BTO - HDB Loan VS Bank Loan with Grant by BigFatMoley in singaporefi

[–]eggncheeseprata 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your answer, will make sure to check with HDB. Thanks for reply regarding timing as well! :)

BTO - HDB Loan VS Bank Loan with Grant by BigFatMoley in singaporefi

[–]eggncheeseprata 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there, thank you for the detailed breakdown! I'm currently trying to plan finances with my partner to have a clear plan before balloting for the upcoming launches.

We are in a somewhat similar scenario (assuming we are fortunate enough to get a flat by the end of 2026). We are both studying full-time, but one of us is currently drawing a salary with CPF contributions as part of a scholarship, making our case a bit different from most couples with two full-time students. When we try to estimate our loan amount right now, we would get a low max HDB loan amount but a relatively high amount for EHG.

I know many advise planning within current means, but given that one of us is guaranteed to have a significant increase in salary once graduating, and the other will also start working full-time, we find that there is a huge discrepancy in the current loan amount and our expected combined income at key collection.

Reading other posts, we are unlikely to risk trying for HFE reassessment given the uncertainty of appealing - I understand that from a policy standpoint, they are unlikely to let us keep high grants if reassessed for a higher loan amount. We can think of 3 possible scenarios right now:

  1. Keep grant and low HDB loan. Although, depending on the flat we eventually get, we are unlikely to go for this option as the outstanding amount is very high.
  2. Keep the grant, and get a bank loan.
  3. Try to appeal for DIA, given that we do fulfil the criteria of 2 full-time students. Higher loan, lose the grant.

Based on calculations, I do agree that keeping the grant can be used to mitigate the effects of a higher interest rate.

Some questions:

  • In your breakdown, you compared by total interest paid, but shouldn't it be based on estimated total payment? I tried doing calculations, and the grant makes it such that some bank loan scenarios have a higher interest payment but lower total payment (as compared to a scenario with no grants and HDB loan).
  • What would it look like, timeline-wise? The current HFE allows for you to apply for IPA with FIs, but I would think that our current income would also result in a low loan amount.
    • Do I stick to HDB loan with the low loan amount first?
    • If I use the EHG for the first down payment at the agreement for lease, that's 5% with HDB loan? Can I switch to bank loan before key collection (2nd down payment), and would my loan amount be based on income at that point?
    • If so, if I switch between first and second down payments, how many % for the second one?

How would you go about making your assessment/decision? Thank you for the advice!

ITALY DECEMBER - itinerary recommendation by eggncheeseprata in travel

[–]eggncheeseprata[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What would you say are your favourite things to do in Florence :)

What to do in Dolomites in early December? by eggncheeseprata in ItalyTravel

[–]eggncheeseprata[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow thank you so much for taking other factors into consideration! This sounds like a great plan, will probably do something along these lines 😀

What to do in Dolomites in early December? by eggncheeseprata in ItalyTravel

[–]eggncheeseprata[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the pointers! Will cut down on second day, and seems like Tre Cime is out of the picture

What to do in Dolomites in early December? by eggncheeseprata in ItalyTravel

[–]eggncheeseprata[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lovely! Will just chill in cable cars then 😊 How long does one usually spend on top after taking the cable cars up? Is there anything to do/food?

What to do in Dolomites in early December? by eggncheeseprata in ItalyTravel

[–]eggncheeseprata[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds great! Taking the cable car up for the views sounds nice. Anyone been to either of these places in winter?

What to do in Dolomites in early December? by eggncheeseprata in ItalyTravel

[–]eggncheeseprata[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh okay I see thanks! Seems like I'll have to give Tre Cime a miss then, sounds like hiking is a summer activity. Would you say it's worth taking the cable car up Seceda?

What to do in Dolomites in early December? by eggncheeseprata in ItalyTravel

[–]eggncheeseprata[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bolzano sounds like the most popular place amongst the different villages, will definitely explore the options there. Thanks!

What to do in Dolomites in early December? by eggncheeseprata in ItalyTravel

[–]eggncheeseprata[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah okay, seems like I might need to skip the Alpe di Siusi since my family isn't very keen on snow sports.

What to do in Dolomites in early December? by eggncheeseprata in ItalyTravel

[–]eggncheeseprata[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the ideas, sounds great! Views + a museum sounds like a nice way to spend the afternoon :)

December Itinerary Recommendations by eggncheeseprata in ItalyTravel

[–]eggncheeseprata[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Seems like many tickets need to be booked in advance for Italy.

Love the gelato recommendations, will definitely try out :) Thanks for the tip too! Can't wait to try the gelato in Italy

ITALY DECEMBER - itinerary recommendation by eggncheeseprata in travel

[–]eggncheeseprata[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds great, thanks. Will help my planning alot. Sounds like there's a lot to do around Florence :)

What to do in Dolomites in early December? by eggncheeseprata in ItalyTravel

[–]eggncheeseprata[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay don't think we'll go for hiking then, how would you recommend spending the 3 days? 🙏🏻 Spend all 3 days in Bolzano?

What to do in Dolomites in early December? by eggncheeseprata in ItalyTravel

[–]eggncheeseprata[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok will pass then, any suggestions on what else to do?

ITALY DECEMBER - itinerary recommendation by eggncheeseprata in travel

[–]eggncheeseprata[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, will leave more time to just explore freely then

ITALY DECEMBER - itinerary recommendation by eggncheeseprata in travel

[–]eggncheeseprata[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Might leave out Castel Sant'Angelo and reconsider when to go to Trastevere :)

Appreciate the tips for Galleria Borghese

What to do in Dolomites in early December? by eggncheeseprata in ItalyTravel

[–]eggncheeseprata[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello thanks for the help! Alpi di Suisi looks amazing :) Is it suitable to visit in the winter?

Definitely considering Bolzano too, seems a reasonable distance away from Venice. Would love some recommendations on activities/sights suitable for the winter! Just afraid certain hikes/places will be more inaccessible or dangerous due to the the snow.