2+3 - Our 2Nd Home

[May_dream1 14]

5th is very soon.... Just be patience a bit more. Hehe....

[thedottyness 0]

my hubs was drooling away when he heard that there was HTL warehouse sale.

so we decided to take a look even thou we had to drive from EAST to end of SG to go L00K S33.. *zZzz..* and just before our eldest ballet class.

the sale was very well organized.. each family/couple was assigned a number and sales assistant. however, the sale itself.. wasn't much of a sale if you've been to their warehouse on a normal day. we saw this sofa couple of months ago, it was $2999 and at the sale it was STILL $2999.

on another hand, a simple white 3+2+1 was going for only $1k++ for the whole set and there was a 2.5 white seater which we were eying was going for only $650!

we decided to pop to Domicil showroom (which is acquired by HTL too) and some of their items were also on sale clearance... boy, were we glad to have gone to Domicil to take a look first before deciding on that 2.5 seater..

we fell in love with this 3 seater...

but the price tag was shocking.. so we went to look walk around even more.. then the sales guy there showed us this!

....and we decided to get it! despite it being cream coloured.. and with 3 kids.. the math doesn't really add up that way.. but heck, it fits our needs and passed our butt test. the difference btwn the HTL L-shaped and Domicil L-shaped sofa was only a slight difference.. but quality wise Domicil really won our hearts.

[thedottyness 0]

Pre-Reno Drama

It started off with us requesting a second viewing with our sellers. They ignored ALL the calls their agent made to them regarding a second viewing and suddenly, went back to the agent asking US to contact them directly. And so we did and paid them a house visit, and we politely requested a second viewing and to allow us to bring our contractor to do some measurements. Both visits are done at THEIR convenience. So they agreed (after a couple of day/time changes) and with the condition that we do not venture beyond the 1st floor. We respected their wishes and only gave our contractor verbal instructions regarding what we wanted done for the 2nd floor. Even so, the wife followed me around while I showed our contractor what I want done, and even gave her opinion what should be done. While on the other hand, the husband monopolized my hubs time and didn't allow him to join the discussion between the contractor and I.

They said they will be moving out on the 7th. They offered us keys to allow us start early reno without us asking it. So when I politely ask when will they pass us the keys, the wife ask me to let the men deal with it. OKAY! FINE! Don't know what generation liao but I respect your way of doing things. The husband started calling my hubs *almost* everyday. With the first call, wanting to leave behind his hp number for us to "keep in touch". Upon asking about the keys, the man said we must have permit first. Then, the next call came.. Asking whether if it was illegal to just hand us the keys like that. My hubs assure him that we will follow the procedures by the book which was us signing the HDB indemnity form and pass it to our contractor to apply for reno permit and apply for utilities so they won't incur the extra electricity charges from our renovation works.

Then, it was downhill from then on. When the reno permit was approved, our contractor stuck the notices around the block and at the unit. And also informed all the neighbours on our behalf as per required by HDB. The husband called up and didn't sounded very happy to have the permit stuck at their unit. And said he has been receiving our spam letters there already. We said never mind, the letters aren't urgent. They are there because we started the utility account in view of the reno starting date. And once again, he questioned us on the legality of the renovation permit and handing over the keys. Firstly, we declined taking ALL their keys saying that they can keep most of them and pass them to us on the 2nd appointment. Secondly, we followed all the procedures regarding applying for the reno permit and was willing to sign an indemnity form to discharge them from all responsibilities.

Today, the sellers are now trying to point fingers at their agent, saying that the agent SAID it was illegal. Once again, this word kept appearing throughout the past week's phone calls. Upon checking with THEIR agent, the agent denied and didn't use such strong words in advising them. My hubs called the seller to clarify the issue since they were the ones who offered the keys but they refuse to outright say that they don't want to hand over the keys and kept saying that what was done is illegal. Then, the sellers son spoke to my hubs and said that his parents (the sellers) are very stressed out regarding this issue. And thought that the resale completion actually requires 4 more months! Already... we gave our deposit in Jan, to date, is already 6 months. After ding dong the whole day, they finally came back to us and say they refuse to hand over the keys early and requested that we wait till 2nd appointment to collect all the keys.

We had the words ILLEGAL and LAWYERS thrown at us many times in this past week, which human being like to be accused of doing something illegal? We are very upset at the fact that they offered and now last minute, want to pull out of the deal. We have put up with EVERY SINGLE DEMAND they had. From the first viewing of 10 minutes only.. to this. They kept pressuring us to stay in contact as they are very sentimental towards the place, which we agreed to stay in contact and be friends.

For people who claim that they are full of integrity, we found that they have none. We have already followed all their whims and wishes regarding the time and day, and decided we have enough. Since they have come right out and say they refuse, we have no choice but to accept. We do not like to be accused, neither do we have the energy or mental capacity at the moment to play mind games with them. I am currently 32 weeks pregnant and nursing a bad flu. My husband is down with fever and does not seem to be recovering.

So.. if FOUR MORE DAYS SEEM SO IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO BE THAT OWNER OF THE HOUSE, PLEASE ENJOY YOUR LAST FOUR DAYS!

p.s. looks like we have to go thru the whole hassle of re-applying for reno permit now. *sigh* and the delays... arghhh!

Edited June 6, 2012 by thedottyness

[May_dream1 14]

So sorry to hear abt your unpleasant sellers. Are they old couple? Maybe they do not know what they are actually doing but was lead by their son??

Don't get too upset cos you are pregnant now. It's just 4 days so leave them be. You will not see them ever again and better not to keep in contact no matter what they say.

