%TDSRcalculator

For first-time buyers in Singapore

Figure out what you can actually afford — before you fall in love with a place.

Two free tools built on real MAS and IRAS rules, explained in plain English. No sign-up, no jargon left unexplained.

Add up both incomes if you're buying with a partner.

Car loans, credit card minimums, other loans.

New HDB/EC from a developer follows an extra rule called MSR.

Include your CPF Ordinary Account balance.

Max monthly repayment

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Max loan amount

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Max property price

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HDB loans allow 80% financing. Bank loans allow 75%, but need at least 5% in cash.

Loan amount (financed by bank/HDB)–
Downpayment needed–
— of which, minimum cash–
— of which, CPF/cash (your choice)–
Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD)–
Total cash + CPF needed upfront –

This covers downpayment and BSD only — it doesn't include legal fees, agent fees, or renovation costs, which are usually a few thousand dollars more.

Check current bank package rates — this is not the 4% stress-test rate, it's your real rate.

Monthly repayment

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Total interest over the loan

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This is what you'd realistically pay month to month, unlike the stress-tested figures banks use to decide your loan limit.

Averaged over the past 12 months, combined for you and your co-applicant.

Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG)–
Family Grant (resale only)–
Estimated total grants –

This is a simplified estimate for first-timer SC households — real eligibility also depends on citizenship, employment history, and flat size. Grants go into your CPF Ordinary Account, not as cash, and reduce how much you need to borrow. Check your exact figure with HDB's own HFE letter application.

Your max loan tenure

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These tools give estimates based on public MAS and IRAS rules, for learning purposes. They're not financial advice and don't replace an actual bank In-Principle Approval (IPA) or HDB's own eligibility check. Always confirm with a bank, HDB, or a licensed adviser before making decisions.

The basics, in plain English

Buying your first home in Singapore involves a few rules that sound complicated but are actually simple once explained. Banks and HDB won't just lend you as much as you want — they check two things: can your income support the monthly payments, and do you have enough savings for the upfront costs. The calculator above checks the first; the breakdown tool checks the second.

Most first-time buyers also qualify for CPF Housing Grants, which can knock tens of thousands off the price of a flat — first-timers buying a BTO or resale flat may be eligible for grants that add up to a large sum depending on income and flat type. It's worth checking your eligibility on HDB's website before assuming you can't afford somewhere.

Glossary — the words you'll keep seeing

TDSR

Total Debt Servicing Ratio. All your monthly debts, including the new home loan, can't add up to more than 55% of your income. Applies to every property loan.

MSR

Mortgage Servicing Ratio. Just the home loan repayment can't be more than 30% of your income. Only applies to HDB flats and ECs bought directly from a developer.

LTV

Loan-to-Value. The percentage of the property price a bank or HDB will actually lend you. The rest has to come from your own cash or CPF.

CPF

Central Provident Fund — Singapore's mandatory savings scheme. The Ordinary Account (OA) portion can be used toward a home's downpayment and monthly loan repayments.

BSD

Buyer's Stamp Duty. A one-time tax you pay to the government when you buy any property, calculated as a percentage of the price.

Stress-test rate

Banks calculate your loan limit assuming a 4% interest rate, even if your actual rate is lower, so you're not overstretched if rates rise later.