How to Use CPF for HDB Down Payment: Homejourney's 2026 Guide

You can use your CPF Ordinary Account (OA) savings to pay for most or all of your HDB down payment, depending on whether you take an HDB loan or bank loan, the flat type, and lease remaining.[5][1]

This cluster article dives deep into using CPF for HDB down payments, a key step for first-time buyers. It connects to our pillar guide on HDB BTO Financing Complete Guide 2026 | Homejourney HDB BTO Financing Complete Guide 2026 | Homejourney for full coverage. Homejourney prioritizes your safety with verified info to build trust in every transaction.

HDB Down Payment Basics: CPF vs Cash Rules in 2026

HDB flats require a 25% down payment on the purchase price or valuation (whichever lower), with a 75% Loan-to-Value (LTV) limit since August 2024.[1][2]

For HDB loans: Entire 25% can be from CPF OA or cash—no cash minimum.[1]

For bank loans: Minimum 5% cash, remaining 20% from CPF OA or cash.[1]

Example: $400,000 BTO flat. HDB loan: $100,000 (25%) all CPF possible. Bank loan: $20,000 cash + $80,000 CPF.[1]

BTO vs Resale Flat Differences

BTO flats: Staggered scheme available—5% at Agreement for Lease (CPF/cash), 20% at key collection (CPF/cash) for HDB loan if eligible.[1][4]
Resale flats: Full 25% upfront at signing; no staggered scheme. CPF usable up to valuation limit if lease covers youngest buyer to age 95.[2]

CPF OA covers initial payments, monthly instalments, stamp duties, and legal fees (subject to law firm policy).[2][5]

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

Follow these actionable steps for a smooth process. Use Homejourney's tools for eligibility checks first.

Check CPF OA Balance: Log into CPF portal or myHDBPage. Ensure sufficient savings after accounting for OA retention (up to $20,000 preservable with HDB loan).[2]
Get HFE Letter: Apply via HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter to confirm loan eligibility and borrowing quantum. Links to HDB Loan Eligibility 2026 | Homejourney HDB Loan Eligibility 2026: Who Qualifies & How Much Can You Borrow | Homejourney .
Receive Option to Purchase: Pay option fee (typically $1,000-$2,000 cash, non-refundable).
Exercise Option & Initial Payment: Pay 20-24% via CPF OA (instruct CPF Board to transfer). For bank loans, pay 5% cash first.[1]
Sign Agreement for Lease/Sale: Balance down payment from CPF. HDB auto-deducts if funds available.
Key Collection/Completion: Final staggered payment if applicable, using CPF.

Pro Tip: Apply via Singpass on Homejourney's bank-rates page—your CPF data auto-fills for instant checks.

HDB Loan Eligibility: Who Can Get HDB Loan & Requirements

Who can get HDB loan (HDB concessionary loan criteria): Singapore citizen household, no private property ownership, income ceiling ($14,000 for families, varies by scheme).[2]

HDB loan requirements: Valid HFE letter, meet Minimum Occupation Period (MOP), no recent private property disposal.[2]

Down payment fully CPF-eligible, making it ideal for cash-strapped buyers. Compare with banks via Homejourney mortgage calculator.

Documentation Checklist for CPF Usage

Prepare these for seamless CPF transfer:

CPF e-statement showing OA balance.
HFE letter or bank loan approval-in-principle.
Singpass for MyInfo auto-fill.
Option fee receipt.
ID/passport copies.
For resale: Resale price affidavit if above valuation.[2]

Full list in our HDB Loan Documents Checklist 2026 HDB Loan Documents Checklist 2026: Homejourney Guide . Homejourney verifies docs digitally for safety.

Pro Tips to Maximize CPF for Down Payment

Preserve OA Interest: Opt for HDB loan to retain up to $20,000 in OA earning 2.5% interest.[2]
Grants Boost: EHG up to $120,000 for families reduces cash needs, freeing CPF.[1]
Lease Check: Ensure 20+ years left; prorate if shorter.[2]
Avoid Pitfalls: Don't exceed Available Balance to Buy (ABB)—CPF resets monthly.
Time It: Top up OA before ballot for BTO.

Skip bank queues: Homejourney's multi-bank app sends one form to DBS, OCBC, UOB, HSBC, and more. Track offers side-by-side.

What Happens After Down Payment?

Post-payment, CPF auto-deducts monthly for loan servicing. Expect 4-6 weeks processing for transfers. Monitor via CPF portal.

For resale, balance at completion via cashier's order, reimbursable from CPF.[2]

Search budgeted HDBs on Homejourney property search post-approval.

FAQ: How to Use CPF for HDB Down Payment

Can I use 100% CPF for HDB down payment?
Yes, with HDB loan—no cash required. Bank loans need 5% cash minimum.[1]

What's the staggered downpayment scheme?
5% upfront, 20% at keys for eligible BTO buyers on HDB loan.[1][4]

Can singles use CPF for resale HDB down payment?
Yes, if lease meets criteria; EHG up to $60,000 available.[1][2]

How much CPF do I need for $500,000 resale?
25% ($125,000) for HDB loan, all CPF possible.[1]

Where to check HDB loan eligibility?
Use HFE letter or Homejourney's calculator at bank-rates.

Ready to buy safely? Calculate eligibility on Homejourney bank-rates, apply multi-bank via Singpass, and explore flats on property search. Link back to our pillar: HDB BTO Financing Guide HDB BTO Financing Complete Guide 2026 | Homejourney for end-to-end advice. Homejourney ensures transparent, verified steps for confident decisions.