loli
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Posts posted by loli
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thx for your extremely kind words. i'm staying in sembawang, basically that location is not gd, plus its quite some distance from the MRT, say abt 5-7 mins walk. and i was told by this agent that my floor area (130sqm) is not what ppl r going for. he said if ppl wanna buy EA flat, they normally wanna go for bigger units like 141sqm or so. dunno how true lah.haha... i like your graciousness...
i dun think it is true cos I have bot mine at 127 sq m. It all boils down to location and price. 10-15 sq m difference does not really matter much unless you have a big family.
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Can owners complain to the property agent's company if they are super rude and so unprofessional?You can only expect them to be nice when you are giving them money.
You call the agency is like shouting in the valley, all you hear is your own echo. They dun give a heck.
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I'm helping my friend to ask... if there is such a thing.Her buyer signed OTP, then placed a $1K deposit. After that, buyer decided to back out, so the 1K deposit was forfeited. Now, her agent says, 50% of that forfeited deposit must go to the agent, its the agents company policy.
Got such thing ah? Personally I have not heard of such a thing. Moreover, no agreement was signed regarding this. Sounds like the agent trying to pull a fast one on my friend.
We have come across similar experience when we were selling our house. The buyer's agent actually told us that their agency has this policy of taking 50% cut from the forfeited fees should the buyer decided not to exercise option and this is for their "leg work". We told them that we know there is NO such policy from HDB, unless they can show us that in black and white. I mean who cares about what their agency's policy are? They can have all kinds of policies but so long as they are not enforceable by law, we have absolutley no obligation to follow their house rules. Furthermore,we argued that their so called "leg work" should be compensated by their buyer, not us the seller, since the agent is working for them. Also, compared to their "legwork" , we as seller have much higher opportunity cost, as we have to stop marketing the house for 2 weeks until the option is exercised. With all these arguments, the agent became wordless, and said "it's ok if you all dun agree."
I can tell you these agents will always try their luck to screw money from you. So one must be aware of the HDB rules, so as not to be taken for a ride by these blood-suckers.
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We use closet design.Product - ok
Service - satisfactory
Installation took one day for me, but they got the doors wrong, brought it back to correct and brought back again for installation. No complain or any problem so far.
Can see the pics via the link in my signature if interested.
have checked it out... must say that I am very impressed with your interior design. Who is your interior designer? He has a good sense of using the space efficiently, yet beautiful at the same time. good job!
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I understand from my ID that wallpaper should always be installed last, when ALL your renos have ended. The wallpaper supplier will provide the installation and the material. Not sure about warranty but you can always check with Goodrich. Just pop by their office at Changi. LOTS to choose!thanks for the info. will pop by to find out more.
do you know of any other companies that sell and install wallpapers?
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Yup! I strongly agreed. After I sold my unit off my so called agent brought me around to look for unit but I was dampen by their kind of after sakes services in the way that they bought me to view all the houses that need major renovation works. Worried that i have sold my unit i end up buying a flat that need some major renovation works. Feel kinda sad to sell my five years old unit in order to live closer to our parents for the sake of our childrens.I guess this is what a cosmopolitan city looks liked. People are busy making wealth in regards to others misery. It seems that Singapore are heading towards this direction or is it just a sales strategy that applies many businesses here.
I can tell you that most agents are only interested in getting commission. To get you the house of your desire is of secondary concern to them. Once deal is closed, see if they would bother to entertain you when you have any problem?
Once we have kids, our decision will evolve around them. The usual reasons for parents to consider moving are almost the same: to be closer to their caregivers and to be near to the schools we want to enrol them in.
My new home is located in a town which I would never consider, if we are married without kids. Having so used to living in a mature town that has almost everything, now I can't imagine staying in the new place where I couldn't find nice food or even a kopitiam in close proximity. The only consolation I have is that at least it is near to another mature estate where there's good food and more amenities, but that would mean we would always need to drive out... sigh...
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In near times to be cos adding in my future wife into my family tree whom got to bare the hassle/enjoy the warmth of my family after marriage.. So still pondering to upgrade a bigger rm now or later.
.I guess theres alot of pple moonlighting as a property agent now.. e.g long lost schools frd.. colleagues. But when u realised u got to remind them basic things like how long is ur Minimum Occupacy Period, i think its time to move on n seeks for other honest n professional agents.. which r a opened sacred secret these days.. Hehe.
Keep a lookout for me loli.. thanks~!
i agree with you. it is better to move on and look for better agents if your realised they can't even get the basics right. There are so many agents out there who can be rather incompetent.
