Homeowner

OIC, you think it's a bit too much? Maybe we'll just put three first then!

Wow! An ant farm! This is really very cool. Do you have kids?

Wow...really original condition. Can't wait to see its transformation. Keep us posted!

track lights? What a co-incidence...we're installing a tracklight with 5 halogen bulbs in our living room too 'cos the ceiling fan's where the ceiling light should be. Bought it 7 years ago for my current place but didn't use it.

Good luck!

Wow...lots of DIY stuff in the pipeline...can't wait to see the pictures! Think your yellow kitchen is very bright and cheery too. The French impressionist artist, Monet, also had a very cheerful yellow kitchen with Japanese prints on the walls. Think yellow (and orange) is also a good colour for kitchen - supposed to whet your appetitie. Me - no guts for yellow...going for the conventional white instead. Mine's a 20+ flat as well...but think we're keeping most of the electrical wiring; just need to restore the wiring in the affected parts. Fortunately, for us the seller was a part electrician and so the wiring was quite nicely, albeit simply (ie. no downlights and ambience lights) done up. Good luck and hope you save lots!

Is that a glass or acrylic sliding kitchen door? How much did you pay for it? We're still wondering whether to reuse the sellers' one...but theirs is dark opaque glass. I prefer a see-through door.

You have my sympathy...can some of the defects be covered during your reno?

OIC....so the Treetops 5 room flat comprise of 2 storeys, like a condo penthouse...no wonder the price is so ex. for a HDB direct buy flat - $370k - $383k. Welcome, GMC! Glad to have you still around . Thanks for visiting, mist...love mural you did up with your hubby and your sleek silver/grey (?) kitchen.

Yah, lots of people kaypohing around and offering comments/ advice. Thank God for their help. !!

Great idea.

Heheh. You're not alone in your bewilderment.

My reno. costs abt $22k 'cos we're only doing the kitchen and toilets. If you add the sanitary items, oven, hob & hood, moving costs, window repairs, electrician's fee, air-conditioning, I think we probably hit $30k. I set a tight budget and tried very, very hard to be disciplined...'cos, you know, as you go along the reno. process, there are just so many nice to have stuff, so many not so nice to have stuff that you have to live with if you don't replace, and the "...include this since you are doing the reno. now; if not, it'll be very messy after you move in...." argument is very seductive. You tend to try to perfect the place... It's so easy to go overboard like a little child in a candy store. We're making do with the old gate, grilles, windows, ceramic tiles in the bedrooms, sellers' TV cabinet & carpet and all our old furniture and appliances from our current home. It's just the realistic thing to do if we want to live within our means; emotionally difficult sometimes... !! Thanks, Ben3555,...no hope on the gas issue though since both Citigas and HDB say Serangoon is WELL-KNOWN (???) for having no gas pipes. Thanks, xinyi reiko. Yah we like the space too. Lots of space for the children to run around...my mum thinks I'll think differently once I start cleaning the place though! !!

Just realised you collected your keys in Nov...so, that's five months already! Ganbatte! And, good luck!

Oooh. Now I know why this ex-neighbour of mine always stamp his feet very loudly when he comes home...

Heheh. Was it the right letter? Do you plan to get the flat and finish your reno. before your July wedding?

Like your wardrobe and the dark laminate interior ...with the contrast, think you'll have no problems finding your stuff ... unless all your clothes are orh orh, too! How much did psf run is your wardrobe?

Lucky you! Congrats!

Mine's the reaaally old one...146 sqm. The newer ones, last produced eight or nine years ago, are 138 sqm, I think. A friend's dad bought theirs 20 years ago in Chua Chu Kang for $100k. Recent transactions of eight/nine year olds at CCK is abt $330k. Bought my unit at $370k 'cos the 4 and 5 room flats in Serangoon had very stiff asking prices - $290k and above. Thought a masionnette is better value for money. The asking price for a nine year old masionnette in Serangoon is at least $400k . But, of course, 11 years is a big difference...but fortunately my block was upgraded so the exterior doesn't look too bad. The sellers also maintained their place well in general... But, nothing beats the wear and tear of 21 years of heavy kitchen use.

21 year old HDB masionnette...out of production

Heheh! Photos, please!

Some forumers (here and Sg brides) preferred Nippon Paint to ICI paint 'cos they thought Nippon was thicker...no personal experience though...

Congrats!

Just realised we have the same brown colour woody floor. You didn't do any wall tiles?

Thanks for visiting, Odie. Walls restored to plumb. The red carpet on the stairs The tiles have arrived! And tiling has started!!