Homeowner Stories

Tour A 24-Year-Old Resale HDB Transformation: How A Couple With A $120k Reno Budget Built A Cosy Wabi Sabi Home

Like many couples during the pandemic, Gwen (*not her real name for privacy reasons) and her husband were looking for a place bigger than their previous home.  As such, they were on the hunt for older resale HDBs where the…

• 28 Dec 2022
• 8 min read
• 0

Tour An Old 1984 HDB Transformation: How A Couple Built A Raw Yet Playful Home With A $90k Reno Budget

Open-concept living is very popular in Singapore, for a variety of reasons. The most important reason though? It can make even the smallest of spaces feel bigger and brighter. And when you have a bigger space, it really allows you…

• 18 Dec 2022
• 9 min read
• 0

My Experience As A Child Moving From A Landed To An HDB And Back To Landed: Why I Preferred HDB Living Anyway

When it comes to choosing our housing, our children often don’t get a vote; even though we like to think we factor them into the considerations. This week, we spoke to R who has been in the unusual situation of…

• 17 Dec 2022
• 7 min read
• 0

I Moved From A Landed Home To An HDB, And I Wouldn’t Go Back Given The Choice

A while ago we interviewed someone who right-sized from a landed home, and stayed in an HDB flat for a time. This time, we spoke to another person who moved out of a landed home, who had a different experience….

• 13 Dec 2022
• 6 min read
• 0

We Moved From A Landed HDB To A Regular Flat: What We Miss About Living In An HDB Terrace

HDB landed homes were big on the news last year, where there were several units that were sold at a price of over $1 million. This has led to a lot of speculation, such as whether this might be smarter…

• 6 Dec 2022
• 5 min read
• 2

“I Regret Buying From Taobao” 5 Homeowners Share Their Worst Renovation Regrets

Table Of Contents 1. Lack of ventilation in the bathrooms 2. Getting everything at the lowest price from Taobao 3. Buying fittings from Taobao 4. Insisting on starting renovations before you’ve checked for defects 5. Built too much in-built carpentry…

• 5 Dec 2022
• 7 min read
• 0

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