Thinking of buying your first HDB flat soon? Before you apply for a new flat in our sales launch exercises or look for a resale flat, you should be savvy and plan your finances first. The Woke Salaryman shares 5 tips on how you should plan for your finances for an HDB flat purchase:
Source: mynicehome.gov.sg
When a loved one departs, things change in more ways than we can imagine. So how can death in the family affect your flat?
1. If a co-owner passes away and you are the other co-owner
Most flats in Singapore are joint-owned – by husband and wife, or parent and child. If a joint-owner passes away, his or her share of the flat will be transferred to the remaining owner.
As the remaining family or single occupier, you can retain the flat ownership if:
2. If the sole owner passes away
If the flat’s sole owner passes away, their interest in the flat will be distributed according to their will; or if there is no will, according to the provisions of the Intestate Succession Act. A court order is required for legal authority to administer the deceased’s estate. The remaining family or occupiers should engage a private solicitor to apply for the appropriate court orders, which gives legal authority to the person named in the will (or if there is no will, someone as the Administrator) to manage the deceased’s estate.
Grant of Probate is needed if there is a will. This gives the person named in the will (the Executor) legal authority to manage the deceased estate.
Grant of Letters of Administration is needed if there is no will. This gives the Administrator legal authority to manage the deceased’s interest in the flat, which will be distributed according to the Intestate Succession Act.
As the remaining family or single occupier, you can retain the flat ownership if:
Once the Grant has been obtained, you can engage your own solicitor or appoint HDB’s solicitor to act for you to register your legal right as the Executor or Administrator.
As the Executor or Administrator of the estate, you will have to complete relevant paperwork and apply at the HDB Branch in charge of the flat to transfer flat ownership to the beneficiaries. This is subject to HDB’s eligibility conditions governing transfer of flat ownership.
For more information about buying, financing or selling your HDB flat, follow LeposhDesign on Facebook.
Source: mynicehome.gov.sg
Sometimes life events may require us to change the ownership status of our flat. For example, when you are getting married and buying a flat with your spouse, or following a divorce or passing of a loved one in the family. It is possible to apply for a change in flat ownership without monetary consideration, as long as all the current and new flat owners are aware of and consent to this change.
As a flat owner, you may apply for a change in your flat ownership to immediate family members if they meet all eligibility conditions. Here are the 4 most common types of change in flat ownership.
If there is more than 1 owner for the flat, you will need to decide on the manner of holding – either by joint-tenancy, or tenancy-in-common. The former means that all owners own the whole interest in the property, and do not have separate shares. Meanwhile the latter denotes that tenants-in-common own the same property, but each with their own separate shares. HDB allows a maximum of 4 owners for each flat.
Use the following resources to find out how to go about effecting a change in flat ownership within your family:
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Source: mynicehome.gov.sg
It’s never too early to think about retirement adequacy — in other words, how you can supplement your income during your retirement years. Beyond CPF monies, personal savings, and possibly investments, home owners can also choose to unlock the value of their HDB flats in their golden years. Depending on your needs and preferences, here are some ways you can monetise your HDB flat:
1. Continue living in your flat
Mr and Mrs Lim, both 65 years old, chose to apply for the Lease Buyback Scheme (LBS) as they wanted to continue living in their existing flat. They received cash proceeds of $58,300, a monthly CPF LIFE payout of $1,090, and a cash bonus of $7,500.
You can consider monetising your flat under LBS if you have fulfilled the minimum occupancy period (MOP). Interested? Check out the eligibility criteria for LBS below, or on HDB InfoWEB:
If you are younger than 65 years old, there is the option of renting out your spare bedroom(s) for income. Remember to submit an application to rent out your bedroom(s) through My HDBPage or Mobile@HDB before the commencement of the tenancy, and refer to CEA’s tenancy agreement template for HDB flats.
2. Moving out and purchasing a 3-room or smaller HDB flat
Mr and Mrs A sold their 5-room flat (bought from HDB) and bought a 2-room Flexi BTO flat. They qualified for a Silver Housing Bonus (SHB) of $30,000 on top of their proceeds.
