A Minority Owner's chronicled journey through 3 Collective Sale attempts; the last one being successful. TC was a 560 ex-HUDC estate with a thriving community spirit (up until the enblocs that is). I have moved on to a new, 37 unit Freehold estate. Life is quiet now with zero community feeling.
Tampines Court 1985-2018
May 27, 2018
May 25, 2018
What a little birdie told me....
A friend, Mr. L, gave me a few updates on some ongoing enblocs which may be of interest to you (since edited by Mike's contribition*):
Fernwood Towers (FH)
"Opposite Mandarin Gardens is just 1 signature short of getting 80% to launch a collective sale. They're cashing out as the Seaside Residences will soon rob of them of their unobostructed sea view they've enjoyed without the ECP road noise for so long."
Fernwood Towers (FH)
"Opposite Mandarin Gardens is just 1 signature short of getting 80% to launch a collective sale. They're cashing out as the Seaside Residences will soon rob of them of their unobostructed sea view they've enjoyed without the ECP road noise for so long."
Laguna Park* &
"Laguna Park has crossed the 80% mark."*
Allegedly only - someone thinks they are not quite there yet with 3 months to go.
Lagoon View
Lagoon View struggles at 72% - with 2 more months to secure 80%,- this despite having it's psfppr price some 10% higher than Laguna Park. There are many stayers and their CSC raised the reserve to 2.8m to move the numbers up from 50%. There's rising opposition and even if they do get 80%, there might be no buyer willing to buy at such a high reserve.
Allegedly only - someone thinks they are not quite there yet with 3 months to go.
Lagoon View
Lagoon View struggles at 72% - with 2 more months to secure 80%,- this despite having it's psfppr price some 10% higher than Laguna Park. There are many stayers and their CSC raised the reserve to 2.8m to move the numbers up from 50%. There's rising opposition and even if they do get 80%, there might be no buyer willing to buy at such a high reserve.
Mandarin Gardens
"Stalled at 40% after only a month and there're very deep pocketed local and foreign owners who don't want to give it up for the world. The acrimony is rife and cars of dissenters get scratched too."
Neptune Court
"NC has appointed a privatisation committee to look into a simultaneous privatisation and en bloc exercise. As the LTSA only applies to strata-titled properties, the requirement for 100% of the 752 owners to agree to a developer paying MOF for privatisation is an insurmountable hurdle."
Florence Regency (Sold 20 Oct 2017 to Logan)
"Scheduled Completion date 24 Aug 2018.I think TC-ers enjoyed better purchasing power despite the slightly lower payout as the foreign buyer Logan, unlike SL, seems to have bought time at their expense."
THANK YOU MR.L & Mike for your information.
FYI: Actually, both Logan and SL have 10 mths between Date of Sale & Scheduled Completion Date.
FYI: Actually, both Logan and SL have 10 mths between Date of Sale & Scheduled Completion Date.
May 18, 2018
Draft Completion Account
Some have already received theirs by email. I await mine with understanding & patience :)
I haven't received my email yet, and so haven't seen the complete breakdown - but from what I can gather the fees in excess of the stated 1.28% are looking reasonable.
I calculate about 1.39% of your sales proceeds in total.
An addition to my Method of Apportionment Table (columns hidden) APPROXIMATION ONLY but should be out by about a few dollars only.
Personally, I think the fees are topsy-turvy. In my opinion, the Marketing Agent did diddly-squat : they only brought a solitary bidder to the table - who, for all we know, might have been there from the beginning. The real time consuming work was done by the Solicitor. I would have preferred my $18k to go to the Solicitor and the MA get the $5k!
Received my Draft Account by email and the legal fees are all neatly laid out. The marketing agent, on the other hand, just gave a bald $9000 for marketing expenses. I said somewhere that $5000 of that might be for the STB Application fee - but I was wrong as that particular fee is included in the Legal bill.
So, MA, why are you charging an extra $9k without any reason or documentation?
