Just Ask Des

23/08/2026

🏠 BREAKING: BTO & EC Income Ceiling Increased! 🇸🇬

Good news for Singapore home buyers! 🎉

During the National Day Rally 2026, PM Lawrence Wong announced that the income ceilings for BTO flats and Executive Condominiums (EC) will be raised.

📌 BTO – Families
$14,000 ➡️ $16,000/month

📌 BTO – Singles
$7,000 ➡️ $8,000/month

📌 Executive Condominium (EC)
$16,000 ➡️ $18,000/month

Why the change?

With Singaporeans marrying later and progressing further in their careers before settling down, more couples have found themselves exceeding the previous income limits.

The higher ceiling means more Singaporeans will now have access to subsidised public housing. 🏡❤️

📅 Important dates to take note:

✅ The revised HDB income ceiling applies to eligible buyers applying for an HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter from 24 August 2026.

✅ It also applies to eligible resale HDB buyers seeking the CPF Housing Grant and those applying for an HDB housing loan.

✅ For ECs, the new $18,000 ceiling applies to projects where the land sale tender closes on or after 24 August 2026. It does not automatically apply to balance units in existing EC projects.

🏗️ Another important update:

The next BTO exercise has been shifted from October to November 2026, with around 7,960 flats expected across Bedok, Geylang, Sembawang, Tengah, Toa Payoh and Yishun.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 And from February 2027, first-timer families with children — or expecting a child — will receive additional BTO ballot chances based on the number of Singapore Citizen children aged 18 and below.

This change could open up new housing options for couples who previously earned slightly above the BTO or EC income ceiling.

If your household income previously exceeded the limit, it may be worth reviewing your housing options again.

Thinking of buying your first home, upgrading or considering an EC? Feel free to drop me a message and we can work out the options together. 😊

28/07/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/19aAKVW3Eq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

08/05/2026

Fresh hot from oven!
🚨 Big changes to Singapore ECs announced!

Key updates:
• EC MOP extended from 5 years → 10 years
• Cannot rent out whole unit or buy another property during the 10-year MOP
• 90% of units reserved for first-time buyers for the first 2 years
• Deferred Payment Scheme (DPS) removed

These changes aim to keep ECs more affordable and focused on genuine home buyers instead of investors. 🏡🇸🇬

08/05/2026

🚨 Singapore EC Policy Major Update 🚨

The Government has announced new measures to make Executive Condominiums (ECs) more affordable and prioritise genuine homebuyers over short-term speculation.

Here’s the quick summary 👇

🏠 Key Changes for NEW EC launches:
• Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) increased from 5 years → 10 years
• 90% of EC units reserved for first-time buyers
• Priority access for first-timers extended to 2 years
• Deferred Payment Scheme removed to encourage prudent buying

📈 Why this is happening:
EC prices have risen sharply over the years:
• Median EC price increased from around $797 psf (2015) → $1,754 psf (2025)
• More second-time buyers/upgraders were dominating EC purchases
• Government wants ECs to return to their original purpose, helping middle-income families own homes affordably

⚠️ What this means for buyers:
✅ Better chances for first-time buyers
✅ Less speculation and flipping
✅ ECs may become more “own stay” focused
❌ Longer commitment period before selling
❌ Harder for buyers relying on deferred payment arrangements

💬 My thoughts:
This is a big shift for Singapore’s EC market. Future EC buyers will likely be more serious long-term homeowners rather than short-term investors. It may also help cool EC prices over time and improve affordability for younger families.

New rules for executive condominiums include a 10-year MOP and more units for first-time buyers to address affordability. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

09/08/2024

🎉 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝟓𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞! 🇸🇬

May Singapore remain prosperous, healthy, and united forever! The future brings more glory to our great nation! Cheers to many more years of prosperity and success ahead. ✨

Happy National Day, everyone! 🙌🏻🥳

01/03/2024

𝟐𝟎% 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐃!

𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐎𝐧 𝟏𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡. 𝐃𝐌 𝐌𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬.

16/02/2024

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/budget-2024-single-singaporean-seniors-get-absd-refund-when-right-sizing-lower-value

SINGLE Singaporeans aged 55 and above will now be able to claim a refund of Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD), when they purchase a lower-value private property to replace their existing residential property. Read more at The Business Times.

18/06/2023

“Being a great father is like shaving. No matter how good you shaved today, you have to do it again tomorrow.” 😃—Reed Markham
The greatest journey of all, full of love, humor, and priceless moments, is fatherhood. 🙂
Happy Father’s Day! Sending love and gratitude to all the best dads in the world! 😎

14/05/2023

Mom is just a title above queen. You make it look easy. The fact is it’s really hard and you do it anyway. I look back on my childhood and thank the stars above. For everything you gave me, but mostly for your love.
“To the world, you are a mother. To our family, you are the world."
God has given me a woman that has proven to be a beautiful mother, a wonderful wife, and an amazing friend. I’m thankful to God for you being such a blessing in my life. Happy Mother’s Day!

30/04/2023

Latest update from Housing Development Board (HDB) Look forward to a more seamless flat buying experience from 9 May!

🆕 The new HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) Letter, which replaces the HLE letter, will let you know your eligibility to buy a new or resale flat, receive housing grants, and obtain an HDB housing loan. More on the HFE letter, how it works, and when you'll need it: https://go.gov.sg/hdb-hfe-fb

Your Interest Is My Priority
Desmond Loo
www.desmondloo.house