Factors

Consider 5 to 10 years from now. Location factor can be infrastructure (MRT, LRT etc), good school (within 1km), parents home, work place. Unlike good view can be blocked by new development, location will never change therefore it is the most valuable factor for a flat. The flat value near MRT will almost well-defended from erosion (so far).

Next, floor plan, direction and floor height will never change too. For fengshui believers, direction and floor plan is essential point. High floor is usually more windy and quiet. Ashes from offering burning sometimes can reach floor 8 of normal HDB flat. Corner unit is more quiet and has more piracy than corridor unit. Do consider number of units per floor and per flat. Remember that more occupants share infrastructure and produce more noise.

Echo from expressway can reach some floor and direction. Direct evening sun can be really hot. Usual north facing unit is more windy due to monsoon wind. Furnishing is bonus but don't take it as part of the requirement.

Next to comment is the floor plan.

Flat Viewing

Flat viewing can take more than half a year depending on individual. We viewed more than 50 units altogether before we know what we want. A half million price tag is no joke. For most of the time, I used PropertyGuru as the flat hunting portal. In my opinion, it is the best property portal at this point of time (as I am posting this).

Simply do a search on the area you are looking at. You can see sellers agents updating their ads everyday. Most of the agents will post valuation and expected Cash Over Valuation (COV). Valuation is based on the type of flat, location, floor, internal furnishing, recent transaction etc. COV is based on any amount agreed between buyer and seller. The ads will promotes every single good thing of the flat. Sometimes the ads is a bit exaggerated. Floor #3 to #5 consider mid floor, floor #7 above consider high floor and floor #10 above is very high floor. When the unit is corner, the ads will states it is corner, if no corner stated, the unit is a corridor unit. Take note whether you are qualified to purchase the flat according to the quota.


The ads might be posted by seller agent or sometimes "potential" buyer agents. For DIY HDB buying, we avoid these "potential" buyer agents. The saving can up to $5000 (can up to complete of kitchen cabinets or full set of Cellini furniture)!! It is not as hard as it seemed to be.

Flat viewing can be very tedious and tiring if you are looking for your perfect flat. The quantifiable factor usual buyers are looking for (from top priority onward):

1) Location
2) Floor plan
3) Floor height
4) Direction
5) Furnishing
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