faqs about soho

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FAQs About SOHO

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1) What is SOHO?• SOHO stands for Small Office, Home Office.

• It is used for units with home finishes and office amenities

•A specific strata unit within a development can only be approved for a single use by the URA

• For a SOHO, it has been approved for either Office or Residential use but not for both.

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URA does not recognize “SOHO” as a planning term.

For land zoning, URA does allow for mixed uses

A white site is approved for several uses, but may have

restrictions on the Gross Floor Area (GFA) for each type of use.

For example

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would be the Central @ Clarke Quay which land site is zoned for commercial and/or hotel and/or residential uses;

hence you can find residential, retail and offices units there.

An example

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2. Do SOHO and the Home Office Scheme mean the same thing?

No

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3) What is the Home Office Scheme then?

In November 2001Under this scheme, only homes in 5 selected areas, which already had a strong mix of residential and

commercial activities, were allowed to conduct small-scale business operations, as long as they satisfy

certain rules

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3) What is the Home Office Scheme then?

Later in June 2003 The scheme was officially implemented by the (MND) in which private residential properties and HDB flats were allowed to operate certain types of small-scale

businesses.

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4) Must I apply for a permit if I want to use a SOHO as my office?

Yes. You have to apply for one under the Home Office Scheme if the SOHO approved use is residential.

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5) Will the bank grant a home loan or commercial loan for my SOHO purchase?

Most banks will grant the loan type based on the intended use of the SOHO.

Some banks, however, consider a SOHO as a

commercial property regardless of its approved use.

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Others may consider a SOHO as a residential property if it has been approved for residential use.

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Given the ambiguities, you may require the advice of a mortgage consultant.

Email us at loans@PropertyBuyer.com.sg,

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About Property Buyer Mortgage Consultants

Property Buyer Mortgage Consultants is a research focused independent mortgage broker. We emphasize a consultative approach where we match our client’s financial situation with the best fit mortgage loan, not simply a cheap loan.

We also help property buyers in their buying process helping them avoid pitfalls from unscrupulous property agents. (We are not property agents, therefore there is no conflict of interests.)

We also developed our proprietary home loan reporting tool which provides amongst other things, 23 years Sibor history as well as 6 years worth of SOR.

Our service is free to you as banks pay us a commission on loan deals completed. Banks in turn save on staffing cost as we are not on their payroll. www.PropertyBuyer.com.sg/mortgagewww.SingaporeHomeLoan.netwww.iCompareLoan.com/consultant/