LTV Ratio Singapore: Limits, Calculations & FAQs | Homejourney
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LTV Ratio Singapore: Limits, Calculations & FAQs | Homejourney

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Homejourney Editorial

Discover what LTV ratio means in Singapore, current limits (75% for HDB & bank loans), down payment rules & why it matters. Get FAQs & tips from Homejourney for safe property buying.

LTV Ratio Singapore: Limits, Calculations & Down Payments Explained | Homejourney

The Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio is the percentage of a property's purchase price or value that you can borrow from a bank or HDB. In Singapore, the current maximum LTV limit is 75% for both HDB concessionary loans and bank loans as of August 2024, requiring a minimum 25% downpayment.[2][3]

This cluster article breaks down LTV calculations, limits set by MAS, and why it impacts your down payment requirements. It supports our pillar guide on 新加坡房贷如何运作完整指南:Homejourney权威手册2026 ">Singapore Home Loans: Complete Guide, offering tactical advice for first-time buyers and investors using Homejourney's trusted tools.



What is Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratio in Singapore?

The LTV ratio determines the property loan percentage you can finance, protecting buyers from over-leveraging. Regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), it caps borrowing at 75% of the lower of purchase price or valuation.[1][4][5]

For example, on a S$500,000 HDB resale flat valued at S$480,000, LTV applies to S$480,000. You can borrow up to S$360,000 (75%), paying S$120,000 downpayment in cash or CPF Ordinary Account (OA) savings. Any cash-over-valuation (COV) like S$20,000 must be in cash.[2]

Homejourney verifies these details instantly via our eligibility calculator at https://www.homejourney.sg/bank-rates#calculator, ensuring safe decisions with Singpass integration for accurate CPF data.



Current LTV Limits in Singapore (2026)

MAS updated rules on 20 August 2024: HDB loans dropped from 80% to 75% LTV, aligning with bank loans.[2][3][8] This cools the market while maintaining affordability.

Housing LoansLTV LimitMin Cash Downpayment
1st (No existing loans)75% or 55%*5% (75%); 10% (55%)
2nd45% or 25%*25%
3rd & onwards35% or 15%*25%

*55%/25%/15% applies if loan tenure >30 years (private) or >25 years (HDB), or age + tenure >65 years.[1][3][5]

For HDB loans on resale flats, downpayment is staggered: 5% at acceptance, 20% at key collection (cash min 5%). Bank loans require 5% cash minimum for 75% LTV.[1][2]



Factors Affecting Your LTV Ratio Singapore

Several elements lower your LTV limits MAS:

  • Existing loans: First loan: 75%; second: 45%; third+: 35%.[3]
  • Age & tenure: Max 30 years (HDB), 35 years (private). Beyond age 65 or tenure caps? Drops to 55%.[5]
  • Property type: Shell companies: 15-40% LTV.[6]
  • Valuation: LTV based on lower of price/valuation; COV in cash.[2]

These interact with MSR (30% for HDB) and TDSR (55% total debt). Use Homejourney's tools at https://www.homejourney.sg/bank-rates to compare DBS, OCBC, UOB, HSBC rates while factoring LTV.



How to Calculate LTV Ratio & Down Payment Requirements

Formula: LTV = (Loan Amount / Property Value or Price) x 100. Max loan = LTV limit x lower value.

  1. Determine property value/price (e.g., S$800,000 condo).
  2. Check eligibility: First-time buyer, no loans = 75% LTV → max loan S$600,000.
  3. Downpayment: 25% = S$200,000 (5% cash min S$40,000; rest CPF OA).
  4. Adjust for tenure/age: If 55 years old, 35-year tenure → 55% LTV = S$440,000 loan.

Real example: Punggol BTO flat S$450,000. 75% HDB LTV = S$337,500 loan; S$112,500 down (S$22,500 cash). Homejourney's calculator auto-applies MAS rules for precise down payment requirements.

Pro tip: Time purchases post-sale (15-month wait for HDB resale after private sale).[1] Search budget-matched properties on https://www.homejourney.sg/search.



Why LTV Ratio Matters for Singapore Buyers & Investors

High LTV means lower upfront cash but higher monthly payments under TDSR/MSR. It affects affordability: 75% LTV on S$1M property = S$250K down vs 55% = S$450K.

For investors, multiple properties hit 35-45% LTV, increasing cash needs. Refinancers: LTV applies to new loans; check via Homejourney for multi-bank offers from Standard Chartered, Maybank, CIMB.

Homejourney prioritizes safety—our one-click multi-bank applications via Singpass verify income/CPF instantly, building trust through transparency.



LTV vs Other Rules: MSR, TDSR & CPF Usage

LTV sets loan size; MSR/TDSR caps payments at 30%/55% of income. CPF OA covers downpayment post-ABSD, but min cash always applies.

Example: S$10K monthly income, MSR 30% = S$3K housing payment max. Pair with 75% LTV for optimal borrowing. Track SORA impacts on Home Loan Tenure: Bank Rate Comparison Guide | Homejourney ">Home Loan Tenure Guide.

Disclaimer: Rules per MAS/HDB as of 2026; consult professionals. Homejourney connects you to mortgage brokers for personalized advice.



Frequently Asked Questions: LTV Ratio Singapore

What is the current LTV limit for first-time HDB buyers?
HDB and bank loans both cap at 75% LTV, so 25% downpayment (5% cash min).[2][3]

Does LTV apply to refinancing?
Yes, but based on current valuation and outstanding loans. Use Homejourney's refinancing tools for DBS/OCBC comparisons.

Can I use CPF for the full downpayment?
No, minimum cash required: 5-25% depending on LTV tier. CPF for balance after.[1]

How does age affect LTV?
If age + tenure >65 or exceeds 30/35 years, LTV drops to 55%/45% etc.[5]

Where to check my LTV eligibility?
Instantly on Homejourney at https://www.homejourney.sg/bank-rates#calculator with Singpass.



Mastering LTV ratio Singapore empowers confident buying. Start with Homejourney's bank rates at https://www.homejourney.sg/bank-rates—compare rates, calculate eligibility, apply to multiple banks safely. For full details, read our pillar 新加坡房贷如何运作完整指南:Homejourney权威手册2026 ">Singapore Home Loan Guide.

References

  1. Singapore Property Market Analysis 2 (2026)
  2. Singapore Property Market Analysis 3 (2026)
  3. Singapore Property Market Analysis 1 (2026)
  4. Singapore Property Market Analysis 4 (2026)
  5. Singapore Property Market Analysis 5 (2026)
  6. Singapore Property Market Analysis 8 (2026)
  7. Singapore Property Market Analysis 6 (2026)
Tags:Singapore PropertyMortgage Basics

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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.