Take the case of our seller's agent, he doesn't seems to know how to fill in the OTP form, and we actually have to guide him along! We, and the HDB officer, have to also remind him to sign his portion on the form not once but twice! Yet he has the cheek to ask us for commission the day before our 1st appt! We of cos rejected it. Thinking back again, I think we should be the ones asking for commssion from him, since we helped him to fill up the OTP form properly!
If I am the seller, and knowing how incompetent he is, I wouldn't be happy to pay him 2%, but maybe 1% on the account he has helped to arrange for viewings, nego and so on... -
i did not use wallpaper, but have gone to their store in Changi for browsing and enquires. different designs have different dimensions, u can bring down yr scaled floorplan for estimation. yes they do provide installation + warranty. http://www.goodrichglobal.comoh they do installation? then how come my id say they dun?! how long is the warranty?
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Are u doing the re-plumbling? If you are should not have any problem in putting the WC back.sorry what's replumbing? Is it the same as re-piping? If yes, we are. according to the id, the reason he gave is that once he dimantle it from the wall, it cannot be put back. Can you pls tell me how it is possible to put it back when we do repiping?
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Anyone engaged this co to do up the wardrobe?
we have just paid some deposit over last weekend at the exhibition held at the expo. seems like they are quite well known, but would like to find out more from forumers here.
does anyone has any feedback on the product and service?
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i am in somewhat a dilemma.. we have just bot a 6 yr old flat which was immaculately maintained, including the WCs. Still we decided to engage an ID to do overhaul on kitchen and living/dining, and these already cost us a bomb. Thus, we were thinking of trying to reduce costs to see if we could keep some of the items left behind by the ex-owner.
All other appliances are easy to decide, except for WCs. Personlly I prefer to change all WCs as I dun really like the idea of using the same toilet bowls that have been used for 6 years by other people. however, when we checked the WCs, they are actually in good condition. Furthermore, it is Caroma. Incidentally, we checked the price of the model from Sim Siang Choon, it costs at least $500 each. Wouldn't it be a waste to hack them away? I dun think we can afford to buy such expensive WCs as there are so many items we need to take care of.
the other thing that rather confused me is that my ID told me that the WCs cannot be put back once it is taken out (we are going to hack everyting in the toilets for reno). But someone else told me it can be done.
So which is true?
Confused...
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I just bought a sink Tap for S$500 (Original S$532) but found another place could give me lower than that..welll, they've a showroom at ParkMall level 1. I basically like the quality but not many design to choose that's the bad part of the products..can you pls share which shop was that can offer you lower price?
Was checking out Grohe over the weekend... and was told by a very helpful guy in a shop that not all Grohe are manufactured in Europe. Some of them are from Thailand but quality dun differ much as Grohe has a strict quality control.
we were contemplating to get FreeHander, the latest shower gadget... but was told by the guy that it may not work if the water pressure is lower as HDB flats share one common water source unlike the private houses.
has anyone from HDB flats here install FreeHander?
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Heard a lot of rave about Goodrich's great wallpapers. has anyone bought from it before? How do we go know how much we need for wallpapering? Does Goodrich provide labour to help us put it up? If not, where can we get help?
hope some kind souls can advise.. thanks.
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Gosh.. there's bogus IDs.. unscrupulous agents n now irresponsible association... Btw loli, u still hv the "orange-tee" guy contact? Pm me is u still hv it.. thanksi only remember his name is Ken. Dun remember his surname. And I dun have his card anymore...we discard it the moment we realise the no is no longer in use. You looking for an agent?
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Juz wish to share my bying of ceiling fans .....
Shop : Palace of Lights, Balestier Road (After going thru many shops in Balestier rd and Jln besar, I finally zeroed in 2 shops, One is Palace of lights and another Tai yong at jln Besar). Choose POL becos of more show space, more varieties, they sell Elmark, Fanco, Amasco and Crester brands and friendly service. Tai Yong salesmen couldnt answer my few simple questions abt height requirement.
Serviced by : First visit by Steven (First visit juz to see), Buying visit by Kelvin.
Bought what : 2 - 60" Elmark fan with 3 lights and silver color string light cover. Each costs 270$ after bargain. (Initially told 230 for fan + 65 for lights. Came down to 280. Then agreed for 270). These 2 fans are for my living.
3 - 52" Fanco fan with 3 lights and Black color string light cover. Each costs 240$ after bargain. (Initially told 260. Came down to 250. Then agreed for 240). These 3 fans are for my rooms.
2 - Amasco Fan regulators. Each 35$
Installation for each fan 35$. Installation and additional wiring for each regulator 35$.
