As the date draws closer (is almost 6 mths before the Big Day),we are starting to get anxious over the roof over our head.
It’s been a year since we first tried applying for a flat.
We went for the balloting at bedok/clementi area last feb & weren’t offered any Q number cos’ the demand way exceeds the supply of the flats.Then,we tried the mature estate somewhere in June but by the time,our loonnngggggggggg Q # number came,there wasn’t much choices left (only Simei & Ubi were left) & we need to consider the fact the his office was at Bt Batok.We even drove to those areas to check out the units..Well,as they were previously occupied by people & HDB has re-purchased them back either due to divorce or the inability to pay,u can expect that the condition of these flats weren’t great.In the end,we did not make any choices.
In Aug,we tried for the North-East area (Sengkang & Punggol),once again,my Q number is so far behind that by the time,it was my turn,we were left with that few pathetic choices at level two,which did not sparked any interest in either of us.
In Dec,we even tried for the North area (Yishun),once again,we weren’t even offered anything cos’ the demand exceeds the supply & these flats aren’t new either.They were already previously occupied by someone else.
Everytime,we just get disappointed…Although the govt said that they are looking into the situation & offering lots of BTO (Build-To-Order) flats,but they will only be ready in 2011 & beyond.The question is,where are we going to stay in the meantime?
I even read an article by a minister that says newly wed couples shouldn’t be picky & claim that priority was given (but I don’t seem to experience that in all the applications) & if we are really in urgent need,we should look into the resale mkt.
How do you expect a newly wed couple to be able to come out in cash to pay for the difference between the purchase price & the valuation when the mkt has gone crazy & every seller is selling way above valuation?
We thought with a brand new year,things may be different since mkt should stablise or prices should come down abit.But sad to say,no luck so far.
This Jan,we applied for the City View at Boon Keng (a DBSS project by HDB),although they sent us a letter,claiming that our Q number exceeds the available units they have,nonetheless,they still gave us an appointment date to choose our flat (if there is still any left).Lo & behold,when I went to check the net last night for the availability,to my surprise,there were still so many units left (which left my pondering over ,y Q number exceed their available units).Our appointment date is today…But we gave it up..Simply because is too expensive..Who in the world will pay $500K++ for a HDB 4 Rm? DBSS is simply just built by a private developer but still manage by HDB..So in simple words,it is like a condo (in terms of the accessibility) but without a condo facilities..Frankly speaking,for that kind of price,you can find a decent private condo in the outskirts like pasir ris..
We also tried applying for the mature estates that was launched again in Feb but as usual,the standard response that I got was my Q number is far behind due to the high number of applicants.So no appointment date was given to me at all..
We also applied for the balloting for those surplus flats left by the SERS project in Queenstown & Bedok area…But we will only the results of the ballot by Apr..Our hope & prayers go to this..
We asked ourselves: “Are we being too picky?” Well,I personally do not think so..
We want to build a comfortable home so that we can create an atmosphere where we can relax & enjoy our home.The basic reason why all of us worked so hard & triy to earn more $ is because we all want to have a home,a place that we can run to,a place of refuge,a place of relaxation,etc,etc…
The whole event of searching for a place where we can create a haven for ourselves has been one where our experience is a mixture of “irriated,pissed,stressed,angry,loss”…
But to me,though there’s alot of negative feelings that we experienced,I believe that we will cherish the home that we will have eventually,especially when it has not been easy getting it.Isn’t there a saying that says, “The more difficult it is,the more you will learn to cherish”.It is an experience that both of us go thru together…
But we still hold on to hope,placing that in Jesus..Though is hard,but like what we preached,we gota place our hope in Christ.
God,we prayed that by your perfect timing & guidance,You will provide the home that we so desire, Amen!