The purchase!

So have been scouting around for another house for quite some time. However, due to the government's cooling measure (Additional Buyers' Stamp Duties, Total Debt Servicing Ratio requirement), had to put off this purchase even after the MOP (minimum occupation period) is reached.

Well, i guess we could have done it earlier if we sold off the HDB, but greedy us wanted to hold the first property for rental income, and hence we took more time to pay off the HDB fully, and raise sufficient cash for the downpayment for the second one.

The criteria to pull the trigger was pretty stringent i think.

 - Sufficient living space (having a bomb shelter, enough space for storage and possible future expansion of the family)

 - Quiet residential area

 - Near to amenities

 - Near to good reputable schools

 - Near to public transportation

 - In good condition

 - Preferably freehold

In the end, found one, and the reason we got it was because the developer gave some good discount to clear off unsold units. It was only 60% sold prior to the discount given, and the units moved quite a bit. And also because we took sometime to decide, we couldn't get our choice unit, and have to move 3 stories up, adding to the cost of the purchase.

It was also near to 2 U/C MRTs, in a quiet area, and because we are the first hand owners, it was in quite a good condition even though it TOP in 2014. The advantage is also that we can see the actual unit we are purchasing, as opposed to purchasing off the plan.

As for the livable space, here you go:

It is 1270 sq foot. It could have been larger, but I guess this was the maximum affordability we could go.