After reading through so many t-blogs, I've decided to set up my very own too. Feel free to leave comments for me! Now, bear with me as I write about how we managed to find our very first home.
My hubby and I first decided to start looking around for resale flats in Jun 09, after being disappointed yet again by our balloting results. Even though I wished to stay around Ang Mo Kio/Bishan/Yishun, which is near my current place (so as to be near to my parents), we couldn't afford high COVs and the cost of the flats in the area. Especially since we're preparing for our wedding later this year, the expenses are really scary. So we decided to look for flats nearer to the hubby's current place. We started going through all the property websites, newspapers, making calls, some scared us off with their requests of COV of $40k, but we managed to shortlist a few viewings.
On our first day of viewing, we were led to many 5yo flats in the Yew Tee area, but we didn't like the layout and size (110sqm). By a stroke of luck, one of the co-agents mentioned there's another unit across the road which is bigger (124sqm), the block of flats are about 11yo. So he made a call to see if the owner would allow us in for a viewing. So we went and it was on the 14th floor. We loved the size and location, it was a corner unit beside the lifts, with no left/right neighbours. They were asking for $20k COV. But being the first day, we thought we might fall in love with other units we view later on. So the process dragged on for another 1 - 2 weeks and after another 20 units or so, we were exhausted and found ourselves comparing every flat we viewed to the unit we liked. So we decided to make an offer for that unit. Sadly, the owner decided he no longer wanted to sell his flat. But luck was on our side when another agent brought us for a viewing in the same block, same corner, just one floor down (#13)! They were also asking for $20k COV, but their valuation was expired. We made an offer which amounted to $15K COV based on their valuation, which they accepted. YEA! Now, that's not the best part, the new valuation came back a week later and the price had gone up by $12K, effectively reducing our COV to $3K. DOUBLE YEA!
That was the first week of July, the sellers wanted to drag the appointments, which we agreed to, and our first appointment was set for 16 Oct 09. During the whole process, there was some unhappiness with another agent who was working with mine, the usual commission thing and making decisions without consulting us, but that doesn't matter, we stood our ground, refused to pay an extra cent and managed to secure our 2nd appointment for 21 Dec 09. Could have been earlier (26 Nov), but the sellers still wanted more time, which we gave in again. We're trying to accumulate good karma, so that the reno will go well, hahahaha. Just kidding. FINALLY, we got our keys and now, we're on the lookout for ID/renovation firms. We've been to 3 so far and meeting 1 more this coming Sunday. Hopefully things will go fine. Seems like we'll need a major overhaul of the place and we don't exactly have a big budget.
Here's the original floorplan, the balcony and yard no longer exist, it's been leveled and combined with the rest of the place. I'll post up some pics of the pre-renovated place soon!
