Went to Heeren with Elaine yesterday with intention to pierce my nose.
Spoke with the piercer for awhile and when I finally decided to do it, the piercer said she needed 15 minutes to sterilise the equipment. Both of us were not able to wait that long sigh...
Think I will do it before going to HK in Jan 08...I think that period I will have about 10 days of healing time....
Saturday, December 29, 2007
End of second day of selection
Second day of selection was on 28/12/07.
Number of flats selected by others on 28/12/07:
Number of flats selected by others on 28/12/07:
- 2 4-room in Hougang
- 5 4-room in Punggol
- 2 5-room in Punggol
- 1 EA in Seng Kang
- 7 4-room in Seng Kang
Total: 17
Total number of flat selected by others after second day of selection:
- 4 4-room in Hougang
- 1 5-room in Hougang
- 5 4-room in Punggol
- 2 5-room in Punggol
- 2 EA in Seng Kang
- 14 4-room in Seng Kang
- 1 5-room in Seng Kang
Total: 29
Friday, December 28, 2007
I want to die..
Just as I finished the last entry...another 5 room at Punggol got taken up...and this is one of the units I am considering!!!!!!!!! SHUCKS!!
!!
Just found out the Punggol unit that got chosen does not affect us because the unit's keys are not available yet..
Good good...hope those people choose those units that I don't want...
*Keep fingers and toes crossed tightly*
Good good...hope those people choose those units that I don't want...
*Keep fingers and toes crossed tightly*
The morning begins...
..with refreshing my 'favourite' HDB website..
So sian..early morning 1 4-room Punggol flat got chosen...argh!
And after refreshing 2 times I can't get into the website..so irritated!!
I AM IRRITATED!!! DON'T FEEL LIKE GOING HIGH TEA LATER LAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So sian..early morning 1 4-room Punggol flat got chosen...argh!
And after refreshing 2 times I can't get into the website..so irritated!!
I AM IRRITATED!!! DON'T FEEL LIKE GOING HIGH TEA LATER LAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Flat for sale..anyone interested?
'Found' this..during our 4th day of 'shopping'.....
What a 'good buy'..because still got free umbrella.... -.- "
End of first day of selection
First day of selection was on 27/12/07.
Number of flats selected by others on 27/12/07:
- 2 4-room in Hougang
- 1 5-room in Hougang
- 1 EA in Seng Kang
- 1 5-room in Seng Kang
- 7 4-room in Seng Kang
Total: 12
Hopefully things would go slow like the first day till our turn and that many people would give up early in the queue! :P
Number of flats selected by others on 27/12/07:
- 2 4-room in Hougang
- 1 5-room in Hougang
- 1 EA in Seng Kang
- 1 5-room in Seng Kang
- 7 4-room in Seng Kang
Total: 12
Hopefully things would go slow like the first day till our turn and that many people would give up early in the queue! :P
Thursday, December 27, 2007
The agonising wait
Appointments with HDB started today; meaning people will start to choose their flats. I think my eyes would be stuck at the 'flats available' page on HDB website for the next few days until 04/01/08..and keep on refreshing the page to see which units had been snapped up! Argh! My heart skipped a beat after each refresh!
This is worse than taking exams! Worse than waiting outside to get into the exams hall, sitting down at the table and waiting for announcement before we can get our hands on the exam papers!!!
Ahhh...kill me kill me....!!!
This is worse than taking exams! Worse than waiting outside to get into the exams hall, sitting down at the table and waiting for announcement before we can get our hands on the exam papers!!!
Ahhh...kill me kill me....!!!
I swear I would quit shopping for good...
Yes I swear never to shop again if shopping was to become like this..
It was really a different kind of shopping...
As some of the flats were re-purchased flats, we decided to go and take a look at each one of them.
Tools needed:
- pen
- jotter book (to record everything!)
- touch light (to shine on walls especially if there were fresh coats of paint - to see if loan sharks came to signature the wall!!)
- compass (to see the direction of the flat; and whether there was west sun)
- listing of flats (get from HDB)
- booklet of floor plans of all the available units (get from HDB)
While people were preparing to celebrate Christmas on 22/12, celebrate countdown for Christmas on 24/12 and Christmas on 25/12, we were going to one unit by one unit...looking, shining torches, flashing compass.....
