Mansionette Owner

[chrislam 0]

My transaction was completed in the first quarter of 2010, and it is in the Serangoon North area.

Older and mid-generation EMs are bigger by around 10sqm than the last batch of EMs.

Do be aware that historically, flat prices have fluctuated, so its not easy to say whether we're still on the upside of the price curve or not.

10sqm is alot! do you know which area build last batch of EMs?

need another advice. For upper level ,better to change to Parquet or laminated flooring? what's the pros & cons?

Edited March 20, 2012 by chrislam

[cleong 1]

10sqm is alot! do you know which area build last batch of EMs?

need another advice. For upper level ,better to change to Parquet or laminated flooring? what's the pros & cons?

I believe the last batch of EMs were built in Toh Guan (correct me if I'm wrong). I've no experience with laminated flooring but I am used to parquet and will prefer parquet over laminate.

[adidaem 6]

10sqm is alot! do you know which area build last batch of EMs?

need another advice. For upper level ,better to change to Parquet or laminated flooring? what's the pros & cons?

I can never remember where the impt posts are which is why having a blog is great. Here you go: http://emrenoblog.wordpress.com/2011/05/06/how-many-types-of-em-layouts-are-there/

I don't like stepping on laminate. Weird spongy feel. So my personal fav is parquet. Tiles in the bedroom a bit too cold. Again personal pref. parquet costs more and takes longer to do up. Good contractors will try to leave it enough time to dry properly.

Some people don't like that you can scratch the wood etc. same could apply for laminates so I don't understand the biasness (go n see scratched laminates used in actual stores). Plus I don't like the warping when laminates get wet. Parquet can get termites, but then so can your carpentry... Good parquet can last a long time. Mine at home are from the original owners 16 years ago. Not sure if getting parquet helps in valuation.

My recent flooring interest is vinyl that looks like wood. Seems less 'cold' than tiles but more durable than laminates.

Boils down to budget, time constraints and personal pref really.

Stacatto typing on iPad!

[adidaem 6]

What's the typical COV for EMs now? I don't know cos the ones I went to view all asked for high COV cos we only looked at mature estates.

Off topic but the new loft units are really nice huh? Those in punggol n Dawson. I like the stairs in punggol sapphire cos the double height windows makes it so bright. Wonder wat their selling price will be like when the MOP is up?

[wishxpress 0]

Bring your chequebook and negotiate. Offer your best price factoring in the renovation you still need to spend on. If no agreement, walk away and keep looking. I viewed around 50 flats over 9 months, participated in two bidding battles, before chancing upon my flat. You need patience.

Decisions Decisions Decisions....

Amazing viewing 50 units . I guess its really about the 'feel' on the verge of biting the bullet and hope for the best.

[cleong 1]

Decisions Decisions Decisions....

Amazing viewing 50 units . I guess its really about the 'feel' on the verge of biting the bullet and hope for the best.

Going to view 50 units gave me a much better idea of value and recognizing a good deal when I saw one. 10 units may or may not be enough for you to calibrate your expectations against your resources.

The second unit that I saw was a fantastic location, very high floor, unblocked, in Toa Payoh Central. Asking a mere 540k for a 4 room. But being ignorant, I thought good flats were commonplace and kept on looking, and only finding worse, and/or asking for more money.

Fast forward nearly 50 flat viewings later, the moment I saw my flat in a private viewing, I made a firm offer and the owner accepted.

[potatoes 0]

Going to view 50 units gave me a much better idea of value and recognizing a good deal when I saw one. 10 units may or may not be enough for you to calibrate your expectations against your resources.

The second unit that I saw was a fantastic location, very high floor, unblocked, in Toa Payoh Central. Asking a mere 540k for a 4 room. But being ignorant, I thought good flats were commonplace and kept on looking, and only finding worse, and/or asking for more money.

Fast forward nearly 50 flat viewings later, the moment I saw my flat in a private viewing, I made a firm offer and the owner accepted.

