How to Use CPF for HDB Down Payment: Homejourney Guide

Yes, you can use your CPF Ordinary Account (OA) savings to pay most of your HDB down payment, which is 25% of the purchase price for both BTO and resale flats in 2026. Homejourney simplifies this with tools to check your CPF balance and eligibility, ensuring a safe, transparent process for first-time buyers.[1][4]

This cluster article focuses on using CPF for HDB down payments as part of our HDB BTO Financing Complete Guide 2026. It provides tactical steps for BTO buyers, connecting to broader financing options like HDB loans or bank loans from DBS, OCBC, and UOB via Homejourney's platform.

HDB Down Payment Basics: Cash vs CPF Rules

The HDB down payment is 25% of your flat's purchase price. For HDB loans, you can pay the full 25% using CPF OA savings, cash, or a mix—no mandatory cash minimum beyond schemes.[1][4]

For bank loans, at least 5% must be in cash, with the remaining 20% from CPF OA, cash, or both. CPF Housing Grants like the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG)—up to $120,000 for families—offset this amount directly from your payable sum.[1][6]

Homejourney's eligibility calculator at https://www.homejourney.sg/bank-rates#calculator lets you input your CPF balance to see exact down payment needs, prioritizing your safety with verified data.

Staggered Downpayment Scheme: Lower Initial CPF Use

HDB's Staggered Downpayment Scheme splits payments for uncompleted flats like BTOs. Eligible buyers (first-timers, at least one under 30) pay just 5% initially (or 2.5% for young couples/NSFs/students under Deferred Income Assessment), with the rest at key collection 2-4 years later.[1][2][3]

Loan Type	1st Payment (Agreement for Lease)	2nd Payment (Key Collection)
HDB Loan (Staggered)	5% (CPF/cash)	20% (CPF/cash)
Bank Loan (Staggered)	5% cash + 5% CPF/cash	15% (CPF/cash)
Young Couples (2.5% Scheme)	2.5% (CPF/cash)	22.5% (CPF/cash)

CPF OA is deducted automatically via HDB's My Flat Dashboard for HDB loans. This gives time for your CPF to grow via contributions and interest (currently 2.5% p.a. floor).[7]

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

Follow these actionable steps for a smooth BTO process:

Get HFE Letter: Apply via HDB Flat Portal with Singpass. Confirms eligibility and CPF usage limits.
Book BTO Flat: At selection, confirm staggered scheme if eligible. HDB assesses CPF sufficiency.
Sign Agreement for Lease: Pay 1st instalment (2.5-10%) via CPF online or cash. Grants apply here.
Secure Financing: For bank loans, get In-Principle Approval (IPA). Use Homejourney at https://www.homejourney.sg/bank-rates—one Singpass application sends to DBS, OCBC, UOB, HSBC, and more.
Key Collection: Pay remaining via CPF. Lawyer handles for bank loans.

Pro Tip: Check CPF OA balance 3 months prior—use CPF portal. If short, top up voluntarily for 4% Special/Mediasave interest.

Documentation Checklist for CPF Down Payment

HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) Letter—from HDB portal.
CPF Statement—download latest via CPF app/Singpass.
Singpass Account—for auto-deduction and grants.
Income Docs (for EHG)—last 12 months payslips if applying.
Bank IPA (if bank loan)—from partners like Standard Chartered via Homejourney.

Prepare digitally; HDB deducts CPF seamlessly. Homejourney verifies your docs safely before multi-bank submission.

Grants and CPF Top-Ups to Maximize Down Payment Coverage

EHG reduces your outlay: $120k max for families offsets CPF/cash needs.[1][6] Proximity Housing Grant adds $20k. All credited to CPF OA for down payment.

Insider Tip: Young couples (fiancé/e under 30, NSF/student) stack Deferred Income Assessment for 2.5% start—perfect for building CPF over MOP wait.[1][8]

Common Pitfalls and How Homejourney Helps

Avoid: Underestimating CPF accrual (BTO wait = 3-5 years savings time). Or ignoring bank 5% cash rule.[4]

Skip bank queues—Homejourney's multi-bank app auto-fills CPF/income via Singpass, compares DBS vs OCBC rates, tracks status. Calculate affordability first at https://www.homejourney.sg/bank-rates#calculator.

Find BTO-eligible flats in your budget via https://www.homejourney.sg/search. See HDB BTO Financing Complete Guide 2026 | Homejourney ">HDB BTO Financing Complete Guide for full details.

FAQ: Using CPF for HDB Down Payment

Can I use 100% CPF for HDB loan down payment?
Yes, full 25% from CPF OA for HDB loans; banks require 5% cash min.[1][4]

What's the minimum down payment for BTO young couples?
2.5% initial via Staggered Scheme + Deferred Assessment, rest later.[2][3]

How do grants affect CPF usage?
Grants credit to CPF OA, reducing your personal CPF/cash draw.[6]

When is CPF deducted?
1st at Agreement for Lease, 2nd at keys via HDB dashboard.[7]

Short on CPF? What next?
Top up for interest, or use Homejourney for bank loans/grants calc.

Disclaimer: Rules per HDB 2026; consult HDB or Homejourney brokers for advice. Homejourney prioritizes your security with verified info.

Ready for your HDB BTO? Start with Homejourney's bank rates at https://www.homejourney.sg/bank-rates—compare, apply, secure safely. Link back to our pillar: HDB BTO Financing Complete Guide 2026 | Homejourney ">HDB BTO Financing Guide.