hello88

wow too bad u cant sell.

my block also got one 2nd floor EM just sold for 337k. I think buyer must do an overhaul. Makes me and hubby wonder how much we can sell ours....hahaha .....too bad, 2.5yrs not up so cant sell .

yup...its illegal but HDB not so free to check on illegal stuff....only when gonna sell then they make u remove it. wow, resale transaction for Hougang flats also going up. One unit in Blk 850 (think its a EM) near Hougang Mall sold for 510k My previous block also got one unit sold for 220k....2 yrs ago, I sold mine for 193k nia but then, sell high, buy high!

sometimes, HDB dont allow but some owners wld still do it eg. having 2 air con condenser in the balcony for older EMs with limited electricial loading. Anyway, if owners dun intend to sell then break the rules also no issue.

ya, its still 50-50. we all looking forward to seeing ur new sui sui renovated EM. better than mine la. I spent much more than u to rebuilt everything except staircase railings. like what MaCe suggested, go around your blk/estate to see see look look at people's balcony. Bird **** can be washed away during heavy downpour. Must decide whether u wanna keep balcony or extend your living room.

wow, big EM and corner some more. Too bad, I cant find any corner units back then. ya, blossom0501, u'll will go nuts reading it cos nothing much accurately. congrats hdb_sigh....so u bought that expensive miserable recess area. Pay by cash or CPF. If CPF then HDB re-computed your housing loan right? Alamak, me no GMC...standard too high for me liao. Let's take it that I'm the self-appointed co-ordinator aka KPO Queen....heeeheeee ya, u can try Farm Mart or even the nurseries along Thomson Rd ie Goodwood, Ji Mei, etc. I used to have the following water feature, bought less than $300 from Astoria then discarded it few months later cos got mosquitoes breeding inside even though we added chemicals, rear fishes or change water frequently. A couple of months after discarding it, we decided to put back the water feature but found it leaking....hubby used silicone to seal but still did not managed to fix the problem....in the end, we 'donated' to the rubbish dump.

since u're worried, then y not check with HDB? Just drop them a mail and confirm whether they wld fault u in future when u sell your place. IMO, I dun think its an issue.

congrats and welcome to our EM thread any pics to share btw, how big is your EM? (see my signature)

Rinnai Inner Flame

wow, the house condition is very good. The sliding doors are still so new. Really love the cornices, can consider keeping it in original colours. Btw, how much COV? hmm....i also dunno what's that but i remembered GMC also had that above her rubbish chute.

1. the bulk cost of doing up kitchen and toilets comes from wall tiles. 2. painting should be around 1600-2200 depending on type of paints used, can cut cost by getting legal foreign workers around your estate to do it. My friend did that and really save alot. 3. cost of re-doing the sink, cooking hob wld depend on materials u using ie concrete support with granite finishing or solid top or ceramic tiles. 3a. rubbish chute should be less than $200. I bought mine for around $120-140 (cant recall) then got the workers to install for me. My ID charge me close to $300 for rubbish chute and labour so I opted out since the rubbish chute wont be gold plated....hahah, that's what I told my id cos I wont pay $300+ for rubbish chute when I cld get it elsewhere for less than half of the cost 4. depending on the types of switches...designer switches cost more. Not doing re-wiring? 5. Is it necessary to change the main door? U might also have to factor in the cost for the new door frame for your new door. Do check with area office if yr door is fire-rated cos it'll be a waste if u change it to a non-fire rated door. Heehee...if u dun want, then can donate to me...hahaha.... 8. chemical wash can be bargained as FOC item from your contractor/id. good luck and do post pics, both b4 & after reno. think u'll get used to it unless u dont intend to use it. In fact, its much better hanging out yr laundry as u dont have to wori about dripping laundries fr above

u can start reno before completion date, in fact some did it after going thru 1st appt but must get seller to sign an indemnity form. And the best is to wait for the in-principle approval after the 1st appt paper work just in case seller got some unsettled issues with HDB, CPF or IRAS. Hmmm....I think the condenser outside the MBR shouldnt be a problem even for light sleepers as wont be able to hear a thing once u on the air con so u can sleep thru the night . wow, illegally done up nicely I think its very common among EM owners who dont have the bamboo holes.....dun think HDB or town council bother about it right? The HDB inspector also didnt ask your seller to remove it though its illegally done up so there shouldnt be an issue with it. since the living room is being extended so the bamboo holes are at the living room (formerly the balcony)?

thanks for the valuable info

I've a not so pleasant looking shoe rack which we bought 2 years ago to hide inside the storeroom. Recently decided to bring it out. Anyone got any idea if we can buy special paint to paint over the laminates? Hope to change the colour to something more presentable.

ya really hope your contractor can fix for u. The HDB officer should have opened and try all the windows. When I sold my place previously, the HDB officer opened every single windows.

the HDB inspection officer didnt do a thorough checks on the windows? Thought they supposed to ensure that most of the things are ok especially the windows.

Hi fishpond, welcome to EM and hope u'll be able to get hold of that EM. Yr kids wld love having their own house and also the bigger floor area to run about. As for mummy and daddy, welcome to more housework after getting EM...heee......in fact, ENDLESS housework. btw, whereabout is yr EM? Did u managed to get a good price for it?

ok, thanks.

anyone know what's the cost to fabricate a simple single bed frame?

so your place in total darkness now? When's reno starting...starting b4 7th month and working thru 7th month?

got yr keys already? it wld be great if u cld take snap a pic & show us. I think those EM in Serangoon North near Sheng Shiong also got no exterior laundry holes so most owners use the balcony aka yard for laundry purposes .

yup, cannot remove the fixtures stated in the valuation unless agreeable by both seller n buyer eg. window air con unit in bedroom 2, 2 split unit aircons for MBR n bedroom 3, etc

how does the illegal ones look like ?

i think i ever came across someone who also had same problem as u. She also extended her living room so no place to hang her laundry but i think her EM got a service balcony. U also extended yr living room?

Not sure if u hunks and babes have tried playing this Crimson Room Viridian Room NB: Continue clicking till u end the game and read the sub-titles as clues are hidden there. Warning: U can get addicted cos u really wanna finish off the game. Can play it with your spouse or your kids. The feeling is great once u find all the clues and get out of the room. Test your patience !! and determination . Try Crimson Room first and once u cleared it, go on to Viridian Room. The amazing thing about this Jap invented game is that u cant use the codes given to your friend to finish off the game even if both of u are playing the game at the same time at different places. Good luck!!!