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Executive Condo (EC) Home Loan Singapore: Rates, Eligibility & How to Apply

Obsessed about optimising interest costs vs savings for all types of mortgages in Singapore.

Jovin

happy young asian-couple with realtor agent

An Executive Condo (EC) is a hybrid of public and private housing. You get full condo facilities like a pool and gym at a lower price than a private condo, because the government subsidises ECs for their first 10 years.

Here’s the key thing to know upfront: you can’t use an HDB loan for an EC. An EC can only be financed with a bank loan, and both the Mortgage Servicing Ratio (MSR) and Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) apply to a new purchase.

This guide walks you through home loan rates for ECs, eligibility, costs, grants and how to apply, step by step.

What Is an Executive Condo Home Loan?

An EC home loan is simply a bank home loan used to buy an Executive Condo. There’s no separate product called an “EC loan” sitting at the bank. It’s a standard bank mortgage, with a few rules specific to ECs.

Here’s how ECs work:

  • Built by Private Developers, on HDB Land: ECs are designed and built by private developers, but they sit on land released by HDB and are treated as HDB properties for their first 10 years.
  • Only a Bank Loan Will Do: You can’t take an HDB concessionary loan for an EC. The only route is a bank loan for EC financing, whether you’re buying new or resale.
  • New ECs Use Progressive Payments: For an EC still under construction, the loan is disbursed in stages as each building milestone is reached, so you only pay interest on what’s been drawn down.
  • Full Privatisation at 10 Years: Once an EC hits 10 years from its Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP), it’s fully privatised and treated like any standard private condo for all financing purposes.

So an EC loan behaves like a private property loan wrapped in HDB-style rules for the first decade. Getting your head around those rules is what makes an EC housing loan slightly trickier than a normal condo purchase.

Who Can Apply for an EC Home Loan?

To buy a new Executive Condo, you’ll need to meet a set of eligibility rules set by HDB. Here’s what you have to tick off:

  • At Least One Singapore Citizen: Every application needs a minimum of one Singapore Citizen. SC and PR couples qualify, but singles can’t buy a new EC.
  • Income Ceiling of S$16,000: Your household’s combined gross monthly income can’t exceed S$16,000.
  • No Recent Private Property: You can’t currently own private property, and you must not have disposed of one within the last 30 months.
  • One Subsidy Limit: You can’t have taken more than one housing subsidy from HDB before.
  • Minimum Age of 21: At least one applicant has to be 21 or older.

Resale ECs that have passed their 5-year Minimum Occupancy Period (MOP) come with fewer strings attached. The income ceiling is removed, and Singapore PRs are allowed to buy.

EC Loan Limits: LTV, MSR and TDSR Explained

Three limits decide how much you can actually borrow for an Executive Condo. Here’s the quick version:

Limit

What It Means

Cap

LTV (Loan-to-Value)

The share of the property price a bank can lend you

Up to 75%

MSR (Mortgage Servicing Ratio)

Share of gross monthly income that can go to your EC repayment

30%

TDSR (Total Debt Servicing Ratio)

Share of gross monthly income that can go to all your debts

55%

LTV (Loan-to-Value) is the slice of the price a bank can lend. First-time buyers can borrow up to 75% of the price or valuation, whichever is lower. To get the full 75%, your housing loan tenure must be 30 years or less, and your age plus tenure can’t exceed 65. Cross either threshold, and your LTV drops to 55%. Either way, at least 5% of the price has to be paid in cash.

MSR (Mortgage Servicing Ratio) caps your monthly EC repayment at 30% of your gross monthly income. This limit is unique to ECs and HDB flats, and for most buyers, it’s the one that bites first.

TDSR (Total Debt Servicing Ratio) caps all your monthly debt repayments combined, including car loans, personal loans and the new mortgage, at 55% of your gross monthly income. TDSR sits on top of MSR, and banks stress-test your loan at an assumed rate of 4% rather than the actual rate.

MSR disappears once your EC is fully privatised at 10 years from TOP. From that point, it’s treated like any other private condo loan, and only TDSR applies.

How Much Do You Need to Pay Upfront for an EC?

For a new Executive Condo, you’ll need to put down at least 25% of the price upfront. Here’s how that splits:

  • 5% in Cash: Paid as the Option to Purchase (OTP) booking fee. This part can’t come from CPF.
  • 20% in CPF or Cash: Paid when you sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA). You can use your CPF Ordinary Account, cash, or a mix of both.

The remaining 75% is your maximum loan. Here’s an example of how that looks for two common EC prices:

EC Price

Total Down (25%)

Cash (5%)

CPF or Cash (20%)

Max Loan (75%)

S$1,300,000

S$325,000

S$65,000

S$260,000

S$975,000

S$1,600,000

S$400,000

S$80,000

S$320,000

S$1,200,000

These figures show the maximum you could borrow. Your actual approved loan may be lower, since MSR and TDSR limits are based on your income, not just the property price.

