zapped 0 Report post Posted September 1, 2009 Hi everyone, I've been lurking in this forum for a while, guess it's time to start my blog as our renovation has started today. Here's our story: My hubby and I started looking for flats in April. Since we are not citizens, our only option was to buy from the resale market. We wanted a flat in the East part because we've been staying in this area for three years now; we haven’t moved since we first came to Singapore. So we viewed flats in Simei, Tampines and Pasir Ris, and ended up getting a 5-room Improved flat in Avenue 9, Tampines. We liked the unit because it is at the corridor end and we only have one neighbor, a young family from our home country. Another factor is that the flat is near my office (10min drive). To cut the long story short, we paid and the flat was officially handed over to us last 20 Aug. Here’s the floor plan: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coffee_o 1 Report post Posted September 1, 2009 congrats congrats Ave 9 very near my new place hahaha Oh btw happie birthday to you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zapped 0 Report post Posted September 1, 2009 congrats congrats Ave 9 very near my new place hahaha Oh btw happie birthday to you Thanks, coffee_o Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
panjang 0 Report post Posted September 1, 2009 With the balcony at the entrance, there's lot of privacy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yhanie_17 0 Report post Posted September 1, 2009 Happy Birthday! I'm glad that you have started your own T-blog. Looking forward to your reno pics... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ivy 0 Report post Posted September 1, 2009 interesting shape. looks big. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pinklady 0 Report post Posted September 2, 2009 Your house is very big! how much u paid for it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zapped 0 Report post Posted September 2, 2009 (edited) @panjang Yep, we value privacy. With that said, however, the balcony is giving me a headache since I can't decide what to do with it. Thinking of putting wood panels/chengai decking OR stone slates with pebbles because my husband wants a modern resort feel, but I am worried that it will be hard to maintain. So we decided not to touch it YET. Maybe after seeing the changes in the living room, I can finally decide what to do with the entrance/balcony. @yhanie_17 ... Thanks. I'll post pictures as the reno progresses. @ivy .. yeah interesting, ODD shape. HAHA. Didn't really think about the odd shape when we paid the OTP. Was rushing to get a unit and I was sold by the location and privacy. hehe. @Pinklady 123sqm ... valuation is 368K, COV is 12K so total is 380K. Should have bargained - but we did not! Dumb eh? Edited September 2, 2009 by zapped Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
red_devil 0 Report post Posted September 2, 2009 @panjang Yep, we value privacy. With that said, however, the balcony is giving me a headache since I can't decide what to do with it. Thinking of putting wood panels/chengai decking OR stone slates with pebbles because my husband wants a modern resort feel, but I am worried that it will be hard to maintain. So we decided not to touch it YET. Maybe after seeing the changes in the living room, I can finally decide what to do with the entrance/balcony. @yhanie_17 ... Thanks. I'll post pictures as the reno progresses. @ivy .. yeah interesting, ODD shape. HAHA. Didn't really think about the odd shape when we paid the OTP. Was rushing to get a unit and I was sold by the location and privacy. hehe. @Pinklady 123sqm ... valuation is 368K, COV is 12K so total is 380K. Should have bargained - but we did not! Dumb eh? I wouldn't say u are dumb... Is the feeling you step into the flat....I am sure you like the flat..if not, u wouldn't purchase. This is priceless. Look forward your reno journey.. It is a unique floor plan to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ivy 0 Report post Posted September 2, 2009 ehhh it's ok lah the price. it's big mah. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coffee_o 1 Report post Posted September 2, 2009 (edited) ehhh it's ok lah the price. it's big mah. Actually I sold my previous 5-rm 110 sqm at 383K in Apr this year so in fact yours is not considered expensive le You should look at the price of some of the flats HDB themselves is selling... Btw is yours point block ? cos the odd shape might suggest that it might be point block Edited September 2, 2009 by coffee_o Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zapped 0 Report post Posted September 2, 2009 This is basically the layout that we wanted. We need a maid's room and also a tiny cozy corner for reading magazines and books. You may have noticed that we changed the entrance/door of the common toilet. In the original condition, the shower comes first before the WC so people would be stepping into the "wet area" first before they can do their business in the loo, which is the dry floor area. Here's our ID's layout proposal Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zapped 0 Report post Posted September 2, 2009 Before reno pics Entrance balcony (dunno what to do with it, please help!) Living room TV console (will be removed) Tiny dining area Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zapped 0 Report post Posted September 2, 2009 Future maid's room View from living area/cozy corner Bedroom 2 (future kiddie room, guest room for now) Bedroom 3 (my mom's room) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zapped 0 Report post Posted September 2, 2009 Kitchen (decided to wait for another year to re-do the kitchen because it's still in acceptable condition) Common toilet Master's bedroom will build a TV feature wall and tic-tac door to hide bathroom door -- END OF BEFORE-RENO PICS POST -- (Whew!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
