Deciding on two locations for resale flat and if I should forgo the proximity grant.

In my personal opinion, grants should not be the main consideration. Do take note in the future when you sell your HDB, you need to return these grants that you have taken plus interest incurred.

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Since you are intending to buy for your own stay, your primary consideration will lean towards more on factors such as nearer to MRT, amenities, etc. Other considerations such as staying near to your parents, to your workplace, or even to your kids (if any) schools which you should have considered all these factors before buying.

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The next consideration will be your finances and cash flow. Do calculate the cash outlay + CPF that you are required to come out with.

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Another key thing to take note of is that your income less your daily expenses must be able to fork out mortgage repayments, maintenance fees, etc. Ideally, your monthly CPF contributions in your OA account can cover your monthly mortgage. You do not want to have a situation whereby any reduction or loss of income will overstretch your cash flow which brings more stress and financial problems in the future.

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Hope this helps and all the best in your house hunting!

The potential parental support and kinship relations from the close proximity would be invaluable while the grant is a good perk.

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The grant amount is credited back into your cpf account upon sale of the flat, thus can be used for your next property purchase anyway.

What's the basis of your stay? Need parents' help or need self-reliance & convenience?

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Speaking from personal experience, we blindly bidded for a BTO far away from my parents due to youthful ignorance.

A while later, our child came into our lives & we needed support from my parents in caregiving.

The daily travelling soon take a chore.

Hence we have decided to go for a resale.

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Lucky for us, the selling/buying price kind of match. We get back similar size but offset with age (selling a <10yrs BTO to buy a 40yo resale).

But my travelling time is now halved.

Ok the grant aside, the convenience is something you shouldn't forgo. I'm guessing you are comparing to places like CCK or Bukit panjang? If yes, I will choose CCK in a heartbeat because I'm someone who prefers living nearer to amenities like MRT, cinema, 24 hours mart etc.