The SHB is applicable when home owners top-up their CPF RA with the proceeds of the sale. You can view the eligibility criteria below, or on HDB InfoWEB:
For the latest information on monetising your flat for retirement, visit HDB InfoWEB.
Bonus tip: If you do not need an additional source of retirement income but want to learn more about other elder-friendly housing policies, here are 5 things to know about the Community Care Apartments.
Source: mynicehome.gov.sg
So, you have listed your HDB flat on the market and are anxiously waiting for prospective buyers to pop by for a viewing. You may be ready to seal the deal, but is your house ready?
You don’t need huge home staging budgets like the real estate agents on Netflix’s Selling Sunset – all you need are some tips and tricks to spruce up your HDB flat before you arrange for flat viewings.
1. Photography Makes a Difference
They say a picture paints a thousand words – this is especially relevant when selling your HDB flat, as you need to stand out from the crowd of existing flat listings. Take good photos showcasing the flat’s layout and space to highlight its potential.
P.S. Remember to take the photos during the day – natural light is key.
2. Declutter the Space
Clearing clutter is not an easy task but no one likes a messy space, especially prospective buyers of a new flat. Clutter makes it difficult for buyers to see the potential of the flat – after all, they are here to view the space.
3. Keep It Clean
Once you’ve gotten rid of clutter, do give the flat a thorough mop and scrub, especially on frequently used appliances and furniture. The flat need not be 100% spotless, but should at least be tidy – you do not want prospective buyers to be put off by the stains and dirt.
4. Showcase the Potential of the Flat
If your flat’s got attractive attributes, flaunt them! Whether it’s an unblocked view of the neighbourhood, ample living room space, or a unique kitchen concept, you should leverage these attributes which may appeal to prospective buyers. Open the windows to show the amazing view, rearrange the furniture to highlight the spaciousness of the living room, or if you’ve got a HDB flat with a great view, opt for viewings to happen in the day so that prospective buyers can enjoy the scenery.
5. Create Welcoming Vibes
Make your guests feel welcomed to your home. Add some fresh flowers or potted plant on the dining table, or even use scents to create a warm and cosy ambience in your room or home – these small touches could leave a strong and positive impression on your prospective buyers.
Now your flat is ready to meet its prospective owner! Did you know that you can sell your flat on the HDB Resale Portal? Check out our guide to find out more!
Source: mynicehome.gov.sg
Good photos are key when selling your HDB flat. Not only do they showcase the flat’s potential, good photos will help set your home apart from existing flat listings. MyNiceHome caught up with experienced interior photographer Jino Lee, who gave us some tips on capturing the best side of your home!
1. Capture the Best Bits
Decluttering lets you capture the space and showcase its potential. An organised space also makes for appealing photographs, and helps prospective home buyers to visualise themselves living in the flat. To portray a cosy and lived-in look, include strategically placed coffee table books, coloured cushions or decorative plants in your photos.
2. Adopt Wide Angles
Wondering why the photographs aren’t doing enough justice to your flat? You might be using the wrong lens! Using wide angle lenses when capturing your shots can showcase the space to its fullest extent, and even make your house look more spacious.
3. Position Your Photos
For a more accurate perspective of the space, capture your photos at eye level. At the same time, ensure that your photos angles are straight – if you require a little help, simply enable the grid option on your phone or camera.
4. Let the Light In
Never underestimate the power of good lighting. While natural light helps to soften the look of your photos, indoor lighting can also be used. Most importantly, ensure that the space is sufficiently lit to best showcase the space.
It might take some work, but the effort taken to showcase your flat will definitely be worth it.
All photos by Jino Lee
Source: mynicehome.gov.sg
Buying a flat is a huge financial commitment (you already know that!) and getting a second flat is no easier. There are many things to consider, so read on to make sure you have everything covered before putting your money down for your second home.
