Mansionette Owner

[adidaem 6]

Actually, EM ground toilet is a washing bay, which many converted to a small toilet. Not much space if u want to bathe.

133sqm for 3room+2 toilets vs 146sqm for 4room+3 toilets, Seems like bigger room for 5rmM.

Price wise, due to low supply, it has indeed rose quite substantially over these 2 yrs.

Considering some x factors, e.g super high ceiling, roof over balcony, personal planting area on ground level...while enjoying the gov perks of 5rm,

I never regretted getting a 5rmM.

Where are the high ceilings? Any pics to share?

[duhzzz 0]

Where are the high ceilings? Any pics to share?

My blk is only 4 storey high and I'm living on the 3rd - 4th storey.

4th storey has a pointed roof/ Gable roof

See link --> http://ts4.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=4874852943070575&id=d2e49d5332c39333a08d6aee7d4cf864)

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OkoGIbTFGn4/TJ4N90asWPI/AAAAAAAAATo/NqKNN1VHKTg/s1600/After+2.jpg

This pic shows my room, but did not show the highest point though.

Highest point is higher than 2x toilet door, est. 5m high?

Not too sure how many was built, but this was my last viewed unit that really captured my heart.

Around my hougang ave 1 area, there are only 3 blocks.

Edited July 20, 2012 by duhzzz

[Exman 0]

Ok, savings of $17 per mth; ie $204 annually:)

But govt didn't build many 5AM, right? Where can we find them?

The valuation document shall describe the unit as AM or EM if you take a close look. Had a friend whom brought a madionette in Lor Ah Soo to realize actually it was AM only upon the appointment at HDB. The agent did not even inform him when he agreed to the OTP. However as he happy with the unit location that he didn't disputed.

I was searching for madionettes which I seen some 5AMs at Hougang ave 5, Lorong Ah Soo and Potong Pasir.

Only the top level is of higher ceiling especially if the block is a 4 story block or on the last level in a higher block.

The high ceiling is actually slanted at certain areas which unlike EMs are rather squarish in standard built.

[Exman 0]

Not only rebates is different, the SCC is lower too, plus I think lower utility bill. However, if you have extended family living with you, the additional room is good.

I agreed rebates are different but is rather small. Dont't think utility bill is lower in AM as the tariffs are calculated in as common factor.

Maybe in AM as due to the power supply limitation that many owners cannot installed 2 compressors if to compare to a newer gen EM which is why seem to have lower utility bill. Use less electricity shall be billed less.

[potatoes 0]

The valuation document shall describe the unit as AM or EM if you take a close look. Had a friend whom brought a madionette in Lor Ah Soo to realize actually it was AM only upon the appointment at HDB. The agent did not even inform him when he agreed to the OTP. However as he happy with the unit location that he didn't disputed.

I was searching for madionettes which I seen some 5AMs at Hougang ave 5, Lorong Ah Soo and Potong Pasir.

Only the top level is of higher ceiling especially if the block is a 4 story block or on the last level in a higher block.

The high ceiling is actually slanted at certain areas which unlike EMs are rather squarish in standard built.

Oic.... I remember seeing those top floors @ Sinming, not sure if they r considered 5AM or EM.... Living hall is high ceiling, MBR is 1st level, the other rooms are 2nd level. Agent call them penthouse.

[potatoes 0]

Where are the high ceilings? Any pics to share?

The high ceilings for AM, aren't they similar to the EMs?

[duhzzz 0]

Oic.... I remember seeing those top floors @ Sinming, not sure if they r considered 5AM or EM.... Living hall is high ceiling, MBR is 1st level, the other rooms are 2nd level. Agent call them penthouse.

Living hall high ceiling? Interesting!

Anybody has any pics?

Btw, wad does AM stands for?

5rmM high ceiling refers to the slanted roof volume.

[adidaem 6]

Actually, EM ground toilet is a washing bay, which many converted to a small toilet. Not much space if u want to bathe.

