selling and buying property

[daytripper65]

Hi,

Our plan is rather long term here, so we decided to buy a condo, or rather my dangerously impulsive husband did. The unfortunate part is that he was out with a friend who was looking to rent a place one day, and ended up putting an offer himself on the third apartment they saw. Despite my pleas to send me some pictures, he never did, and things rolled along amidst my skepticism. I arrived shortly after with the kids, and was very disappointed.

This is over a year ago now and I am no happier here. I just can't seem to "make the best of it," as selfish as this may be. Maybe it's not all due to the condo from hell, but it certainly doesn't help. I'm angry that we are now looped into a mortgage on a place I hate. In light of my chronic unhappiness, he has agreed to look into selling it and getting a different place, but we don't even know if this will be possible.

He recently learned (from the agent he used last time, who I don't think was too good but that he has blind faith in), that foreigners are not allowed to buy houses here. We can only buy condos, "and penthouses." First of all, does anybody know if this is truly impossible? Does anyone know if we can purchase cluster houses or semi-detached? Either way, even a different condo would be better.

I've been reading a lot of related posts, and it seems that most people have the best luck with non-agent related deals. How do you find places on your own?

Any information appreciated.

Thanks!

[macaroonie]

What is wrong with the condo?
From what i understand, foreigners can't own landed property, best to check this out on the government websites.

[therat]

if the house that you are referring is HDB. Yes , foreign are not allow to buy HDB.
HDB is for citizen and PR.

None of the above only can buy private property excluding land property.

[Strong Eagle]

Only citizens can buy detached and semi-detached houses and things like two story shophouses. PR's can buy if approved (and approval has to do with the likelihood of staying on).

You mostly get to buy condos, patio homes, town homes, etc. The distinction is 'landed' properties... if you hold the land in joint tenancy or are buying property on a leasehold, generally anyone can buy this stuff... HDB excepted.

[daytripper65]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. What I don't like about our current condo is primarily the layout. It's like a box. No flow whatsover. The whole complex is very narrow. The moment you step out the front entrance you are on the carpath. Our unit is 4 bedrooms but they are 2X2 across from each other off a small dark corridor. Even a few steps that separate the living area from the eating area, bedrooms that are spread out a bit, anything to add a little interest to the eye would be better. One of the rooms is quite small, which two of my kids are sharing. The master bath is a like a scene out of the 80's, black glitter granite sink top and floor (which is all white calcification that will not come out), and pink granite walls and tub base, which is beginning to shed lots of dust too. Also, it's on the ground level and oddly enough I have found people looking intently inside on several occasions.

Structurally, the place had termites which my husband made no note of whatsoever even though the whole front door frame was rotted out. Having some water damage through the exterior walls with moldy baseboards in one room and baseboard totally pulled away from wall in kids room and office, which I attribute to a combination of poor craftsmanship and breach of the condo to paint when they are supposed to- it is 10+ years old and residents are still squabbling over the empty sinking fund and how much we have to pay for the cheapest contractor. Whole complex is a moldy, crackling, ugly mess. They don't keep up the landscape too well either. Floors are laminate, which I hate, and have large cracks in a few areas. Those are the main things, although generally speaking people aren't friendly here either, with the exception of one nice neighbor, who is moving next year. The great advantage is an unusually long pool, which my husband loves cos he swims laps everyday. The kids and I never use it, but I would enjoy a decent fitness center, which of course it lacks.

I saw a couple of places yesterday in the Woodlands and Yishun, which is farther than I wanted but apparently cheaper. One at Woodgrove, which wasn't bad, but nothing to write home about, and another at Euphora Gardens, which was way too far. I hear the liklihood of getting a penthouse in the 1-1.1 mil. range is low anywhere within 20 min. of the city, and the price of cluster houses are generally up over 2 mil. It may be a long search, but I am hopeful, and patient. We are not even sure yet if there are pre-pay pentalties to our mortgage.

[macaroonie]

Poor daytripper - sounds like such a horrible place to live! There is always a way out - i hope things get better for you real soon! Take care

[daytripper65]

Thanks Macaroonie