Computing your estimated sale proceeds
Do you know how much proceeds you might receive from the sale of your existing flat? As the cash proceeds will form part of your budget for your next flat, having a realistic estimate is crucial to helping you calculate the amount you can afford to spend. Simple math!
With information such as your outstanding mortgage loan, CPF funds used including interest, resale levy (if applicable), and some of the other payments due, you can use HDB’s Sale Proceeds Calculator to get a ballpark estimate of the cash proceeds from the sale of your flat!
Resale levy
You do not have to worry about the resale levy, if you plan on getting a resale flat on the open market next.
The resale levy applies to those who plan to buy a new flat from HDB, but have previously received some form of subsidy for their first flat – be it through the purchase of a flat from HDB, or a resale flat with the CPF housing grants.
As new HDB flats are sold at a subsidised price, the resale levy is put in place to ensure that there is a fair allocation of public housing subsidies between first-timers and second-timers.
Grants available
Second-timer home buyers can also be eligible for housing grants! If you are buying a resale flat that is within 4 km of where your parents/ child currently stay, you may be eligible to apply for the Proximity Housing Grant, which aims to help more families live close to each other for mutual care and support.
Use HDB’s Distance Enquiry for Proximity Housing Grant e-Service to check if the resale flat you intend to buy falls within the proximity range to qualify for the grant.
Taking up a second HDB loan
If you are intending to take a second HDB loan, do note that your loan amount will factor in your CPF and cash proceeds from the sale of your flat. This is to ensure that you do not over-borrow!
The commercial interest rate will be applied to your HDB housing loan if you plan to sell your current flat only after buying your next flat. The interest rate will be converted to the concessionary rate only after you have sold your current flat, and used the proceeds to repay your housing loan.
Contra Facility
Want to sell your existing HDB flat and buy another flat at the same time? Consider applying for the Contra Facility, which allows you to use the cash and CPF proceeds from the sale of your existing flat to purchase your next flat, concurrently.
The Contra Facility can help you reduce the cash outlay needed for your next flat, the mortgage loan amount needed and the subsequent monthly repayments. If you are buying a new flat, you can collect the keys to your new flat and renovate it, while selling your existing flat!
We hope this article has made financial planning for your second HDB flat less daunting. Follow us on Facebook for more useful information on buying a HDB flat and HDB living.
Source: mynicehome.gov.sg
The post ‘My Resale Journey From West to East’ appeared first on the MoneySmart blog
This article was updated on 25 May 2021.
Conversations around public housing usually revolve around affordability, value, and financing. Beyond the dollars and cents, it’s hard to get a tangible sense of what owning a flat means to people, and the significance of having a home to call their own.
We spoke to different homeowners, specifically those who had bought resale flats, to get their thoughts about their home and flat buying journey. In the first of our 3-part series, we speak to Mr Ismail, who has lived on both sides of the island.
About The Flat
Owner: Mr Ismail bin Hamid, 41, Married with 4 kids
| Location | Tampines |
| Flat Price | $410,000 (after $20,000 Proximity Housing Grant) |
| Year of Purchase | 2018 |
| Flat Type & Size | 4-room flat/ 104 sqm |
| Remaining Length of Lease | 63 years (as of Apr 2019) |
| Monthly mortgage amount & loan tenure | Nil (fully paid after selling previous flat) |
| Monthly mortgage amount & loan tenure | About $38,000 |
MoneySmart (MS): Mr Ismail, this is an amazing looking house. Tell us a little bit about why you chose to buy a flat here.
Mr Ismail: Tampines has been my home for the past 7 years. This flat is located 2 blocks away from where I grew up in, so this is a neighbourhood I am very familiar with. In fact, one of my primary school classmates still lives in the next block with his own family!
When I was growing up, there was only Bedok Interchange. There was no Tampines Interchange, and the Downtown Line certainly didn’t exist at that time, so you can imagine that getting around was very different from how it is now.
MS: Tell us a bit about your housing journey.