I have requested for a breakdown. Shall see if one is given.
25 May 2018
Received an answer from the Lawyer and two invoices:
1) Invoice for Apportionment method dated 28 Aug 2017 for $4500
2) Invoice for Market Land Value dated 7 Aug 2017 for $4500
FYI: the Close of Tender was on 25 Aug 2017
Received my Draft Account by email and the legal fees are all neatly laid out. The marketing agent, on the other hand, just gave a bald $9000 for marketing expenses. I said somewhere that $5000 of that might be for the STB Application fee - but I was wrong as that particular fee is included in the Legal bill.
So, MA, why are you charging an extra $9k without any reason or documentation?
I have requested for a breakdown. Shall see if one is given.
25 May 2018
Received an answer from the Lawyer and two invoices:
1) Invoice for Apportionment method dated 28 Aug 2017 for $4500
2) Invoice for Market Land Value dated 7 Aug 2017 for $4500
FYI: the Close of Tender was on 25 Aug 2017
May 17, 2018
May 10, 2018
Letter from the CPF
Letter today from the CPF board informing owners of the total amount to be refunded into their CPF account on completion of the sale.
For the many retirees in the estate, the amount refunded will be used to meet the Full Retirement Sum (FRS) in your Retirement Account (RA). The balance will be returned to your Bank Account within one week from the date the refund is credited to your CPF account.
May 7, 2018
May 6, 2018
May 1, 2018
Apr 28, 2018
Pg 4 - Letter of Authority
Just when we are nearly done and dusted, another little hiccup comes along. Never thought I would be writing another piece such as this ever again. I waited until after the signing was finished to comment on this strange little matter of the Page 4 Letter of Authority .
We are at the very last stages and it should be no bother for people to sign the necessary documents to close the matter - but really, asking people to sign off on a substantial bill-as-yet-unseen is too much - especially when the numbers don't seem to tally. The 'vocal' amongst are bound to object - - and object we do.
So, what was on this Page 4 that has caused it to be possibly withdrawn on the last day of signing (to be confirmed)?
Well, it was a Letter of Authority to the 2 law firms confirming that we agree to permit payment due to them' in the manner as follows'.
1. Our lawyers fees in accordance with the CSA
2. The Property Agent's fee in accordance with the CSA
3. Bank redemption
4. CPF redemption
5. The balance going to our bank account
First objection:
'In the manner as follows'? What does that mean - that they will deduct their fees in that particular order? Surely the CPF and Bank have first charge - they have to wait until those sums have been settled, surely. Remember me asking about 'Order of Charge' at the last meeting and not getting a satisfactory answer? This to me looks like we are being asked to agree in writing to a specific order in which the funds are to be channelled. Why does this matter? For the vast majority, the sales proceeds are ample enough to cover all 4 payments and then some, but you never know if there are units under stress and what complicated arrangements they might have with lending authorities.
Hypothetically speaking - if a unit runs out of money after paying the first 3 items on the list - the CPF has a waiver policy which means the unit will lose his CPF (capital as well as accrued interest).
If the order of charge were reversed and items 1 & 2 were last then there would not be enough cash left to pay the collective fees and they would have a hard time getting blood from stone. This is all just hypothetical and only if the Letter of Authority is referring to the order of charge.
'In the manner as follows' is an odd choice of words if not. Perhaps they meant to say "In the matters that follow"
2nd Objection
The young lawyer was very adamant that we sign for the fees as stated in the CSA, I told her I didn't sign the CSA, nor are the fees fully fleshed out and that I wasn't signing for a bill I have not yet seen. I have no problem with the fees as stated in the CSA - amounting to 1.28%, I have a problem with the unbilled extras which may be 'plus or minus 0.22%'. We were told we would be given a breakdown of costs and here they were, getting hundreds of people to sign on the dotted line without them ever seeing any kind of breakdown. Their confirmation of the unseen fees would be 'irrevocable'. To me this is bad practice. An asterix at the end of the letter noted that a draft completion account would be provided at the end of May - lets hope it is not just bald figures and is a comprehensive breakdown of all the costs & expenses.