It was tiring..very tiring..
Unforgettable experience:
- The first flat that we went to in Hougang..it was a loanshark flat...there was paint on the door and floor..that was scary..and left a very lasting impression that all the more confirm that we must go see each flat, especially the re-purchased ones...imagine the first flat was already a tai yi long flat...traumatic...Subsequently there were a few flats at Hougang that looked rather suspicious too.
- One lady at Sengkang was really nice. Apparantly many people had been coming to view the vacant unit next to hers. She graciously allowed us to enter her house to have a look.
- One uncle at Punggol saw us holding the floor plans and chatted us up. We confirmed with him that the unit available in that block was free from tai yi long..it was kind of him to initiate the chat with us..and he even told us 'welcome to Punggol'..so sweet...
- We knocked on neighbours' doors to check on a few of the re-purchased flats that we were very interested in...I think that helped alot as the neighbours could really furnish alot of information...of course we did not knock on everyone's door to check on EVERY unit..just those re-purchased ones that we were really interested in..
- We met a handful of couple who did the same as us...fervently going to unit after unit to check...sigh...
The different kind of shopping will continue later in the evening...
Anyone wanna go for real shopping after 04/01/08? :)
It was really a different kind of shopping...
As some of the flats were re-purchased flats, we decided to go and take a look at each one of them.
Tools needed:
- pen
- jotter book (to record everything!)
- touch light (to shine on walls especially if there were fresh coats of paint - to see if loan sharks came to signature the wall!!)
- compass (to see the direction of the flat; and whether there was west sun)
- listing of flats (get from HDB)
- booklet of floor plans of all the available units (get from HDB)
While people were preparing to celebrate Christmas on 22/12, celebrate countdown for Christmas on 24/12 and Christmas on 25/12, we were going to one unit by one unit...looking, shining torches, flashing compass.....
It was tiring..very tiring..
Unforgettable experience:
- The first flat that we went to in Hougang..it was a loanshark flat...there was paint on the door and floor..that was scary..and left a very lasting impression that all the more confirm that we must go see each flat, especially the re-purchased ones...imagine the first flat was already a tai yi long flat...traumatic...Subsequently there were a few flats at Hougang that looked rather suspicious too.
- One lady at Sengkang was really nice. Apparantly many people had been coming to view the vacant unit next to hers. She graciously allowed us to enter her house to have a look.
- One uncle at Punggol saw us holding the floor plans and chatted us up. We confirmed with him that the unit available in that block was free from tai yi long..it was kind of him to initiate the chat with us..and he even told us 'welcome to Punggol'..so sweet...
- We knocked on neighbours' doors to check on a few of the re-purchased flats that we were very interested in...I think that helped alot as the neighbours could really furnish alot of information...of course we did not knock on everyone's door to check on EVERY unit..just those re-purchased ones that we were really interested in..
- We met a handful of couple who did the same as us...fervently going to unit after unit to check...sigh...
The different kind of shopping will continue later in the evening...
Anyone wanna go for real shopping after 04/01/08? :)
Assurance
We decided that we should worry about other things such as transport later..after we settle the flat...
The assurance was good...now I could abolish all thoughts of getting re-sale flats for the time being and concentrate on my 159 queue number...for the new flats..
Now for the preparation for the HDB appointment on 04/01/08...another damn stressful affair...
The assurance was good...now I could abolish all thoughts of getting re-sale flats for the time being and concentrate on my 159 queue number...for the new flats..
Now for the preparation for the HDB appointment on 04/01/08...another damn stressful affair...
Confusion
I was in a state of confusion on 10/12/07 when I got my ballot number. I got queue number 159 out of 316 flats available (launched by HDB this round) and 5147 applicants. Minus away the flats which keys are not available and ethnic ratio, there were only about 200+ flats left.
My confusion was..not because there were only 200+ flats left...hmm..the confusion was that I never thought I would get such a good number..(actually don't know good or not but many people apparantly thought that I was already very lucky)..now what am I to do? New flats? Re-sale flats?
New flats - far far far! Transport how? Not near work, not near my own house, not near in-laws! HOW?!
Re-sale flats - high cash above valuation and need to spend a huge sum on renovation since the flats were all very old. Is it worth it? What happened if the market fall soon after? I'll be stuck with some silly old expensive flat!