Mr Ismail: After I got married, my wife and I moved to Bukit Batok, which was near her family. It was a very different area from where I grew up, so that was something new. We then moved to a resale flat in Bukit Panjang. With convenience and proximity to family being a key consideration, we decided not to wait for a suitable BTO flat. At that time, the only available BTO flats were in Sengkang and Punggol, so we chose to buy a resale flat.
Due to family circumstances, we eventually moved back to the East, a few streets away from where we are currently staying now.
MoneySmart Tip: Interested flat buyers can get information on upcoming BTO projects 3 months before sales exercises for better planning. In the meantime, you can visit HDB InfoWEB for details on the upcoming BTO sales exercise.
MS: We also understand that you moved from a 5-room to a 4-room flat?
Mr Ismail: We felt that it was a much better idea to move to a 4-room flat because there was a lot of unused space in our previous 5-room flat. Even though we have four kids (aged 12, 9, 8, and 3), we felt that this current place suits our needs perfectly.
As you can see, the amenities around this place are great for our kids. We also considered the fact that there was a park that was very accessible and our kids wouldn’t have to cross any major roads to get there.
At this point, Mr Ismail’s wife also chimes in, highlighting the fact that the 4-room flat is much easier to clean than their previous home. They also managed to completely pay off their housing loan after moving, but more on that later.
MS: Tell us about your home buying process. Did you engage an agent or do it on your own?
Mr Ismail: We decided to go with an agent, and the reason was that our housing agent was also my friend from reservist! He also helped us to sell our previous home. I would say when it comes to engaging an agent, it definitely helps to have someone who knows his stuff.
It was an easy decision to buy our current home because we knew what we wanted, and the opportunity presented itself. I would say our only regret is that we missed out on a flat that is near the newly built Our Tampines Hub. There was nothing there at that point in time and we had no idea they were going to build an integrated community hub there!
MoneySmart Tip: Besides going through an agent, buyers and sellers can use the HDB Resale Portal to perform their own resale transactions. The portal will guide you on the buying journey and help you track the progress of your transaction. The resale process takes approximately 8 weeks to complete from the date of HDB’s acceptance of the resale application.
MS: How did you plan your finances? What were your goals or considerations?
Mr Ismail: For me, I chose to pay off this flat fully. I know it might seem a little “old school”, but we believe that we should just keep our money in CPF and use that for retirement.
For our previous homes, we also chose to take a loan from HDB. My wife works in a bank, so we understand that there are benefits and risks to taking a bank loan, and we ultimately settled on getting an HDB loan. Now that we’ve paid off this flat, we don’t have to worry about a mortgage anymore, and we can focus on planning for retirement.
MS: And what sort of grants did you get for your home?
Mr Ismail: At the start when we got our first place after we got married, we were eligible for a grant for first time buyers, and of course we were aware that we could get $20,000 in Proximity Housing Grant for this flat as we were moving near my parents.
MS: Your home looks really nice and comfortable. Did you have to renovate it a lot, and how much did you spend?
Mr Ismail: We spent about $38,000 on our renovations. We did have to do quite a bit of work, which included your regular maintenance such as repainting the place and redoing the flooring and doors. The main issue with the place was that the wiring wasn’t done properly so we had to redo everything because they were crossed all over the place. The kitchen was also rather old so we gave it a refresh.
MoneySmart Tip: Figuring out what grants you are eligible for is an important part of planning for your home purchase. You can also get more information on financial planning for your home over at HDB’s InfoWEB.
MS: Can you share with us some thoughts around owning a home in Singapore?
Mr Ismail: For me, I never intended to buy a flat to profit from it. I plan to stay here with my wife till we pass on. Some people talk about leases expiring, but my perspective is that you are probably not even going to be alive when that lease expires, so why worry about it? As for my children, they will probably move out and buy a flat of their own, so I am not too worried about what happens with the lease.
There are many things that might change in the future which you have no idea about, so you plan for what you can. Other than that, I feel blessed to be able to say that I own a home, which is more than what many other people in other developed countries can say.