The young lawyer also told me 'everyone will pay the same' and that the percentage is 1.5%. I told her the percentage was not 1.5% and everyone will pay according to their proportion of the sales proceeds. In the end, I just didn't sign page 4 and toddled off to my favourite lawyer who has more informed answers. This lawyer told me I need not sign and after I confirmed with her that neither the Bank not the CPF require me to sign this form for matters to move along, I took my page 4 home until after the itemised bill is presented in May.
It is my opinion that I do not have to sign Page 4 at all, it is totally redundant because I have sold my house and these things will be done automatically anyhow.
Now on to the next matter of the 1.5% 'plus or minus'
As with any collective sale, the full costs of the sale cannot be known at the beginning. Base fees are agreed upon in the Terms of Appointment and it is these base fees that add up to 1% for the MA and 0.28% for the lawyer.
What's not included in these fees (as far as I can determine from the CSA)
GST alone costs approx $870k, but it is our money being spent, and it is only correct and proper that we be given the bill before signing off on any amount. Expedience and efficiency should not trump proper procedure and accountability.
The young lawyer also told me 'everyone will pay the same' and that the percentage is 1.5%. I told her the percentage was not 1.5% and everyone will pay according to their proportion of the sales proceeds. In the end, I just didn't sign page 4 and toddled off to my favourite lawyer who has more informed answers. This lawyer told me I need not sign and after I confirmed with her that neither the Bank not the CPF require me to sign this form for matters to move along, I took my page 4 home until after the itemised bill is presented in May.
It is my opinion that I do not have to sign Page 4 at all, it is totally redundant because I have sold my house and these things will be done automatically anyhow.
Now on to the next matter of the 1.5% 'plus or minus'
As with any collective sale, the full costs of the sale cannot be known at the beginning. Base fees are agreed upon in the Terms of Appointment and it is these base fees that add up to 1% for the MA and 0.28% for the lawyer.
What's not included in these fees (as far as I can determine from the CSA)
- GST @ 7%
- STB Application fee
- Newspaper Advertisement
- Valuation at close of tender
- Legal fees with regard to Discharge of Mortgage / CPF / SSD / PropertySearches - all of which are minimal fees
- Disbursements; eg printing @15cents/page, postage ($20 each), probably the number of paper clips used, travel expenses
- Unknowns to blogger
GST alone costs approx $870k, but it is our money being spent, and it is only correct and proper that we be given the bill before signing off on any amount. Expedience and efficiency should not trump proper procedure and accountability.
Apr 26, 2018
Property Tax

We have paid out property tax in full for 2018 as per the Law. It is now up to the Buyer to reimburse the unused portion when we leave.
So, will we be refunded the full 6 months property tax or will it depend on when we leave?
According to the Law Society of Singapore's Conditions on Sale 2012 Booklet, the Vendor is only liable for payment up to and including the Completion Date.
Will we be held to this same standard or will we be still paying property tax on a unit we no longer own?
A question for the lawyer, but I think the answer is we are contractually obligated to pay up until we vacate the unit. It's a small matter and not one I am particularly concerned about.
Apr 25, 2018
Developer broadcast: Move out ASAP
Look at this warning:
I don't think this is even legal. No where in out S&P does it say that we are liable to pay damages if the Buyer can't handle the workload.
- How are owners to know how many slots are available?
- How are owners supposed to know how many men Sim Lian has assigned to the task?
- Why can't Sim Lian employ more people to the task KNOWING IN ADVANCE that there might be a rush at the end?
- By right, all owners have a full 6 months to vacate inclusive of 10 Business days written notice to the developer (see 14A of the S&P). -
The owner has a responsibility to hand over vacant possession giving the Buyer 2 weeks notice (10 business days). This 10 business days was a condition set by the Buyer in the S&P and so they must honour it by boosting their manpower if need be.