I tell you..consider this consider that...really damn stress.....really!!
My confusion was..not because there were only 200+ flats left...hmm..the confusion was that I never thought I would get such a good number..(actually don't know good or not but many people apparantly thought that I was already very lucky)..now what am I to do? New flats? Re-sale flats?
New flats - far far far! Transport how? Not near work, not near my own house, not near in-laws! HOW?!
Re-sale flats - high cash above valuation and need to spend a huge sum on renovation since the flats were all very old. Is it worth it? What happened if the market fall soon after? I'll be stuck with some silly old expensive flat!
I tell you..consider this consider that...really damn stress.....really!!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
iPod-dy
I had managed to upload my latest Korean craze 'Witch Yoo Hee' into my iPod! All 16 episodes! Yahooooooo...
Can't believe Christmas is over...
Yeah, Christmas is over. Haven't had the time to blog for the past few days. And crap blogger logged me out of my account yesterday! Panic can!! They said they detected something unusual and I was advised to login again in another 24 hours time. That's why I logged in at this kind of unearthly hours; just to check that my account has been revived!
Had wanted to blog yesterday lor! Guess will have to do so and more in detail when I have the time hopefully before the end of the year! :)
Anyway, me suddenly feel studious. Thinking of taking up a Grad Dip course in Business or Marketing. Anybody wanna study again??
Ok..back to zzz-ing now...yawn...
Had wanted to blog yesterday lor! Guess will have to do so and more in detail when I have the time hopefully before the end of the year! :)
Anyway, me suddenly feel studious. Thinking of taking up a Grad Dip course in Business or Marketing. Anybody wanna study again??
Ok..back to zzz-ing now...yawn...
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
I am feeling frustrated...
And I tend to do extraordinary things when I am frustrated.
I am going to pierce my nose.
I am going to pierce my nose.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
15/12/07 11.45am Beep beep..
'Hmm...no one sending me off at the airport...'
Walao woke me up from my sleep lor..win liao...
Well, me being nice and since I stay so near the airport, I go and send him off lor.... win liao....
Better make sure I get big and nice presents from US AND Taiwan hor...
Haha...
Walao woke me up from my sleep lor..win liao...
Well, me being nice and since I stay so near the airport, I go and send him off lor.... win liao....
Better make sure I get big and nice presents from US AND Taiwan hor...
Haha...
Early Christmas gathering (3)
Went to the Pump Room at Clark Quay with Amelia, Heng, Rebecca, Ah Bee, Poh Leng, Shane, Connie, Audrey, Brenda, May, Liling and Elaine on 14/12/07.
It all started because Audrey said she was in a foul mood and wanted to go out. Me being so nice so thought would keep her company instead of going steam-boating (no lah...go steam boating got to go out earlier and I wasn't able to go out early).....We decided to join Shane and company since they wanted to go to the Pump Room...and more and more people joined us in the end..happy..:P
Hmm...it was quite fun. I liked the live band, especially the 2 guitarists! My legs ache so much from all the dancing, standing and jumping that I had contemplated removing my heels on the dance floor. Haha..but scared it would go missing so in the end got to bear with it lor!! Reached home around 3.30am..tired!
http://www.pumproomasia.com/
May and I posing under Christmas tree on the way to Clark Quay :)
Shane and the cha bors...
Elaine and Audrey..sweet smiles..:P
Act cute siah!!
May, Audrey and I...cheers!!
A bunch of mad women!
Looking at Heng the entertainer!
Read 2
It all started because Audrey said she was in a foul mood and wanted to go out. Me being so nice so thought would keep her company instead of going steam-boating (no lah...go steam boating got to go out earlier and I wasn't able to go out early).....We decided to join Shane and company since they wanted to go to the Pump Room...and more and more people joined us in the end..happy..:P
Hmm...it was quite fun. I liked the live band, especially the 2 guitarists! My legs ache so much from all the dancing, standing and jumping that I had contemplated removing my heels on the dance floor. Haha..but scared it would go missing so in the end got to bear with it lor!! Reached home around 3.30am..tired!
http://www.pumproomasia.com/
May and I posing under Christmas tree on the way to Clark Quay :)
Shane and the cha bors...