CPF Housing Grants for EC Buyers

First-timer couples buying a new Executive Condo may qualify for a CPF housing grant, which lowers the effective price. Two grants apply:

  • Family Grant: Up to S$30,000 for first-timer couples where both are Singapore Citizens, or one is an SC and the other a PR.
  • Half-Housing Grant: Up to S$15,000 where one applicant is a first-timer and the other is a second-timer.

Both grants are credited to your CPF Ordinary Account and used to offset the purchase price, rather than handed out as cash. They also apply only to new ECs bought from a developer, not resale ECs.

Grant amounts and conditions are reviewed from time to time, so check the latest figures with the CPF Board or HDB before you build them into your budget.

EC Payment Schemes: Progressive vs Deferred

New Executive Condos come with a choice of payment scheme, and it shapes your cash flow during construction. The two options are the Normal Progressive Payment Scheme (NPS) and the Deferred Payment Scheme (DPS).

Feature

Normal Progressive Payment Scheme (NPS)

Deferred Payment Scheme (DPS)

When loan disbursements start

Progressively, as each construction stage is completed

Only when the EC is completed at TOP

Cash flow during construction

Repayments begin early and rise as more is drawn down

No loan repayments until completion

Interest during construction

Lower, since you pay interest only on what’s disbursed

Higher overall, often built into the purchase price

Best suited for

Buyers who want the lowest total interest cost

Buyers who are still selling an existing property and need breathing room

In short, NPS keeps your total interest down, while DPS frees up your cash flow during the build at a higher overall cost. However, not every developer offers the Deferred Payment Scheme, so check what’s available for your specific EC project.

Financing a New EC vs a Resale EC

The rules for financing an Executive Condo change as the property ages. Where your EC sits in its lifecycle decides who can buy it and which limits apply.

Stage

Who Can Buy

Loan Rules

New EC (under construction or within first 5 years)

SC, and SC-PR couples meeting eligibility

MSR and TDSR both apply, with income ceiling and citizenship criteria

Resale EC (5 to 10 years, past MOP)

Singapore Citizens and PRs

No income ceiling, but MSR still applies

Fully privatised EC (10+ years from TOP)

Anyone, including foreigners

Treated as private property, so only TDSR applies

The longer an EC has been around, the more it behaves like a private condo, and the fewer restrictions you’ll face when financing it.

How to Apply for an EC Home Loan: Step by Step

Buying an Executive Condo follows a fairly set path. Here’s the order things happen in, and where your home loan fits.

  1. Get your In-Principle Approval (IPA) first. Before you commit to anything, get an IPA so you know exactly how much you can borrow. DollarBack can process your IPA home loan in around 15 minutes.
  2. Apply and ballot for your EC. Submit your application to the developer and take part in the balloting exercise to select a unit.
  3. Pay the 5% booking fee. Once you’re offered a unit, pay the 5% OTP booking fee in cash to secure it.
  4. Finalise your home loan. Compare the latest EC home loan rates from more than 16 banks and lock in the package that suits you.
  5. Sign the SPA and pay 20%. When you sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement, pay the remaining 20% down payment using your CPF Ordinary Account, cash, or both.
  6. Receive your loan disbursement. From here, your loan is disbursed progressively under NPS, or in one lump at TOP if you choose DPS.

Why EC Buyers Use DollarBack Mortgage

Purchasing an Executive Condo has more moving parts than a standard condo, so the right guidance pays off. Here’s what you get with DollarBack Mortgage:

  • Access to 16+ Banks: We compare packages across more than 16 banks, including special rates that aren’t advertised publicly.
  • Expert EC Loan Specialists: Our consultants guide you from IPA right through to your SPA, handling MSR and TDSR calculations, CPF grant applications and your payment scheme decision.
  • Exclusive Rewards: Enjoy up to S$3,300 in cash rewards plus discounted legal fees on top of a competitive rate.

Ready to find the best package for your EC? Get in touch with our team today.

Current EC Home Loan Rates in Singapore

Compare the latest EC home loan packages from major banks below, updated regularly so you’re always working with current numbers.

New EC / BUC — 3M SORA Floating Packages (Ranked)

Note: Fixed-rate packages are not available for BUC / New Launch loans — floating only. Interest is charged on the disbursed amount at each progressive payment stage, not the full loan. Free conversion to a fixed rate is typically available after TOP.

Rank

Bank

Spread

All-In Rate

Lock-In

1

HSBC

3M Compounded SORA

+0.20%

1.29%

p.a.

2 yrs

1

Maybank

3M Compounded SORA

+0.20%

1.29%

p.a.

1 yr

3

UOB

3M Compounded SORA

+0.25%

1.34%

p.a.

2 yrs

4

DBS

3M Compounded SORA

+0.28%

1.37%

p.a.

2 yrs

*Updated 5 July 2026  ·  dollarbackmortgage.com

Resale EC (Completed) — Fixed Rate Packages (Ranked by Rate)

Bank

Year 1–2 Rate

From Year 3

Thereafter

Lock-In

HSBC

2-Year Fixed Rate

1.40%

p.a.

3M SORA +0.50%

(~1.59% p.a.)

