mel77

At times i prefer agents to say no co-broke than say can co-broke, then start all the monkey biz. Cos when the open house starts you'll notice that some how the other agents who came with their buyers, typically comes back without an offer. So strange. Even had a buyer's parents who was so keen on my place and was chatting with me to check on details of my reno done. Then when i ask my agent if this particular buyer made an offer.....it was No! Found it strange. Conflict of interest is an issue that all home sellers/buyers have to deal with carefully. If you notice any monkey biz going on, don't be afraid to confront the agent. I missed out on a good deal b'cos seller's agent block us. Only found out when i happen to speak to the seller when i bumped into the family. We made an offer that match what the seller was asking, but seller says they didn't receive any offer from us (as told by agent) But they did manage to get the same price, but it is their agent's direct buyer.

Advice needed. Going to embark on the renovation journey soon and was wondering should i source for my own for carpentry or should just go with the fuss free ID route. Appreciate any advice and experience sharing. Thanks a Mil!

Checked HDB website and it says block not provided with higher electrical loading and need to apply for an HDB permit to install new 15 Amps power points for air-conditioners or other higher capacity equipment/appliances (e.g. high powered IT equipment). So does that mean can or cannot? Any advice? Tried looking at the other units around the block, didn't see anyone with 2 compressors.

Had this before. (Tripping due to oven) Do you use your oven often? Mine was oven not used for a long period (more than 3months) then this tripping started. Then when started using again, everything back to normal.

Pardon me this finance igorance. So which is better? Monthly rest basis or Daily rest basis? I've signed up with Maybank.

Tell me about that. I queue abt 3yrs + yrs for my flat back in 1997....Got the keys in Jan'2000. Then HDB has loads of excess flats in Jurong area. Then came the WIS in 2002 & 2003.....the price was really good loh! A colleague who bought nearby my place, higher level (above 12) + slightly bigger floor area...and cost below 190K.

Have you done your new valuation?

I guess it still boils down to location and ammenities on why people chose resale. Also the current new flats from HDB (BTO, DBSS or EC) all will kill the first timers. So if parents are chipping in to help the kids, likely is they would chose the resale route.

Just rec'd my new valuation report. ( gap of abt 10weeks apart from the 1st valuation) Managed to save 23k on COV.

Same observation. The new BTO, DBSS and EC are all priced very high. Even those in the combine income of 8 to 10k will feel the heat with this kind of new flat prices.

Not sure about that leh! Remember a friend mention that the moment they collected keys to their condo, the subsidies for their 3rm HDB and whatever all removed. The letter came almost like 2 days after collection of keys. Then for the IRAS part, it was based on the condo. Kekekek!! Effeciency @ work!

Hmm....3 - 4 weeks apart up by 8K. Will be submitting next week for re-valuation. (about 12 weeks apart) Kekekeke!!!

Now it triggers me if i should re-value before my 1st appt. Anybody knows if the bank will charge any admin fees for processing the new LO?

Same case for me. Didn't know about the 50% cash proceed thing and when HLE didn't approve was a blessing in disguise. (If HLE approve, HDB will only loan us 28K+ for our new flat after the 50% cash proceed + wipe out our CPF)

Thanks! But can't seem to find something that can allow me to load my floor plan to work on. Do i need to draw the floor plan out first, then can do the layout planning?

Hi, Any recommendation for floor plan software to use? Thinking of trying to do some layout to test out. Cheers!

Yup! Waiting for 1st appt. (Bukit Batok EA - Val: 495K COV: 50K) My experience from the house hunting exercise, don't jump in. There are many folks out there testing the market, you bite they HAPPY and laughing to the bank. Seen 4, 5 & EA flats in Bukit Batok. Cannot understand the COV theory...... seen house with decent reno and well kept ask for 35 to 45K. Then some totally in a terrible state and condition still asking for 50K non-neg. The best is this house where the owner ask for 120K COV and can see the agent also sian to market the unit. (other then the granite flooring and high floor, the unit needs overhaul in all areas)

My experience: 1st time selling and buying resale Experience of agent is important. You'll notice the rookie and the season + cunning agents around. The COV game is played by the agent (in my opinion). Most time agent very afraid that viewers talk to the seller direct. I tried to ask about some details and agent will come rushing to tell me "If got any questions ask them" Drama bit i kind of agree.....sometimes you can see who are the real and serious house hunters and the TCS viewers.

You can dismantle and move to your new place only if it is a modular set. I'm in a similar situation, my current kitchen top is a Corain top, but my cabinet is not modular. So if size can fit new house i'll take the top and replace a top for the new owner. By right i cant' take it, but the new owner says he doesn't want anything. So likely he'll hack and throw away the top. (my sink is also a Corian sink, which is fused together with the kitchen top)

Need advice from anyone on installation of aircon. Bought a EA and currently have a System 4 inverter. (3 bedrooms + 1 hall) But there is 1 more bedroom that doesn't have aircon. So looking at adding additional 2 split unit on top of the current system 4, so that the hall can have 2 units and the 4th bedroom can also have air-con. Is this possible? Cheers!

We are taking minimum loan with plans to re-deem it after the lock-in. Gut feel that very likely the valuation will go up. Pay $180 is ok! Lower the COV quantum mah!

What you described actually happen to flat that i was very keen purchase. Seller's agent kept insisting that she already has a 50K COV, if i can offer higher then deal closed. My wife was even calculating how much to up. Then we sat down and do the maths and concluded it is agent testing our price comfort level. We told the agent if she has a 50K offer tell the seller take and run. Same night the agent called back and tell us 45K can close. We decided to walk away from the flat and maintained our initial offer of 28K COV. 3 days later, agent called again to tell us 35K can close. Maintained 28K COV, take it or leave it. Finally no deal and the seller missed the initial offer of 47K COV that they had from another couple.

The experience i had during my search for a flat from late Apr'10 to finally settling for the EA 2 weeks back was quite an experience. The COVs asked for can be un-realistic for some sellers. 20yrs+ 4A flat @ Bukit Batok, little or no reno done. (meaning everything must re-do, don't even hv air-con) is asking for 50K COV. Was prepared to pay above value, but the owner & agent says it is move in condition. Kekekekek!!! Then there are flats that needs minimum reno, within the same cluster asking for 45K COV also. So sellers expectation (or i should say Agent's expectation) must be managed carefully. So from experience, COV is subjective and if you don't feel comfortable in paying then just walk away. Some how a flat that meets your budget and needs will come by. If it is Yours it will be Yours!

Now you got me thinking if i should re-value my new place. Valuation report will expire in a few weeks time. 1st appt is sometime in Oct. Hmm.... Bank loan secured already. If new valuation report indicate higher, can i produce it to the bank for he calculating? Would there be any cost to the loan agreement?

Here's my contribution: Sold: JW 5I Design and Build (Floor area: 113sqm) (Valuation:450K; COV:45K) House is pretty decent, squarish layout, all rooms with build-in cupboards and recess areas done up. Master-bedroom has a WIW. High floor. Bought: B.Batok EA (Floor area: 152sqm) (Valuation:495K; COV: 50K) House is pretty decent, huge hall, minimum reno required. Master-bedroom comes with WIW. High Floor.