Our Happy Family

[born_again 0]

Finally master the courage to setup a T-blog after 'camping' in renotalk since 2005. A pity that we only came to know renotalk after we renovated our EM. Nothing designer about our EM but it still took away our savings since it was considered our 1st time renovating. Had consulted FSM & done up accordingly but still $ just kept flowing out. "10 cents in, 50cents out".

We seriously wonder what happened as everything seems to go wrong after we started renovating the EM. The renovation was an unhappy affair but we moved in and moved on but still things was not going our way. Nothing could stop the 'curse' even after consulting a 2nd FSM recommended by a friend who tried to help.

Anyway, after 3.5 yrs, we decided to call it quit and sold off the EM but HDB resale started to nose dive the moment we decided to sell. See, the bloody 'curse' just wont go away and continued to haunt us and refused to let us benefit much from the sales.

Started looking around for a 5-room nearby since Aug 08. Found a unit that we really like and viewed it 3 times. The unit had granite flooring and nicely renovated. We could just moved in but we cant afford it as we had to factor in the 5% of valuation to the bank plus the high COV. Even on the very last day of the valuation expiry date when we viewed it, seller still wont drop the COV as last offer was 28k. The initial asking COV was 80k but we cant beat the 28K COV as 5% of the valuation was already alot to us. We took a long long time to forget about the unit. Its so near to our current unit that we still look up when we walk past it every now and then. Anyway, this particular unit has a huge MBR but only 3 bedrooms....we prefer a unit that has 4 bedrooms.

The search continues. Viewed another few units. One had a fantastic view but we were mindful that the renovation would cost us a bomb after our EM episode so we dropped it from our list after 2nd viewing. Kept telling ourselves that the rooms were in odd shapes and pretty small and the unit definitely need close to an overhaul. This particular unit also has only 3 bedrooms. Anyway, No money no talk!

Called up a few agents and some insisted 30-40k COV so we opted out of such units. Don't even have to view it as its simply wasting our time.

Viewed this current unit in Nov and gave an offer. The deal was ON at the agreed COV then OFF again due to hiccups from sellers' divorce proceedings.

We viewed another unit nearby and the sellers' agent wanted us to go thru the fishy deal. Our agent played along and proposed 10k but the sellers' agent insisted min. 20k 'under table'. We would not pay a single cent to close the 'under table' deal. The only good thing about the unit was it came with marble flooring otherwise its a total overhaul.

We cooled off for a while and continued to have Open House for potential buyers viewing our EM. Managed to get a buyer and time was not on our side now as we knew we had to get a unit FAST.

Then the deal that was OFF was ON again about a month later after it was OFF but seller only willing to let go of it by increasing another 5k to the initial agreed COV. We nego for a few days and eventually reduced the additional COV to 2k from the 5k! So its 17K COV. We told ourselves never to pay COV when we first shop around for a EM back in 2005 so NEVER SAY NEVER.

Fast forward and we have moved in for 1.5months now.

Long long story right....pictures coming up!

changed my nick as wanted to be born_again.

Edited May 20, 2009 by born_again

[familyof4 0]

WELCOME!!!! thinking that you will actually post in EM's thread as suggested by Angel

[born_again 0]

WELCOME!!!! thinking that you will actually post in EM's thread as suggested by Angel

wow, u're fast. EM owners can really 'run' fast....hahaha. Double storey so must be 'fast hand, fast leg'

[pinkpetter 0]

What a process! I'm glad you finally have a place of your own though.

[familyof4 0]

wow, u're fast. EM owners can really 'run' fast....hahaha. Double storey so must be 'fast hand, fast leg'

yes, yes! haha...didn't know u went thru so much to find a place u like and within your expectations! I can imagine the stress going thru the viewing and searching. I'm waiting to see your new place

[born_again 0]

...thinking that you will actually post in EM's thread as suggested by Angel

officially 'resigned' from EM thread ma. Furthermore, the pics would look out of place in a EM thread. Hahaha

yes, yes! haha...didn't know u went thru so much to find a place u like and within your expectations! I can imagine the stress going thru the viewing and searching. I'm waiting to see your new place

not exactly like it but guess it was there for us at the most critical time

[born_again 0]

The floorplan. 4 bedrooms (3 + study), just nice for our big family

recess area purchased by seller.