But there is another little not-so-innocuous clause in the S&P - 12.35
12.35 says that we, the venders, have to comply with all reasonable administrative directions.
Q: Does this clause let them off the hook? - one clause laying down the administrative guidelines of handing over and the other the power to penalise you if you take your 10 days at their busiest time?
But there is another little not-so-innocuous clause in the S&P - 12.35
12.35 says that we, the venders, have to comply with all reasonable administrative directions.
Q: Does this clause let them off the hook? - one clause laying down the administrative guidelines of handing over and the other the power to penalise you if you take your 10 days at their busiest time?
Isn't this warning (or threat) akin to those false signs in shops which read "no returns or exchanges " when we know there are Lemon Laws which protect all buyers.
Apr 21, 2018
Dotting i's and Crossing t's
On the 12 Jun 2018 (the scheduled completion date for Tampines Court) MCST 2644 will be no more. Our Books would have been handed over for Auditing and no one is liable to pay anything to MCST as it has ceased to exist. There will be no Management Council, no Managing Agent - just whoever Sim Lian wants to be in charge and in the management office - which may or may not be the present MA.
The Audit is from the last Audit to the actual date of Completion. So the post-completion period is not included.
The Audit is from the last Audit to the actual date of Completion. So the post-completion period is not included.
Whilst I understand the rational for continuing to pay maintenance fees as long as you are staying in the estate, I am baffled by the requirement to keep adding to the Sinking Fund*. The Accounts are closed and there is no need for a Sinking Fund. This is just handing over money to Sim Lian for no purpose and it won't be coming back to us. This is post-audit, remember.
It is just small change/free money for Sim Lian. (560 x $44 = $24,640 per month decreasing)
Rent by a different name, perhaps?
* The amount owing by your unit will be deducted from the $50k retention sum when you hand over vacant possession
I have yet to send in my official request for an email copy of the Audited Accounts when they come through post-completion. As rightful owners of TC right up until the last day we should be entitled to see the Audited Accounts.
I shall send my official request to both the current Managing Agent and the Lawyer.
A case of dotting the i's and crossing the t's.
* The amount owing by your unit will be deducted from the $50k retention sum when you hand over vacant possession
I have yet to send in my official request for an email copy of the Audited Accounts when they come through post-completion. As rightful owners of TC right up until the last day we should be entitled to see the Audited Accounts.
I shall send my official request to both the current Managing Agent and the Lawyer.
A case of dotting the i's and crossing the t's.
Apr 16, 2018
Next Step
A Legal Letter in the post today.
We have to sign four more sets of documents no later than 4 May 2018
The Lawyers will be in the estate on the following days:
We have to sign four more sets of documents no later than 4 May 2018
The Lawyers will be in the estate on the following days:
27 April 2018 / Friday / 5.00 pm - 9.00 pm
28 April 2018 / Saturday / 11.00 am - 3.00 pm
All SPs must attend to sign and bring a copy of their IC.
Co-owners can sign on different days if they can't attend together.
Co-owners can sign on different days if they can't attend together.
If you are unable to attend: call the lawyer (details provided in letter) and make an appointment to sign no later than 4 May 2018 at the lawyer's office.
Apr 3, 2018
Life's Baggage
After 35 years of marriage and 4 children, one is bound to have amassed a mountain of possessions. Even the periodical throwing out of unwanted or broken items over the years never really put a dent in the steady accumulation of 'stuff'. My last house move was in 2002 and that involved moving from a spacious old Black & White pre-war house we had occupied for 10 years into Tampines Court. Stuff did get thrown away then, but mostly old baby items, the rest I managed to get in somehow, it was a tight squeeze.
This next move will be brutal and the non-sentimentalist in me is chafing at the bit to get it done.