Total : 1575 $.
Salesman said he's giving the best price (as they used to say) when I bargained more.
Do you think price ok or more or less ?????
Hi MeToo,
Just to share...
I have just bot my ceiling fans today from Brigtht House Lighting located at AMK Blk 712 ( I found out about this shop thru a flyer in my mailbox).
The items are:
1 x 42" KDK (comes with remote control and w/o lighting) @ $248
2 x 52" Elmark (lastest model with acrylic blades, and without lighting kit) @ $288
Total I have paid after disc is $800, with Free Installation, and GST waived!
I supposed I am getting an ok deal here, although it is not as good as yours.
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Thanks. I din buy Amasco, except the regulators. Think regulators no prob.Isst??? I've asked salesman at palace of lights and he told no concept of free installation. If some shops offer, then the cost may be hidden in the fan.
Others, Please share your exp.
Fanco and crester have limited models unlike Elmark. I was told dat crester costs more because of design elegance and simplicity. Me din like design of Crester.
I am not sure if the installation fee was included in the price. We paid $258 for a Elmark fan. Chances are I dun think it includes the installation fee since the price is considered low. But then again, we could have gotten the electrician who did our wiring to do the installaion. Can't be clear about this as it is 5 years ago liao...
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no lah....its $80 for each pulling new wire/new point.
so if you need to create 5 new points/new wire, its $400.
This one, you can bargain with ID.
i see, thanks for the info.
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yup, its those 2 point sockets.my contractor say to fix up single socket, not worth it. Better to have 2 point sockets.
Gang switch is referred to the light switches, where you on/off room lights.
Confront yr ID on his charges..... its really unreasonable.
And be careful of the pulling new wires charges/creating brand new points. Your ID can charge you alot for this.
i pay $80 for this.
thanks for sharing.
do you mean $80 for all wiring charges and new points?
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I dun think HDB would be the right authority to regulate the agents' industry; they are just like a property developer, eg capitaland or far east orgn would not go and regulate the agents for private properties.The onus of such regulation lies on the industry themselves; already, there are several associations being formed voluntarily like IEA, SAEA, etc who are in such regulating position, however they can only act upon those agencies who are their members because they are currently not vested with enough powers.
Then, the govt need to come in and say, all agents must be registered with xxx association. Good examples are like the law society and the singapore medical association, where it is mandatory for lawyers/doctors to register with them and they have the authority to discipline the erroneous ones.
With such associations, then it can come up with strict rules and regulations, allow public to lodge distress, and enforce it.
during house hunting, some seller's agents asked us for commission. We refused, and the agents called off the deals. We ever wrote to IEA, asking about why buyers should pay seller's agents commission, given we are independent buyers and conflict of interests. Guess what they wrote back? They said something like "Take it or leave it, that's the usual practice of the industry". We were so turned off! This shows that the association will only act in the interest of the agents, not us as consumers. The only association we probably can go to is CASE just to lodge complaints, since it is not vested with authority to do anything about it.
Govt needs to do something, be it HDB or any other authorities. As long as there are loop holes and grey areas in the system, we the consumers suffer.
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I think your ID is trying to con you.and please dun feel shy about confronting yr ID about this. There is a BIG difference in $$ for you.
my contractor only charge me $15 per double point, using this Legrand switch
If i buy myself, he only charge me $10 for labour.
See how much $$ difference?
My entire 5 room unit, do all wirings and changing of points and fixing of new lightings and pulling new wires, only costs me $680.
i suggest you get a seperate electrician to do for you.
And please double check on your other parts of renovation costing. Your ID is chopping you already for the entire renovation.......
what is double point? do you mean 2-gang switch?
will talk to my id again when we meet. thanks for the info.
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Good job, 'loli'!!This should be the way to weed out those dishonest agents.....
I really hate agents on a general note.
That's why some owners who advertised says "No agents please". Some owners really dun want to deal with any agents, not even the buyer's agents. They only want to deal with buyers directly.
There are alot of tricks played by agents. this is a screwed up industry.
And honestly those so called successful agents who claimed to earn 5 figure a month, i'm very sure they are all doing tricks to get the sales. So i dun respect agents at all.
you know, the sad part is, eventhough you have stated in your ad "No agents pls", there are still some who will still want to try their luck. They will call you, and even if you stated clearly right from the start during phone conversation, that you are not paying any commission, they still will try, while some got the message clear and decided not to proceed with arranging the viewing appt. Those who still want to try their luck, the common answers they give are " it is ok cos i am getting comm from buyers's side". This is eventhough later you found out later that these buyers already have their representing agent. Some would also say "never mind, it's ok, let my buyers view the house first".
