Din promised Lyna, his wife, and their three teenage children that he would upgrade them from their 3-room HDB flat in Yew Tee, which was becoming too small for comfortable living.
Shortly after, however, Din was sentenced to a year of incarceration, tearing him apart from his loved ones. The more he was away from his family, the more his resolution to fulfil his promise grew.
Exactly one year later, Din began the process of buying his family their current 5-room HDB resale flat in Choa Chu Kang.
What Didn’t Kill Him Made Him Stronger
Din shared how his setbacks helped him level up in life. “I can’t stress enough how important being released from prison was for me. I could start anew and fulfil my promise to my wife and kids.”
While Din wasted no time in evaluating his finances and browsing PropertyGuru listings, Lyna was sceptical about his burst of enthusiasm. Was Din in the right state to make such big decisions now? How would they be able to find a house that suited all their requirements in such a short time? Where would they find the money to finance it?
Soon after, Din received a call from Marcus, a property agent. With an open mind and eager heart, Din decided to meet Marcus to clarify if his desire to upgrade his family from their 3-room HDB flat in Yew Tee was realistic.
Upgrading from a 3-room to a 5-room HDB Flat in Five Months
“In their previous home, Din and Lyna’s daughter shared the master bedroom with them, while their two sons shared the other bedroom. They were growing, and it was reaching a point where sharing rooms was becoming challenging,” Marcus shared.
At the same time, Marcus understood that Din had financial concerns regarding his family’s living situation. Before starting to help sell Din and Lyna’s 3-room HDB flat in Yee Tew, Marcus had to know how much of a loan the family would be able to obtain. Once that was confirmed, he started looking for HDB resale flats that could work for them.
“Initially, Din and Lyna were considering older HDB resale flats, which would presumably be more affordable. But after assessing their financial profiles, I realised they could afford newer HDB resale flats that were completed around 2016. This would also help to maintain the value of their HDB flat if they wanted to sell 10 to 15 years later,” Marcus explained.
A New Home Beyond Their Wildest Dreams
Din and Lyna were filled with joy upon moving into their new house. “It was well-maintained and it’s conveniently situated on the floor’s corner, offering privacy,” she expressed.
Lyna admits that this unit stood out from the others they had seen. Compared to their previous home, there was a major upgrade with its spacious industrial open concept. They only needed a small renovation to create an additional room before this year’s Hari Raya, which went smoothly and was completed on time.
“It’s so big that even a simple walk from the kitchen to the master bedroom feels like forever. We’re still adjusting to that, as our previous house had only three rooms and was quite small. I could call out to the kids from the kitchen and they would instantly hear me. Now my voice seems to travel from afar,” she added.
The increased space allows the children to have their own rooms and more room to move around. Because of this, their friends frequently visit to eat, play games, and even have sleepovers, turning their new house into a regular gathering spot.
When Home is Like “Heaven” on Earth
Now, Din can’t help but gush about his new home, referring to it as “heaven”.
“I can’t stress enough how every time I return from work, I feel like I’ve found my true calling in life. Seeing my kids and wife, each enjoying their own space before coming together on the sofa, all three of them, it’s wonderful to have that,” he continued.
Din elaborated that his new home serves as the perfect venue for the Hari Raya housewarming event, where he joyfully invites his extended family, creating a sense of togetherness within its walls.
Looking ahead, Din’s vision for the future of his home is beautifully uncomplicated.
“It’s really quite simple. I want to see my kids getting married, starting their own lives, and moving on from here. As for me and Lyna, I think we will just stay here. This place, this home, is where I want to stay forever.”
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