I have four simple questions to ask of each object in turn -
I have four simple questions to ask of each object in turn -
- Does this serve a function?
- Do I need it in my life?
- Do I have space for it in my new home?
- Will my daughters want this when I am gone?
The answer to the first three questions is a simple yes or no. The fourth requires the sending of a WhatsApp pic to my girls and waiting for their determination. I really should not be surprised by their unanimous reply of 'Throw!' to so many things. They are their mother's daughters after all. For example, a heavy wooden sideboard which has been in their lives since they were born; I thought surely one of them would like that as an heirloom. No! they cried, it's hideous, get rid of it! So be it.
Invisible stuff
In truth, I started the whittling down process last year, weeks before my husband's retirement. Being a hoarder who sees a future use in every useless object, I had to make sure that the forthcoming moving period was not going to be difficult for him and quietly removed things by stealth without them ever being missed. I started with the hidden stuff and stuff that hadn't seen the light of day in 16 yrs. I emptied presses of unused kitchen appliances, excess delph from our party days in Changi, and goodness knows how many old computer screens, hard discs & assorted computer paraphernalia hidden away in drawers and the back of the storeroom. Nothing was missed. I grew bolder and removed entire bookcases and tons of books. Again, nothing missed. The bedrooms were beginning to feel decluttered and delightful. I gathered all the bags and shoes in the house into one pile and chose only those I actually used on a regular basis. I did the same with sheets, towels, cutlery, scissors, you name it, they all got pared down to a manageable number. That was Round I only. I will repeat the same process again before I leave, I feel I may have been too lenient on a number of items.
The storeroom remained formidable and dense as ever, but I have been making great strides in that area this past week
In truth, I started the whittling down process last year, weeks before my husband's retirement. Being a hoarder who sees a future use in every useless object, I had to make sure that the forthcoming moving period was not going to be difficult for him and quietly removed things by stealth without them ever being missed. I started with the hidden stuff and stuff that hadn't seen the light of day in 16 yrs. I emptied presses of unused kitchen appliances, excess delph from our party days in Changi, and goodness knows how many old computer screens, hard discs & assorted computer paraphernalia hidden away in drawers and the back of the storeroom. Nothing was missed. I grew bolder and removed entire bookcases and tons of books. Again, nothing missed. The bedrooms were beginning to feel decluttered and delightful. I gathered all the bags and shoes in the house into one pile and chose only those I actually used on a regular basis. I did the same with sheets, towels, cutlery, scissors, you name it, they all got pared down to a manageable number. That was Round I only. I will repeat the same process again before I leave, I feel I may have been too lenient on a number of items.
The storeroom remained formidable and dense as ever, but I have been making great strides in that area this past week
Visible stuff
The big stuff I couldn't touch until now.
Now that we know what our future home looks like; snazzy and small, the impossibility of bringing all that we have has sunk in with my husband. He is now a keen helper in the downsizing process. Only this morning he took a hammer to a super-heavy wooden wardrobe that was unfit to pass on and broke it down into smaller pieces before removing it to the dustbin centre. This would have been unthinkable a few short weeks ago. Last week I put my upright Yamaha piano on Carousel for free and 2 men were at my door in 45 mins to cart it away. From wall paintings to a cello, whatever I deem is in good enough condition to give / sell away will get one chance to find a new home, or else it's the dump for them.
The big stuff I couldn't touch until now.
Now that we know what our future home looks like; snazzy and small, the impossibility of bringing all that we have has sunk in with my husband. He is now a keen helper in the downsizing process. Only this morning he took a hammer to a super-heavy wooden wardrobe that was unfit to pass on and broke it down into smaller pieces before removing it to the dustbin centre. This would have been unthinkable a few short weeks ago. Last week I put my upright Yamaha piano on Carousel for free and 2 men were at my door in 45 mins to cart it away. From wall paintings to a cello, whatever I deem is in good enough condition to give / sell away will get one chance to find a new home, or else it's the dump for them.
