In my previous post, i said that our flat development has built to the third storey, but after our helpful future neighbors helped to point out the individual blocks, then i realized that our flat was not among the others which has been built to the third storey. The first floor was not even built.

Ok, let’s start our counting all over again.

It’s been a while since our last visit to the construction site to have an on-site peek on the latest development.
The last time we went, i think they were still building the base foundation, the rest of the updates were provided by future neighbors in the Facebook group.

Although ours as compared to the DBSS next to us – Central8 which started building around the same period as ours, was already at the 3rd storey since May, but I would say that personally, i felt that the progress of the flat is already fast enough.

We signed the agreement for lease during October last year, and barely a year, the base foundation is done and it’s building the third storey already!

Photos grabbed from Tampines Greenleaf FB Group

I can’t really figure out which one is our block, although some of the future neighbors are able to recognize.

There’s this contradicting thinking somehow; i wish that the completion date would come fast so that we can start to plan and design a house that is called our own. Pretty excited and looking forward to that, but at the same time, i wish that the completion date would not come so fast as it would mean that we would need to wipe out all our CPF money…and all the expenses that comes with it, furniture costs, renovation costs…all our hard earned money T.T…

and not forgetting we need to produce evidence of marriage upon keys collection and we have to get married within half year after keys collection…all comes into my mind is, money, money and more money…sigh…living in Singapore is definitely not easy especially for people like us in this stage of life.

Well, on a brighter side, i’m still looking forward to the completion date, more updates on the progress, promise!

Going down to HDB to sign the agreement for lease is like going down to ROM, ready to sign the marriage registry certificate. You have to be very sure that you have answered all the questions and this is your last chance to backout before you lose any money.

No wonder Singaporean Men uses this as a proposal excuse, 烂透了. I really think Men who brushes proposal aside is not a gentlemen, someone who only cares about their thick skin and ego, sacrificing their partner’s bliss. Even though some girls claimed that they do not need a proposal, but which stupid guy believes in them?

I do believe that some might just want a simple proposal, but definitely not NONE. Proposal, to me is like an official phase where both parties agree to move on to the next level in the relationship, at least it gives a firm affirmation, not like “there or not there” kind of feeling. And yes, i have already told Love that a proposal is a MUST. LOL!

Ok, proposal aside, the whole signing process is super fast (abt 10 mins), just sign, sign, sign and most of the things, the officer said we only need to make decisions (e.g. loan period) the next time we come down, which is till the keys collection period!

The only thing we have to decide on the spot is each party’s $ contribution percentage, and we took a 50-50. Although i know nuts about Law, but I think girls should strive to contribute at least a 50% if they are able to, so in any case of ownership dispute, there’s a proof that you do contribute in the flat payment.

We had to make a first 5% down payment of the flat and within that few minutes, our CPF decrease about 11+K each!

Total amount we paid with our CPF, if your CPF does not have sufficient amount, i think you will have to prepare cash.

I guess the next time we would need to head down HDB would be in a few years time till the flat is completed and ready for keys collection. It’s like magic throughout the whole process of owning a house.

Oh and we found our future neighbors community in Facebook! Really nice to anticipate together on our new home, i shall post some updates about the flat development soon!

It was a Tuesday, we had to apply for a half day leave for the flat selection appointment. Pretty excited but yet feeling jittery because any moment, our desired flat unit could be taken up by the people who are ahead of our ballot queue number.

Although our queue number 105 is already the first half batch among the 384 4-room units, but since the flat selection period started, we have been monitoring closely on our desired units.

If you have no clues about how to select “the best” unit like us, you may wish to visit this site. We’ve gotten quite some pointers from this author here, he even drew out the sun and wind direction with very detailed analysis which provides us a better view while making decisions.

After much discussion, we shortlisted three blocks and each day when we logged into the HDB’s flat unit balance system, one by one, the desired units in the first two shortlisted blocks were taken. When it was our turn that day, the first two shortlisted blocks left 6th storey units and below, leaving us to either choose our last choice of blocks or the first two desired blocks but at lower level. We decided to take our last choice (thou it’s our last choice but i believe it’s still one of the best among others so i shall not complain much) as we prefer higher floors. Till now, i’m still very thankful that we made the right decision of having the higher storey, no regrets!

When we reached the HDB, we proceed to the Sales Display Area where they displayed the 3D models of the current BTO flats.

Here’s our Tampines Greenleaf!

I would recommend that you head down to take a look at the 3D models as part of your shortlisting process as it looks more realistic to visualize how the area / surrounding looks like.

You will also be able to take a look at the sample display wooden door and tiles for your floor.

We didn’t take up the door and tiles option as
1) we do not really like the design ( i prefer glossy tile finishes but the one (and only one) selection which we were given was matt)
2) we have not conceptualize our interior design yet, so if we happen to take up the option, what happens if it does not suit our desired design? We’ll have to knock away (which requires more money) and redo the tiles.
3) most importantly, we felt that with amount of money paid for the finishes, we can find contractors outside with even wider range of design to choose from. (Don’t forget if you purchase the option, the total amount will be added into your flat cost which cost even more with the compound interest!)

Just some tips, but of course, you may take up the option if you find it a hassle to look for contractors and you can live with the design 😉
When it’s our turn, we saw this funny note at the officer desk

the whole process was quite fast, alot of signing of papers for both of us and we have to pay a $2K Option Fee which will be reimburse to us if we have enough money in our CPF for the down payment.

and tadah! we got our desired unit, happy us!