Answer
What Is the Minimum Cash Down Payment for a Condo in Singapore?
The short answer is 5% — but the total you need in hand is a lot more than that. Here's the full breakdown.
Answer: The minimum cash down payment is 5% of the purchase price for your first property with a bank loan (75% LTV). The total down payment is 25% — 5% cash + 20% from CPF OA. On a $1M condo, that's $50,000 cash minimum. On a $1.5M condo, that's $75,000 cash minimum.
Down Payment Structure
First property, bank loan
| LTV Tier | Loan % | Total Down Payment | Min Cash | CPF / Cash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75% LTV | 75% | 25% | 5% | 20% |
| 55% LTV | 55% | 45% | 10% | 35% |
| 45% LTV (2nd property) | 45% | 55% | 25% | 30% |
75% LTV applies when age + tenure ≤ 65 and no existing property loan. 55% LTV when age + tenure > 65 or remaining lease issues. 45% LTV for second outstanding loan.
Cash Down Payment by Condo Price
First property, 75% LTV bank loan
| Condo Price | Min Cash (5%) | CPF Portion (20%) | Total Down Payment (25%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $800,000 | $40,000 | $160,000 | $200,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $50,000 | $200,000 | $250,000 |
| $1,200,000 | $60,000 | $240,000 | $300,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $75,000 | $300,000 | $375,000 |
| $2,000,000 | $100,000 | $400,000 | $500,000 |
CPF portion can be paid from CPF OA. If your CPF OA is insufficient, the shortfall must be paid in cash.
Total Cash You Actually Need
Down payment is just one piece — stamp duty and fees add up
| Cost | $1M Condo | $1.5M Condo | $2M Condo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash down payment (5%) | $50,000 | $75,000 | $100,000 |
| BSD | $24,600 | $44,600 | $64,600 |
| Legal fees | ~$3,000 | ~$3,000 | ~$3,500 |
| Valuation | ~$500 | ~$500 | ~$500 |
| Total Cash (Min) | ~$78,100 | ~$123,100 | ~$168,600 |
BSD can be paid from CPF OA. If you use CPF for BSD, you need less cash — but the 5% cash down payment is always required in cash. Figures exclude ABSD (first property SC = 0%).
Second Property? The Cash Jumps
If you already own a property with an outstanding loan, the LTV drops to 45% and the minimum cash portion jumps to 25% of the purchase price. Plus you pay 20% ABSD (for Singapore Citizens).
| Condo Price | Cash Down (25%) | ABSD (20% SC) | Total Cash Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000,000 | $250,000 | $200,000 | $450,000+ |
| $1,500,000 | $375,000 | $300,000 | $675,000+ |
| $2,000,000 | $500,000 | $400,000 | $900,000+ |
ABSD must be paid in cash. The "+" means BSD and legal fees are additional. SC can apply for ABSD remission if buying a matrimonial home (conditions apply).
How much cash do you actually need?
Enter your target condo price to see the full cash breakdown — down payment, stamp duty, and closing costs.
FAQ
What is the minimum cash down payment for a condo in Singapore?
For your first property with a bank loan at 75% LTV, the minimum cash down payment is 5% of the purchase price. The remaining 20% of the 25% down payment can come from CPF OA. For example, on a $1M condo, the minimum cash is $50,000.
Can I use CPF to pay the entire down payment?
No. A minimum of 5% must be paid in cash for bank loans at 75% LTV. For reduced LTV (55%), the minimum cash portion is 10%. The rest of the down payment can come from CPF OA, but the cash portion is non-negotiable.
What is the down payment for a second property condo?
For a second property, the LTV drops to 45%. The total down payment is 55% of the purchase price, with a minimum of 25% in cash. On a $1.5M condo, that means at least $375,000 in cash. You also need to pay ABSD of 20% (for Singapore Citizens).
What other cash costs are there besides the down payment?
Besides the cash down payment, you need cash for: Buyer Stamp Duty (BSD), legal fees (~$3,000), valuation fee (~$500), and if applicable, Additional Buyer Stamp Duty (ABSD). BSD on a $1M condo is $24,600. These cannot come from CPF.
Is the down payment refundable if the purchase falls through?
It depends on the stage. If you withdraw after exercising the Option to Purchase (OTP), you typically forfeit the option fee (usually 1% for private property). If the sale is completed, the full down payment goes to the seller.
Related
Last updated Feb 2026. LTV limits per MAS Notice 645. Down payment rules per MAS property loan guidelines. This is informational, not financial advice.