Our 2Nd Home Slightly Further West

[sleek 2]

Hi everyone, after meeting some of you yesterday and upon encouragement from May to start my own, I'm opening this up for chit chat first since I won't be getting the keys to my new place until end Sept as per requested by the current owners for slight extension.

Background story

The hb and I are currently staying in a spacious 82sqm 3NG in the beautiful Sunset Way area with my mum and our 2 boys. My mum takes the common room and we take the huge master bedroom (that can fit 2 king size beds with space left over) but it is not a practical solution in the long run as the boys will only get bigger. So since last year we have all been pondering about whether to move, stay, re-reno, etc. In the past year, we've applied unsuccessfully for 3 or 4 BTOs, can't remember exactly how many but we didn't even get a queue number except with the first one, but it was way past the number of flats anyway.

Then at the end of last year, we started sourcing for contractors/ IDs with view to re-reno our current place since we really really love the location & accessibility. That was a pretty disappointing exercise as some of those we contacted initially didn't even have the common courtesy to get back to us with a yes or no, least of all a quote and that is after physically coming to our place for an on-site visit. The classic example is one who made us wait for 3 hours, didnt bother to call us to inform he was running late and then never came back with the quote either. I won't bother to chase after anyone for the quote cause that is an indication of how sincere they are. After that, I had to look around for more contacts from friends recommendation and of everyone that gave us a quote, most of their figures were around the same so it was just a matter of deciding who we wanted to work with. We'd decided on one guy but we backed out cos we realized that our finances would not be able to stretch to a reno in the beginning of this year, we hadn't signed anything yet with him anyway. We told him that we would look for him at the end of the year again.

A short while later, I get a bright idea in my head to move to a new place all together but to around the same location but unfortunately for us, everything is so expensive around here, at least 200-300k up from just 4 years ago! Even being from the west my entire life, we even went to look at flats in Bishan & Sin Ming cause we kinda liked the location and felt it was similar to the feel of our current place amongst those few locales in the north, plus it was similar price-wise as well. We started looking further west too, our agent initially persuaded us to look at Jurong West flats but since they are younger than my current place, I had alot of gripes about the smaller space, closeness of the flats and awkward floor layout in the houses. Poor agents had to put up with my complaints and nagging, lol.

For our new place, I was the one who came across it on PropGuru on a Thursday afternoon and told them to set up a viewing for it, they came back and said it was either view that night or Sunday afternoon. We decided to view it that night and it was pretty much "We want this flat" at first sight from my mum and I who went to view as the hb was busy. Had a tough time bargaining with the owners who wanted $88,888 COV - their flat was renovated about 4-5 years ago but personally it is not to our taste of what A1 decor is (definitely not up to the standard of the beautiful homes of friends78, may_dream, mae29, etc etc here on RT) so we refused to pay that amount and finally managed to settle for less than that. Plus the lady owner was not happy with the valuation she got, so was trying to squeeze it out in the COV. We were willing to pay the COV we did only cause the valuation was what it was! Anyway we like the new place cause of the size, layout and slightly unique curve facade due to the building itself. Will post up the floor plan after dinner!

[sleek 2]

Just realised it is 135sqm

Edited October 2, 2011 by sleek

[sleek 2]

photos of current condition from valuation report.

It is very well maintained and clean after their recent reno & move in 4-5 years ago, pack our bags and move in condition if we dont mind but we will be redoing the foyer/ balcony area, whole kitchen - the current lady owner proudly announces that she does not cook to all and sundry even though she doesn't work , expanding the master bedroom to the dining room, both toilets and carpentry for the living and bedroom 2 which will be my mum's room. Getting rid of the whole house false ceiling as our family prefers not to have it and we dont really know-trust the quality of her electrical wiring based on what she shared re: her reno by her relative. Changing the windows and grilles to aluminium or white power coated with green tinted glass. The boys room, bedroom 3, will be left alone as their son is currently staying there and we like what he has chosen for the room. Keeping the beautiful marble flooring too.

I only have these photos as everytime I go there, I forget to take photos cos busy chit chatting amongst ourselves. Anyway not so nice as they are still living there and kind enough to let us view numerous times, just need to be according to their slightly odd timing ..

Living room from the main door/ balcony

Dining room looking to kitchen

Kitchen

Edited October 30, 2011 by sleek

[sleek 2]

reserved for renovation plans

[patsy_sg 1]

Can't wait to see the progress!

[May_dream1 14]

Congrats in starting your t-blog! I am excited to see your photos and chit chat here with you!

Wah.... Our names also in your 1st post! Paisey....

Edited May 22, 2011 by May_dream1

[hafiizh 0]

Bookmarked for updates.

The place looks well maintained and in good condition. Congrats on your purchase. Can't wait to see what you have planned for the place.

[marshmallow 0]

Hi to my future neighhour~ welcome!

135 sqm is really big... guess that's probably one of the biggest 5-room you can get nowadays~

and, just wondering - have you considered how to extend the MBR while keeping the marble floor? that's the same headache we had before decided to knock down one wall becos we dunno how to patch the marble floor after hacking~

anyway, all the best for your 2nd appointment, key collection, reno and etc~ you are always welcome to drop by my place if you need a drink or something when checking reno progress at your new place~ hee hee

[friends78 0]

Welcome to T-blog! Nice meeting u.. Thot u will only start after your frist appt...

[LADY_R 0]

Congrats Sis Sleek on your purchased! House still in good condition and you can save a lot on the reno

[Kobelala 8]

Sis Sleek ! Very happy to see your T-Blog Is that Marble Floor in your living ?

Nice big space you have !

[sethho 0]

Congratulations sleek... the floor plan and pics look real nice!

Just my opinion - you can consider hacking away the store room and move the Room 2's doorway adjacent to Room 3's.

You will have a big space in Room 2 for your 2 boys - with a 'private' corner for each...

[AderKong 0]

COngrats, sleek! Glad to see you starting your t-blog too, will definitely follow your blog And WOW! Your place huge! The kitchen is pretty big (long) too. Good if you cook regularly The house condition looks as good as new too, can save quite a fair bit on reno

[csingeu 0]

Woah sis sleek! what a big place you've gotten... 135sqm 5A... really looks huge.

and the place is really well-maintained!! (at least from the photos la)

if my place was like that, i'll save my money and the hassle to do any renovation... maybe just the toilets la...

doing renovation is so so so draining...

i wish you have a smooth 2nd appt and renovation journey.

[adidaem 6]

Wow, congrats on getting a place in such good condition! Even tho not quite to your high standard but just the marble flooring alone would result in considerable savings. Happy for you.

Looking forward to seeing your plans for a lovely home.