Then, once you opened the door to these agents, you let in a flood of troubles to deal with. The moment these agents have interested parties making an offer, all the true colors come out. Threats,blackmailing, harrassment begin and will not end until you either give in or your threatened to call the police.
I really feel that HDB should regulate this industry. So long as it is willing to put a clear line about how much commission buyers and sellers should pay, and that buyers should pay buyer's agents only and sellers pay seller's agents only, it would stop a lot of nonsense for house owners and buyers.
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KDK design not really nice... Look like those primary school classrooms lei...I ended choosing between Fanco and Crestar. The fanco one I wanted is out of stock almost everywhere so in the end got a crestar 54" + regulator. Think it cost me $220.
yeah.. they look very basic.
how are fanco and crestar? have you used these brands before? are these made in Taiwan too?
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Loli. Aiya.. was looking at their flat switches too.. what a waste if not approved.dunno what my ID said true or not lah.. better check with Clipsal if you want.
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Juz wish to share my bying of ceiling fans .....Shop : Palace of Lights, Balestier Road (After going thru many shops in Balestier rd and Jln besar, I finally zeroed in 2 shops, One is Palace of lights and another Tai yong at jln Besar). Choose POL becos of more show space, more varieties, they sell Elmark, Fanco, Amasco and Crester brands and friendly service. Tai Yong salesmen couldnt answer my few simple questions abt height requirement.
Serviced by : First visit by Steven (First visit juz to see), Buying visit by Kelvin.
Bought what : 2 - 60" Elmark fan with 3 lights and silver color string light cover. Each costs 270$ after bargain. (Initially told 230 for fan + 65 for lights. Came down to 280. Then agreed for 270). These 2 fans are for my living.
3 - 52" Fanco fan with 3 lights and Black color string light cover. Each costs 240$ after bargain. (Initially told 260. Came down to 250. Then agreed for 240). These 3 fans are for my rooms.
2 - Amasco Fan regulators. Each 35$
Installation for each fan 35$. Installation and additional wiring for each regulator 35$.
Total : 1575 $.
Salesman said he's giving the best price (as they used to say) when I bargained more.
Do you think price ok or more or less ?????
thanks for sharing.
the price seems ok to me. will check out palace of lights. me personally prefer Elmark cos the motor seems better compared to Amasco based on my experiene with the existing fans I have in my current house. Amasco's motor seems to weakened after some time. Just to let you know, my Amasco fan's speed 1 is creeping slow and speed 2 is too fast, whereas the difference in Elmark's speed 1,2 and 3 are more consistent. Maybe not all Amasco is like that, but becos of my personal experience, i prefer not to buy Amasco again.
while i know regulators are chargeable, i tot ceiling fans come with free installation? i dun remember paying any installation fees previously leh...
You mean the ceiling fan will make your living room looks cheapo?I have seen pics of expensive n nice looking, simple n classic looking ceiling fans. They don't always make your interior design looks cheapo. Maybe you should challenge your ID to design your living room in such a way that a ceiling fan will add extra favour to the theme
Anyway, from what I know, KDK is a reliable brand. But they have limited choice for low ceiling fans. Also, their fans don't have light kit.
And yes, Jalan Besar is a good place to shop for ceiling fans. Plan to go there too if I still want to have ceiling fans for my bedrooms.
that's what i think my ID thinks lah. But I think I have to agree with him somewhat, as I also noticed most of the nice ID pictures I saw in ID mags usually do not have ceiling fans. Anyway, since we are going to pay so much for ID, guess we will pass the ceiling fans for the sake of beauty.
We like Kdk too for its quiet and reliable motor. Really pity about the limited designs...
Desperate Bid By Housing Agencies To Salvage Plummeting Fees
in Rent/Sell Properties
Posted
I dun agree leh...
Fixed sum can work to our advantage if we know how. Firstly we, being the sellers, can tell the agent what is the price point that we will sell the house and we can avoid being shortchanged by engaging more than one agent. If I were to be a seller now, what I will do is to fix different commission rate for different price points. Eg, $3000 for $300k and $8000 for $400k. In this way, the agent will be motivated to push for higher price.
With the waiver of the 1%2% rule, the ball is in our court. Given that the industry is fiercely competitive, we can make it work to our advantage.
it is a dog eat dog world in this industry. They may agree on the suface but still undercut each other. All it takes is theirs or other agents, whom they do not have complete control over, to start undercutting each other, in order to stay afloat in this competitve industry.