MS: Any other words of advice for homebuyers?
Mr Ismail: Go with what you are comfortable with. At the end of the day, you can overthink, but when you step into a neighbourhood, just ask yourself whether you feel like you belong there . Are you comfortable with the place and its surroundings? Is it a place you feel your children can grow up in?
Convenience is another factor. It might be more important for you to be near a supermarket than an MRT station. Whatever the case, understanding your needs is important. Small inconveniences can become a big deal over the course of a few years.
Source: mynicehome.gov.sg
The post ‘My Resale Journey: First Property is a 30-Year Old Resale Flat’ appeared first on the MoneySmart blog
Mr Wong, 32, and his wife, Madam Lai, 31, are on the cusp of moving into a resale flat in Jurong West with their child, as well as Madam Lai’s brother and sister-in-law.
The couple’s 5-room flat has just been renovated, and they are now putting the finishing touches to their new home.
In this second part of a 3-part series in which we present the stories of resale flat buyers, we spoke with Mr Wong on his new home and the process he went through to purchase his resale flat.
About The Flat
Owner: Mr Wong Bin Hao, 32, married with 1 kid
| Location | Jurong West |
| Flat Price |
$335,000 (after $40,000 housing grants) |
| Year of Purchase |
2018 |
| Flat Type & Size | 5-room flat/ 121 sqm |
| Remaining Length of Lease | 69 years (as of May 2019) |
| Monthly Mortgage Amount & Loan Tenure |
About $1,600 18 years |
| Renovation Cost | About $35,000 |
When we visited Mr Wong’s flat at Jurong West Avenue 5, workmen were finishing up their final renovations.
But the flat already looked cosy and inviting, with a comfy couch and a pile of Hello Kitty cushions beckoning us as we entered.
MoneySmart (MS): Mr Wong, how did you and your wife decide to buy a flat in Jurong West?
My wife and I both work in the Jurong area. For a period of time, we rented in nearby neighbourhoods and moved around.
I have been living in Jurong West for about three to four years. I’ve always found this area quite lively and naturally, wanted to buy a home here.
MS: Besides the fact that it’s lively, what else about this place appealed to you?
My two-year-old kid goes to the childcare centre in this block. You can also see the playground from here so it’s perfect and convenient for us. There are some primary schools close by that my child can attend in the future.
There are also two malls nearby, Pioneer Mall and Gek Poh. When the future Jurong Region Line is up, we will be within walking distance to an MRT station, so I think it was worth the buy.
MS: You started out renting a flat. What made you decide to take the plunge and buy your own place?
For me, having that sense of ownership is important.
When you rent, you might need to move from time to time, like what happened to us in the past. I found it tiring to be moving from house to house every year or so.
Some landlords are also not prepared to accept tenants who keep different hours or lifestyles. At the start they may say everything is okay, then suddenly they become fussy and impose curfews on the tenants.
There are uncertainties when you rent a place with friends too – they may need to move elsewhere and you will need to find another flat mate.
When I rented a place, I had to pay the landlord rent in cash every month, and could not make use of my CPF savings. Now, I can pay my housing loan instalments using CPF, so I don’t really need to fork out cash. For all these reasons, I feel it is good to have my own flat.
MoneySmart Tip: You can use this service to work out an estimated financial plan for the purchase of a resale flat if you are taking an HDB loan.
MS: We understand that your flat is about 30 years old. Was its age a concern for you?
One reason why I bought a resale flat is that it is more spacious for my family. This flat is about 120 sqm and the kids have more space to run around. Sometimes my parents or my wife’s parents will visit. So it’s better to have more space.
We still have 69 years left on the lease which is good enough for us. Our children and future generations are likely to buy their own homes anyway, so we don’t need to worry about leaving this flat for them. As we are planning to use this flat as a home, I think it’s good enough. For the next generation, you don’t need to bother as the kids will buy their own homes.
