Homeowner Stories

We Waited 5 Years For Our BTO At Dakota Breeze: Our Review Of What It’s Like To Live There

Everyone wants a BTO, but you aren’t guaranteed one due to the luck of the draw of the balloting system. Plus, there’s always the wait time of the construction as well, which was made worse by the pandemic.  Mrs. Leong…

• 3 Dec 2022
• 5 min read
• 0

Tour A 4-Storey Multi-Generational Home Transformation: How A Couple Mixed An Aussie Aesthetic With Japandi Style

Designing a multi-generational house has always been a challenge as it needs to cater to both the individual and collective needs of the residents.  There are many nuances to consider. Do you create separate entrances for more privacy? How do…

• 2 Dec 2022
• 8 min read
• 0

I Regret Getting A BTO: We Share 5 Uncommon Regrets Singaporeans Have

To many Singaporeans, a BTO flat is the default “first home.” If there are any complaints about this most affordable form of housing, it’s usually about how difficult it is to land one (balloting takes some luck). Some buyers we…

• 1 Dec 2022
• 6 min read
• 0

“I Lost Over $165,000 By Selling Early” 6 Common Regrets Of Homeowners Who Sold Their Homes In 2021/22

2021/22 is widely considered a seller’s market, with property prices – across all segments – reaching an all-time high. But while we might assume all sellers made of like bandits, it’s not universally true. We spoke to some people who…

• 30 Nov 2022
• 6 min read
• 0

How A Singaporean Couple Saved $30,000 Per Year Living In A DIY Van In The US

In a country with nearly 90 per cent home ownership, even renting is considered unusual by some Singaporeans – but what about living in a van instead? This week, we talked to a couple who live in a van in…

• 29 Nov 2022
• 6 min read
• 2

Tour A Mid-Century Modern HDB Home In Cantonment Close That Doubles As A Private Dining Space

Private dining is a concept that may have been a little strange prior to the popularity of Airbnb, but if you’ve experienced one before, you’ll understand just why it’s been getting so in demand (you might even have to book…

• 28 Nov 2022
• 5 min read
• 0

A $6 Million Landed Home Nightmare: Owning A Landed Home But Struggling To Make Ends Meet

Homeownership is a sensitive and emotional issue for many, but the consensus is that owning a pricey landed property can only be a good thing. In one case that we’ve heard of, however, things have turned out quite the opposite….

• 26 Nov 2022
• 5 min read
• 10

We Moved To A 38-Year-Old Executive Maisonette: Here’s What It’s Like To Stay In An Old EM In Jurong West

When Winnie (*not her real name for privacy reasons) and her husband were looking for a home for their future family years ago, their top priority was a place with at least three bedrooms as they wanted to have kids….

• 25 Nov 2022
• 7 min read
• 0

“I Paid Down My Home Loan Early” 4 Homeowners Share How They Are Working Around Rising Interest Rates

With interest rates now sitting at over four per cent, and the potential for further hikes on the horizon, Singaporeans homeowners are beginning to feel the heat. From reaching CPF withdrawal limits, to questioning home affordability, Singaporeans are still feeling…

• 24 Nov 2022
• 5 min read
• 1

“I Regret Not Installing A Ceiling Fan” 5 Real-Life Renovation Regrets Shared By Singaporeans

A lot can go wrong with renovations, and it’s not always the contractor’s fault. From picking an impractical (but seemingly pretty) design, to simple slip-ups like the positioning of wall sockets, many homeowners manage to inconvenience themselves. These can sometimes…

• 21 Nov 2022
• 7 min read
• 3

Tour This Dawson BTO Transformation: How A Couple Achieved A Cosy Korean Aesthetic Look With A $50k Reno Budget

Who doesn’t like to work from home?  Other than the advantage of not having to spend money or time travelling, you get to enjoy working in a more comfortable environment. And what could be more comfortable than home, right? While…

• 21 Nov 2022
• 8 min read
• 0

A $45,000 HDB Renovation Breakdown: A Couple Shares Their Reno Costs And Furnishings

For first-time homeowners looking to renovate their home, it’s often like navigating a maze. From choosing the right ID, to knowing how to compare quotes, or just trying to figure out if you are getting fleeced – it’s hard to…

• 17 Nov 2022
• 6 min read
• 2

How A Couple With A $70k Reno Budget Created A Minimalist And Clutter-Free Home

Unless you have an OCD nature, keeping a home constantly clean and neat is always a challenge. It happens to everyone. When you first move in, everything is brand new, and you are motivated to keep the house clean and…

• 16 Nov 2022
• 7 min read
• 0

“I Regret Spending $11,000 On My Kid’s Bedroom” 6 Painful Renovation Regrets Shared By Homeowners

Just like buying a home, the renovation process is one that is hard to reverse. It can be extremely costly (having to redo all the cabinetry), or just very disruptive to daily life (especially when you have little ones at…

• 15 Nov 2022
• 6 min read
• 1

A 23-Year-Old HDB In Kallang Gets A Major Transformation Into A Calming Gallery-Like Space

Buying an older home, while more affordable, can come with its own set of problems as well.  Sometimes they may look good on the surface, but behind the exterior facade, the electrical wiring may be problematic, the plumbing system might…

• 12 Nov 2022
• 7 min read
• 0

I Regret Selling My HDB To Upgrade To A Condo: 4 Homeowners Share Their Story

To most Singaporeans, upgrading is seen as the “natural” thing to do if you start earning more, or your flat appreciates. We probably don’t need to go over the reasons, as there are hundreds of agents waiting to explain to…

• 5 Nov 2022
• 6 min read
• 8

I Regret Moving From A Condo To A HDB: 5 Elderly Homeowners Share Their Biggest Regrets

As the Singapore population ages, comfortable accommodation for the elderly will be a crucial issue. To date, however, the one-size-fits-all solution we’ve applied is “let them sell their property and buy a smaller flat.” But it’s good to look deeper…

• 1 Nov 2022
• 6 min read
• 0

Inside A Cosy $45k Renovation Of A Tiong Bahru HDB: How A Couple Self-Designed Their European/Jap-Inspired Home

“Funny story with our furniture is that unlike most homeowners, we moved into our home with no furniture… only a bed.” It takes a brave soul to move into a newly completed home with practically no furniture, but for Marcus…

• 29 Oct 2022
• 8 min read
• 0