In the Straits Times today, Friday 28 September, 2007, there are three full pages in the Classified section with all the names of those who have signed up for the en bloc sale totalling 565, and those who did not sign totalling 53, making a grand total of 618 owners. This advertisement, is a legal requirement, in our final submission to the Strata Title Board (STB) for approval for the en bloc sale. Approval, in principle, had already been given to the developer's submission of plans for the project, as well as for the topping up of the 99 year lease, by Singapore Land Authority (SLA).
Looking through the names in the list, it is how little that I know of the neighbourhood. I have lived in the estate for 30 years since it was built. Since then, people have moved in and out, most of the original owners have moved out and a small group like myself have stayed behind. People are not that friendly and when you meet them in the lift, they are usually stone faced. There are a few who are quite friendly and will greet you but this is few and far between.
My neighbours upstairs are a noisy lot banging and scrapping furniture. There is a kid who has the annoying habit of tossing a golf ball and a ball at all hours. Below me, there is a lunatic woman who howls with her dog everyday. This is one of the reasons why I am looking forward to moving out.
Looking at the list also, it is interesting to see some of those, who were so vocal and nasty against the en bloc sale, finally signing up. They were so nasty as to resort to shouting and bickering and trying to entice their neighbours not to sign. Among the 53 who did not sign, there is a group of trouble makers who want more money and who just want to be difficult. I have been informed that some are bankrupts, whose money will eventually be taken away from them to pay their creditors. There are some joint owners who have divorced, and not being able to sign jointly, must wait for their legal proceedings.
It is true that an en bloc sale will bring out the good and the bad of the community. There are always pros and con, with valid reasons. It will be the sticking point in all housing estates in Singapore in years to come.
For the last two weekends, I have been viewing houses. Saw a new project at Thomson Hill, but found the layout disappointing and the prices too high.
Last Sunday, I went to the new Springside launching with the family. When we got there, the crowd was so big, it was incredible that they were all looking at houses. The show houses were nicely done up especially with the modern concept. Starting at $1.7m, and with a TOP at around 2009, I had to back away. It not only broke my budget, but the timing is too far away for me. But I like the location and hopefully I can buy a resale unit in one of the older development.
The next stop was at Saraca Villa, an old development which was left unoccupied due to the downturn of the property market a few years ago. The terrace houses were quite nice with a long backyard and three storeys of living space. Quiet but facing the CTE shielded by a long row of tall plants. Priced at $1.4m, it would require renovation work to bring it up to standard. This will probably cost another $100k at least and without warranty. It is also very out of the way for me since I have no car but depend on public transport.
Last stop @Stratton close by. We had our dinner at Jalan Kayu and by the time we got there, they were packing up. But they obliged to open up for us and showed us their new project. Nice and innovative, the models looked attractive. It was a soft launch and the project has not been built yet. Priced at $2m and with a TOP of 2010, it is obviously not for me.
And the hunt goes on and on. Unfortunately I have not received my money yet which makes it difficult and frustrating for me. At this point in time, my money is only expected by March 2008. Hopefully all the procedures will go smoothly and the money will be on time and maybe earlier.
Besides the en bloc frenzies, it was also my wife's birthday. The previous Sunday, the family had a very nice lunch at the Churchill. It has been one of the favourite places, where we gather for the Family Lunch on a Sunday. With a $50 voucher, it is conducive for us to indulge in the fine spread of good food. The kids always enjoy eating there with the children's menu and the lavish spread of dessert, not forgetting the balloons. This time, they have removed the play area, which reduced the noise level.
Last Saturday, being the actual birthday itself, the family gathered at home for a home cooked dinner by the wife. On both occasions, my other son-in-law was absent due to work. Nevertheless, it was enjoyable. Emma, as usual, took the limelight and was as funny as ever. She is the live wire and everyone's darling.
As I am trying to close this post on Sunday evening, I had another indulgence today after having a delightful and expensive brunch at the Shangri la Hotel, with my son and wife. Costing about $70 per pax, we consumed several plates of the seafood comprising of oysters, scampi, prawns, crayfish, mussels and scallops. Following this, we had Japanese sushi, tuna, yellowtail and salmon. Then on to a splendid roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, finishing off with plates of dessert and decaf coffee.
Both my son and myself have the same strategy, in tackling a buffet, where there is so much food that it is impossible to eat everything. Surveying the spread of food, we go in for the expensive sections like the above, and indulge ourselves leaving space for everything. If we account for all that we ate in an ala carte menu, it would have cost more than the buffet price. If we had blindly stuffed everything in, we would be too full and not truly enjoyed the food. It is not possible to eat every item. This coming week, I must work harder at my exercise to burn off the extra food.
Till then....