Although this is an old estate, the area is well taken care of by the Town Council and HDB also carries out upgrading of the flats.
MoneySmart Tip: Use this online map service to get lease information, resale prices, and even season parking information for each housing block. You can filter through nearby amenities to see where to dine and shop.
MS: Do you see your flat as an investment?
When we were weighing the pros and cons of buying a 30-year-old flat compared to a newer one, we did think about this issue. However, we feel that a house is for the long-term and one that would see us through our old age. Instead of hoping to make a profit from moving houses, we would rather stay in one flat and finish paying our housing loan sooner, so that we can free up our finances for other things.
MS: How was the purchase process? Did you go through an agent or DIY?
We initially tried to DIY by using a property website, but later on we received calls from estate agents offering their services and we engaged an agent eventually. He asked us what sort of attributes we wanted in a flat, and helped us to look for suitable flats that were within our budget.
Everyone has different interests and needs, so it’s important to know what your own needs are, before you decide whether to engage an estate agent for your resale transaction.
MoneySmart Tip: We asked Mr Wong if he knows about HDB’s Resale Portal, and he says he doesn’t. The HDB Resale Portal could have guided him in the buying journey. It takes buyers and sellers through the buying and selling process in a step-by-step manner online and allows them to DIY their transaction if they choose not to engage an estate agent.
MS: How is your flat being financed?
We went for an HDB loan as we found it less complicated than going for a bank loan. For bank loans, the interest rate is a bit uncertain.
Although the HDB loan interest rate is currently higher than for bank loans, the difference is not that much after you do the math.
Initially we indicated that we wanted to settle the loan in 10 years. Then HDB called us to ask whether we wanted to reconsider. Based on our salary, they recommended an 18-year loan tenure so that we can buffer for things like employment changes or if we suddenly need cash for urgent reasons. They explained that we can make partial capital repayment or even redeem the loan earlier if our finances permit. We found the advice useful. My wife and I are planning to settle the loan earlier to incur less interest and save more for retirement.
MoneySmart Tip: Find out how you can make partial capital repayment or fully redeem your HDB loan and save on housing loan interest.
MS: Did you get to enjoy any grant?
We got the housing grant for first-time buyers, which was a really attractive sum. We initially set aside a bigger budget as we thought we would not be eligible for grants. So for us, getting the grant was a bonus.
MoneySmart Tip: Find out what grants you qualify for, so you can plan your finances for your new HDB home.
MS: How has the renovation process been like?
We spent about $35,000 on renovations, mainly for works in the kitchen and for furnishings around the house. This includes $16,000 paid to our contractor, who was flexible to work with.
We did not hire interior design firms as we found their prices quite high. Since we wanted to save money, we thought it was better to work directly with contractors. For example, the rewiring cost quoted by the contractor was cheaper than market rate!
MS: Any advice for aspiring homebuyers?
You don’t really need to look for flats with fanciful fittings, because you will probably have to do your own renovations anyway. For example, even if the flat comes with nice flooring, the colour of the tiles may be uneven after the previous flat owner has removed all their furniture. So you might still need to replace the floor tiles.
MoneySmartTip: Planning your renovations for your HDB flat? Know what’s important to note and familiarise yourself with the guidelines.
Source: mynicehome.gov.sg
The post ‘My Resale Journey: A Change of Scenery After More Than 20 Years’ appeared first on the MoneySmart blog
After living in the West for more than two decades, Mr Bactarudin bin Launon and his wife decided it was time to move.
The couple, who previously lived in a 4-room flat in Jurong West, moved to a 3-room resale flat in Marsiling in January this year. This was in part motivated by the desire to stay closer to their daughter, and also better prepare for retirement by paying off their home loan.