Elaine and Audrey..sweet smiles..:P
Act cute siah!!
May, Audrey and I...cheers!!
A bunch of mad women!
Looking at Heng the entertainer!Read 2
House viewing (5)
Last tuesday, viewed 1 unit at Toa Payoh. Level 22, owner selling because they are migrating. After viewing so many units, this unit is the only 5-room point block unit that I liked the most. However, the owner wanted $430K and they had not done their valuation.
We had seen another unit on the 13th level few days back and that unit's valuation was $365K. So my agent and us felt that this unit's valuation should be slightly higher because of the higer floor. However, even if the valuation was say $380K we still had to fork out $50K in cash and renovation cost of another $30K to $50K. EXPENSIVE CAN.................Take into consideration 'discount' from the owner of maybe $10K...STILL VERY EXPENSIVE LOR...
Sigh shall wait for the outcome of the balloting of Punggol and Sengkang on 21st Dec.
Another bad news, found out that ALL the available 5 room units in Punggol were repurchased units. And HDB would not allow us to view the flats before purchase. I knew this rule existed long ago but being a consumer now, I felt the impact. So, I called up and asked why there were such a rule; hoping that I could get some logical and intelligent answers to let my heart and mind RIP. But guess what??!! The customer service officer said 'Oh! it would not be possible for us logistically to cater manpower for house viewing.' Hello!! I was like, buy vegetable also can choose buy house cannot choose, and because of such a lame reason? Not enough manpower? Should that not be the HDB's problem? HELLO?!
Anyway I had written in to HDB to voice my displeasure and asked them if they could give a better explaination on this ruling. I am eagerly waiting for their reply man...
Read 4
We had seen another unit on the 13th level few days back and that unit's valuation was $365K. So my agent and us felt that this unit's valuation should be slightly higher because of the higer floor. However, even if the valuation was say $380K we still had to fork out $50K in cash and renovation cost of another $30K to $50K. EXPENSIVE CAN.................Take into consideration 'discount' from the owner of maybe $10K...STILL VERY EXPENSIVE LOR...
Sigh shall wait for the outcome of the balloting of Punggol and Sengkang on 21st Dec.
Another bad news, found out that ALL the available 5 room units in Punggol were repurchased units. And HDB would not allow us to view the flats before purchase. I knew this rule existed long ago but being a consumer now, I felt the impact. So, I called up and asked why there were such a rule; hoping that I could get some logical and intelligent answers to let my heart and mind RIP. But guess what??!! The customer service officer said 'Oh! it would not be possible for us logistically to cater manpower for house viewing.' Hello!! I was like, buy vegetable also can choose buy house cannot choose, and because of such a lame reason? Not enough manpower? Should that not be the HDB's problem? HELLO?!
Anyway I had written in to HDB to voice my displeasure and asked them if they could give a better explaination on this ruling. I am eagerly waiting for their reply man...
Read 4
Monday, December 10, 2007
Early Christmas gathering (2)
...at Marcus' house on 09/10/07..
People:
Chin Choo, Yimei, Wendy, Andre and Becky, Ben Teo and wife and 2 children, Diana, Skye, Yanni, Cherlyn, Audrey, Wai Keet, Irene and husband and 2 children, Grace and ME!!
Silly game:
The host decided that everyone had to scream out a password - Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas; at the door before they could enter the house. Of course, I was spared the 'torture' because I was requested to go over earlier to help out. Haha..we had many versions of santas - old santa, laughing santa, shy santa, tired santa, 'felt this is so silly' santa...
Actually nothing much to help also..just touch touch here and there...
Food:
1. Mini tarts - Yimei
2. Logcakes - Wendy and Cherlyn
3. Popcorns and toffee - Diana
4. Humongous cookies - Audrey
5. White chocolate and cheese fruit tart - Chin Choo
6. Sausage with streaky bacon, failed mango pudding and red wine - ME
7. Cutie cookies - Ben's wife and children
8. Chocolate chip cookies - Grace
9. Baked cheese cabbage, marshmallow and sweetpotato, ham and baked beans, turkey, mixed soup (alot of ingredients inside!!), raw veges with dip and crackers, potato and fruit salad - Marcus
10. Champange - Wai Keet
11. Andre and Becky - no idea what they brought
Food was good and company was good. Just that it was not as cosy as last 2 years', probably because there were more people this time. Diana bought popcorns and toffee for TV marathon but we did not even have that; though we left quite late at 11pm plus. I think people just spent time talking and talking...without anyone really suggesting that we should get down to TV.. haha
Last year was different, I think it was only Diana, Audrey, Chin Choo and me left at the house and as it was still very early, we decided to watch DVD..
