Our House-Hunting Journey: Finding 'the One' or Not?

164

Mid-Century Modern
HDB (Resale)
~1,000 sqft
3 br
Couple Living

Hello, HipVan community! It’s been a year since we purchased our resale HDB, and what a journey it has been! So here we are, taking you down memory lane with us on our journey to finding a home. Chapter 1: Win TOTO also not that hard Like most Singaporean couples, we started our housing journey by balloting for a BTO. We "donated" $10 at every HDB sales launch (BTO, SBF, OBF) since 2021, but even with extra balloting chances (first-timer status, MCPS, and applying for non-mature estates), we still couldn’t get a queue number. We even tried applying as minorities (mixed couple here!), but still, there was no number in sight. We decided to call it quits after receiving our ballot results for a flat in Serangoon under the May 2023 BTO exercise. I remember we were particularly hopeful, thinking maybe, just maybe, HDB would give us a shot since we had so many unsuccessful attempts. But when the results came in, it was another disappointment.
- #HDBJourney
- #bto
Chapter 2: Turning to the resale market After we failed to get a queue number in the May 2023 sales launch, we decided to turn to the resale market. As a couple entering our 30s, we wanted to have a place to call our own, a space where we could build our life together and settle into the next chapter. However, our house-hunting journey was a stressful one because property prices were at their peak. We started with a long list of criteria: location, layout, proximity to amenities, and so on. But we quickly realised that the flats meeting all our requirements were well beyond our budget. It was a tough pill to swallow, and we had to re-evaluate what we truly needed versus what we could compromise on.
- #househuntingjourney
Chapter 3: Finding the One We eventually fell in love with this particular estate in Punggol. This location was ideal for us, as it was close to both our parents. Being near our families meant a lot—whether it was for weekend gatherings or simply having them nearby for support. At the same time, the close proximity to green spaces gave us a sense of tranquility amidst the urban bustle, allowing us to enjoy peaceful walks and fresh air whenever we needed a break. It may not be the easiest to get to the MRT but it was a few bus stops away or a 10 minutes walk along the PCN.
- #househuntingjourney
- #Punggol
Chapter 4: Finding the One, Maybe Not? Initially, we were looking for 5-room units. The idea was to future-proof and invest in a space that would comfortably accommodate our growing family needs down the line. However, we soon realised that it wasn’t worth blowing our budget on a larger flat that might stretch our finances thin. Hence, we shifted our focus to 4-room units. However, we quickly found that many of these units were getting sold before we could even put in an offer. We were getting disheartened about finding a home, until we view this particular unit. What caught our eyes was the gorgeous view!
The Missus was pretty excited about this unit since there wasn't much built-in carpentry, which potentially meant lower renovation costs (note: I was wrong about this). However, the Mister didn't have a good vibe about the house.
Well, it might be because of the colour choices made by the previous homeowners. We envisioned a light and airy home, but this unit was the exact opposite. Hence, the Mister wasn't keen on the place. But since we were going to renovate the house, the colours wouldn't matter right?
Another reason the Mister felt hesitant was that it seemed the previous owners hadn’t taken care of the house properly. The door frames were rotten, and the walls were filled with kids' drawings and stains. This lack of maintenance added to his concerns, as he wondered what other hidden issues we might uncover once we started the renovation process (spoiler alert: we uncovered many). Anyway, before this post became too long-winded, we went ahead and made an offer. We managed to negotiate the price down due to the poor conditions of the house, which meant there was no Cash Over Valuation (COV) to contend with. This was a huge relief, as it allowed us to allocate more of our budget towards renovations!
Chapter 5: From House to Home Fast forward a year, and we had transformed the house into a space that truly felt like home. The once dark and uninviting rooms had blossomed into cosy areas filled with warmth. Follow us as we shared more corners of our home!!
- #beforeafter