How does it affect upgraders and people in the process of selling their property?

The government's main intention of introducing this new measure is to deter speculation in property. However, it can affect upgraders and people in the process of selling their existing property.

For instance, if you have an existing property which has an outstanding housing loan, but want to buy a new condominium project to be completed in a few years' time, you can only get maximum 70 per cent financing.

Those with plans to move are affected as well. If you plan to move to a new home and you purchase the new home before you sell your existing home, and if there is an outstanding loan on your existing home, you can only get a maximum of 70 per cent financing for your new home.

For those who have sold their property but the transaction is not completed yet, they might be affected as well.

In order to qualify for 80 per cent financing, homebuyers must prove the sale of their existing home to get the 80 per cent loan. For HDB flats, this requires an approval letter from HDB to the seller within two weeks from the date of the first sales appointment, which typically is about one to two months after the date of option to purchase.

For private properties, a signed sales and purchase agreement is required as proof, and a certificate from Iras showing that the stamp duty has been paid by the buyer of the existing home.