[familyof4 0]

wow! u have a very long kitchen! how extensive was the reno? I can't wait to see more pics!

[born_again 0]

wow! u have a very long kitchen! how extensive was the reno? I can't wait to see more pics!

the kitchen is pretty narrow and would prefer the windows to be right at the end of the kitchen rather than on the side.

Here's the original living room

[Angel81 1]

So guess it's bye bye Hello88 and Welcome born_again! Hehe, put the unhappiness behind you and enjoy ur new home!

Wao, ur living looks very bright and airy! Nice. More pics please, now that u have ur own tblog.

[born_again 0]

the original kitchen which is quite well maintained by the sellers who 'took over' from their sellers but decided a 100% overhaul for the kitchen. Its the only area in the flat that we did a 100% overhaul. Food is very important to our family and mum's the one using the kitchen so really wanted her to have a swee swee kitchen.

[pbtgal 0]

Hi born_again

your 5-rm not small leh, from your description, the location is very good too .

[born_again 0]

So guess it's bye bye Hello88 and Welcome born_again! Hehe, put the unhappiness behind you and enjoy ur new home!

Wao, ur living looks very bright and airy! Nice. More pics please, now that u have ur own tblog.

ya, born_again heeee.....

yup, we have moved on and so far we're enjoying the new env. No more staircase to climb 'internally' but then our unit is not on lift landing so again NEVER SAY NEVER as we ever told ourselves that we'll not get a unit that 2 floors away from lift landing but this unit is exactly 2 floor away from lift landing. Have to go down 2 floors when coming back and 2 floors down when going out.

housework definitely easier for me and mum as its really tiring to clean the EM without a maid plus our EM was pretty dusty since it was near the road. Now can really say bye bye to dust. The level of dust as compared to our EM has been reduced by 90%. But we really missed the EM balcony and the exclusive feeling of staying in an EM. Not forgetting the 3 toilets which is pretty evenly 'divided' for our big family. And lastly, we didnt expect to fulfil our childhood dreams of staying in an EM for just 3.5yrs.

Hi born_again

your 5-rm not small leh, from your description, the location is very good too .

Dad aka Mr DIY and strongest man in the family felt its bigger than the EM. Heeee.....location is closer to the mall and MRT compared to the EM so every evening I get to window shop at the mall after knock off from work

[Angel81 1]

ya, born_again heeee.....

yup, we have moved on and so far we're enjoying the new env. No more staircase to climb 'internally' but then our unit is not on lift landing so again NEVER SAY NEVER as we ever told ourselves that we'll not get a unit that 2 floors away from lift landing but this unit is exactly 2 floor away from lift landing. Have to go down 2 floors when coming back and 2 floors down when going out.

housework definitely easier for me and mum as its really tiring to clean the EM without a maid plus our EM was pretty dusty since it was near the road. Now can really say bye bye to dust. The level of dust as compared to our EM has been reduced by 90%. But we really missed the EM balcony and the exclusive feeling of staying in an EM. Not forgetting the 3 toilets which is pretty evenly 'divided' for our big family. And lastly, we didnt expect to fulfil our childhood dreams of staying in an EM for just 3.5yrs.

Haha, ya nvr say nvr. Last time wen I was young I told myself that I'm nvr gg to live with my ILs. Now, they're living with me.

Tell me about the dust man! My place quite windy, and with the wind comes the dust. Aiyoooooo.. My coffee table and tv console very dusty. Well, at least u guys fulfilled ur childhood dream. Better than nvr right?

Ur new place sounds very good, and it seems that ur whole family likes the place.

Edited May 20, 2009 by Angel81

[born_again 0]

Haha, ya nvr say nvr. Last time wen I was young I told myself that I'm nvr gg to live with my ILs. Now, they're living with me.

Tell me about the dust man! My place quite windy, and with the wind comes the dust. Aiyoooooo.. My coffee table and tv console very dusty. Well, at least u guys fulfilled ur childhood dream. Better than nvr right?

Ha, its really not easy staying with ILs. Luckily I dont have to cos of different religion plus I cant comms with 'her'. Oops, better touch my mu tou (wood) now.

The EM also very windy but the dust that came with it was terrible. Hmmmmmm.....could be due to the colours of your furniture. Watnut / dark colouring furnitures makes dust much more visible. But I think yours not too bad as u cover up your balcony.

Edited May 20, 2009 by born_again