Understanding Her Goals and Financial Position

Summer, a finance manager in the IT sector, had just fulfilled her 5-year MOP. Her initial plan was simple:
Sell the EC → Free up cash → Reduce financial pressure while her husband focused on his business.

But after a detailed review of their financials—ownership structure, CPF balances, loan eligibility, and long-term goals—it became clear that selling wasn’t the only way forward.

I asked her:

“Do you want to enjoy life first and work harder later, or work harder now and enjoy life earlier?”

That shifted the conversation entirely.

A Better Strategy — Decoupling for Long-Term Growth

Decoupling was a new concept to Summer and her husband. The strategy allowed:

• One spouse to give up ownership of the EC

• The other to retain it

• The first spouse to become a first-time buyer again

• Avoiding ABSD on the next property purchase

This meant they could hold onto their EC and continue growing their property portfolio.

Once they saw the numbers and long-term projections, the choice became clear:
Decoupling offered far more potential than selling.

Finding the Right Property

Timing worked in their favour.

While the decoupling process was ongoing, a rare opportunity surfaced:
a fully integrated new launch in Bukit Timah, comprising:

• Residential units

• MRT

• Bus interchange

• Shopping mall

• Serviced apartments operated by a major developer

These projects are highly sought after for their capital appreciation and rental demand.

We visited the showflat together—
and they purchased the very first unit they viewed.

Structuring the Purchase

We put together a clear and achievable plan:

• Guided them through the entire decoupling timeline

• Presented affordability numbers and projected scenarios

• Coordinated financing with the progressive payment schedule

• Optimised their portfolio while keeping risks low

The result: they secured the Bukit Timah unit while retaining their EC—now an income-producing asset.

Outcome

Today, Summer and her husband:

• Own two private properties

• Receive passive rental income from their EC

• Enjoy a financially secure stepping stone toward future goals

• Believe they made the best decision at the right time

What began as a question—“Should we sell?”—became a transformative financial strategy.

If you’re exploring decoupling, upgrading, or restructuring your property portfolio, InstyleHomes.SG can map out your numbers clearly and guide you every step of the way.