Sunday, August 24, 2008

Home Loans

Not something I'm looking actively into now but happened to spend some time reading the Sunday article on invest on "Finding the best way to pay off a home loan"

For sharing :P
Before I go on, some points picked up from my colleagues: pt 2 wasnt even highlighted to them when they sign the contract!
1. Always go for HDB loan - its the best rate. (should apply only for first time I think..)
2. For resale - if your tenure is for 25 years (or 20 or any number), you cannot use your CPF to finance for the last 5 years. (I think this is NOT highlighted to most borrowers..especially impt if you're dependent on ur Cpf to pay off)
I'll update if there's any more news. ^^

With interest rates falling over the past few months, our banks have come up with attractive packages for refinancing (for existing loan customers who reapply to enjoy significant interest savings - so much loans to pay off, really a big burden.. need to knw how to allocate the $$). The one that caught my eye is on "Interest-only Loans".

Sounds like a good deal but BEWARE! Lots of hidden clauses..Bascially
- pay only the interest for the entire duration*of their home loan
- If property prices correct by over 20%, it'll plunge the borrower into negative equity as he might not be able to sell his property at a price where he can pay up the loan. (still trying to figure out what this means.)

*Your tenure may be 25yrs, but the interest** payment may be shorter, say 10 yrs. So for the first 10 yrs u pay interest only. For the remaining term, you pay interest + outstanding loan. Meaning to say, after 10yrs, you'll see a balloon in the amt you'll need to repay.
**Interest may not be fixed as Interest-only loans are normally extended with an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). Say the interest payable is for 10yrs (this could be made up of fixed & adjustable), fixed for 5yrs. After the 5yrs, the interest you pay will adjust accordingly.

Find out more at http://www.housingloansg.com/web/

P.S i also hafnt got my own house yet..hopefully will find out more then & share with you guys!

Friday, August 22, 2008

Hey!

Hey all!

Maybe by this time when you are reading this blog, am already in HK, embarking on my dream of furthering my studies! :)

In actual fact, as i'm typing this blog, i'm still not mentally prepared to leave everything here and stay there by myself lonely out in a foreign land! Sigh... & i'm already going to leave in less than 36hrs! How? U gals here better pray hard for me that i do not meet bad ppl out there! kekek

Pls do not forget me... i'll only be there for a yr. Most prob i'll try to make a trip back in Dec but that is not confirmed as yet!

Meanwhile, i'll try to slim down during my stay there as i reckon, there'll be no one to dine wif me, nothing to do during the wkends... i'll jus spend my time hitting the gym!! kekek So maybe a yr later when u meet me, i'll be pretty n slimmer! kekekke :)

Most importantly, I want to thank u all for the well wishes and blessings! Pls come n visit me! U r free to bunk in wif me, only condition is that u will have to cook for me!!! haha.

but having said that, I need to check out if my accomodation is very strict with outside guests before u can come stay wif me! if you r really interested, this is where i stay!
Harbour Plaza. It's very far off town though. Let me know before u well arrive ok? smilz!!

I shall end off with some of my photos taken 2wks ago @ Melbourne. Enjoy! :)

p/s: feel free to sms my singapore HP number. I'll still be in use!