19/07/2018
IS YOUR HDB FLAT A GOOD ASSET?
There was a hot debate recently that if HDB flat, with its 99-year lease, is an asset or not. In our opinion, it can be. The importance is how you deal with it. Given that more than 80% of Singaporean own or stay in HDB flats, it is clearly an important part of our life. We are given 2 chances to book for a new flat and can buy resale flats in the market. With the help of CPF, it can help us to own one with little or no cash outlay. Of course, you still have to pay the monthly installment for the housing loan if your CPF fund is not big enough. But again, your CPF monthly contribution comes to rescue one more time.
So how to deal with HDB flat so that it becomes an asset or even a remarkable investment. Let us look at it this way. Since you got the HDB flat with little or no cash down, you are already saving a lot on your cash, and then your rental should you not buy but rent a place instead. You can make use of CPF, even before you reach the age of retirement. So, use it. Imagine you have to rent a flat at $1000 to $2000 of your own cash – This is the amount you can save for your next investment.
HDB flat can become a significant investment if you buy it in a Right Location and at the Right Time. For example, if you buy a 4-room flat in Queenstown from HDB at a price of $450,000. Five years later, you can sell it at $800,000. You make an easy $350,000. For some, you can retire with this amount of money. Of course, many will say it is very difficult to get a Queenstown BTO flat. Well, you can always try your luck in the balloting (Given that you are not in a hurry to get a new flat). My strategy would be you find a place to stay first (Your parent house, or even a resale flat at a reason price in Yishun or Sembawang, which does not cost you an arm or a leg). Since you are not in a hurry to get a new flat, strike your first try with a Queenstown BTO or Sale of Balance. You might just get one with a higher chance since it is your first time applying. Just one very good deal can make your life much easier afterward. If at your time, the offer of Queenstown flat is not a lot, well, you still have the alike like new flats in Clementi, Toa Payoh, East Coast area, etc (I have not even mentioned the centre area as it is quite rare). There you go, you are on the way to make a good investment out of a HDB flat.
My other piece of advice for HDB flat is: Don’t keep it for too long unless you are already a millionaire and comfortable to stay at that flat for the rest of your life. As the flat is aging, the value may drop. Especially in those locations where there are many flats like Sengkang, Pungol, Yishun. It a big No No to buy in such locations as the competition is too large when you want to sell your flat. Choose the location wisely. So, choose the Right Time when your flat is on the demand (after 5 years of MOP), SELL IT.
To play this Property Game, you need to ensure your income is enough to cover your monthly expenses. Don’t be put in the situation where you are forced to sell your flat. It is worst when you are to sell your HDB flat during a crisis (SARS, Financial Crisis, etc). So be prudent in your spending. And you will get there with just one or two good deals.
AN
A letter published in the Straits Times claimed recently that the promise of owning a 99-year-leasehold HDB (Housing & Development Board) flat as an investment for old age is no longer valid today. The letter writer, Ronnie Lim Ah Bee, pointed to the announcements by National Development Minister La...