For HDB owners clearing MOP and weighing the move to private property — the MCST governance lens most agents plant only after you've signed, not before.
Lentor Gardens Residences is GFA harmonised — strata area equals liveable area. Lentor Mansion is not. Comparing psf across these two projects without adjusting is a 5–10% error.
3-month compounded SORA is forecast to reach ~1.32% by end-2026 (UOB Research). On a S$1.125M loan, that's roughly S$1,250/month less than 2023's peak rate — meaningful relief for buyers near the TDSR ceiling.
New ECs awarded from 8 May 2026 carry a 10-year Minimum Occupation Period, not 5 — most buyers comparing launches this month don't know which rule applies to their shortlist. Here's what changed and what it means for the EC vs. condo decision.
With $200,000 cash, $100,000 CPF and freelance income, a 30-year-old buyer's real borrowing power is set by the 70% haircut banks apply to a 2-year NOA average — not by what she invoices. At a $6,000/month NOA average, that's roughly $484,000 in bank loan capacity.
TDSR is the single most important number in your Singapore property purchase — and for freelancers, the rules are stricter than most realise until their IPA comes in $300,000 lower than expected.
Water seepage liability, caveat emptor, MCST governance signals, DLP deadlines — the five things that determine whether you are inheriting a problem. Notes from a former Managing Agent.
Most HDB upgrade guides cover MOP, ABSD, CPF, and TDSR, then stop. James maps the full sequence including the MCST governance check no other guide covers. Read before any OTP.
Free resale condo calculator — model total purchase cost, stamp duty, net proceeds, and estimated holding period return for any Singapore resale condo.
Free Singapore new launch cost calculator — model your total purchase cost, stamp duty, TDSR headroom and down payment requirements before stepping into a showflat.