Stuff still to go:
Large vintage 1950's teak wardrobeSoldLarge Chinese watercolour painting (framed)SoldMedium-sized oil paintingSoldYamaha upright pianoTakenSMD Rework StationSoldVintage 1946 Singer Sewing machine 1 (Electric)SoldVintage 1948 Singer Sewing machine 2 (Electric)SoldVintage 1954 Singer Sewing machine 3 (Electric)SoldDining tableDiscarded1 Queen sized mattressTaken1 CarpetDiscardedComputer tableDiscarded1 Large Ikea wardrobeDiscarded1 Queen sized divan bedDiscarded- 3-seater +
2-seater sofaDiscarded Office chairDiscarded2x Ikea WardrobesTaken2x Ikea sets of DrawersTaken- 2 x 54" Crestar AirVac ceiling fans Sold
3 x 48" Crestar AirVac ceiling fansSold2 Queen sized bed framesTaken160cm TV consoleSoldOven with CabinetTakenSamsung Fridge(2 yrs old) SoldStand-alone Gas CookerDiscarded- 3 x 13+yr old cats, names : Scruffy, Nuisance & Gorgeous ....any takers?
Not one item removed so far has caused me a moment's worth of grief. My aim is to eventually move with just the bare necessities and to begin a new phase of life surrounded only by that which is essential or loved. I want to recreate that feeling of lightness not felt since we were both young and carefree and just starting out, unburdened by the oppressive weight of possessions. I am not there yet, I have weeks of sorting to go, but it's getting easier by the day.Apr 1, 2018
Mar 26, 2018
An Island in the sun
NOTE: There is NO guarantee that we will get our sales proceeds on 12 June. Those who have put down money on a new home do so knowing the risk involved. In my case, I know I could potentially lose my 5% if I do not get my proceeds by XX July, unless a bank is willing to give a bridging loan to a retiree. I found my home rather quickly, I had thought it would take at least 2 months. So, my completion date is in early July - a 3 week buffer . This is cutting it thin.
In the meantime, I hope & pray there isn't an owner death and /or any bankruptcies in the estate and that everything will go ahead smoothly and as planned.
How many units do you have to view and how many boxes have to be checked before a property comes your way and becomes 'the one'?
In the meantime, I hope & pray there isn't an owner death and /or any bankruptcies in the estate and that everything will go ahead smoothly and as planned.
How many units do you have to view and how many boxes have to be checked before a property comes your way and becomes 'the one'?
The answer for me was 4 and 9 respectively
My boxes:
- Spacious
- Greenery
- 3 Bedrooms
- Connectivity
- Walking distance to Supermarket
- Near a park
- Good feeling
- Move in condition
- Bright & airy
- Gardening space
- Under $1.5m
- Reasonable maintenance fee
- Preferably in the East
- Hopefully FH
I know, I know.... I am basically describing my present home in Tampines Court; but it is a hard act to follow. Indeed there is no property out there that checks all the boxes so something has to give, compromise is called for in this situation.
Day 1: It started last Wednesday and I aimed high. I went to look at an overpriced (but under $1.7m) 3 bedroom unit in Balestier. I thought, what the hell, let's live life differently now that the kids are all grown and flown (almost). The city life. It had a lovely pool which I most certainly wouldn't use, but wouldn't it be lovely for my guests. On top of that the connectivity and convenience were superb. It scored 9/14 but my hubby said no. There was nowhere nice to go for his daily constitutional. He wasn't impressed.
Day 2: This time I chose the Kovan area (D19). A beautiful rooftop garden unit in a very small development. Magnificent garden, I could see my hubby's eyes watering at the sight. I thought, what the hell, let him have his dream garden and I will squeeze into the tiny space below. I can make do. But the price was far too high for a unit that was effectively 60% non-living space and required full renovation in the very small living area. We decided to put it in KIV. Update: since we viewed it last week the asking price has got up by $50k. The owner is chasing enbloc money. It's madness out there.
