Why do People in Singapore Buy Property Under Their Children’s Names?

There are some queries about this topic. Why do parents purchase property under their children’s names? Are there any benefits in the future for their children? Any financial concerns involved – should follow this rule? In this way, there are many things people have confused about purchasing a property. 

To answer these kinds of questions we are sharing this article here. Please read this article and share it with other people who have queries. Let’s know more.

What Are The Benefits of Buying Property in Singapore Under Child’s Name?

1. In the Future Good Investment For Your Child

Indeed some parents are anxious about the rise in private property prices in the future, if they purchase now in their child’s name they will make a profit. These are the reasons which made buying a property now, but in their children’s names, a decision popular among some parents who are cash-rich and able to afford the mortgage payments.

If a person is good at financial situations such as who can take a mortgage loan and without a break pay installments and if you are sure that your property value will increase in future. Then this is the right decision to purchase for your child. Otherwise, you need to face the hurdle of confirming whether your home loan is approved or not approved in such situations as purchasing property under a child’s name. 

If you need any kind of guidance, feel free to contact Kumar Properties for recommendations and advice. 

2. At An Early Age, Better Chance To Earn Income For Yor Child

To purchase private property under their child’s name, some parents will use a trusted system and rent that property. Later they put rent money towards the savings account for their child’s future. Alike investments or stocks, Your child’s financial future is reliably the safest space in Singapore’s property market. Genuinely property is a gift for the future, it is the benefit for your child to buy a Singapore property now because of the rise in future prices.

Another important note is that if your buy property by using a trust system for your child, you will not be allowed to take a home loan to finance it.  If you want to take a home loan you need to wait until your child is at least 21. 

3. Get Better Fund on the Next Home Loan

This is the best strategy for the people who already own one property and they want to afford a second property. Then the loan to value (LTV) ratio for a second property loan will be 45%. If you want to get more funds for the property’s cost as well as higher LTV, you need to opt for this approach, since it is taken into consideration as the first property for your child and eligible for the full LTV.

However, when your child matures only the full payment for your second property will be paid. During this period they look to move out from their current family, so they are financially free to make their own property and apply for their own lines of credit.

What are the drawbacks of buying property under a child’s name?

1. New ABSD (Trust) of 35%

On May 9th, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced an ABSD of 35% will be imposed on any transfers of residential properties into a living trust. For instance, if you buy a property for $2 million in trust for your child, you need to pay $700,000 in ABSD.  

A new ABSD is imposed by the MOF in order to ensure equality among people. ABSD will be due regardless of whether the beneficial owner of the property is unknown at the time of the transfer. Many parents wish to leave a legacy for their children, but others feel that doing so risks worsening inequality.

Related Article: There is an article about Things to know about the new ABSD (Trust): 35% rate and conditions for the remission.

2. High Investment Risk May Affect a Child’s Future Credit Score.

You could adversely affect your child’s credit if you cannot afford to pay the mortgage installments on time and end up in arrears. If your child has a history of late payments and other mistakes, they may be unable to get loans for important things like education or cars in the future as a result of involvement in a mortgage. Your child is likely to end up with a money pit, and if they wish to buy public housing (e.g. an HDB flat) in the future, this ability may be impeded if they cannot sell the “investment property”.

Assuming you are still paying off the mortgage for the private property and your child wishes to settle down but is having difficulty letting go of the property, this may leave you in a difficult situation. You will still cause your child delays and inconvenience if you do sell the property easily, as HDB rules state that your child must wait 30 months before he/she can purchase a BTO from you after selling the property.

3. Disagreements regarding family property can result in legal disputes

The child becomes a legitimate owner of a property when it is placed under his or her name. Some parents fail to recognize this fact. Upon reaching that age, your child has the legal right to sell, rent, or take possession of your property. It is imperative that you take precautions when dealing with your child. Your child will be the one who determines what happens to the property.

It has been noted that legal disputes have arisen within families when parents and children cannot reach an agreement on what to do with the property in question, and many families have been strained or even broken by these disagreements.

4. Subsidies or vouchers will not be available to your child

Almost every child who owns at least one private property will not qualify for government subsidies, bonuses, or welfare cuts. In other words, GST vouchers and so on will no longer be considered part of the child’s assets. 

Some parents neglect this when they buy their child a second home. If the above is not possible, you might want to reconsider putting the second home under your child’s name.