Q1 2026 Best Time to Buy Property Singapore Financing: Bank Rate Comparison Guide
Q1 2026 is the best time to buy property in Singapore due to home loan rates at 3-year lows, with fixed rates from 1.30% and SORA floating rates as low as 1M SORA + 0.25% (around 1.42%). Bank loans are now cheaper than HDB's 2.6% concessionary rate, driving refinancing and new purchases.
Homejourney prioritizes your safety with verified real-time rates from all major banks. This cluster article supports our pillar guide on Q1 2026 Best Time to Buy Property Singapore: Homejourney Financing Guide, offering tactical bank comparisons for first-time buyers and investors.
Why Q1 2026 Offers the Best Property Financing Window
Singapore's home loan rates have halved from 3.1% at the start of 2025 to 1.4-1.8% in Q1 2026, following US Federal Reserve cuts and low 3M SORA at 1.34%.
3M SORA is expected to hover at 1.3-1.4% through first quarter 2026, making it ideal for locking in low fixed or floating rates before potential mid-year moderation.
Refinancing from HDB loans surged as bank rates dipped below 2.6%, with DBS reporting 13x take-up for its 1.55% 3-year fixed POSB HDB loan.
Homejourney's bank rates page shows live updates—compare instantly and calculate eligibility with our free tool.
Current Q1 2026 Bank Rate Comparison Table
Here's a side-by-side of top banks' best rates for new purchases and refinancing in January 2026. Rates include promos; effective rates factor in spreads over SORA (1M SORA ~1.17%, 3M ~1.34%).
| Bank | Best Fixed (Y1/Y2) | Best Floating (Y1/Y2) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Promo (Various) | 1.30-1.50% | 1M SORA +0.25% (~1.42%) | New Condo/HDB |
| DBS | 1.75% / 1.70% (3Y) | 3M SORA +0.28% | HDB Refi |
| OCBC | 1.65% | 1M SORA +0.25% | Resale |
| UOB | 1.65% | 3M SORA +0.40% | Landed |
| Maybank | 1.65% | 3M SORA +0.27-0.40% | Refinance |
| HSBC/SCB | 1.70% / 1.68% | 1M SORA +0.30% | Investors |
Note: Rates as of Jan 2026; check Homejourney bank-rates for updates. Cash rebates up to S$2,800 for loans >S$1.5M.
Foreign banks like HSBC, Standard Chartered, Citibank offer competitive SORA pegs but higher lock-in penalties.
Understanding SORA and Rate Trends for Q1 2026
SORA (Singapore Overnight Rate Average) is the key benchmark for floating loans, replacing older FIX/SIBOR. 1M/3M SORA rates are at multi-year lows, with 3M at 1.34%.
The chart below shows recent interest rate trends in Singapore:
As seen, rates dropped over 100bps from 2025 peaks, but expect stability in Q1 2026 before modest rises. Fixed rates suit risk-averse buyers; floating for long-term savings if SORA stays low.
Actionable Steps: How to Secure Best Rates on Homejourney
- Compare on Homejourney: Visit https://www.homejourney.sg/bank-rates for real-time DBS, OCBC, UOB, HSBC, Maybank rates.
- Calculate Eligibility: Use our mortgage calculator factoring TDSR (60% debt cap) and MSR (30% for HDB).
- Apply Multi-Bank: Submit one Singpass-enabled form—banks compete, you get top offers fast.
- Time Your Move: Lock fixed now for Q1 purchases; refinance HDB if saving >0.5% monthly.
- Search Properties: Filter budgets on Homejourney property search.
Insider tip: For Tengah or Punggol resale HDB (S$500K-800K), DBS POSB at 1.55% saves S$200/month vs HDB loan. Always verify with Homejourney brokers for personalized advice.
Bank Spotlights: Pros, Cons, and Who Wins in Q1 2026
DBS: Market Leader for HDB
DBS offers 1.75% 2Y fixed, 3M SORA +0.28%. Pros: No early repayment penalty on 3Y fixed, strong HDB integration. Cons: Slightly higher than promos. Best for first-time HDB buyers.
OCBC & UOB: Balanced for Condos
OCBC 1.65% fixed, UOB competitive landed rates. Pros: Cashback S$2K+, flexible conversion. Cons: Longer processing (2-4 weeks). Ideal for resale condos in Toa Payoh.
Maybank & Foreign Banks: Refi Specialists
Maybank 3M SORA +0.27%, HSBC/SCB 1.70% fixed. Pros: Lowest spreads for large loans. Cons: Stricter criteria. Great for investors eyeing ECs.
Disclaimer: Rates fluctuate; Homejourney verifies data but consult professionals. Not financial advice.
FAQ: Q1 2026 Property Buying Financing
Is Q1 2026 the best time to buy property in Singapore?
Yes, with rates at 1.3-1.8% vs HDB 2.6%. Act before mid-2026 moderation. See our approval odds guide.
Fixed or floating for first quarter 2026?
Fixed (1.30-1.75%) for stability; floating (SORA+0.25%) if expecting lows. Compare on Homejourney.
Can I refinance HDB to bank loan now?
Yes, if saving >S$100/month. DBS/OCBC lead; use Homejourney multi-application for offers.
How does Homejourney make financing safe?
Singpass auto-fill, real-time verified rates, broker connections—prioritizing your trust and security.
What's next after rate comparison?
Check FAQs and projects directory for market data.
Ready for Q1 2026 property buying? Start with Homejourney bank rates for the best time buy property Singapore financing. Link back to our pillar for full coverage.