Day 3: This is the day I discovered that FH mass market condominiums (mmc) in the Flora area (D17) were not for us. The unit we viewed was old and in need of renovation; it looked much better on Propertyguru. It had it's positive points, to be sure - good gardening space and 3 nice sized bedrooms but it also had the feel of a Butlins Holiday Camp. I did not want to be locked into a permanent holiday from hell. It's probably a great place for kids, so many places to run about and hide. I am sure there are also many wonderfully renovated apartments, too, but it was not for me. The surrounding estate was enormous but tell-tale signs of dilapidation were evident all around; missing tiles, dead water-features, out-dated design etc. The worst part was connectivity. There simply wasn't any. Now, we made it a point to always arrive by taxi and go home by public transport, as we wanted to be punctual for our appointment and yet get a feel as to how we would get around; we do not own a car. It w.as a nightmare. One solitary bus trundled up (no 4?) and it was packed to the rafters. I was squeezed in next to the bus driver until we got off early and walked the r est of the way home. It was extremely depressing and I cancelled all my weekend bookings to view various units in the Flora area.
Day 4; I needed time to recover and to get back on the house-hunting horse. After crossing off D17, that meant the other mass markets condos (those over 200 units) were also crossed off. Goodbye Hillside though I never even saw one unit there.
Day 5: Still traumatised from day 3, I thought maybe a resale HDB was the way to go. There were many beautiful units all over the island. I felt hopeful once again. I had to let go of the FH dream. One unit especially caught my eye in Bukit Batok. I have only been to Bukit Batok once or twice in my life but I knew it was near nature and it looked really, really nice. It was just one of many nice flats all around the island, I could see it was going to be hard choosing which nIce place to visit first. Then I discovered this wonderful HDB website here which allows you to wander all over a map of Singapore and get all the necessary information on any HDB block: no. of years remaining on the lease etc I spent hours on it, and finally zoomed in on The Peak in Toh Payoh. Only 5+ years and oh, such wonderful open balconies! I got busy and messaged multiple agents to make appointments to view as many of the biggest units as possible this coming week. This was going to be my 'Peak week'. I was back in the saddle again.
Day 6: As I was busy filling in my viewing schedule as various agents called (I now kept a spreadsheet and screenshots of agents pics and names as all agents blended into one in my tiny little brain) - I got a call from an agent with an Australian accent about a FH property in D16. I must have expressed interest in this property some time ago and as he was going down there right now, would I like to view it? Well, I am a lover of serendipity so said fine. For the life of me, I could not remember which property it was but took the address down anyway, called my hubby up from his orchid garden, grabbed my bag and left.
The moment we entered the unit we both knew it was a strong contender. 5 minutes into viewing and I could see myself living there. 10 minutes later we strolled around the small development and thanked my lucky stars I had my chequebook in my bag. The Agent had exclusive rights to sell the property so we could lock it in there and then. Others were interested in this property, the price had dropped because the overseas owner wanted it sold. We took a risk* and wrote a cheque for 1%. Sure, it didn't check all my boxes - it's only a 2 bedder and it's much smaller that I had planned for, for a start, but it was it.
It's all about the feel. The same feeling I got when I walked into Tampines Court in 1996.
It's feels small (1313sqft), it's a two-storey penthouse, it has gardening space, a pretty 25m pool, the maintenance is on the high side but it's pristine, vacant and feels like a brand new unit even though it is 9yrs old. It's connectivity is brill, the constitutional is East Coast Park, it's FH and it's in D16.
Best of all, it didn't break the bank.
But if I had to choose all over again ... I would still choose TC.* It wasn't really a risk because I knew I could go home and check the property ownership on Inlis here. The property owner was genuine. I also checked up on the Property Agent here - to make sure he was the genuine article, too. He was :)
Good luck to anyone who is still on the search.
