The New Nest Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Saturday, March 15, 2008

We probably had viewed less than 10 units since the day we started hunting for a house three weeks ago. We viewed mostly in Jurong East area when we found one that we like best. 

We made three appointments that Saturday with three different housing agents.  They were all a five rooms' flats either door to door or a point block unit.  Strangely, we didn't actually view a 4 room flat throughout the house hunt. 

It was probably the price difference between them, which was not much, and to go for a 5 room would be a better economical choice.

Luck was with us.  We actually liked the very first unit we viewed that morning but didn't want to commit.  After viewing the other two units, we decided to make an offer.  We were told by the agent that there was already an offer made by another party.  We stood firm with our Cash Over Value offer and told him to consider us.

I believed the works of the Universe.  It was the work of Law of Vibrations and Attraction.  We signed the Offer To Purchase that very evening with the seller and omitted the 14 days grace period.

The house plan:
- Size Area:  121sq m
- Type: 5 Improved
- Age of Block:  23 years
- Floor:  5th
- Door: East
- Balcony:  North

Original Layout

And this is how it looks like in 3D.

Original Layout in 3D

The setback:

As much as we wanted a fast transaction, which is normally will take three months to complete the buy-sale of the house, we were told that we needed to give the seller a month extension after the sale completion with HDB. 

The sellers, an elderly couple with no children in their late 60s, decided to downgrade.  To us, they made a wise decision.  At least, they will have the cash to last them through.  Wishing you all the best, Mr & Mrs Monteiro.

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The Search Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Saturday, March 15, 2008

After much thoughts, and lotsa discussions, we decided that our new house should fall within these few criterias:

01.  Budget

We set the price to be less than S$350K, maximum including of COV.  This will give us less financial burden for our future.  It will limit our search, but at least, we will have a clearer picture as to which part of Singapore we shall be concentrating.

02.  Flat Size/Lease

To be realistic with our set budget - and not move away from our goal, we can only look for an old HDB blocks.  Newer blocks will not be cheap.  We want, rather it is me who want it, a 4 rooms or 5 rooms flat.  The unit has to be door to door and not along any corridor.

I guess after staying in Hertford for so long, it will not be easy for us to stay in a unit along a corridor with many immediate neighbours next to us.  There is nothing wrong with neighbours.  However, we are used to a quiet environment.

At the same time, I prefer to have bigger space.

A 3 rooms' flat suits our needs actually.  But I want to think ahead and to live to honour the abundance in our moment now.  It can be an alternative route for our future ahead too.

We like the newer HDB designs with tall glass windows almost all throughout the house.  There is also the extra service yard where your washing machine can be away from the kitchen area.  Plus, there is the airconditioning compressor area.  Well, as much as they are nice, it is way beyond our budget.

03.  Flat Layout

As I conduct simple Tibetan Geomancy, the layout of the flat must be, preferably, square or rectangle and every bagua is within the house.  This will be a challenge to hunt for the ideal one.

04.  Location

The choice for location becomes clearer with such a budget. 

We can choose Sengkang or Punggol and enjoy the new flats but it is, definitely, not convenient when it comes to work proximity.  Prices in other estates, along NEL, are also not cheap based on the size flat that we are looking for.

Estates east of Singapore, like Tampines and Bedok, are out of the question.  The next possibility is looking west - this is also nearer to work but without the MRT.

Ideally, we prefer to be in central area - afterall, we are used to it for the last 20 years.

05.  The Hunt

We decide to start with Jurong East and Bukit Batok.

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The Big Day Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Saturday, March 15, 2008

Our search for a new house ended today.  It will be a new beginning, a new settlement.  It ends months of unsettled decisions.

The opportunity that was bestowed upon us made us to review our future strategy.  20 years ago, we bought our first property and it had served us well.  We didn't expect to move out.  We always felt that we could live here a little longer - at least for the next few years till one of us reach 55.  Then, it would  be the time where we ought to plan for our retirement.

We built our nest in Hertford.  It would always be a place that we shall remember very dearly and a place that we MUST, as we moved ahead, looked back with gratitude.  We grew up there - we were hardly 30 then.  There were many stories, many events, many twists and turns, many laughters and sorrows too, many guests, many parties .. - above all, we managed to keep each other company for bad and for good.  It was a place where human foundation was built on.

Hertford, we will always love you.


You were a blessed sanctuary for us.  With your shelter, together we grew - where each day filled with life lessons.  You were the abundance behind our peace and joy.

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