How Much Property Can You Afford in Singapore?
Determining your property budget in Singapore involves understanding the interplay between your income, existing debts, available savings, and regulatory limits. The Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) framework is the primary constraint — your total monthly debt obligations (including the new mortgage) cannot exceed 55% of your gross monthly income. This means a household earning $12,000 per month can have maximum total debt repayments of $6,600, including car loans, personal loans, and the new housing loan.
Beyond TDSR, your available cash and CPF determine your down payment capacity. For a 75% LTV loan, you need 25% down payment — at least 5% in cash with the remaining 20% from cash or CPF. A household with $100,000 in cash and $200,000 in CPF OA could theoretically fund the down payment for a property worth up to $1.2 million, subject to TDSR qualification for the loan component.