But all in all, quite enjoyable la..at least for my stomache; but definately not my waistline...haha...
Read 1
People:
Chin Choo, Yimei, Wendy, Andre and Becky, Ben Teo and wife and 2 children, Diana, Skye, Yanni, Cherlyn, Audrey, Wai Keet, Irene and husband and 2 children, Grace and ME!!
Silly game:
The host decided that everyone had to scream out a password - Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas; at the door before they could enter the house. Of course, I was spared the 'torture' because I was requested to go over earlier to help out. Haha..we had many versions of santas - old santa, laughing santa, shy santa, tired santa, 'felt this is so silly' santa...
Actually nothing much to help also..just touch touch here and there...
Food:
1. Mini tarts - Yimei
2. Logcakes - Wendy and Cherlyn
3. Popcorns and toffee - Diana
4. Humongous cookies - Audrey
5. White chocolate and cheese fruit tart - Chin Choo
6. Sausage with streaky bacon, failed mango pudding and red wine - ME
7. Cutie cookies - Ben's wife and children
8. Chocolate chip cookies - Grace
9. Baked cheese cabbage, marshmallow and sweetpotato, ham and baked beans, turkey, mixed soup (alot of ingredients inside!!), raw veges with dip and crackers, potato and fruit salad - Marcus
10. Champange - Wai Keet
11. Andre and Becky - no idea what they brought
Food was good and company was good. Just that it was not as cosy as last 2 years', probably because there were more people this time. Diana bought popcorns and toffee for TV marathon but we did not even have that; though we left quite late at 11pm plus. I think people just spent time talking and talking...without anyone really suggesting that we should get down to TV.. haha
Last year was different, I think it was only Diana, Audrey, Chin Choo and me left at the house and as it was still very early, we decided to watch DVD..
But all in all, quite enjoyable la..at least for my stomache; but definately not my waistline...haha...
Read 1
House viewing (4)
Viewed 3 houses at Toa Payoh earlier. Same outcome, don't like any of them. What am I to do? Think I am better off buying new flats la...
I mean I just don't get the 'wow, I like this house very much feeling lor'. You all understand?
I am fussy? Maybe. But well, it's alot of money buying a flat..it's not buying vegetables from the market ok...
Sigh..what a headache...
More viewing on Tuesday and balloting for Punggol tomorrow...
Such a pain...
Read 3
I mean I just don't get the 'wow, I like this house very much feeling lor'. You all understand?
I am fussy? Maybe. But well, it's alot of money buying a flat..it's not buying vegetables from the market ok...
Sigh..what a headache...
More viewing on Tuesday and balloting for Punggol tomorrow...
Such a pain...
Read 3
Sunday, December 9, 2007
In preparation for Early Christmas gathering (2a)
....at Marcus' house on 09/12/07...
Plan 1: Christmassy design pedicure
- Heart almost dropped when I found out that the nail spa shop I wanted to do my nails at just outside Parkway Parade Shopping Centre had closed down. Lucky I was clever enough to walk around the neighbourhood. Haha..found another 2 nail spa shops.
- Did an express pedicure for $12, 2 nail arts (I had snowman on 1 toe and snow flakes on the other!) for $9 and full set of sparkles for $4. So overall was $25.
- I would say that the nail art designs were more limited than the one at Bishan, but the service was definately faster! I had to sit there for less than 45 mins!
Plan 2: Sausage rolled with streaky bacon and boiled in chicken stock (Supposed to be sausage rolled with streaky bacon, boiled in chicken stock and later baked with cheese..)
- I bought 2 cans of sausage without realising that I had chosen 2 different types of sausage - 1 cocktail sausage and the other normal sausage! Faint, I was cursing myself at the cashier when I saw the prices where different.
