roger_dion

Sorry, I don't agree that sympathy is earned. Do you mean that those people that is suffering needs to earn their sympathy? And, how do you earn sympathy? Isn't it heart-felt? Anyway, I doubt anyone needs sympathy... Just eympathize. Instead, I feel respect needs to be earn by works... Period.

Friend, my hand also itchy. Your calculation and know how of the market is out. HDB loan can be up to 80%. 5% cash and the remainder can be paid by CPF. So logically speaking, the cash conponment is only 5% and whatever COV. Stamp duty for HDB is directly from CPF. You don't need to pay by cash and then be reimburse unlikely private properties. And, stamp duty is not straight 3%... For every $100 of 1st 180K of purchase price, $1... The next 180K, every $100 is $2... The remainder, every $100 is $3... So, the stamp duty is $10,800 for a 900K property. Btw, 3% of 900K is 27K and not 5.4K. So in summary, cash is 45K + whatever COV + whatever CPF shortfall (if any) - HDB first timer grant (if any)... Actually, 36" TV is not expensive... If it is an outdated model... Less than 1K. I am sorry to say... Maybe I am naive as well... There is no breakdown for my current ID as well. But this is the second time that I am engaging them. If you read carefully enough, Nat did mention that there is payment terms just that the ID demanded money beside those agreed upon. Sorry to say... I think you "shoot" too fast... Do your zeroing before shooting, else you will hit the civilians.

My friend, bachelor degree is just about gaining knowledge and not wisdom. Everyone makes mistake even a professor can make silly mistakes as well. There is nothing wrong in speaking your mind but do be considerate to other's feeling. You don't go to funeral and tell decese's family that he is dead, do you? Bullets? Are we fighting war here? Save your bullets. This is not army, my friend. Anyway, Nat... Option 1 seems to be a wiser choice. Just don't pay him anymore. Option 3, must well get another realiable contractor to take over the job. Cheer up... There's always light at the end of the tunnel...

Yup, you're right. Because renovation permit for floor hacking takes around 3 days... Wall hacking takes 2-3 weeks. We are fortunate that our seller is very accommodating.

My first place was renovated and design by Angeline. Now, we are engaging her again for our next home. Finger crossed... Renovation to start next week....

Hi friends, It has been coming to 4 years since I last make my post in this forum. I has been hesitating for a moment if I should document down my entire renovation process last I used to do the previous round. My current place: http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?app=blog&module=display&section=blog&blogid=184 Finally, I thought that I should after reading my previous blog and I started to appreciate those moments. The background: We have been always wanted to shift to somewhere which is higher floor level and I always wanted a balcony for my R&R.... It really didn't take us long. Just one viewing and we offered for the place. But the whole process took a week and we finally had a deal done. We bought a 31 years old 5I HDB unit for slightly above half a million. Phew... Bet I wouldn't pay that type of premium say 2-3 years ago. Situation driven, so true.... Now, the interior designer. I started reading this forum and initially wanted to approach one or two of the ID. Finally, I gave a call to Angeline whom had designed my current place. That familiar voice... We finally met at our place and a quote was presented just a few days later. Yes, it has exceeded what I am prepared to pay. We struggled... but finally we went ahead with Angeline as I know and trust that she can deliver based on our previous experience. We will be getting our keys this Sunday... and renovation work will start on 1st September... Shall upload and update on the progress... Ciao!