Can I buy a HDB when I’m single and in my 30s?

Alright so, I’m single, 33 years old, Singaporean, and I want to buy a HDB.
Can I?
Right now, or in the future?

Looking at brand new Build-To-Order (BTO) and pre-loved resale flats…

BTO: At 33, no. At 35, yes.

I will have to wait until I’m 35, be under the income ceiling of $7,000 a month, and not have bought a subsidised home before.

For a 2-room flexi flat in a non-mature estate — one bedroom, one living room.

I’ll be able to buy the home either alone, or with up to three single friends. (But considering it’s a house with just one bedroom, 35 to 49 square metres, perhaps it’s best to buy alone. It’s going to be a squeeze.)

Resale: Yes, if…

Pre-loved resale flats are great if I need more options and exceptions.

At 33, I can buy a resale flat if I am widowed, or an orphan (it’s open to me at 21 years old).

At 35, I can buy a bigger home, in any location:

• If I want a CPF housing grant, up to a 5-room flat.
• Without a grant, anything but a 3Gen flat.

Income ceiling:

• If I am under the income ceiling of $7,000 a month, I can apply for CPF housing grants and a HDB housing loan.
• If I am above it, only the Proximity Housing Grant may apply, and I will have to take a bank loan.

And if I’ve taken a housing subsidy before, I will not be able to apply for another, unless it’s the Proximity Housing Grant.

Buying with up to three others? We can buy any resale flat type, apart from 3Gen flats.

Whether I’m buying alone or with others, I/we will have to keep an eye on the flat’s remaining lease. If the lease doesn’t last until I / the youngest turn(s) 95 years old, or is less than 60 years, it will limit the amount of CPF I/we can use to pay for the mortgage.

Resources, links and more:

• HDB | Singles (Eligibility conditions)
• HDB | Couples and Families (Information for orphans and siblings here)
• HDB | Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (Singles) (Applies for BTO and resale)
• HDB | CPF Housing Grant for Resale Flats (Singles) (Applies for resale)
• HDB | Proximity Housing Grant (Singles) (Applies for resale)
• HDB | Housing Loan from HDB (2-room BTO, 5-room or smaller resale, under the income ceiling of $7,000)
• HDB | Eligibility Check (Use this to let HDB do the thinking)

❤️🌧️

Image of HDB buildings in Singapore by Jason Goh from Pixabay.