Purchasing Our Home Sweet Home (Part 1)

Bismillah…

Recently, we have reached our 1st year-mark staying at our matrimonial home, FarFarCrib and I got to know my hubby, Mr Far for 3 years alhamdulillah.

Some have wondered how did we go about obtaining a Built-To-Order (BTO) Flat at the shortest time period. Apparently we have been applying for a Sales Of Balance Flat (SBF) twice! And also applied for a Open Booking of Balance Flat (OBBF) once. We applied SBF in August 2019 however it was unsuccessful. Followed by applying OBBF in September 2019, which is also unsuccessful. Upon 3rd application, we applied for SBF after we got engaged in Nov 2019 before going on our last resort option of getting Resale Flat. In Dec 2019, we received news that our ballot number is lower as compared to our first application, hence there was a high chance that we will get our SBF and will only know the results in April 2020, when we select the unit dependable on no. of units available.

As we all know, COVID-19 strikes some time in Nov/December 2019 in Wuhan, China and then Singapore got infected cases on the rise since March and then there were Circuit Breaker (CB) where Singapore is on a partial lockdown from April to June 2020. By right our selection of unit was in April 2020, but due to CB, it got postponed to a later date, subject to latest regulations implemented. It was also a blessing in disguise that our actual solemnisation and wedding reception got postponed from June 2020 to be held in September 2020.

We got our unit selection appointment in July 2020. Months before the unit selection we received information from HDB the list of SBF units available at the desired location that we have selected.

Our selection of units on our own preference, we listed down the ones which met the following criteria:

1. Ease of public transport (LRT and Bus network)
2. Supermarkets (Wet/Dry) (This without having to take any form of transport. Preferably walking distance.)
3. Clinics, DIY Shop and Coffee shop (with halal food options) (This without having to take any form of transport. Preferably walking distance.)
4. School (childcare centres, primary and secondary school)

The above criteria of course have some impact on the cost of the unit that we are purchasing. However, it should be worthwhile as an investment for long period of time as we both do not intend to shift to another location in future.

I will share in my next blogpost the documentation process. For now, have a great weekend everyone! Cheers!