[getzski 1]

next time you can burn their letters address to their old address ma.,....tell them to be nice®

[thedottyness 0]

So sorry to hear abt your unpleasant sellers. Are they old couple? Maybe they do not know what they are actually doing but was lead by their son??

Don't get too upset cos you are pregnant now. It's just 4 days so leave them be. You will not see them ever again and better not to keep in contact no matter what they say.

ya they are a very old couple. but not those uneducated type.. speak english and chinese very well. yes, we've decided not to bother with their wishes anymore.

i think they think their son who is a *who and who* at somewhere will scare us off? i feel that we may have been accommodating up to date, doesn't mean they should use our politeness or respect to take advantage of us.

next time you can burn their letters address to their old address ma.,....tell them to be nice®

i will tell them at 2nd appt.... i hope you've change ALL your address.. i am not post office help u collect and hold mail.

[ayazumi 0]

Feel so sorry for you after seeing what you have posted. Don't get so worked up, let them enjoy for the last 4 days. If they don't move out or try to be funny, report to the police. Make sure they don't leave anything behind otherwise they will find lots of excuses to come back again. Seriously speaking, sometimes I also don't understand why some people want to sell the house but can't bear to leave the house. If they really love the house that much, don't sell it then.

[LLChing 0]

They would have duplicated the letterbox key and collect their letters themselves unless you are able to change the lock.

Take care dotty. Don't worry too much on the reno not being able to meet deadline. If you "cham siong" with the contractor to push a little, can be done one. Most time spent on wet works like tiling etc. The rest will be very fast.

[ayazumi 0]

Yes, change the letter box lock too. And throw their letters into the bin

[May_dream1 14]

ya, usually your contractor will be able to accomodate your time. a 4 days delay not going to make much different so don't worry. i am sure everything else will fall into place and you can move in before you give birth.

[thedottyness 0]

Feel so sorry for you after seeing what you have posted. Don't get so worked up, let them enjoy for the last 4 days. If they don't move out or try to be funny, report to the police. Make sure they don't leave anything behind otherwise they will find lots of excuses to come back again. Seriously speaking, sometimes I also don't understand why some people want to sell the house but can't bear to leave the house. If they really love the house that much, don't sell it then.

YA! they love the house so much... but don't wanna upkeep it anymore (got exposed wiring, spoilt tap etc). and also bcoz they r two old folks.. they are not capable and its a lot of work.

They would have duplicated the letterbox key and collect their letters themselves unless you are able to change the lock.

Take care dotty. Don't worry too much on the reno not being able to meet deadline. If you "cham siong" with the contractor to push a little, can be done one. Most time spent on wet works like tiling etc. The rest will be very fast.

Yes, change the letter box lock too. And throw their letters into the bin

ya.. i think i shall change mailbox lock. just in case they decide to "help" themselves.

[Valerie Low 0]

Feel so sorry for you after seeing what you have posted. Don't get so worked up, let them enjoy for the last 4 days. If they don't move out or try to be funny, report to the police. Make sure they don't leave anything behind otherwise they will find lots of excuses to come back again. Seriously speaking, sometimes I also don't understand why some people want to sell the house but can't bear to leave the house. If they really love the house that much, don't sell it then.

Agree, the previous owner of my house kept telling us how much she loves the place etc.. the environment.. and I really wonder why would she go apply for new BTO then and compete with other buyers.

Edited June 7, 2012 by ValerieLow

[taichipanda 3]

Yes, change the letter box lock too. And throw their letters into the bin

yes, you can change the letter box lock but don't throw their letters away, you never know maybe is some important documents. help them keep their letters and message them to pick them up at your convenience.

i sold my 4-room to denimart and we have a simple agreement that i keep 1 of the letter box key so i can collect my mails while i update my new address to all parties, after a few months i will return him the letter box key.

[marble 0]

yes, you can change the letter box lock but don't throw their letters away, you never know maybe is some important documents. help them keep their letters and message them to pick them up at your convenience.

i sold my 4-room to denimart and we have a simple agreement that i keep 1 of the letter box key so i can collect my mails while i update my new address to all parties, after a few months i will return him the letter box key.

it is not legal if i dont allow them to use my address after i own the place. their letters are not my business.

i have tolerated enough. This is just setting up a trap for me. what pisses me off is that they offered us instead of me requesting from them. for this nonsense they did, my contractor is one going to be most affected not me. but unlike them, i feel bad because he has already arranged his man power for my place. now he has to cancel the permit and reapply again and re-notify the neighbours again, all these because some old man happily shoot his mouth off and decided that it is a bad idea...

[taichipanda 3]

ya they are a very old couple. but not those uneducated type.. speak english and chinese very well. yes, we've decided not to bother with their wishes anymore.

i think they think their son who is a *who and who* at somewhere will scare us off? i feel that we may have been accommodating up to date, doesn't mean they should use our politeness or respect to take advantage of us.

i will tell them at 2nd appt.... i hope you've change ALL your address.. i am not post office help u collect and hold mail.

The 2nd appointment is usually in the afternoon after 3pm, sometime can be as late as 4:30pm too.

The old couple should vacate the house for you to take over, they must hand their keys to you during the 2nd appointment. After that, go buy a bicycle chain with numbering lock and go to your new house, make sure it is vacated and lock it with the bicycle chain on the metal gate. Give the lock combination only to your main contractor/ID.

If found the place is not vacated, call your housing agent to contact their housing agent, force them out by reporting to town council and police. If they claim they need more time to move, i suggest you start charging rental and collect payment upfront.