3Dyms

As this is my first EM, I am learning lots from reading all the T-Blogs and all the renovation stuffs. Never know there is so much things to cover. Like rewiring of the house, whether to build roof or not at the void space, keep or change the staircase, hack or keep the walls, etc. Even whether can have 2 aircon compressors or not, have to check HDB. Having done the modern contemporary style for my 4-room flat way back in 2002 and then my condo after, I kinda tired of this style. So after a mini update of my condo kitchen to the French style in 2011, I realized that I love this classic style so much more. There is something romantic with the wood paneling, curved pelmets, sparkling chandeliers.... So for our new EM, I will be going for the Victorian/ French colonial look. Hope I can keep to my budget doing this style, as I understand it is more costly.

Hi everyone, I'm so excited to start my own T-Blog in renotalk to document and share our reno journey. Intro - We r a family of 5 plus 3 hamsters and 1 dog. Currently staying in a small condo unit. With my 3 kiddos growing up, my condo unit is too tiny and there is not enough space to accommodate all our stuffs. So we started thinking of an 'upgrade'. But after searching thru countless property ads and going for lots of viewings, we decided that the more prudent choice would be to shift into an Execuitve Mansionette versus a bigger condo unit. Why an EM? Cos with 2-storey, there will be more privacy especially when we have guests over. I prefer a distinct demarcation between entertainment areas and the private 'out of bounds' areas. Our requirement was simple: it's has to be an EM, near amenities and MRT and definitely "no-no" to crazy COV's. We looked from CCK to Bishan. Finally.... we found it! Sharing my floor plan......

Thanks. I got my EM for $708k valuation + $60k COV. My first appointment is on 16 April. So think earliest my Reno can start will be end of May. I really hope am able to complete and move in before the7th month.

Congrats on your Bt Batok EM. You're so so lucky to get it at such a bargain COV. I just bought a EM at Bt Batok too, but its at the Central and my COV was $60K. Nice to see progress pics of your reno going well - except for the plumber part. Maybe instructions not properly conveyed or else, he just want to chop-chop get your job done then off to next project. Can't wait to see more pics of your reno. Learning much from you and the other members here.

I just got a quotation from Sunny for house moving. I'll be shifting the furniture & barang barang to 2 locations - mom's place and storage warehouse. Quote given is as follows: 1) 1 and half lorry load = $450. ($300 per lorry load) 2) Dismantle beds = $60 3) Diversion (for going 2 places) = $30 4) Extra 30 boxes (first 20 boxes free) = $45 5) 7% GST TOTAL MOVING COSTS = $625.95 Wah... and this is only the 1st moving required for me. After my new place is ready, will need another moving again for the furniture & barang from my mom's place & storage warehouse to new house. *faintz* Now waiting for quotes from some other movers first before I decide whether to proceed with Helping Hands.

Thanks for all replies. I'm doing the paperwork myself so no agent to call. Even my agent friends not really sure cos they do mostly private transactions. That one is much easier & more straightforward then HDB. Anyway, I've already called HDB, CPF, Banker & Lawyer & got all the required answers. Just for sharing purpose: 1) CPF savings - this is only wiped out if you are using HDB Concessionary loan. If using bank loan, you will need to use minimum 15% of the loan amount (for down payment). Thereafter, you can decide if you want to use more CPF savings to lessen the bank loan. Or you can keep your balance CPF in your OA account for loan servicing. 2) Bank Loan for HDB Resale : payment of the various things like 5% cash + 15% CPF + COV + Legal fee... Etc... All these are dependent on the bank lawyers. You need to discuss with them on your preferred timing to make these payments. Such things need to be discussed with your lawyer & banker and all must be agreeable. There is no hard & fast rules stipulated by HDB on these deductions. For example, in my case, I'm only settling the Stamp Duty (via CPF) on the First Appointment. All the others will only be settled on the Second Appointment. This is because the sales proceeds from my current unit will only be coming in after the First Appointment, but before the Second Appointment. Thanks.

Thanks for your reply. Good idea on investing the amount I want to keep as cushion first. Then I'll hv back-up in case HDB wipe out the balance. I totally agree.... I'd rather have a 'stand-by' sum in my OA for 'just in case' scenarios. That's my main concern too. Another quick question, What are the monies I need to stand-by for First Appointment? Stamp Duty? Legal Fees? 5% cash for down payment? Cos my current unit (already sold) is estimated to have legal completion by 12/April. But I'm hoping to do my First Appointment for my resale HDB at end of march. 2nd appointment will be 6-8 weeks thereafter. I scared not yet received my sales proceeds (from current unit) and will kana stuck if I go for First Appointment too early. Should I wait till legal completion of my current unit is settled and all $$$ received before I go for First Appointment? I'm hoping to settle everything fast and get Reno done & shift in to new place before lunar 7th month. Thanks.

Thanks for your reply. It will be great if no need to wipe out as I want to keep a balance sum in my CPF to help cushion my monthly loan repayments. So on the First Appointment with HDB, I should let the HDB officer know how much CPF to deduct right? For example, only deduct the15% for down payment. Balance of CPF savings in OA- do not touch. Correct? Appreciate your kind advises.

Hi all, Need some advise from the gurus here. I'm going to purchase a resale HDB flat and have quite a tidy sum in my OA account. Can I check.... When I go to HDB for the appointment, will HDB wipe out all my CPF savings from OA account on the spot and leave me with 0 balance? I'm using bank loan. Or... Will HDB only take 15% of loan amount (for down payment) from my CPF. Theareafter, I can decide whether to use more CPF $$$ towards the purchase amount or.. Use the balance CPF OA $$$ for monthly servicing of the home loan? Please help advise as I've been checking whole HDB & CPF website and cannot find a straightforward answer. I'm very confused now. Thanks.

Thanks. Yup. It's 3rd gen EM. I feel very blessed to be able to secure this unit. Guess the COV is lower because it is a low floor unit. Then again, units in this block hardly come up for sale so just faster grab it lor. EDIT: But I like your EM. The size is super big. Love your layout too. Some more in Bishan. I was looking around there too. All the units I saw is mainly original condition. I even went to Blk 657. But the COV's are minimum $150K onwards. So in the end, gave up my dream of staying at Bishan (for now) and selected Bt Batok.

Just bought a EM at Bukit Batok, right next to West Mall. Its a corner unit, 143sqm. COV is $60K. Considering the location is just 5-minutes walk to shopping mall and Bt Batok MRT station, I'm ok with the COV. Though of course I wished it was lower.

I just bought a EM at Bukit Batok, right next to West Mall. Corner unit, 143sqm. COV is 60K. Now going to look for my old contractor to do renovations. My budget for reno and furnishings is $100K. Hopefully this will be enough. So excited to finally get a EM. Need the space especially with 3 kids.