For this final installment of our 3-part series profiling HDB resale flat buyers, we had a chat with Mr Bactarudin about his new home, his experiences as a resale flat buyer and his thoughts on owning a home in Singapore
About the Flat
Owner: Mr Bactarudin bin Launon, 70, married with a daughter who has moved out.
| Location | Marsiling |
| Flat Price |
$220,000 (after $20,000 Proximity Housing Grant) |
| Year of Purchase | 2018 |
| Flat Type & Size | 3-room flat/ 76 sqm |
| Remaining Length of Lease | 55 years (as of May 2019) |
| Monthly Mortgage Amount & Loan Tenure | Nil (fully paid after selling previous flat) |
| Renovation Cost | About $20,000 |
Mr Bactarudin and his wife greeted us in the living room of their newly-renovated flat at Marsiling Lane.
Mr Bactarudin, a security guard, was taking two weeks’ off work to recuperate after a fall.
While the couple appeared to have settled in well and seemed familiar with their new neighbourhood, they revealed that they had actually moved in just three months ago.
MoneySmart (MS): Thanks so much for having us here. We understand you used to live in Jurong West. Why did you decide to move to Marsiling?
Yes, we lived in Jurong West for 24 years before moving here. We sold our 4-room flat and rightsized to a 3-room flat.
MoneySmart Tip: Mr Bactarudin and his wife received a $20,000 Proximity Housing Grant, as they moved within 4 km of their daughter. Buyers who plan to take up the Proximity Housing Grant can check online whether the flat they intend to buy is within the 4km radius of their parents or children.
MS: Any reasons for not buying a smaller flat in Jurong?
Jurong is a big commercial area and I find things there becoming more expensive.
We also could not find a 3-room flat in the Jurong area for the same price as our current flat. Together with the fact that we could be closer to our daughter and grandchildren, getting this flat here in Marsiling at the price we bought it for was a natural decision.
MoneySmart Tip: To find out transacted resale prices sorted by different towns and flat types, buyers and sellers can access the median resale prices released every quarter.
MS: Having lived in the west for so long, how are you adapting to your new neighbourhood?
Based on my experience interacting with people, it’s almost the same. Depends on whether you take the initiative to greet them also, because we’re the newcomers here.
My neighbour here, who lives opposite us, talked to me first: “Uncle how are you, where you are from?” and so on. This was the first day after I moved in, and I was doing painting outside when they were leaving for work. The second day, I was once again doing painting outside and they started another conversation with me. I told them I moved here from Jurong, and then asked them more about themselves. That’s how we got to know each other.
MS: Are there any big differences between Marsiling and Jurong West?
I’m quite happy living here and find it comfortable.
Within the flat, I don’t see much difference between this and our old home. Outside the home, one main difference is having to walk further for makan.
The eating places in Jurong West were nearer to home. I could cross the road and have teh tarik. Over here in Marsiling, there is a supermarket, 7-11, and a wet/ dry market. It is further away and we will visit once in a while.
But most of the times, we cook at home so we don’t really go to these eateries that often.
MS: Did you get your current Marsiling resale flat through an agent or did you DIY the transaction?
We bought the flat through an agent who is a relative’s friend. They helped with everything. We just let them do everything. They found the price we wanted.
We viewed quite a few resale flats before making a decision. We did not move into this flat until our previous flat was sold.
MS: How did you finance the flat?
We didn’t take out a loan. The flat is fully paid for, so we do not need to pay any monthly instalments.
As I also needed money for my medical condition, selling the old flat and moving to a smaller one was a financial decision as well.
MS: What about the renovations?
We did our own renovations. I think we spent about $8,000.
His wife interjected that the renovations actually cost about $20,000.
We had to do a little bit of wiring. The bulk of the cost went into renovating the kitchen. We also spent on the flooring, sink, fittings, and buying furnishings.
MS: What are your thoughts on buying and owning a home in Singapore?
I’m from Singapore, this is my place, this is my country, this is where I was born.
Singapore is still where I would prefer to have a home to call my own. I recall some friends who bought a place outside Singapore – it may work for you if money is not an issue. But they were not familiar with the rules and the foreign environment. I have worries on what will happen to them if they don’t like it there and have to find another home if they want to return to Singapore.
Source: mynicehome.gov.sg
