| Financing | At 75% LTV | How the 25% downpayment may be paid |
|---|---|---|
| HDB housing loan | 25% | CPF OA, cash or both, subject to CPF rules and available savings |
| Bank housing loan | 25% | At least 5% of the lower purchase price or valuation in cash; the balance may use CPF OA or cash |
The actual loan may be below 75% after age, lease, income, debts and credit assessment. A lower approved loan increases the amount you must fund.
Cash items buyers often miss
- Option fees: the required option fee—and for resale, the option exercise fee—must be paid in cash before CPF reimbursement rules are considered.
- Cash over valuation: for a resale flat, any price above HDB's valuation must be cash.
- Bank-loan cash minimum: at 75% LTV, at least 5% must be cash.
- Non-purchase buffer: keep room for renovation, moving, insurance and emergency savings.
How housing grants reduce the amount needed
Confirmed grants are credited to eligible members' CPF accounts and applied to the flat purchase. They can reduce the purchase amount that must be covered by existing CPF OA, cash and the housing loan.
Do not subtract a headline maximum before receiving the HFE result. Start with the HDB resale grant guide and EHG guide.
A $600,000 resale-flat example
Assume the price and HDB valuation are both $600,000 and the buyer qualifies for 75% LTV. The loan ceiling is $450,000 and the downpayment is $150,000.
- With an HDB loan, the $150,000 may be funded with available CPF OA, confirmed grants, cash or a combination.
- With a bank loan, at least $30,000 is cash. The remaining $120,000 may use CPF OA, grants or cash, subject to the rules.
- If the agreed price were $620,000 but HDB valued the flat at $600,000, the additional $20,000 cash-over-valuation would also be cash.
Build the budget in the right order
- Get a valid HFE letter and confirmed grants.
- Check available CPF OA and whether you want to retain a buffer.
- Separate mandatory cash items from CPF-eligible costs.
- Estimate the remaining loan and payment using the HDB loan calculator.
- Keep a contingency below the maximum affordable price.
Official sources and review date
Reviewed 25 Aug 2026 against CPF Board's property downpayment and housing usage limit guidance, plus HDB's HFE letter process.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the HDB downpayment with an HDB loan?
At the current maximum 75% LTV, the downpayment is 25%. It may generally be paid using CPF OA, cash or both, subject to CPF rules and the buyer’s available savings.
How much cash is needed with a bank loan for an HDB flat?
At 75% LTV, at least 5% of the lower purchase price or valuation must be paid in cash. The remainder of the downpayment may use CPF OA or cash, subject to applicable rules.
Can HDB grants pay the downpayment?
Confirmed housing grants are credited to eligible members’ CPF accounts and applied to the flat purchase, reducing the amount that must come from existing CPF OA, cash or a housing loan.
This guide is general education, not a grant decision or personal financial advice. HDB and CPF Board apply the prevailing rules to the household and property details in the HFE and purchase applications.