50 units? Wow.... Amazing! I don't think my wife have the stamina to view 50 units, even if I wanted to. So I ended up viewing 10 units before deciding my final based on our preference - location, accessiblity, block/unblock, price range esp COV, type of neighbors etc.

As long as it fufills most of our criteria, the next thing is We must feel good about the house.

For me, no regrets buying my EM

[Lina Lee 0]

I've tot of e qs of e loft units n penthouses there too! By e time e MoP is up, e mega mall shd haf been done as well as e other facilities bah? Smelly smelly oso can sell 800-900k? E 5rooms in Punggol is currently at 600+k n EA 600-700+k.. Sooo I guess that's how scary hdb prices r gonna go up to?

What's the typical COV for EMs now? I don't know cos the ones I went to view all asked for high COV cos we only looked at mature estates.

Off topic but the new loft units are really nice huh? Those in punggol n Dawson. I like the stairs in punggol sapphire cos the double height windows makes it so bright. Wonder wat their selling price will be like when the MOP is up?

[Lina Lee 0]

Wow.. I tink e max max viewings my husb n I can go shd be abt 20 units ba? We haf certain locations in mind plus we r doing contra so I guess we wun haf e luxury to view so many units oso..

Btw, do u guys usually bring ur kids along for viewing? LOL.. My ger's 2 yrs old so wondering if we shd bring her along.. Some ppl say if a kid can run ard e hse happily etc e hse is gd.. But if a kid refuses to go in or wat then gotta reconsider on xxxxx issues?

Going to view 50 units gave me a much better idea of value and recognizing a good deal when I saw one. 10 units may or may not be enough for you to calibrate your expectations against your resources.

The second unit that I saw was a fantastic location, very high floor, unblocked, in Toa Payoh Central. Asking a mere 540k for a 4 room. But being ignorant, I thought good flats were commonplace and kept on looking, and only finding worse, and/or asking for more money.

Fast forward nearly 50 flat viewings later, the moment I saw my flat in a private viewing, I made a firm offer and the owner accepted.

[potatoes 0]

Off topic but the new loft units are really nice huh? Those in punggol n Dawson. I like the stairs in punggol sapphire cos the double height windows makes it so bright. Wonder wat their selling price will be like when the MOP is up?

I also like the loft units @punggol sapphire...... What is the current price like now? Wish they build more of such units in other estates.

[adidaem 6]

Wow 50 units! I only viewed around 10. And the place I got was the third maisonette we viewed. But I was picky with the units from the start, so my agent had the instructions to ask if the view is unblocked and no noon sun, else don't need to waste time for viewing.

I recall reading that the last batch of leftover punggol loft units went for $500k plus, up from $380k from launch. From memory so may not be accurate. The Dawson ones were quite a bit more? Tho I am sure the resale price will be staggering too. Am waiting to see how much the Pinnacle at Duxton units will go for.

Edited March 21, 2012 by adidaem

[Bento28 0]

Keke, I viewed about 8 units. Got mine at tampines ops Temasek Poly.

Nearly get one at Kovan but manage to know find out that it was an " ah long " unit!!

I feel that the market is sluggish now.. Well, anyway we manage to get one within my budget n liking!!

[Bento28 0]

Keke, I viewed about 8 units. Got mine at tampines ops Temasek Poly.

Nearly get one at Kovan but manage to know find out that it was an " ah long " unit!!

I feel that the market is sluggish now.. Well, anyway we manage to get one within my budget n liking!!

[Lina Lee 0]

Wow.. How did ya manage to know itz ah long one? Is e unit selling at very low price? ;P

Tampines units r not cheap oso.. Haa

Keke, I viewed about 8 units. Got mine at tampines ops Temasek Poly.

Nearly get one at Kovan but manage to know find out that it was an " ah long " unit!!

I feel that the market is sluggish now.. Well, anyway we manage to get one within my budget n liking!!

[Bento28 0]

Normally, after viewing I will do my homework if got intention to get it that why I onli manage to do 8.

I will checkout it staircase landing. For that unit, installing CCTV n with fresh coat of paint at all staircase landing. I check out wit it's immediate neighbour too.

For tampines, I manage to get a good deal.