As you approach your 30s, the idea of settling down and starting a family may begin to bubble up. When shopping for a home, finding the ideal place to raise a child becomes a priority. At least, that’s what Kenneth and Chin Ting, both 31, felt.
Initially, the couple considered purchasing a BTO flat as their first home. But they decided to switch gears and go for a HDB resale flat instead as they realised buying a BTO flat would mean they would have to delay their dreams of starting a family.
“Due to the delays of BTO projects during the pandemic, it would take approximately five to six years to move into a BTO unit and we did not want to wait that long,” Chin Ting explained.
Navigating the Homebuying Journey Without a Property Agent
They had several criteria for their new home – a sizable space which is a 4-room HDB flat or bigger and a unit on mid to high floors. As they wished to benefit from the Proximity Housing Grant (PHG), they searched in the Queenstown area, specifically Dawson Road.
“My parents live within 4 km of our selected unit, so we still qualify for the grant, which helped tremendously with the financial side of things,” Chin Ting added.
Budget and affordability remained a priority on their house hunting journey, so they saved on services they could do themselves, including hiring a buyer’s agent. While their relatives and friends advised against doing so, they remained confident with their decision.
“Our friends questioned why we were brave enough to buy a place without hiring a property agent, especially as a first-time buyer. They warned us about the terms and jargon we may not understand, which was a valid point.”
“But when you use an agent, you need to pay a commission of between two and four per cent, depending on the sale price, so saving on that was huge. The commission fee can be put towards our renovation fees and future household expenses instead,” Kenneth explained.
The couple made use of the HDB portal and online platforms, like PropertyGuru, to read up on the various necessary steps and brush up on terminology such as Home Loan Eligibility (HLE) and Option to Purchase (OTP).
“Reading PropertyGuru articles helped us a lot when we were trying to understand the process of buying a home. All the articles have a detailed explanation of what documents are needed at each stage of the process, be it getting a home loan or applying for an HDB resale flat,” Kenneth said.
“All you need is to make the time to go online and read the guide,” Chin Ting added with a smile.
Buying Their Home After Viewing Two Units
The pair then shortlisted and viewed one other unit in their desired neighbourhood before deciding on their current unit. Both properties were viewed on the same day.
“There was not much difference between the two HDB flats as both are 4-room units located on the lower floors of the building. The only reason we chose this unit was because of the more affordable price,” both laughed.
One of the many perks of living in Queenstown is the wide variety of eateries and snacks nearby.
“We are still working from home, so having a well-stocked fridge is crucial. There is a minimart that opens 24/7. When I want something fancy, it is within walking distance. I am spoiled to no end,” Chin Ting grinned.
What Kenneth likes most about his new home is its great city-fringe location and easy access to the MRT network. The nearest MRT station is just a short 10-minute walk away.
Having many choice primary schools in the area is another plus point, and a big reason for why they plan to stay put for the long haul.
“We purchased this house with raising kids in mind, so being near schools and childcare facilities are important. We had set aside a room for future family planning,” Chin Ting said.
Living It up in Queenstown
As of now, they are happy with their living space and enjoying being first-time homeowners.
“We’ve just finished hacking down the walls to make a larger living room as we love to host family and friends at our new nest. We also redid the tiles and repainted the walls. I guess renovating the home is a never-ending process, especially once a kid enters the picture. Decorating the baby room and baby-proofing the flat will be at the top of our list,” said Kenneth.
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