zirhk3355

Can't quite remember what happened during my selection, but in the 3D rendering there also wasn't any roundabout drop-off point. Well it just turned out in the end... Actually its funny that they decided to change something about Dawson, when its just built not so long ago. Its like wasting money lor - now we know why HDB flats are so ex. Lastly, for my unit no its not about fengshui lah - its more for gambling! Well I would be even happier if can get 3355 accordingly, which is related to alot of the numbers in my life. But I guess will just have to live with this unit number lor. I haven't approach any FS master yet, though I would want to do so when the flat comes...

Be careful there: The compensation that you will receive when the SLA take over your SERS flat in future may be quite different from the valuation before SERS. Do ask the owner for the exact compensation amount, if not avail, they will at least have the range of compensation amount. And considering that they cannot choose 5-rm and no $30k discount, the only benefits you will have are: 1. 'special' price for replacement flat (which is only slightly lesser than public selection), and 2. priority in choosing replacement flat. So even if I assume a high compensation amount at $270k, you will be paying a whopping $60k upfront for these two benefits! And this is not including the interest you will incur from taking up mortgage loan for this SERS flat. IMO not worth to pay even $300k... Do try to look for more units, especially those that have more benefits... Hmmz, I think such drop off point is a standard feature for most new estates now - even my parents' place, which was just upgraded, also have it. Think your estate also will have one lah. The latest exciting feature to look forward to should be the sky garden, as recently featured in newspaper. A good eg is the Pinnacle@Duxton, where the garden is at its top floor, 50th storey!! My estate got sky garden, but haiz, only 4-storey high, which is on top of the MSCP. Hehe...what about yours, got sky garden too? I think even if not at high floor it will be on top of your MSCP too, which had also became a standard feature liao. My unit not the highest floor, but at #34. Actually want to choose #33 or #35 (see my nick and you can guess why), but they do not have bay windows. Well there's a 'numeric' reason why I chose this unit at #34, but erm, dowan to reveal my full unit number in public here, so if you really coming over then I can explain to you then...

This is very important to me. If the ID cannot even be bothered to give a quote, maybe because budget is low or the required works are minimal and cannot earn enough money, then don't waste your time. Go for someone who is as interested in you as you are interested in them. What's the point if its only a one-sided affair?? Don't insists on them to do for you just because you think are good; attitude is very impt, especially when it comes to problems later.

Vertical steaming can only straighten some creases because (I think) it heats up and expand the fabrics. This is suitable for casual wear like t-shirts, polo-tees, ladies' clothings like dresses with soft fabrics. Thick fabrics also may not work. Also for officewear like shirts, blouses, pants, etc, we should use conventional iron to press them nice and flat for the formal look.

Yup you are quite right - unless something bad happens (touch wood), most of the time they complete the estate one year in advance. Are you referring to the driveway where people can drop off passengers under shelter? Or the two big round driveways at the carpark? I like the round driveways, because it more spacious instead of the current MSCP's ramps, which always have sharp corners. Round ones also look more sophisticated and classy, like condos and shopping centres. Sure, once I see that the fencings are taken down, I will post in the forum so that you can take a look. I dun mind to show you my flat too (after the FS master had seen it) if you are interested. Yes, like I said its a very tedious process lor; some might even put it as more complicated as buying resale, because there are so many things to consider. And remember hor, unsure, if you intend to go for bank's loan for your SERS flat, keep far far away from OCBC bank. Hmmz, but I dun remember my pricelist having that leh; only one area, never state interior or exterior. But going by the dimensions and calculating from there, the area stated should be for interior only ba. Anyway, what is the use of knowing the exterior area?? Maybe they want to create the impression that the flat is bigger than that the 85sqm, which I felt is not necessary lor. Nowadays people are ok with small areas, especially if the family is small. Why need such a big space, got alot of cleaning to do leh! Its the location and facilities that are more important - that's why those small SOHOs or studio apts are still fetching a high price if they are located in town areas.

Yes, that's correct. So you must really be on your toes and keep in touch with all the announcements. I noticed that sometimes they will report in the media, but not always. You should be checking out HDB website frequently.

You said you had used cloth and all that to cover but no effect right? If its really so bad then you should consider removing it or other cheaper methods to conceal it, eg stick wallpaper over it permanently, of course choose something nice that matches your feature wall lor. Try to see around the house if can put up another mirror elsewhere instead.

Wah imagine if your reno is only 5 yrs and 1 day old and the valuer kept strictly to the 5-yr deadline, then even more 'ai-wan' right?? But I guess it won't totally be no value straight after 5 yrs exactly lah; eg carpentry, flooring etc all can last more than 5 yrs woh, how can be no value de?? Maybe it means after 5 yrs the depreciation rate for reno drops drastically.

Well, some things in life cannot be valued by the dollar sign all the time. Eg branded products, white gold/platinium jewelleries, etc. which all depreciate to a very low value or no value at all. Thus we should look at reno from the same POV that we are spending money for our luxury/comfort, not as a plus-point to make our flat more sell'able or even fetch higher price. And like above said, if the reno is unique and only cater to the taste of certain people, then it actually be a hindrance as it narrows the scope of buyers that you can target.

That's interesting; would you be so kind to provide more info on how they value the reno? If not based on the full value of the reno (which no one can verify after 5 yrs), how do they factor in depreciation? And I guess all new flats' owners can kiss their reno's money goodbye, since they can only sell the flat after 5 yrs.

IMO, it depends on the size of your home. If you are staying in a big bungalow, you probably won't know that the kitchen is on fire until its too late; so its impt to have that smoke detector alarm. But if its a small HDB flat, usually you will know it immediately, maybe even before the alarm goes off. So for small units, its a good-to-have lah, but not a must.

You should never bank on having the reno to fetch a better price for your flat, because you never know what will happen in the future. Aside from being functional, to me, renovation is purely visual and comfy, so just spend what you feel is ok for your pockets instead of tying it to any other factors, especially like you said, if you want to stay there for long-term.

During my time I used housing agents. Not easy task, because alot of the owners want to mark up high high and earn alot from this; they have the mindset that they strike lottery liao. I viewed more than 10+ units before I can get a reasonable seller. Alternatively, you can give out phamplets and go knocking doors yourself lor. For paperwork, you can use "http://www.diyhdb.com/", who charge like $400 to $500 for paperwork, which is much cheaper than the usual housing agents who charges 1%. But do take note that there is a timeline where the owners can sell the flat, so if you look around yourself, you have to be very hardworking, otherwise once the timeline is over, then cannot sell liao. Lastly, if I am not wrong the timeframe to produce the marriage cert is 6 mths from 2nd appt - even if not ROM-ed yet by then, can still write in to ask for more time. Simple reasons will do, such as busy with work, no available slots at ROM, etc.

Yes, its true that the flats will always be early - my DPD is 31 July 2008, but the letter that I received some time back told me that the flats should be ready by 2nd Quarter 2007. Hmmz, so the pricing is about the same as during my time in 2003, but your flat is smaller lor. How do you know the exterior and interior areas? Is it stated in the floorplan? Erm, in the first place what do you mean by exterior area...hehe, I duno about all these one... If your flat kana SERS, you are eligible for a replacement flat if you fulfill the criteria, such as whether you got proper family nucleus, whether you own private properties, whether you had bought HDB flats before, etc. The monthly income >$8000 is not one of such criteria. About whether you can take HDB loan, I am not too sure about that. Maybe you should write in to ask. Don't go to HDB Hub; the customer service officer doesn't know alot and will just babble off whatever they think is correct because no 'black & white' mah. Write in and ask for an official reply, by email also can.