LTV & ABSD for Investment Properties: Homejourney Guide
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LTV & ABSD for Investment Properties: Homejourney Guide

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Homejourney Editorial

Master LTV limits and ABSD rates for Singapore investment properties in 2026. Homejourney's guide helps investors calculate downpayments, loans & taxes safely. Start planning now.

LTV & ABSD for Investment Properties: Homejourney Guide

Singapore property investors face strict LTV and ABSD for Investment Property Guide rules: up to 45% LTV on second properties and 20% ABSD for citizens, requiring 55%+ upfront cash or CPF plus taxes.

These MAS and IRAS measures ensure safe multiple property financing and prevent over-leverage. This cluster article dives deep into actionable calculations, examples, and strategies for building your property empire financing portfolio securely with Homejourney's verified tools.

What Are LTV and ABSD?

Loan-to-Value (LTV) is the maximum loan percentage banks can offer against a property's value, set by MAS macroprudential rules. The balance comes from your cash and CPF Ordinary Account (OA).[1][4] For investment properties (second or subsequent homes), LTV drops sharply to curb speculation while allowing prudent portfolio financing.

Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) is a cooling tax on top of Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD), administered by IRAS. Rates depend on your profile and existing property count, payable within 14 days of Option to Purchase (OTP).[1][2][3]

Understanding these is crucial for several properties loan planning, as miscalculations lead to cash crunches. Homejourney verifies all data from official sources, prioritizing your investment safety.

Current 2026 LTV Limits for Investment Properties

MAS sets tiered LTV caps based on outstanding housing loans:[1][4]

  • First property (no loans): Up to 75% LTV for private residential, if tenure/age conditions met.
  • Second property (one loan): Around 45% LTV (or 15-25% in stricter cases).
  • Third+ properties (two+ loans): Around 35% LTV.


These apply alongside TDSR (55% of income) and MSR for HDB. Banks like DBS, OCBC, UOB assess your full profile. Use Homejourney's eligibility calculator at https://www.homejourney.sg/bank-rates#calculator to check instantly.

2026 ABSD Rates for Singapore Investors

ABSD rates (on higher of price or market value):[1][2][3]

  • Singapore Citizens: 0% first, 20% second, 30% third+.
  • PRs: 5% first, 30% second+.
  • Foreigners: 60% flat on any property.
  • Entities: 65%.


BSD adds progressively (e.g., ~S$40k-45k on S$1.5M). Part-ownership counts fully. For safe planning, reference LTV & ABSD Guide for Singapore Investment Properties | Homejourney ">LTV & ABSD Guide for Singapore Investment Properties | Homejourney and IRAS tools via Homejourney.

Real Example: Financing a S$1.5M Condo as Second Property

Singapore Citizen couple with HDB loan in Sengkang buys S$1.5M condo in Punggol for rental yield.[1]

  1. ABSD + BSD: 20% ABSD = S$300,000; BSD ≈ S$42,500; Total ≈ S$342,500 (within 14 days OTP).
  2. LTV Limit: 45% max loan = S$675,000 (55% downpayment = S$825,000, min 5% cash).
  3. Total Upfront: Downpayment + duties ≈ S$1.167M (78% of price).


Loan from partners like HSBC or Standard Chartered via Homejourney's multi-bank system. Compare rates at https://www.homejourney.sg/bank-rates – submit once via Singpass for DBS, OCBC, UOC offers.

Pro Tip: Target properties near Punggol MRT (5-min walk) for 4-5% yields covering IO loans. See Financing Multiple Investment Properties: IO Loans & LTV Strategy ">Financing Multiple Investment Properties: IO Loans & LTV Strategy .

Step-by-Step: Calculate Your LTV/ABSD for Portfolio Growth

Actionable framework for property empire financing:

  1. Count properties/loans: Use IRAS e-Stamping for ownership; MAS rules for loans.
  2. Apply LTV: Max loan = LTV% × Price (e.g., 45% × S$2M = S$900k).
  3. Downpayment: Balance (min 5-25% cash for banks).
  4. ABSD/BSD: IRAS calculator; pay upfront.
  5. Verify eligibility: Homejourney's tool auto-fills CPF/income via Singpass.


Link to pillar: This supports our comprehensive Financing Multiple Investment Properties Singapore: Homejourney 2026 Guide ">Financing Multiple Investment Properties Singapore Guide.

Homejourney Tools for Safe Investment Financing

Build trust with transparency:


Disclaimer: Rules per MAS/IRAS 2026; consult professionals. Homejourney verifies data for your confidence.

FAQ: LTV and ABSD for Singapore Investors

1. What's the LTV for my third investment property?
Around 35% if two loans outstanding, plus TDSR check. Use Homejourney calculator.[1][4]

2. Can couples buy jointly to lower ABSD?
Each ownership counts; e.g., citizen + PR = higher blended rate. Check IRAS.[2][3]

3. Is ABSD refundable if I sell?
No, but remission possible for first-timer schemes. Verify via Homejourney brokers.[1]

4. How does LTV affect IO loans for rentals?
Lower LTV means more equity; ideal for cashflow. See IO Loan Singapore: Maximize Cash Flow for Investment Property | Homejourney ">IO Loan Singapore: Maximize Cash Flow for Investment Property | Homejourney .[1]

5. Best banks for multiple property loans?
Compare DBS, Maybank, CIMB on Homejourney – personalized via our brokers.[1]

Ready for safe LTV and ABSD for Investment Property Guide? Calculate now at https://www.homejourney.sg/bank-rates and explore properties securely with Homejourney.

References

  1. Singapore Property Market Analysis 1 (2026)
  2. Singapore Property Market Analysis 4 (2026)
  3. Singapore Property Market Analysis 2 (2026)
  4. Singapore Property Market Analysis 3 (2026)
Tags:Singapore PropertyProperty Investors

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Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for general reference only. For accurate and official information, please visit HDB's official website or consult professional advice from lawyers, real estate agents, bankers, and other relevant professional consultants.

Homejourney is not liable for any damages, losses, or consequences that may result from the use of this information. We are simply sharing information to the best of our knowledge, but we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability of the information contained herein.