{"id":59509,"date":"2022-09-23T12:06:08","date_gmt":"2022-09-23T04:06:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/singapore\/insider\/?p=59509"},"modified":"2022-10-14T17:15:46","modified_gmt":"2022-10-14T09:15:46","slug":"single-family-exec-serangoon-gardens-condo-lentor-modern","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/singapore\/insider\/single-family-exec-serangoon-gardens-condo-lentor-modern\/","title":{"rendered":"From being single to raising a family: 32-year-old exec shares her home-buying condo journey from Serangoon Gardens to Lentor Modern"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Sometime in 2020, after ten years of building up a career and saving enough, C, a 32-year-old senior producer in the creative industry, decided she needed her own space.<\/p>\n

So, like many young couples and singles living with their parents and siblings during the COVID pandemic (and having to work from home), the then-30-year-old single decided to strike out and find her apartment. She considered renting at first, but after doing her finances, she took a more long-term approach and made the bold call to invest in one.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
One of C’s fave corners – the dining area – and Penny, her 10-year-old border collie (or as she affectionately calls her, “the boss”). (Image courtesy of C)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Prioritising her home-buying needs<\/h2>\n

Being a first-time homebuyer, C had to ask her dad, homeowner friends, her agent, banker, law firm, developer, suppliers, etc. (practically everyone) about where to start, what to do and so on. While everyone was more than happy to explain uncommon terms or point her in the right direction, the ordeal helped her develop a thick skin where she wasn’t afraid to ask the right and wrong questions.<\/p>\n

“It was a super difficult journey as a first-time home buyer, but it was also an extremely fun one with a sharp learning curve. I wanted to fully understand the entire process from start to end because it wasn\u2019t just, you know, purchasing a nice dress or a bag.”<\/p>\n

During her new launch showflat and house viewings, these were her considerations in order of importance:<\/p>\n

1) Own stay\/investment<\/strong> – find a place for her stay but have a good exit strategy later on
\n2) Location<\/strong> – live in a good location with convenience to amenities, food, transportation
\n3) Space<\/strong> – minimally two bedrooms
\n4) Layout<\/strong> – no wasted space, ideally squarish layout
\n5) Developer <\/strong>– previous projects, track record
\n6) Preferred facing\/direction<\/strong>
\n7) Greenery<\/strong> – “Catch a nice sunrise or sunset because I’m a sucker for nature.”<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The living area looks extremely cosy, thanks to the use of warm, pastel tones against white walls, wood furnishings and flooring. (Image courtesy of C)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“I remember Brian (my agent) telling me that my order of priorities was helpful because it allowed him to narrow down options for my \u2018dream home\u2019.<\/p>\n

“Some of his best advice was not to stretch my bank loan, and when\/how to spread out the cash and CPF payments. These were really useful tips for me at that time, being a first-time home buyer.<\/p>\n

“Also, as I told him about buying for investment\/exit strategy, he included 1-bedroom apartments in more centralised locations such as within the city and city fringes. The idea was so that I could make a good profit off it later on.<\/p>\n

“But, again, even though they match my budget, one of my priorities was to have at least a 2-bedroom space. So we filtered out the smaller apartments and focused on at least 2-bedders that fit my budget instead.”<\/p>\n

Eventually, C settled for the 99-year-leasehold new launch project next to Serangoon Gardens – The Garden Residences<\/a>. She paid S$1,582 psf for a 614-sqft, 2-bedroom apartment, which comes with a nice, south-facing view.<\/p>\n

“To be honest, I was more anxious than excited after the purchase. My friends and family were anticipating it more than I was. Truthfully, the excitement only hit me when I collected the keys almost two years later.”<\/p>\n

\"New<\/a>
Developed by Keppel Land and Wing Tai, The Garden Residences is a 613-unit 99-year-leasehold condominium project located at Serangoon North.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Personalising her new space with colours<\/h2>\n

When C collected her keys in December 2021, she had no intention of renovating her flat, as she wanted to personalise her home creatively from its original grey tones. So she:<\/p>\n

\u2705 Used only warm lights in the house to amp up the cosiness.
\n\u2705 Saved on major renovations by changing just the living area flooring to vinyl tiles (cheaper).
\n\u2705 Retained as much natural light as possible. No black-out curtains.
\n\u2705 Kept walls white to let the furniture and furnishing colours shine through.
\n\u2705 Avoided carpentry to keep things modular and flexible.<\/p>\n

She also used art pieces to bring out more warmth and earthy tones in her house.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
According to C, she was going for a “laidback, resort and rustic vibe.” (Image courtesy of C)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
C chose not to renovate her apartment, except change some of the flooring tiles to vinyl in the living area. (Image courtesy of C)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While C had initially planned on adding personal memories to her new apartment, she also happened to meet J, her partner, along the way. Now, as a family of four (with Penny, their 10-year-old border collie), they’re finding new ways to add colours and memories to their new home together.<\/p>\n

“J and I love to cook and host, so the living and dining areas are where our friends and family gather whenever they come by. It\u2019s also pretty much the space where I get to express my style the most. I\u2019ve never quite described what that \u2018style\u2019 is, but I’ll take a cue from Castlery – it\u2019s ‘laidback, rustic, resort vibes’.”<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
Since C and J enjoy cooking and hosting families and friends, having an open and accessible kitchen is important. (Image courtesy of C)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even though her apartment is south-facing, she’s sometimes able to still catch beautiful sunsets from the balcony with her family and Penny.<\/p>\n

“I actually love getting some sun, so on the occasional days when it’s sunny but still cool, I like to sit on the balcony while working from home. Penny loves her afternoon naps there too, and we all love watching her lounge there, getting a little sun and breeze.”<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
C & J’s border collie, Penny, enjoying the view. (Image courtesy of C)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Neighbourhood matters as much as lifestyle changes<\/h2>\n

“I think living in a neighbourhood with walking access to amenities like markets, supermarkets, GPs etc. is super important. Sometimes I walk to the nearby coffee shop in Serangoon North to grab my iced kopi, or Serangoon Gardens for our yoga classes. It is approximately a 17-minute walk, and I like to take my time.<\/p>\n

“Having said that, the back gate at our condo leading to Lichfield Road opens in October, so we can\u2019t wait to use it to get to Serangoon Gardens in under 10 minutes.”<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The master bedroom. (Image courtesy of C)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The<\/a>
C & J converted the 2nd bedroom into a study. (Image courtesy of C)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A post shared by Slow Sundays Home (@slowsundays.home)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n