Appealing our HFE successfully!!!✨
Hey guys, when I was appealing for my HFE, my entire validation system was Reddit but there’s not a lot of info out there so I thought I would share my BTO and wedding journey here as someone on a budget!!
Long story short, timeline is on the second pic but our current HFE only gave us a $170,000 loan which was obviously not enough for a $600,000 flat. We applied for the Oct 2024 BTO and our queue number was 61/
At the time of application, we were both in between jobs so we thought can reassess but the lady at HDB during the signing was like no you cannot reassess, you need to pay upwards of $400,000 in cash and CPF. We were damn stressed but we decided to just try to appeal after the OTP which we were prepared to lose. We really wanted the flat especially with a good queue number…
Anyway, our plan was to appeal the HFE, else, go the bank loan route or forfeit the house if really cannot because our flat was the one with the two year waiting time.
Our appeal to HDB was rejected when we wrote in and obviously, we were damn stressed. Then, we called in and the officer just asked us to submit a bunch of documents. We straight up asked if appealing to the MP helps and he was like honestly, no because they can only help expedite but they can’t change our assessment criteria. However, we had jobs at the time of appeal so he used our current income and previous job incomes for the calculations and our loan amount tripled and we can happily afford the house now!!
Whole process took about 1.5 months which was quite fast. My advice is if you think your situation is reasonable enough, just appeal. HDB is not unreasonable. While I can’t guarantee anything, I think if the situation warrants it, they will try to help.
That being said, try to settle your HFE in advance and if you are going to quit your job, maybe apply prior to quitting.
Hope this provides a glimmer of hope to couples in the same situation! Feel free to reach out if you have questions or other housing-related questions too. (I have a RES license that I do not use…)
When we first received the HFE assessment, it was disheartening to be approved for such a low loan amount, and the pressure of having to come up with a large sum in cash was overwhelming. What really helped was understanding the appeal process clearly and being prepared with all supporting documents for income verification. Even though our initial appeal was rejected, we didn't give up. By following up persistently with HDB and submitting updated proof of employment and income, we managed to demonstrate our true financial standing. One key insight from my experience is to avoid quitting your job before finalizing the HFE appeal. Since our incomes during the appeal were considered, it made a significant difference in the reassessment. If you're planning a job change, try to submit your application and appeals beforehand to avoid complications. The appeal timeline can vary, but in our case, it took about a month and a half from first contact to approval, which was relatively quick. Don't hesitate to call HDB officers and clarify doubts—they can guide you on the documentation needed and offer encouragement. If you're worried about your eligibility, remember that HDB tries to be reasonable. While they do have strict criteria, valid and honest appeals with comprehensive documentation can result in loan adjustments. Having a realistic and honest stance with the authorities pays off. For couples going through the BTO and wedding process on a budget like us, this journey can be stressful but also rewarding. Reach out to community forums, Reddit, or even someone with a RES license who can advise on navigating property matters. This experience gave me confidence and hope; you’re definitely not alone!
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