Illustrative photography · Unsplash. Not a client property or transaction.
Begin with the preference that matters most
Some households want to remain in a familiar home and neighbourhood. Others would welcome a smaller property or a location closer to family. Start by discussing that preference openly. A financial comparison is more useful when it recognises the daily routines, support networks, and practical attachments that make a home work.
Understand what Lease Buyback does
For eligible households, HDB’s Lease Buyback Scheme involves selling the tail-end lease to HDB while retaining a shorter lease to continue living in the flat. Proceeds are subject to CPF Retirement Account top-up requirements. It is not the same transaction as selling the whole home and buying another one.
Compare with a move
A rightsizing comparison should include the next purchase, selling and buying expenses, moving costs, and the cash and CPF positions after completion. CPF and HDB also describe other retirement housing options. Check eligibility directly; do not assume that a scheme, bonus, or funding arrangement is available simply because a neighbour used it.
Value the practical differences
For staying, consider whether the home continues to meet accessibility and maintenance needs. For moving, consider the disruption and whether the new location improves everyday life. Write the non-financial factors beside the financial estimates. Neither column should disappear just because the other produces an attractive headline number.
Compare with confirmed figures
Ask HDB for the relevant scheme assessment and verify your CPF position before deciding. A Property Health Check can help set out the options and questions, while the authorities confirm scheme eligibility and calculations. The outcome should be a housing plan that fits the household, rather than a decision driven by a single advertised benefit.
Go to the source
HDB · Understanding the Lease Buyback Scheme ↗CPF Board · Comparing property monetisation options ↗General planning information, prepared on 30 October 2026. Rules and individual circumstances can change. Verify current requirements with the relevant authority and your lender before making commitments.