I don't know if I was in the right mind then, but I paid a deposit for a 4-rm flat last month. It's all of 86 sqm only and is 39 years old! Since MOP is 5 years, I suppose it is going to be very difficult to sell off a 44-year-old flat by then. Just as well, I can then stay put in the flat for a longer period of time until HDB kicks me out.

Default Floorplan

First appt: 25 June 2013

Key collection: approximately 6 weeks

Buyer did not ask for early move-in, seller did not ask for move-out extension, so there will be no hassle, hopefully.

It is likely that I will be renovating my new place as I would really like to have a nice and comfortable home to return to every day. My aim is to be happy and also to live happily from now on. Not too sure if I would do the whole house, but I think for kitchen, bathrooms and living room, it should be quite definite.

So far, I have started scouting for renovation quotes and am waiting for 3 quotes to come in. I am not sure if I will ask for more since it can be rather tiring to repeat my requirements several times. This is my second renovation journey, so maybe I am not as enthusiastic now as I was for the first. I went around enquiring at about 14 firms then but I don't think I have the energy now. Besides, those I didn't like then, I probably wouldn't like them now too, so there is no point sourcing for quotes from them again.

Also, I think it is good to keep a blog of sort so that the events are recorded fresh. Otherwise, I may have problem recalling some details as the reno days pass. These days, my memory is getting extremely short-termed!

There are a few reasons for choosing this flat although sometimes I wonder if I had made a hasty decision. Then again, I didn't have many choices to choose from as my search scope was extremely narrow.

1. My mum likes this particular area. She gets nostalgic about her childhood days and I am listening to more of her stories these days! The likelihood of her moving in with me is rather high since she has agreed to help to look after my daughter. When I asked her where is a good area to buy, none of her replies included any corner of Singapore..., all were like within 5km from where she lives.

2. My eldest son's only requirement is to be near an MRT, walking distance. A very expensive requirement, I would say.

3. For me, near my place of work is preferred. With rising COEs and high downpayments, not sure if I will be able to afford a car in future. So, convenience is important.

4. Near my daughter's childcare so that my mum can send her there daily (she doesn't drive), which is also near my place of work so I can pick her up daily easily, and then we can go home quickly!

Sigh... not much of a choice, I suppose.

Hi!

Welcome to renotalk!

We're having our second renovation too, but we're the reverse- think we're more "on" now then last time!

One of the IDs asked me what theme I would like for the house. I couldn't reply. I had absolutely no idea. I think as long as nice, clean and easy to maintain, any theme also can, but... I must think about it seriously. Just that, with so many things going on, this theme thing does not occupy any part of my head at all!

Hi!

Welcome to renotalk!

We're having our second renovation too, but we're the reverse- think we're more "on" now then last time!

Hi there too,

Thank you for the welcome. I saw your T-blog too, and was a silent follower. I think it is coming up very nicely and you got Mr K! I think your reno is going to be very OK!

I was at Robinsons yesterday and decided to put down a $100 for a queen-size bed. Now that I think about it, I could not believe that I have actually settled my bed even before I get my key! Was tempted by the "deposit first, and hold the price for up to a year" sales tactic! Comes with a free bedframe and standard 2 pillows and mattress protector.

If there is any forummer here who has bought and used a Sealy Unicased Posturepedic for at least a year already, could you let me know if the quality is still as good and if you are still very happy with the buy? Many thanks in advance.

Hi there too,

Thank you for the welcome. I saw your T-blog too, and was a silent follower. I think it is coming up very nicely and you got Mr K! I think your reno is going to be very OK!

Thanks! Now we're jus hoping that we made the right purchases. Keeping our fingers crossed!

So may i ask which are the shortlisted IDs?

Yep. Right purchases are important. And also very importantly, they actually arrive on time and in good condition. We consumers always have to worry that goods may be late or have defects. Wish you luck by crossing my fingers too.

Will let you know when I have confirmed the ID. Don't feel good listing them and then not using them eventually.

But generally, the three are:

1. highly-recommended by a forummer here, not Mr K though.

2. has interactions in Renotalk.

3. main company is heavily-advertised, subsidiary is ... hmm. (walk-in)

Sigh... decided not to go for major overhaul. Instead, opting to keep things simple and low cost. Save money. After all, the flat isn't in such a bad condition, so I just need to be less fussy. As a single parent to 3 kids, I supposed having money in the bank and fewer debt obligations are more important than anything else.

So, I decided to do small works instead. Sorry folks! I supposed my new home won't have much interesting stuff to see after all. Just tearing out some old furniture, redoing the living room false ceiling, add more electrical points, change all lights and aircon, and some carpentry, etc. Nothing really major.

Should post some pics of the place.

I believe the community here can give you some good suggestions which are cost saving too!

Sigh... decided not to go for major overhaul. Instead, opting to keep things simple and low cost. Save money. After all, the flat isn't in such a bad condition, so I just need to be less fussy. As a single parent to 3 kids, I supposed having money in the bank and fewer debt obligations are more important than anything else.

So, I decided to do small works instead. Sorry folks! I supposed my new home won't have much interesting stuff to see after all. Just tearing out some old furniture, redoing the living room false ceiling, add more electrical points, change all lights and aircon, and some carpentry, etc. Nothing really major.

You are still building your home and that on its own, means your house will be unique and interesting to you. Enjoy the journey

Since I am likely to move in in October, I have to get my furniture and stuff more or less ready. Been doing some purchases. Not sure if they are value for money since I did not really go around comparing prices. No such energy for such strenuous activity!

2 seater sofa - Courts

single bed with storage frame - Courts

single bed with pull-out mattress - Tangs

queen bed with bedframe - Robinsons

dining table with 4 chairs - OM

aircon inverter system 3 - Gain City

lights - lighting.com.sg

taps and stuff - Adamas

1 antique-looking sona fan - NTUC!

There are many things that I will have to buy since I do not have much now. Threw away lots of stuff months ago. I don't know why. Maybe seeing those stuff made me sad. Just need a new start in a new place in a new area. Well, the area isn't exactly new! Old, in fact! Been hovering around Bishan/Toa Payoh for so many years. 27 years? Bye bye, B-TP!

Should post some pics of the place.

I believe the community here can give you some good suggestions which are cost saving too!

Tks! Erm... I just need to get the pics from my phone to the pc... Heh! My IT knowledge has somewhat regressed. Will post some soon.

You are still building your home and that on its own, means your house will be unique and interesting to you. Enjoy the journey

Hee, no matter, it's still an expensive journey!