- Lesson learnt: make sure the bacon shreds were long enough and not just nicely the circumference of the sausage as the sausage would expand once it got cooked.
- The outcome was not that bad la...it would have been better if Marcus had allowed me to bake it at his house. In the end I only placed the cheese on top of the boiled sausage rolled with streaky bacon..
Plan 3: Mango pudding
- I read the label wrongly. Label read 2 cups OR 500ml of water. I thought it was 2 cups OF 500ml of water. In the end the pudding was wobbly! Brought it to freeze further at Marcus' house but it simply would not freeze!
- Well...I had not made any mango pudding for many months..that's why the mistake!
Plan 1: Christmassy design pedicure
- Heart almost dropped when I found out that the nail spa shop I wanted to do my nails at just outside Parkway Parade Shopping Centre had closed down. Lucky I was clever enough to walk around the neighbourhood. Haha..found another 2 nail spa shops.
- Did an express pedicure for $12, 2 nail arts (I had snowman on 1 toe and snow flakes on the other!) for $9 and full set of sparkles for $4. So overall was $25.
- I would say that the nail art designs were more limited than the one at Bishan, but the service was definately faster! I had to sit there for less than 45 mins!
Plan 2: Sausage rolled with streaky bacon and boiled in chicken stock (Supposed to be sausage rolled with streaky bacon, boiled in chicken stock and later baked with cheese..)
- I bought 2 cans of sausage without realising that I had chosen 2 different types of sausage - 1 cocktail sausage and the other normal sausage! Faint, I was cursing myself at the cashier when I saw the prices where different.
- Lesson learnt: make sure the bacon shreds were long enough and not just nicely the circumference of the sausage as the sausage would expand once it got cooked.
- The outcome was not that bad la...it would have been better if Marcus had allowed me to bake it at his house. In the end I only placed the cheese on top of the boiled sausage rolled with streaky bacon..
Plan 3: Mango pudding
- I read the label wrongly. Label read 2 cups OR 500ml of water. I thought it was 2 cups OF 500ml of water. In the end the pudding was wobbly! Brought it to freeze further at Marcus' house but it simply would not freeze!
- Well...I had not made any mango pudding for many months..that's why the mistake!
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Office spring cleaning
Did spring cleaning in office yesterday. Oh man..the layers of dust and the amount of trash, even though it's after nearly 6 long years of hibernation at the same work station, is still unbelievable. I took about 5 hours to wipe, clean, throw and re-organise!!
Aiyah...regretted not taking before and after photos!!
Aiyah...regretted not taking before and after photos!!
In preparation for Early Christmas gathering (2)
Christmas gathering at Marcus' house this evening.
In preparation...
...I'll be going to Parkway to do pedicure (Christmas design!!), grocery shopping then back home to make mango pudding and another small dish that I thought off-hand in morning. Had not planned for that, but oh well...just try lah!!
Then I am going to take a bus to Marcus house. NO CABBING! Wa haha....
Aiyo..going to see Marcus' same old Christmas tree again....haha...
In preparation...
...I'll be going to Parkway to do pedicure (Christmas design!!), grocery shopping then back home to make mango pudding and another small dish that I thought off-hand in morning. Had not planned for that, but oh well...just try lah!!
Then I am going to take a bus to Marcus house. NO CABBING! Wa haha....
Aiyo..going to see Marcus' same old Christmas tree again....haha...
Early Christmas gathering (1)
Went to Liling's house last night. Found the house without a hitch; all thanks to Kevin's VERY detailed direction! Haha....
We ate, laughed hilariously while watching Ms World and played abit of mahjong. But mahjong was not exciting enough, because we did not play money..haha...Syke and Elaine were learning the game..so cannot play money lor..
We ate, laughed hilariously while watching Ms World and played abit of mahjong. But mahjong was not exciting enough, because we did not play money..haha...Syke and Elaine were learning the game..so cannot play money lor..
House viewing (3)
Viewed 6 houses altogether on Thursday night! 2 in Kim Keat, 3 in Hougang and 1 in Serangoon. Yes we had cast out nets wider to Hougang even, but the Serangoon one was an impromptu arrangement. We went as our agent friend said that his sister is managing that Serangoon flat, so we just went and see-look.
