Milestone #BTO

Just wanted to record this milestone in this lil space of mine. Besides graduating from the education system last year in Aug 2012, this is considered another major milestone in my life, and another step towards growing up. It's all very exciting but yet scary at the same time because we never know what is or what will happen in future. But, under my current pretext to live in the present, I shall not bother worrying much about the "what-ifs" in future, I believe we have the capability to resolve it when it comes.

This post might be helpful for those who are planning to apply for a BTO. Previously, I tried looking for first hand experiences of those who had successfully applied for one, but couldnt find any. So just wanted to share my experiences.

Vinegrove

Nelson and me have been keeping a lookout for BTO launching near Yishun because that's where we grew up almost the whole of our lives and I prefer to have my future home in my hometown where I grew up in. Finally, our chance came in the form of a July 2013 BTO. Between the two locations (Angsana and Vinegrove), we picked the latter because Angsana is considered too far off for us although it might not seem so in the map. 

Tip #1: Never ever ever decide on a BTO that you are planning to apply for based on the map. 

It is always misleading. If possible, when the BTO is launched, make your way down to the site yourself to judge the convenience of travelling and look around the neighbourhood. Take this step right at the beginning when you are planning to apply (even though you will not know if you will ever get the queue number), because if you wait till you got the queue number and give up afterwards, you only have 1 more chance before you are barred from applying for 1 year (ie, give up twice after getting number = barred for 1 year). And when doing your recce, take public transport. Spare a thought for your family next time. You might have a car now but how will your children travel? Also everyday by car?

We submitted our applications and waited a gruelling 1 month plus for the results. Heard that this is the longest wait ever experienced, possibly due to the influx of applications for 2-room flats for the July 13 BTO. For first timers, we are given 2 chances in the ballot and if your BTO is near your parents' house, you get an additional 2 chances. This is not per pax, for eg, it doesn't mean you and your partner each gets 2 chances, it is per couple. 

$$ involved: $10 application fee

Documents required: No physical docu required, only info regarding your monthly income required during application

We had quite slim hopes because I have heard so much about the number of failed applications my friends surrounding me have experienced, ie, there was one friend who applied for 6 times before getting it. But we got it and our queue number was within the supply of flats!! *throws confetti*

Tip #2: Never lose hopes even if your queue number exceeds the supply of flats.

There might be some who got their queue number wayyy after the supply of flats, ie, if there are 100 flats, your queue number might be 200+. Even so, don't lose hope. It doesn't mean that you don't stand a chance at all. Many people might give up their chance and it will be your turn to choose! My friend is one such case, he got a really bad queue number and lost hope but in the end, they still managed to get a unit.

So, right now, me and Nelson are going through the options and thinking about which unit we should choose at our selection date. There are so many things to consider. #headache. Will share more about the considerations we have after we went down to choose our unit in Oct 13.

Sidenote // When I told my friends about me applying for a BTO, there are some who rained down comments about the location etc (even when they are not staying in the area or have not been here before). Some even question about the viability of reselling the flat next time to upgrade to an EC if I apply at such a location. But, this should not be your consideration, I feel. Buying a flat is for you to build a home, not a stepping stone. Ignore these comments, go with your heart, because it will be you and not them building a home for yourself next time.