How to Use CPF for HDB Down Payment | Homejourney Guide

You can use your CPF Ordinary Account (OA) savings, cash, or a combination to pay the HDB down payment of 25% for both BTO and resale flats. This applies whether you're taking an HDB loan or bank loan, with specific cash minimums for bank loans.[1][2] Homejourney simplifies this process by helping you calculate eligibility and compare options securely via our bank rates page, prioritizing your trust and safety.

This cluster article focuses on using CPF for HDB down payments, linking back to our comprehensive HDB Upgrader Complete Mortgage Guide. It provides actionable steps for first-time buyers and upgraders, ensuring transparent guidance from official HDB and CPF rules as of 2026.[1][4]

HDB Down Payment Basics: CPF and Cash Rules

The standard down payment for HDB flats is 25% of the purchase price, unified for HDB loans (75% LTV) and bank loans (up to 75% LTV).[1][2] For HDB loans, you can pay the full 25% using CPF OA savings or cash—no mandatory cash portion.[2] Bank loans require at least 5% cash, with the remaining 20% from CPF OA or cash.[1][2]

Grants like the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) up to $120,000 for families reduce your payable amount and are credited to your CPF OA for down payment use.[1][6] Always verify your CPF balance via the CPF portal before applying. Homejourney's eligibility calculator at https://www.homejourney.sg/bank-rates#calculator auto-fills via Singpass for instant insights.

Loan Type	Max LTV	Down Payment	Cash Required
HDB Loan	75%	25% (CPF/cash)	No
Bank Loan (75% LTV)	75%	5% cash + 20% CPF/cash	Yes, min 5%
Bank Loan (55% LTV)	55%	10% cash + 35% CPF/cash	Yes, min 10%

Note: LTV limits apply based on your profile; use Homejourney to check personalized rates from DBS, OCBC, UOB, and more.[2]

Step-by-Step: How to Use CPF for HDB Down Payment

Follow these numbered steps to deploy your CPF OA safely for your HDB purchase. Homejourney verifies all info to build your confidence.

Obtain HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) Letter: Apply via HDB portal with Singpass. This confirms your eligibility and unlocks the resale down payment calculator.[1]
Check CPF OA Balance: Log into CPF portal or app. Ensure sufficient savings after grants; aim for 120% of down payment to cover accrued interest.[4]
Confirm Financing: For resale, use HDB My Flat Dashboard. Select CPF payment option—funds deduct automatically upon approval.[1][2]
Pay Down Payment: For BTO, pay in stages if eligible (see below). For resale, full 25% at completion via CPF.[2]
Monitor via Homejourney: Track with our multi-bank tools at https://www.homejourney.sg/bank-rates for HDB upgrader mortgages or bank loans.

Pro tip: For upgraders, sell your current HDB first to release CPF funds—check our HDB Loan vs Bank Loan 2026 guide.[2]

Staggered Downpayment Scheme for BTO Flats

Eligible first-timers (at least one under 30) or young couples can split BTO down payments into two: 5% at Agreement for Lease signing, 20% at key collection.[1][3][5] Young couples under Deferred Income Assessment pay just 2.5% first.[1]

Scheme	1st Instalment	2nd Instalment
HDB Loan (Staggered)	5% CPF/cash	20% CPF/cash
Bank Loan (75% LTV)	5% cash + 5% CPF/cash	15% CPF/cash
Young Couples (2.5%)	2.5%	22.5%

Resale flats require full upfront payment—no staggering.[2] Insider tip: Time your BTO ballot post-NS or studies to qualify; HDB updated this in 2024 for fairness.[1]

Documentation Checklist for CPF Down Payment

HFE Letter (HDB portal)
CPF statement (last 3 months)
Singpass for auto-fill
Option to Purchase (OTP) fee receipt
Grant letters (EHG, etc.)
For bank loans: LO from DBS/OCBC/UOB via Homejourney

Prepare digitally—Homejourney's documents checklist ensures nothing's missed. Disclaimer: This is general advice; consult HDB/CPF for your case.

Pro Tips to Maximize CPF Usage

Grants First: Apply EHG early—up to $120k boosts CPF for down payment.[1][6]
Interest Accrual: Withdrawing CPF requires 120% coverage (principal + interest to age 55).[4]
Bank Loans for Upgraders: Lower rates (~2-2.5%) but 5% cash needed. Compare on Homejourney.[2]
Avoid Pitfalls: Don't overdraw CPF; use our calculator for HDB to condo financing scenarios.
Singpass Speed: Homejourney auto-fills apps to partners like HSBC, Maybank for faster approvals.

For upgraders, explore upgrade property loans seamlessly.

What Happens After CPF Down Payment

Post-payment, monthly instalments deduct from CPF OA automatically.[4][7] Banks assess via TDSR (60% debt cap). Processing: 2-4 weeks for banks; track via Homejourney dashboard. Next: Search properties at https://www.homejourney.sg/search.

FAQ: How to Use CPF for HDB Down Payment

Q: Can I use 100% CPF for HDB down payment?
A: Yes for HDB loans; bank loans need 5-10% cash.[1][2]

Q: When is resale HDB down payment deducted from CPF?
A: After financial plan confirmation on HDB portal, at resale completion.[1]

Q: Do grants count towards down payment?
A: Yes, credited to CPF OA to offset your contribution.[6]

Q: What's the minimum age for staggered scheme?
A: At least one applicant under 30 for BTO.[3]

Q: How does Homejourney help?
A: Compare rates, apply multi-bank via Singpass at https://www.homejourney.sg/bank-rates.

Ready to buy safely? Start with Homejourney's tools for your HDB upgrade guide. Read the full pillar guide and apply today—your trusted partner for transparent property journeys.