Sigh, don't like any of them. The best was the 5-room flat at Hougang Blk 900+ Avenue 9. Even then it was not those 'fall in love at first sight kind'; unlike the Kim Keat flat we viewed on the 2nd day.
Zzz...anyway more viewings on Sunday..so till then..
Read 2
Sigh, don't like any of them. The best was the 5-room flat at Hougang Blk 900+ Avenue 9. Even then it was not those 'fall in love at first sight kind'; unlike the Kim Keat flat we viewed on the 2nd day.
Zzz...anyway more viewings on Sunday..so till then..
Read 2
Friday, December 7, 2007
;)
I got my Housing Loan Eligibility (HLE). Haha..it has been confirmed that we can borrow money from HDB...haha..going mad liao... as if any of us can't...
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
House viewing (2)
Viewed a 4-room flat at Kim Keat earlier.
It was a nice flat with just the design that I liked! It had walk-in wardrobe..*slurp drip saliva*, open concept kitchen and mirror-ed wall. The house would possibly require little renovation - just replaster some cabinets and sides of wall and divider to dark brown (it's now light brown), maybe re-do the bathrooms and add a side cabinet in the master bedroom.
The owner's asking price was $330K and the agent was confident of reducing it to $318K. The valuation was not ready yet, this showed how confident the owner was. I mean what happened if the valuation were to be below their asking price?
However, the down sides were:
(1) 2nd floor (but if higher floor price would be higher liao)
(2) facing main road which is expressway
(3) 18 years flat
(4) knocked off 1 bedroom - so master bedroom is big but only left 1 other room (this one got pros and cons la)
2 other interested parties came to view the house while we were there. 1 was brought by another agent who wanted to co-broke with my agent. The other was my agent's client.
For this deal, my agent would be both the buyer and seller's agent. Maybe people would think hmm...'agent don't know siding with who ah'...then again it all boiled down to trust lor..if he sided with 1 party he would possible lose the other party and he won't be able to close the deal. So why would he want to take sides right?
Of course buyers and sellers must have some knowledge on buying / selling houses lor.. do a little bit of homework so won't feel so insecure!!
Oh btw, we went la kopi with my agent after that and his other client sms to offer $312K. Haha..we'll see how it goes...
Anyone needs an agent? I can recommend this friend.
Well...viewing more houses on Thursday...
Read 1
It was a nice flat with just the design that I liked! It had walk-in wardrobe..*slurp drip saliva*, open concept kitchen and mirror-ed wall. The house would possibly require little renovation - just replaster some cabinets and sides of wall and divider to dark brown (it's now light brown), maybe re-do the bathrooms and add a side cabinet in the master bedroom.
The owner's asking price was $330K and the agent was confident of reducing it to $318K. The valuation was not ready yet, this showed how confident the owner was. I mean what happened if the valuation were to be below their asking price?
However, the down sides were:
(1) 2nd floor (but if higher floor price would be higher liao)
(2) facing main road which is expressway
(3) 18 years flat
(4) knocked off 1 bedroom - so master bedroom is big but only left 1 other room (this one got pros and cons la)
2 other interested parties came to view the house while we were there. 1 was brought by another agent who wanted to co-broke with my agent. The other was my agent's client.
For this deal, my agent would be both the buyer and seller's agent. Maybe people would think hmm...'agent don't know siding with who ah'...then again it all boiled down to trust lor..if he sided with 1 party he would possible lose the other party and he won't be able to close the deal. So why would he want to take sides right?
Of course buyers and sellers must have some knowledge on buying / selling houses lor.. do a little bit of homework so won't feel so insecure!!
Oh btw, we went la kopi with my agent after that and his other client sms to offer $312K. Haha..we'll see how it goes...
Anyone needs an agent? I can recommend this friend.
Well...viewing more houses on Thursday...
Read 1
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
House viewing (1)
Viewed 2 houses at Toa Payoh earlier. House viewing is fun but tiring lor.
Anyway, I didn't like both houses. Am hoping to have better luck later in the evening!
We went with another of our agent friend and he pointed out some pointers that we / buyers may never have otherwise taken note of:
(1) Buyers must be conscious of their feelings when they enter the house - Must not have that kind of 'mor mor' feeling.
