BTO: Booking A Flat

I guess having been in a relationship for 6+ years, dear and I both agreed that it's time to enter the next phase; if you know what I mean.

But wait, hold your horses. We're just planning and taking small baby steps, thus nothing is set in stone yet. So relax because there are no wedding bells ringing or whatsoever. PHEW!

"What's the next phase then?" you might ask. Well, in light of the several Build-To-Order (BTO) projects that have launched, we've decided to apply for a BTO flat because if our application is successful, we'll be able to get a flat when the project is completed and that would be 3 to 4 years later.

Since that timeline seems to be a good estimate of when we should be settling down, we have been applying for several BTO projects since August last year, but our ballot numbers were way beyond the number of units available. Hence, our previous applications were all unsuccessful. Not that I had high hopes or anything, but having a string of unsuccessful applications was demoralizing for me.

This year was no exception. The moment a new BTO project launches, we would apply for it if it is a project that we both like. However, we were still unsuccessful and our ballot numbers were like the distance from the Sun to Earth.

But recently in late June / early July, we received a letter informing us about our ballot number of a BTO project that we've applied for. Our ballot number was C0649. At first glance, my heart skipped a beat because I knew that the available units for that BTO project was around 600 plus so there might be a chance that we would definitely have a unit to choose during the selection appointment.

My excitement quickly transformed into disappointment when I realized that the project's available units are 609, and that means that we are 40 numbers away.

Quick fact 1: Though the project has only 609 available units, HDB (Housing Develoment Board) will usually allow 1.5 times the number of available units to be scheduled for a selection appointment - which essentially allows you to book the flat by paying an option fee.

To cut the long story short, we received another letter informing us of our appointment to select the flat - 30th August 2010, 5:45PM. But from the time we received the letter till our appointment, we could check if there were any remaining units here.

Quick fact 2: How it works is that HDB will allow the first 609 people to come down and select their unit. If there are any remainder (i.e. some might not want to apply), those that are between 610 to 913 (1.5 times of 609) will be asked to come down and select their units.

On the night before 30th August, I checked the website to see if there were any remaining flats and to my surprise - YES! Elated, dear and I made our way to HDB Hub as per our scheduled appointment on 30th August 2010.

Since we arrived earlier, we were able to check out the BTO project model as well as the unit plan. Ha! Did I mention that the BTO project that we applied for is Punggol Waves?

From the above site plan, you notice that it is actually pretty close to the expressway, which many people have concerns about i.e. noisy due to traffic and dust from the road etc. I wasn't very fond of having a flat near the expressway so we chose one that was facing inward.

Quick Fact 3: Actually Punggol Emerald and Punggol Waves were launched together under the same BTO project. However, we didn't want to choose any units in Punggol Emerald as most of the units were already taken up by the first 609 people who selected their flat, and the remaining units were all low floors. Hence, we had no choice but to choose Punggol Waves, which was thankfully still within close proximity to Punggol Central where Bus Interchange and MRT is located. Somehow, being close to such amenities is important to me as my current and previous house were near the MRT station and Bus Interchange.

Anyhow, If we choose to forfeit our application, our First Timer chances will be forfeited as well and trust me, that is not good because these HDB gives priority of these BTO launches to First Timers.

Well other than checking out the project model and unit plans, we were able to see the kind of tiles and doors offered in their Optional Component Scheme (OCS) - which is offered as an opt-in basis and is subsequently added to the selling price of the flat if you opt for this scheme.

That said, dear and I didn't want to opt in this OCS because the tiles were boring and plain, dear didn't like the door handles, and the total sum for the OCS was about the same price as quoted by Interior Designers. And you know me, I like to have the freedom of choice and creativity hehe!

However, both the Bathroom and Kitchen finishes are provided in this scheme and so we had to make do with it. Good thing the tiles don't look as bad as some of the other projects. Else, I can't imagine entering the Bathroom and Kitchen feeling disgusted. EEK!

..

Now that we've paid the option fee to book the flat, we are in the midst of getting some documents done for the Housing Loan Eligibility (HLE) and Additional Housing Grant (AHG) before our next appointment to Sign the Agreement For Lease four months later.

After which, we can cross our fingers and wait till Mar 2015 (or earlier) before the collection of keys. :)

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*It's a new post for a new phase in life! Hence, no related posts yet but soon there will be!*

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