Colin and his wife love food. He has worked in many renowned restaurants, both in the front and back of the house, while his wife is a hobbyist baker.
About half a year after marriage, moving back and forth between their respective parents’ homes, nine BTO applications, and craving a place to fully explore their culinary passions, the couple searched and landed their spacious 5I flat in Hougang.
How did they do it?
How Colin Secured His 5I Flat in Hougang (Video)
Living With Their Respective Parents
Right after marriage, Colin and his wife moved between their respective parents’ homes. They wanted a living arrangement where they could spend time with their parents regularly.
“We mainly stayed at my in-law’s home. It was near her workplace, and she shared a close bond with her family. My wife and I would share the space with her parents and two siblings there. Though it was fun living together, the lack of space meant we had to take turns to share the common areas, like scheduling our shower time,” said Colin.
“We would move to my mother’s place on some weekends. Over time, however, the frequent moving left us drained and exhausted. It didn’t help that my wife and I have very different work schedules. It became clear to us that this arrangement wouldn’t be sustainable in the long term.” he added.
While Colin was open to buying an HDB resale flat, which can be moved into almost immediately after transacting, his wife was insistent on only applying for a BTO flat or a Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) unit.
"She was wary of the uncertainties of older and preoccupied HDB flats.”
Nine failed BTO applications later, and the couple decided to expand their options.
An HDB Resale Flat That Fulfilled All Their Home Buying Criteria
Colin and his wife wanted a home:
- In Punggolthe North-East, near both their parents
- Within a close-knit community / a lively neighbourhood
- Within proximity to public transportation
- That was a 5I HDB flat/large floor area for us to plan our living space
In searching for a home near their parents, Colin and his wife 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 a $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 with 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 dream island.
After Viewing Two Units, Their Third Time Proved to Be the Charm
In 2021, Colin and his wife viewed three units in the same 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.
In October 2021, the couple secured their current 5I HDB resale flat. They were fortunate to have settled on a selling price without incurring cash over valuation (COV).
After claiming ownership of their home, they quickly started renovations.
With the help of their IDs, their dream home 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. perfected with an island as the centre of the home.
The customised island is a centrepiece, encouraging hearty conversations with friends and family. At the same time, the standing stove provides enough burners for their chef friends to whip up a storm together. This culinary paradise reflects their love for food, prepared in their styles, without kitchen clashes.
And their perfect dwelling went beyond a dream kitchen. Living near family brought warmth, while the friendly neighbourhood nurtured a community spirit they cherished.
Having grown up in a lively neighbourhood, Colin 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 at their doorstep. It was the ideal blend of comfort, convenience, and connection, all within budget.
And amidst the joy of their place, they maintain a strong connection with family, ensuring that distance doesn’t dim the warmth of familial bonds. The family comes over often to chill out over the weekend or have dinner together after work.
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