133sqm for 3room+2 toilets vs 146sqm for 4room+3 toilets, Seems like bigger room for 5rmM.

Just to add... if you compare the space, I think some space is used on corridors/walkways. So... I still prefer having an extra room and toilet but I understand different owners have different preferences of course.

As for the washing bay, are you referring to the Gen 1 EMs? The Gen 2 and 3 EMs came with proper toilets on the ground floor. The space for Gen 2 EM ground floor toilet is ok. We have a shower in the loo and proper basin in mine. There wasn't any space for glass partition, but it isn't as packed/crammed as mentioned. It's (my ground floor) not any worse than most HDBs I've visited tho it is undeniable the smallest loo in my place.

Not too sure how many was built, but this was my last viewed unit that really captured my heart.

Around my hougang ave 1 area, there are only 3 blocks.

Oh ya, these are rare. I would prefer having high ceiling in the living room like those units that Potatoes described - think apart from Sin Ming, Potong Pasir also have such 'penthouse' EM units? I've extracted some discussion from another thread on RT: http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=43662&st=0

I also like my high ceiling too, at least they dont make u feel too "squeezy"

I'd mentioned earlier that I'll love to see the floorplans for those rare HDB apts with lofts... some pics to show you what I mean:

1916 sqft / 178 sqm 'penthouse' in 851 Hougang Central

Source: http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/listing/for-sale-loft-mais-851-hougang-central-5290783

2141 sqft / 199 sqm 446 Bright Hill Drive (not stated as 'penthouse' but from the pics I'm guessing it is)

Source: http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/listing/hdb-for-sale-blk-446-brighthill-drive-3096754

[adidaem 6]

Putting the floor plans together for easier comparison...

Almost like tracing the evolution of the EM design.

5 room maisonette - 133 sqm - 2 toilets, 3 bedrooms, 1 balcony

5 AM - 139 sqm - 2 toilets, 1 wash area, 3 bedrooms, 1 storeroom, 1 balcony

Gen 1 EM - 150 sqm (??) 2 toilets, 1 wash area, 3 bedrooms, 1 utility room & 1 balcony

Gen 2 EM - 146 sqm - 3 toilets, 4 bedrooms and 1 balcony

Gen 3 EM - 144 sqm (??) this has 3 proper toilets, 4 bedrooms and 2 balconies (1 is a service balcony)

Are the floor areas correctly indicated? Can actual owners pls help out? I indicated based on what I remember...

Edited July 21, 2012 by adidaem

[duhzzz 0]

Great work!

Nice living hall!

[chrislam 0]

Thank you so much for your advices. I will ask my friend to do comparsion before commit.

Wow...nice layout..I love the 1st 'penthouse' pic with 178sqm, area super big & nice.

Edited July 21, 2012 by chrislam

[potatoes 0]

Adidaem, u r so detail and elaborate

This certainly is great research and documentation. I didn't know so many things about Mansionettes until I read ur blog.

[telefunken 0]

Hi all! Any bros or siss willing to show me your wonderful parquet flooring pics? I wish to know how bad mine was? Need to deal with the reno firm. Mant thanks.

Good weekend!!

[bubble-ling 0]

Hi all,

Drop a note here hoping to get some advise from here.

Have been looking ard for EM ard west area (ok jurong west to be exact) but to no avail. Most owners are asking for sky high COV at least 60k and above.

Yday went to view a unit , 70k COV to close deal move in condition but its a level 2 unit so im quite reluntant to commit.

Can any EM owners please advise me the cost of reno to overhaul a whole EM ?

[Bento28 0]

Hi all,

Drop a note here hoping to get some advise from here.

Have been looking ard for EM ard west area (ok jurong west to be exact) but to no avail. Most owners are asking for sky high COV at least 60k and above.

Yday went to view a unit , 70k COV to close deal move in condition but its a level 2 unit so im quite reluntant to commit.

Can any EM owners please advise me the cost of reno to overhaul a whole EM ?

At least 70k for overhaul!