Colin is a chef who has worked at many renowned restaurants; including but not limited to Michelin-starred restaurants. His wife is a hobbyist baker.
About two years after marriage, moving back and forth between their respective parents’ homes, nine BTO applications, and craving a place where they could fully explore their culinary passions, the couple searched and landed their spacious 5I flat in Punggol.
How did they do it?
Chef and Baker Couple Lived With Their Respective Parents
Right after they got married, Colin and his wife moved between their respective parents’ homes. They wanted a living arrangement where they could spend time with their respective parents regularly.
“We mainly stayed at my in-law’s home. There, my wife and I would share the space with her parents and two siblings. This made it difficult for us to unwind as a couple,” said Colin.
“We would move to my parents’ home on some weekends. Over time, however, the frequent moving left us drained and exhausted. It became clear to us that this arrangement wouldn’t be sustainable in the long term.” he added.
While Colin was open to the idea of buying an HDB resale flat, which can be moved into almost immediately after transacting, his wife was insistent on only applying for either a BTO flat or a Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) unit.
“She was wary of the uncertainties that come with older and preoccupied HDB flats.”
Nine failed BTO applications later, the couple decided it was time to expand their options.
An HDB Resale Flat That Fulfilled All Their Home Buying Criteria
Colin and his wife wanted a home:
- In Punggol, close to both their parents
- Within a close-knit community
- Within proximity to public transportation
- That was a 5I HDB flat
In searching for a home near both their parents, Colin and his wife also knew they might be eligible for the Proximity Housing Grant (PHG). The PHG is a CPF Housing Grant which allows eligible families (including married couples) to receive up to $20,000 subsidy for their HDB flats if they stay within 4km of their parents.
That’s when they turned to PropertyGuru, which helped them narrow home options based on their key requirements. It also allowed them to explore neighbouring estates like Hougang.
During home viewings, the couple also chatted up potential neighbours. This gave them a clearer sense of the community spirit of their homes and insights into what life might be like living in particular HDB blocks.
As for their choice of unit size, the couple had their hearts set on a 5I flat: a 5-room HDB resale flat that typically has a floor area of 1,184 to 1,345 sq ft. Besides room for family planning, they wanted ample space to accommodate Colin’s dream kitchen and his wife’s baking.
After Viewing Two Punggol Units, Their Third Time Proved to Be the Charm
In 2021, Colin and his wife viewed three units in the same Punggol HDB block. While all three hit their criteria, they were bid out of the first two units amid the competitive property market at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Come December 2021, the couple secured their current 5I HDB resale flat. They were fortunate to have settled on a selling price without having to incur cash over valuation (COV).
After claiming ownership of their home, they quickly started renovations.
In their 5I flat, Colin’s dream kitchen came to life. A chef’s haven with organised zones for prepping, cooking, and cleaning, it even catered to his wife’s baking hobby with a separate, dedicated dry kitchen. This culinary paradise reflected their shared love for food, prepared in their styles, without kitchen clashes.
Interestingly, it played a significant perspective in changing Colin’s wife’s perspective on HDB resale flats. What began as a hard no became an appreciation for the space that now caters perfectly to their lifestyles.
And their perfect dwelling went beyond a dream kitchen. Living near family brought warmth, while the friendly neighbourhood nurtured a community spirit they cherished.
Colin, having grown up in a lively neighbourhood, attests to the kindness of his new neighbours, who are nice and create a sense of closeness and friendliness that feels just like home.
He also highlighted the added convenience, including easy access to Hougang MRT station and parks, with everything they need conveniently available right at their doorstep. It was the ideal blend of comfort, convenience, and connection, all within budget.
And amidst the joy of their place, they continue to maintain a strong connection with family, ensuring that distance doesn’t dim the warmth of familial bonds.
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