I know it can be stressful, exhausting & downright depressing,
but have hope -
there is a property out there with your name on it.
I know it can be stressful, exhausting & downright depressing,
but have hope -
there is a property out there with your name on it.
Mar 20, 2018
Setting Sail
Tonight I will be handing over the deeds of my home as is required by order of the Land Titles Strata Act. My handover is very simple; no mortgage, no arrears, no charge on my property, nothing outstanding. It is very sad but inevitable as we all know. Tampines Court had to go under the hammer at some time, the enbloc mania has raged unabated in our estate since 2005 and we fought long and hard against those who would undersell our property for a quick buck.
After 13 long years. It's Time.
Time to move on. I have not even started to look, save for a whittled down shortlist of never-visited properties on PropertyGuru. I look wistfully at one in particular but my chances of getting it are slim as I imagine many others are probably eyeing the same thing. We shall see. It isn't just my boat setting sail but a whole flotilla all looking for a comfortable port of call. I hope to be lucky enough to find a private island with room for gardening for my husband and a bit of space for me.
The end period is now in the MCST and Lawyer's hands. I can only put my trust in their professionalism because I have done all that I can and there is nothing more I can do or say.
It's not the end of the blog just yet - 10 years and counting - not until the day I hand over the keys (or the day my URL expires, whichever comes first). No more talk about the process, though, I am sick to my back teeth with it all.
So, I am signing off now for a while. I have a house to hunt, possessions to sort and a grandchild on the way.
Mar 19, 2018
Insufferable
Tonight at the MC Meeting room - there was a meeting going on between the Management Council (MC), the Lawyer, the Marketing Agent and the CSC (acting condo manager absent).
I was invited to the meeting by the CSC and so myself and 2 other ladies went in and parked ourselves down on the sofa at the side as attentive observers, pens at the ready. We had no intention of doing anything other than listen. Just sit quietly whilst our homes and our money were being discussed by others. I didn't even bring my phone to record as it might have been impolite.
The meeting was called by the MC to ask the lawyer about what needed to be done from now to the 31st May. Details of interest to many in the estate. For some inexplicable reason the MC thought it was to be hush-hush.
Things got quickly out of hand. The CSC & Lawyer were quite amenable to our presence, polite as ever and I was even handed a complimentary bottle of water. The MC, however, were highly annoyed to see us three female SPs gatecrashing their party and spent the first 20 minutes objecting vehemently to our presence. I am very fortunate that my years on the MC were spent with gentlemen and women of the highest calibre (take a bow Chairwoman Mdm A, & Chairmen Mr. T and Mr S, you were a pleasure to work with) because I would not have lasted 10 minutes on this council. Life is just too short.
What was worse, the meeting may not have been a Council Meeting as such but it was a Meeting of the Council with all remaining members present and held at the MCST office. MCST funds were therefore used to hold the meeting. Here was probably the most important meeting of their short MCST life - and minutes were not going to be taken. No record for us annoying SPs.
We women were not going to be intimidated but when he threatened to adjourn the meeting if we did not 'remove ourselves' - we left. We left so as not to cause inconvenience to the others who had given up their evening to be there.
One of the female lawyers followed us out to answer our questions, but really, I didn't come to ask questions, but to listen and hear what the Lawyer had to say. Only his words count. What a pity, an opportunity lost. I could be blogging that all is well, matters explained and niggling details ironed out. Instead, my annoying coverage of ongoing events are... annoyingly ongoing.
One of the female lawyers followed us out to answer our questions, but really, I didn't come to ask questions, but to listen and hear what the Lawyer had to say. Only his words count. What a pity, an opportunity lost. I could be blogging that all is well, matters explained and niggling details ironed out. Instead, my annoying coverage of ongoing events are... annoyingly ongoing.
I shall rethink my attendance at any future MC meeting with that Council as planned, as it would be simply insufferable, fruitless and downright bad for my health.
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