kooky

Thanks for your valuable comments!

Does anyone has anything to share about this brand? Or heard from your friends/relatives/colleagues about it?

We went around trying to shortlist some items which we need after the renovation is completed. In one of the shop, we were introduce to this brand and the salesperson keeps saying this is a great brand that one should not missed. Has anyone bought anything (e.g. oven, washer, dryer, fridge etc) of this brand and can share your thoughts? I do not want to commit unless I can get some feedback and definitely I would not want to listen to a salesperson since their target is to sell and earn commissions. Thanks!

Has anyone bought a Blomberg fridge? Any comments please?

Husband and I are also in the process of sourcing for a top loader machine and dryer. Any pros and cons on Fisher & Paykel brand? I would like to commit but since there are so many brands out there, we are unable to decide. Thanks!

We bought our flat directly with HDB, hence not required to pay COV.

Hi, thanks for the reply. No, it is NOT just a section from the Study. To create this maid's room, we will section off some part of the Study and the Kitchen so that it's big enough to put in a bed and a wardrobe. By the way, we intend to install door with louvre or ventilation purpose. We will build up a wall after the original wall between the Kitchen and the Study is being hacked off. Mine is a generation 2 layout. My only thinking is if this is acceptable by HDB.

Does anyone know if we are allowed to section some space between the Study and Kitchen to create a Maid's room in EM? The doorway entrance will be via the living room area. A friend told me that such layout will not be approved by HDB. If you have done this, would you be so kind to share the outcome? Thank you.

I got my EM via ballot system in March Sales of Balance Flat exercise. I was looking at Alexandra, Bukit Merah, Queenstown, Telok Blangah areas as I work in Alexandra vicinity and my siblings and mum are all living around Telok Blangah. Like majority of the people, I too feel Sales of Balance Flats in matured estates will be tough but nonetheless, I still throw in $10 to ballot a unit in those areas which I desire. Mind you, at that stage, husband and I were only thinking of getting a 5-room flat as he is used to living in a massive place back in his home country so he made it clear that we cannot ballot any flat that is smaller than 5-room. This has smaller my choice of units in those areas (named above) and then we spotted 2 bigger units - 1 is an EM and one is an EA in Mei Ling street and 13 others 5-room/executive flats zoned under Queenstown. On closing date, there are 126 applicants and I was telling my spouse that, our luck is out! On April 30th, we received an email from HDB saying that our application for 5-room / Executive flat at Queenstown in the March 2012 Sale of Balance Flats Exercise is through and was given a ballot queue number of 1. Other than stamp duty fee, legal feel to pay the lawyer to endorse legal documents and act on our behalf with HDB (we get bank loans as HLE only approved up to 75% instead 80% of the value of the flat), we pay zero COV. My EM is G2 layout but it is not high floor but at least we have a place where we can call home! I have enough of leasing a unit from other people which can never give me a real sense of 'home'. Although it is hard to get a good queue ballot number, it is still possible. Don't give up, you will never know when ladyluck is knocking at your door!

May I have some advice, of these 2 which is of better type of material? And what is the price like? Thank you.

I am too looking for inverter type of aircon, system 3 for all my 3-bedrooms. Would be keen to know know the prices for Mitsubishi and Panasionic. Which model is better? Thanks

May I have your contact on a good yet not costly structural PE? Thanks!

I was overly quoted when informed when I wanted to change the entrance of the staircase and to heck some walls. Would you mind share your PE's contacts with me please? Thanks.

We went down to one of the ID firm this evening and the ID told me that we are expected to pay anything between $15k-25k for moving current position of my staircase or/and shorten a few steps in the new position which we intend to relocate it. She claimed that reason being that the Engineer has to submit this change (e.g. lots of submissions) and not everyone are qualified to do this job. May I ask how many of you have done this job and how much were you quoted? Was yours done recently? Mind I ask which company did this job for you and would you recommend it please? It kind of blow out a fraction of the budget we set for the overall reno cost. Thanks heap everyone!

Is Induction Hob, better than Electrical or Gas Hob? I don't know the difference but a few of my friends said stay away from Induction Hobs. Can someone shine some lights which is better in terms of durability? Thanks.

Hi, I had just collected my key this Monday and my search on decor has just began.... We went to Balestier Road to look-see last weekend and we were confused with wide range of selections for ceiling fans. I am keen on KDK and AMASCO brands and I read from Amasco's website that there are NANO ceiling fan and the normal ones. We are likely to purchase at least 5-6 ceiling fans and we would prefer those that produce good airflow (4-5 blades?), quiet and energy-saving type. Anyone one kind enough to give me some pointers? Suggestions and share your experiences? Thanks heap

Thanks Potatoes. As the EM is rather old and HDB has restored it back to its original condition, there are lots of things we would like to change and we desire to have greater space (e.g. create more space and storage space) and a child-proof flat which will be safe for our +14 months old child. I suppose the overall reno cost will not be cheap but now the problem we face is what kind of layout/design to select as it seems like there are some bits and pieces that we had gathered from various reno magazines which we like those furniture and layout ideas - tough decision.

It doesn't bother me so much what the previous owner has done as I did get this flat in a legal matter and this is far more important than anything else; at least to me and my spouse. We had a brief chat with one of the neighbour and she said it was a re-possessed unit by HDB because the former owner was unable to pay back and the amount snow-balled. And this unit has been vacate for at least a year before it appeared in the SOBF system.

When we bought the unit in March, wouldn't have guessed it that the value will rise. We buy the flat purely for own stay; not even thinking of selling it anytime now or in the near future. Thank you

Hehe....indeed, which is the reason why we don't mind buying this uni front. It is better than having another block closely opposite you and neighbours can see everything in your unit from the other side. Furthermore, already saved up on COV and buying the unit in the open market which at that time, the asking price of most EM/EA in that area is about $900k. Can't ask for too much, really.

My floor is not high; just level 6th. As for COV, I pay none because we purchase direct from HDB during the March Sales of Balance Flat ballot system.

Thank you:) We will reside in Queenstown area.

Officially I am going to own an EM and collection of key is Monday (sept 17th). Hope to hear more of your reno experiences as I am also looking for a reliable, professional and good carpentry ID firm to do major reno of my flat. Thanks.

I also bought a SOBF direct from HDB and my appointment date for key is Monday. I had went in once (after consulting the Town Council) and inspected the place after I paid the Option Fee. The flat needs massive renovation as it was reverted back to Original condition. Hence, my situation is not quite similar to you (except that we bought SOBF). Best of luck to you.