If you are planning to buy a house in Singapore, you will be glad to know that there are many benefits that come with owning your own home.
The first benefit of owning your own home is the fact that it becomes yours and not someone else’s. You have the exclusive right to use, enjoy and pass it onto your children or any other members of your family in the future.
Another benefit of home ownership is the significant decrease in rental costs as opposed to renting an apartment.
In fact, renting a one-room studio apartment will cost you roughly 30% more than renting a similar sized unit with a yard in the same neighbourhood.
Furthermore, if you plan on staying for more than 3 years, there is no resale value for your rented property so make sure you can afford to stay for that long before buying.
For example, if you are only able to stay for 1 year before looking for another place to rent in , then it may not be worth buying in this case.
Can I Own HDB and Condo?
Yes. After the 5-year minimum occupancy period (MOP), if you’re a HDB owner and want to own a private condominium.
If you want to buy a condominium, you need to purchase a condo at least 5 years from the date you buy your HDB flat. You need to occupy it for at least two years and pay a minimum annual rental of $4,500 ($4,500 + $10,000 = $14,500).
You need to pay the transfer charge of $40,000 (1.5 times the original purchase price) and provide a minimum ongoing monthly service charge of $2,500 for two years.
How to buy a property in Singapore?
If you want to purchase a property in Singapore, you should know that there are many different types of properties. You can buy properties as flats, apartments or houses.
The type of property that you purchase depends on what your preferences are and the amount of money that you can afford to buy the property.
If you are able to afford a lot more than what the house is worth, then it might be worth buying a luxury home instead.
However, if you’re looking for something smaller and less expensive but with good location, then this type of house will suit your needs perfectly.
What type of property can you own in Singapore?
Whether you are a Singapore citizen or not, you are free to purchase a private condominium. An HDB flat and a private condominium are only two different forms of housing. You can own both of them if you purchase them under a Singapore citizen. However, you must first comply with the MOP (Minimum Occupancy Period) before you can purchase a private condominium. The MOP is a time frame that you must be residing in the property before you can sell it.
A condominium is a type of multi-storey building that allows residents to buy units in bulk. It is also known as a high-rise block. Residents buy their units from the same developer company, which then sells the units for a rental fee. It is only Singapore citizens who can own an HDB flat, and they must comply with the MOP before they can purchase private residential property.
Advantages of buying an HDB flat
Another benefit of buying an HDB flat is the ability to use your home tax-free. Moreover, if you own a property in Singapore, you are allowed to apply for Permanent Residency after 5 years and this will allow you to live and work in Singapore indefinitely.
The other advantage is that if you buy a property in the Housing & Development Board (HDB) masterplan areas, you can get a Certificate of Entitlement which will allow you to lease the unit from the HDB for 99 years. This means that once you pay off your mortgage on your property, it becomes yours.
If you are looking for a large home with plenty of space, then an HDB flat is perfect for you because it is normally bigger than an average apartment. Furthermore, if you want to upgrade your property or add new features to it in future, then this is possible as well.
Disadvantages of owning an HDB flat
The disadvantage to owning an HDB flat is that you are not able to build a larger house than what the HDB standard allows. You are also not allowed to make any changes or alterations on your property without getting permission from the Housing Board.
Another disadvantage of owning an HDB flat is that you have to maintain it and take care of it, while renting an apartment means that you will be responsible for maintaining the unit and paying a monthly fee.
If you plan on staying in Singapore long term, then buying an HDB flat would be a great option as they are relatively cheaper than buying a home elsewhere.
Can I Buy an HDB Flat If I Own a Condo?
If you own a condo, you cannot own an HDB flat at the same time. You would need to sell your condo before buying an HDB flat. You may buy a resale flat if you sell your condo within six months of moving in.
Btw, what’s with the confusing terminology in Singapore real estate?
Real estate in Singapore is not as straightforward as it may seem. Depending on the type of property, you can own a HDB home and a Condominium unit at the same time.
A house is built specifically for families on a plot of land that is owned by the government while condos are privately-owned units that are built on freehold land that was originally an empty lot.
If you have your heart set on buying a HDB home, then you will need to find an HDB flat in the area which is called a resale flat. Alternatively, if you are interested in buying a condo unit, then you will need to find out if it has been approved for sale or not.
Conclusion
It is not uncommon for people to have an HDB lease and a condo unit at the same time. However, if you are thinking of applying for an HDB after you have a condo, you should reconsider. It is allowed have both HDB and condo leases at the same time.
In fact, you can even be fined for doing so. If you are currently living in a condo unit and thinking of applying for a HDB lease at a later stage, make sure to consult a property agent first.
