
All Blog Posts Buying Tips

Checklist for First-Time Homebuyers in Singapore: A Guide to Viewing Condos

I've been asked lots of questions on what to consider when viewing a condo and what to ask the listing...
Read More
Singapore’s Housing Phenomenon: A Success Tale Calling for Tweaks – Insights from the Experts
All Opinion

Singapore’s Housing Phenomenon: A Success Tale Calling for Tweaks – Insights from the Experts

Singapore's housing system, while still presenting room for improvement, has generally performed admirably in meeting the dynamic homeownership desires of...
Read More
Should Buying A Low Lease Project Be A Viable Option?
All Blog Posts Opinion

Should Buying A Low Lease Project Be A Viable Option?

Recently, attitudes among the younger generation towards low lease projects have been shifting. We're seeing more young couples opt for...
Read More
Simplified Guide to Buying Landed Property in Singapore
All Buying Tips

Simplified Guide to Buying Landed Property in Singapore

In Singapore, purchasing an HDB flat or condo is a common experience. However, buying a landed property is less familiar...
Read More
Top 5 Things to Do in Singapore on a Rainy Day
Mandarin Top 5

Top 5 Things to Do in Singapore on a Rainy Day

Singapore, the beautiful island city-state, is known for its sunny weather and stunning attractions. However, even in this tropical paradise,...
Read More
Downpayment For Condo: How Much Do First-Timers Need In Singapore?
All Buying Tips

Downpayment For Condo: How Much Do First-Timers Need In Singapore?

The process of purchasing a home in Singapore is rarely described as a walk in the park. The journey towards...
Read More
Are You Worried About Overpaying On Your Property? Here’s The Secret To Finding Out Its Perfect Purchase Price!
All Blog Posts Buying Tips

Are You Worried About Overpaying On Your Property? Here’s The Secret To Finding Out Its Perfect Purchase Price!

Amidst the highly competitive property market where prices seem to rise every other day, how can you be certain you're...
Read More
5 Tips for Renting Property in Singapore
Mandarin Top 5

5 Tips for Renting Property in Singapore

Renting property in Singapore can be a challenging task, especially for those who are new to the country. With Singapore's...
Read More
5 Things to Know About Singapore’s Freehold & Leasehold Properties
Buying Tips Mandarin Top 5

5 Things to Know About Singapore’s Freehold & Leasehold Properties

5 Things to Know About Singapore's Freehold & Leasehold Properties Here are 5 things you need to know about Singapore's...
Read More
What to Do Before Exercising Option to Purchase?
All Blog Posts Buying Tips

What to Do Before Exercising Option to Purchase?

Securing an Option to Purchase (OTP) is a big milestone for any home buyer. Once the OTP has been issued...
Read More
Discover the 3 Top Factors Impacting HDB Resale Valuation in Singapore: What Every Buyer Must Know!
All Blog Posts Buying Tips

Discover the 3 Top Factors Impacting HDB Resale Valuation in Singapore: What Every Buyer Must Know!

The increased demand for HDB resale flats has caused prices to climb for the past 29 months in a row,...
Read More
5 Reasons Why Districts 9 and 10 are the Next Big Thing in Singapore Real Estate
Mandarin Top 5

5 Reasons Why Districts 9 and 10 are the Next Big Thing in Singapore Real Estate

Singapore is renowned for its thriving real estate market, with many desirable neighborhoods and top-notch properties. However, when it comes...
Read More
What Hidden Costs Are There When Selling Your House?
All Blog Posts Buying Tips

What Hidden Costs Are There When Selling Your House?

Your family is more than ready to take the leap and move to a new home. You have made a...
Read More
1 2 3 14

Compare Listings