DavidPoon

at the moment, interest rates for OA is 2.5%, and for first 20k you get additional 1%. hence cpf OA acc will earn you 3.5% (for first 20k) or 2.5% for any amounts exceeding 20k. this interest is guaranteed. if you can not get a guaranteed 2.5/3.5% returns on your cash, then it would be good to invest your spare cash into the flat instead of other riskier products. this is assuming you already have some money set aside for contingencies. using CPF OA to fund your home would mean a net loss of 1.1% (for first 20k) or 0.1% (for amount exceeding 20k). Over time, this amount can be quite big even if half of your cash sale is locked up in your new HDB, it will eventually be unlocked when you upgrade to private property. see the big picture. Disclosure: author is funding his home with cash only

Yes, renovation is factored into valuation. I have clients who renovate so they can fetch a higher valuation/rental. If you plan to stay in the house, it is always better to renovate to your own liking as it is highly unlikely that another family has the exact same lifestyle, taste, requirements as your own.

Would be interesting to design a room on its own, you have to be willing to pay for the design

Hi! Is your place at hougang? I recently did a design with a very similar floorplan, but mirror image. Yes it is a Gen 1 EM, very small kitchen toilet!

Can consider sand and revarnish the parquet, replace pitted pieces if any. If you don't like parquet, can consider overlay vinyl without hacking existing parquet. Removing parquet and overlaying vinyl tiles would be the most messy.

It has to be in the signed quotation/agreement issued by the ID company, can't be individual quote from air con installer.

there are good responsible contractors, there are bad irresponsible contractors. same for IDs. there are good responsible and bad irresponsible ones. if you know exactly what you want, get a contractor. they will do what you want. if you want to make your home fabulous, get a designer. they can suggest improvements to your idea. usually designers has access to a wider spectrum of design ideas and material selection. regardless, get a reputable renovation company, reputation takes time to build and effort to maintain.