Bank Rates Are Now Lower But Is Switching Right for Everyone?
With rates at multi-year lows and SORA around 1.1% to 1.2%, 2026 is an excellent time to refinance. Here's practical advice for different situations:
When assessing affordability banks don't use the actual loan rate but tapply a stress test rate of at least 4%.
This means a loan advertised at 1.75% is assessed as if the rate were 4% which is significantly reducing maximum borrowing capacity. Additionally only 70% of variable income (bonuses, commission) is counted towards your income. This calculator uses actual rates for repayment estimates but the "minimum income required" figures don’t factor in the 4% stress test.
Understanding Loan Affordability
- Fixed income: 100% counted
- Rental income: 70% counted
- Variable income (bonus, commission, OT): 70% counted
- Eligible financial assets: 30% converted over 48 months
| Monthly Income | Max Loan (TDSR 55%, 4% stress, 25 yrs) |
|---|---|
| $8,000 | $835,000 |
| $10,000 | $1,045,000 |
| $12,000 | $1,255,000 |
| $15,000 | $1,565,000 |
Total Cost of Property Ownership
- ▸ Down payment: 5% cash + 20% CPF (for 75% LTV)
- ▸ Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD): 1% to 6% of property price
- ▸ Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD): 0% to 60% depending on profile
- ▸ Legal fees: $2,500 to $3,500
- ▸ Valuation fee: $300 to $600
- ▸ Down payment: 5% cash + 20% CPF (for 75% LTV)
- ▸ Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD): 1% to 6% of property price
- ▸ Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD): 0% to 60% depending on profile
- ▸ Legal fees: $2,500 to $3,500
- ▸ Valuation fee: $300 to $600