(2) Feel if the floor is hot if viewing the house in the evening. If it is hot it means that the house has got the west sun. A house which gets the direct west sun will be very warm not only in the day but at night. This is because the trapped hot air would vapourise and seep out from the floor in the evening / night when the weather is cooler. So do not think that it is alright since nobody is at home in the day to get the sun. Real torture of the west sun begins after the sun has set!
(3) Buyers to refrain from saying that they like the house very much in the presence of the owner. Let the agent/s do the job.
(4) Have trust in the agent. Do not have the mentality that the agent will not do a good job in helping to get a better deal because they want to earn more commission. Seriously, it does not make a difference to them if the selling price for example is $450K or $470K. They will rather close the deal at $450K if they can get the seller to sell, get the 1% out of $450K (buyers have to pay the agent a commission of 1% of the selling price) and move on to other businesses than risk losing the buyer totally by worrying about the 1% out of $20K that they will lose out on if they help the buyer to lower the price from $470K $450K.
Confusing hor..understand?..yes?..no?? :P
(5) If buyers are still worried, then as motivation for the agent, consider rewarding him with some money (say $2000) for every $10000 that he helps to reduce off the asking price. Buyers will save $8000 while the agent is compensated in whatever commission that he will lose because of the lower selling price - this is what a friend taught us.
* Very important note: this is written from the point of the buyer.
Anyway, I didn't like both houses. Am hoping to have better luck later in the evening!
We went with another of our agent friend and he pointed out some pointers that we / buyers may never have otherwise taken note of:
(1) Buyers must be conscious of their feelings when they enter the house - Must not have that kind of 'mor mor' feeling.
(2) Feel if the floor is hot if viewing the house in the evening. If it is hot it means that the house has got the west sun. A house which gets the direct west sun will be very warm not only in the day but at night. This is because the trapped hot air would vapourise and seep out from the floor in the evening / night when the weather is cooler. So do not think that it is alright since nobody is at home in the day to get the sun. Real torture of the west sun begins after the sun has set!
(3) Buyers to refrain from saying that they like the house very much in the presence of the owner. Let the agent/s do the job.
(4) Have trust in the agent. Do not have the mentality that the agent will not do a good job in helping to get a better deal because they want to earn more commission. Seriously, it does not make a difference to them if the selling price for example is $450K or $470K. They will rather close the deal at $450K if they can get the seller to sell, get the 1% out of $450K (buyers have to pay the agent a commission of 1% of the selling price) and move on to other businesses than risk losing the buyer totally by worrying about the 1% out of $20K that they will lose out on if they help the buyer to lower the price from $470K $450K.
Confusing hor..understand?..yes?..no?? :P
(5) If buyers are still worried, then as motivation for the agent, consider rewarding him with some money (say $2000) for every $10000 that he helps to reduce off the asking price. Buyers will save $8000 while the agent is compensated in whatever commission that he will lose because of the lower selling price - this is what a friend taught us.
* Very important note: this is written from the point of the buyer.
Monday, December 3, 2007
A Chapter, deeply etched in mind and heart (1)...
Just finished reading Reuben's blog. I am done with reading all their blogs, friendster, facebook accounts, straits times reports etc.
I wanted to write something on them somehow, sometime...but not now..
Got to catch some sleep now..will do it when I can think better...Maybe it would be a good time to write when the enquiry is over..
I wanted to write something on them somehow, sometime...but not now..
Got to catch some sleep now..will do it when I can think better...Maybe it would be a good time to write when the enquiry is over..
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Sistex 2007
Boring and nothing great. Ipod's price was not competitive. So will be getting the one with DBS ibanking promotion instead :)
Yeah I am getting an iPOD classic!
Yeah I am getting an iPOD classic!
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Little baby Teo Jun Kai
Went to Ban Li and Kim's son's 1st month old celebration at east coast park chalet. Cute baby..quite big for a baby who is a few days short of being 1-month old.
Sing song
Went karaoke with Kat and Alvin last night. Siew Ling was supposed to come but she was sick. Actually the whole idea was to keep Siew Ling company...oh well...
Next week would be an emotionally-strung out week for her and people around her, I am sure.
I just hate to talk about death...why must people die?
Next week would be an emotionally-strung out week for her and people around her, I am sure.
I just hate to talk about death...why must people die?
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