Looking through the names in the list, it is how little that I know of the neighbourhood. I have lived in the estate for 30 years since it was built. Since then, people have moved in and out, most of the original owners have moved out and a small group like myself have stayed behind. People are not that friendly and when you meet them in the lift, they are usually stone faced. There are a few who are quite friendly and will greet you but this is few and far between.
My neighbours upstairs are a noisy lot banging and scrapping furniture. There is a kid who has the annoying habit of tossing a golf ball and a ball at all hours. Below me, there is a lunatic woman who howls with her dog everyday. This is one of the reasons why I am looking forward to moving out.
Looking at the list also, it is interesting to see some of those, who were so vocal and nasty against the en bloc sale, finally signing up. They were so nasty as to resort to shouting and bickering and trying to entice their neighbours not to sign. Among the 53 who did not sign, there is a group of trouble makers who want more money and who just want to be difficult. I have been informed that some are bankrupts, whose money will eventually be taken away from them to pay their creditors. There are some joint owners who have divorced, and not being able to sign jointly, must wait for their legal proceedings.
It is true that an en bloc sale will bring out the good and the bad of the community. There are always pros and con, with valid reasons. It will be the sticking point in all housing estates in Singapore in years to come.
For the last two weekends, I have been viewing houses. Saw a new project at Thomson Hill, but found the layout disappointing and the prices too high.
Last Sunday, I went to the new Springside launching with the family. When we got there, the crowd was so big, it was incredible that they were all looking at houses. The show houses were nicely done up especially with the modern concept. Starting at $1.7m, and with a TOP at around 2009, I had to back away. It not only broke my budget, but the timing is too far away for me. But I like the location and hopefully I can buy a resale unit in one of the older development.
The next stop was at Saraca Villa, an old development which was left unoccupied due to the downturn of the property market a few years ago. The terrace houses were quite nice with a long backyard and three storeys of living space. Quiet but facing the CTE shielded by a long row of tall plants. Priced at $1.4m, it would require renovation work to bring it up to standard. This will probably cost another $100k at least and without warranty. It is also very out of the way for me since I have no car but depend on public transport.
Last stop @Stratton close by. We had our dinner at Jalan Kayu and by the time we got there, they were packing up. But they obliged to open up for us and showed us their new project. Nice and innovative, the models looked attractive. It was a soft launch and the project has not been built yet. Priced at $2m and with a TOP of 2010, it is obviously not for me.
And the hunt goes on and on. Unfortunately I have not received my money yet which makes it difficult and frustrating for me. At this point in time, my money is only expected by March 2008. Hopefully all the procedures will go smoothly and the money will be on time and maybe earlier.
Besides the en bloc frenzies, it was also my wife's birthday. The previous Sunday, the family had a very nice lunch at the Churchill. It has been one of the favourite places, where we gather for the Family Lunch on a Sunday. With a $50 voucher, it is conducive for us to indulge in the fine spread of good food. The kids always enjoy eating there with the children's menu and the lavish spread of dessert, not forgetting the balloons. This time, they have removed the play area, which reduced the noise level.
Last Saturday, being the actual birthday itself, the family gathered at home for a home cooked dinner by the wife. On both occasions, my other son-in-law was absent due to work. Nevertheless, it was enjoyable. Emma, as usual, took the limelight and was as funny as ever. She is the live wire and everyone's darling.
As I am trying to close this post on Sunday evening, I had another indulgence today after having a delightful and expensive brunch at the Shangri la Hotel, with my son and wife. Costing about $70 per pax, we consumed several plates of the seafood comprising of oysters, scampi, prawns, crayfish, mussels and scallops. Following this, we had Japanese sushi, tuna, yellowtail and salmon. Then on to a splendid roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, finishing off with plates of dessert and decaf coffee.
Both my son and myself have the same strategy, in tackling a buffet, where there is so much food that it is impossible to eat everything. Surveying the spread of food, we go in for the expensive sections like the above, and indulge ourselves leaving space for everything. If we account for all that we ate in an ala carte menu, it would have cost more than the buffet price. If we had blindly stuffed everything in, we would be too full and not truly enjoyed the food. It is not possible to eat every item. This coming week, I must work harder at my exercise to burn off the extra food.
Till then....
2 comments:
Hey Di!!! Yes!!! It was really a good lunch!!! Emma, Jason and I enjoyed ourselves throughly!!! Might I add that I now need to go on diet?!? My pants feels 2 sizes too small!!! Did you know that Emma was helping herself to the M&Ms at the dessert counter? She's not tall enough to see what was in the bowl,.. but her tiny hands seemed to know which bowl to grope! I think her fingers come equipped with smell sensors! (Like Tash and Ginger!) Hrumph!
I was glad everyone enjoyed themselves especially Emma. I had a packet of M&M and she finished the lot. My weight today is 65.9 kg. Dangerous! See you tomorrow.
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