mike

thanks to all. from the hdb site TYM mentioned, it states "Flat owners and occupiers who have fulfilled the required occupation periods for their flats do not need to seek HDB's prior written consent before acquiring the private properties.". did anyone get experience to get hdb's approval to buy private pt within that 5 years time ?

We bought a resales HDB flat with Housing Grant last year. Now consider to buy a condo, for a better school for kids. but heard that we cant only buy condo after 5 years in HDB. is it true ?

We just bought an EA in SBW, thought it is a reasonable price now. java script:emoticon('!!', 'smid_31') Previous owner got it from HDB at 350K 7 yrs ago, sold us at 345K.

Seems I didn't get the full information from the bank officer i approached previously. I checked with HDB again and this time got the clear answer as below: =========================== You can engage HDB lawyer to act for you in the conveyancying of your existing flat. However, HDB lawyer cannot act for you in discharging your existing bank loan. Usually customers will let the bank's lawyer to act for them in both conveyancying and discharge of the existing loan. You may check with your bank whether their lawyer can act for you to discharge of the bank loan if you are engaging HDB lawyer to act for you in the conveyancying of your existing flat. Thus if the bank has no objections, HDB can act for sellers in the conveyancing of resale, but sorry not possible to act for the discharge of the bank loan. The Resale Officer in charge of your case will explain to you the resale procedures and the conveyancing details on the First Appointment. ===================================== so no way to save money in this case.

Thank you. Just went to the bank to check, and was told that I don't have to get any specific law firm to settle the outstanding loan with the bank, HDB can do the work. That sounds good, I will then engage HDB to act in the resale transaction, to save money.

I am selling hdb flat which is currently with bank loan. My agent told me need to engage a law firm to settle the outstanding bankloan, and it will cost more than 1K. Just called HDB and was told that I can check with bank first whether bank need to fix a law firm for me, otherwise i can use HDB lawyer to handle the case, an it costs just less than $400. A bit confused now, can share ur experience ? Thank u.

That sounds not so fair to the agent, if she provided information and spent the time with you on flat viewing. why not be open to her and bargain the comm fee ?

i don't think i am a bad customer to the agents. During the time i looked for flat, called many agents to view house at the beginning, and then found only three of them (belong to different company) are good, so after that only view flats they offered. I informed them that I was also looking at flats arranged by other agents. This three agents all don't mind that, just continue contacting me once they had new flats on hand. I think it is perfessional. Did appreciate that. I think if I am an agent, I will also do this way, as I can't only do the job when I know i am sure win. Otherwise running the business is too easy. For the selling of existing flat, i don't understand why three agents offer different price as one example given above. I thought the seller should give expected selling price to agent to market it. isn't it ? most likely i won't go for exclusive agency. might just contact this three agents again and state it clearly. who bring in the customer with best price will win, and give extra commision if they can sell it above my expected price. that sounds simple, right ? I hope it will work when I start selling.

I consider to plan the whole flat before move in. Saw the ad. of Nippon Paint mentioned Home-fix has the painting package. anyone used their service before ? is it good ?

thanks a lot to all of you. now clearer. I met these agents while looking for flat previously, feel some of them are quite good. so now want to let them all help on the selling. so i will pay for the val report, and keep all informed that there are other agents woking on it too. just worry whether they will try hard to get buyer if know not as exclusive agent.

To sell the flat soon. One agent contacted said he will submit the valuation request for us. Does it mean he will be the sole agent to sell our flat ? will he keep the report or we keep it ? Just wondering if we can contact other agents like what we did when bought the house, but no valuation report on hand, then too bad. Can anyone share ur experience ? Thx.

Thanks, raincole. Again, is there a lawyer needed ? I guess so. Then will bank hire one for us and charge us the fee ? or we or our selling agent need to find one lawyer firm ?

we plan to sell the flat soon, but few years ago we transfer it from hdb loan to bank loan (not in lock-in period now) I heard that the bank might charge some fee. not sure what is it ? and is there anything else different from selling flat under hdb loan ? Anyone has this experience pls give some advice. Thanks.