3M SORA +1.00%

(~2.09% p.a.)

2 yrs

Citibank

2-Year Fixed Rate

1.45%

p.a.

3M SORA +0.50%

(~1.59% p.a.)

3M SORA +1.00%

(~2.09% p.a.)

2 yrs

DBS

2-Year Fixed Rate

1.45%

p.a.

3M SORA +0.50%

(~1.59% p.a.)

3M SORA +1.00%

(~2.09% p.a.)

2 yrs

Maybank

2-Year Fixed Rate

1.45%

p.a.

3M SORA +0.50%

(~1.59% p.a.)

3M SORA +1.00%

(~2.09% p.a.)

2 yrs

Standard Chartered

2-Year Fixed Rate

1.45%

p.a.

3M SORA +0.50%

(~1.59% p.a.)

3M SORA +1.00%

(~2.09% p.a.)

2 yrs

UOB

2-Year Fixed Rate

1.50%

p.a.

3M SORA +0.80%

(~1.89% p.a.)

3M SORA +1.00%

(~2.09% p.a.)

2 yrs

OCBC

2-Year Fixed Rate

1.60%

p.a.

3M SORA +0.60%

(~1.69% p.a.)

3M SORA +1.00%

(~2.09% p.a.)

2 yrs

*Updated 5 July 2026  ·  dollarbackmortgage.com

Resale EC (Completed) — 3M SORA Floating Packages (Ranked)

Rank

Bank

Spread

All-In Rate

Lock-In

1

HSBC

3M Compounded SORA

+0.20%

1.29%

p.a.

2 yrs

1

Maybank

3M Compounded SORA

+0.20%

1.29%

p.a.

1–2 yrs

3

Citibank

3M Compounded SORA

+0.23%

1.32%

p.a.

2 yrs

4

OCBC

3M Compounded SORA

+0.25%

1.34%

p.a.

2 yrs

5

DBS

3M Compounded SORA

+0.28%

1.37%

p.a.

2 yrs

6

UOB

3M Compounded SORA

+0.30%

1.39%

p.a.

2 yrs

dollarbackmortgage.com

These rates shown are publicly listed packages. Lower rates are often available exclusively through our consultants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an HDB loan for an EC?

No. An EC can only be financed with a bank loan, never an HDB concessionary loan. This holds true whether you’re buying a new EC from a developer or a resale unit.

What is the maximum loan amount?

First-time buyers can borrow up to 75% of the EC price or valuation, whichever is lower. Your actual approved amount may be smaller, since it’s also capped by the MSR at 30% of gross monthly income and the TDSR at 55% of gross monthly income.

What is the MSR for an EC?

The Mortgage Servicing Ratio (MSR) limits your monthly EC repayment to 30% of your gross monthly income. It applies to ECs and HDB flats only, and it usually kicks in before TDSR. MSR no longer applies once the EC is fully privatised at 10 years from TOP.

What is the income ceiling for a new EC?

The household income ceiling for a new EC is S$16,000 in combined gross monthly income. If your household earns more than that, you won’t qualify for a new EC, though a resale EC past its MOP has no income ceiling.

How much cash do I need upfront?

You’ll need at least 5% of the price in cash for the booking fee, and that part can’t come from CPF. A further 20% is due at signing and can be paid from your CPF Ordinary Account, in cash, or a combination of both.

What CPF grants are available?

First-timer couples may qualify for the Family Grant of up to S$30,000, or the Half-Housing Grant of up to S$15,000, where one applicant is a second-timer. These grants apply to new ECs only and are credited to your CPF Ordinary Account. Always confirm the latest amounts with the CPF Board.

What is the difference between PPS and DPS?

Under the Progressive Payment Scheme (PPS), also called the Normal Progressive Payment Scheme, your housing loan is disbursed in stages as construction progresses, which keeps total interest lower. The Deferred Payment Scheme (DPS) lets you skip repayments until the EC is completed, but the purchase price is usually higher. PPS suits cost-conscious buyers, while DPS suits those still selling an existing home.

Can I finance a resale EC differently?

Yes. A resale EC past its 5-year MOP has fewer restrictions, with no income ceiling and PRs allowed to buy. MSR still applies until the EC is fully privatised at 10 years from TOP, after which only TDSR applies, and it’s financed like a private condo. It’s worth taking the time to compare home loan rates across banks before you settle on a resale EC package.

What is the maximum loan tenure?

The maximum home loan tenure for an EC is 35 years. To keep your LTV at the full 75%, though, your tenure should be 30 years or less, and your age plus tenure should not exceed 65. Stretch beyond that, and the tenure can reach 35 years, but your LTV drops to 55%.

Jovin

Jovin

Jovin is a Singapore-based mortgage advisor and the founder of DollarBack Mortgage, with a background as a High Net Worth Banking Manager where he personally structured over SGD 150 million in mortgages. He specialises in helping homebuyers and property owners compare Singapore home loan options, plan refinancing strategies, and understand the financing decisions that affect their long-term costs. His analysis of Singapore's mortgage and interest rate environment has been featured in national publications.

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