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HDB Resale Flats - Public or Private Housing?

I think HDB has to be honest and reveal their master plan for resale HDB flat. Looking at the direction that resale flat is going, makes me wonder if one day they will decide to simply privatize resale flats. Just take away the subsidies and regulations and they can turn resale flats into condominiums. Who knows, maybe residents can setup their own management community, build swimming pools right below the block, put up fences and hire a few Ah Neh security guards to protect the block. It's an obvious contradiction here, is resale flat supposed to be public housing or private housing? It's a public housing that can be sold like a private housing, seller can set any price they wish. Market valuation is pointless to a buyer since there is COV, actually also pointless for the seller since they can set whatever amount they wish. If they still wish to refer to resale flat as public housing, I would expect HDB to do away with COV and strictly allow sales to proceed with ONLY valu...
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What is The Point of COV When There Already is Market Valuation?

This question was posted at  REACH  on 28 Mar 2012, 10.39AM What does market valuation of a resale flat do? Surveyors determine the market price of a resale flat by factors such as location of the block, surrounding amenities, level of the flat, interior condition of the flat and special features inside/outside the flat. Seller A asks for COV because he has renovated his flat and he has built a bar counter in his flat. Have the above been covered by market valuation? Seller B asks for COV because his flat location is good, near to MRT, near to bus interchange, schools, shopping malls and plenty of coffeeshops. Have the above been covered by market valuation? Seller C asks for COV because his flat is at the top floor of the block, with incredible view. Have the above been covered by market valuation? Then what is the point of market valuation if COV serves to do what it already is doing? How can HDB allow such a contradiction? This is one reason why HDB...
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Condolences to Madam Samai Chatthahan and Family of Mr. Lim Wei Kwan, Jason

I only learned about the whole story today and I feel shocked, and very sad for the family but I'm glad that help has been swiftly offered by NTUC and MCYS, and also very glad that Mr. Lim's eldest son, young Mr. Lim Itthiphat has finally obtained his citizenship after 10 long years of trying. My heart feels heavy when I realized that the late Mr. Lim is unable to share the happiness with his family, but I'm sure he will be happy now, wherever he is. Now that I think back, let's look at the new LTVP+. One of the eligibility criteria is that a foreign widow of a Singaporean is allowed to apply, provided she has a Singaporean child. Doesn't that ring a bell? The incident happened around mid Dec 2011, and ICA is introducing the new pass on 01 Apr 2012. I also understand that the late Mr. Lim tried applying for permanent residency for Madam Samai,  3 times  but was all rejected. With the introduction of the new pass, Madam Samai will be eligible for LTVP+ and t...
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Long-Term Visit Pass - Plus (LTVP-PLUS)

http://www.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=12665 Good news for those of us who cannot get PR for our beloved spouse, because the Singapore government has come up with a enhanced long-term visit pass called LTVP-PLUS or LTVP+. I'll sum up the key points in the FAQ provided by ICA so you don't have to go through one big page. Do let me know if I missed out anything or correction is required by dropping a comment. GENERAL LTVP+ will be in effect from 01 Apr 2012. LTVP+ holders will enjoy extended duration of residency, public healthcare subsidies and easier access to employment. No separate application required for LTVP+; an application for LTVP will automatically include your spouse for LTVP+, if eligible. LTVP applications submitted from 01 Feb 2012 will automatically be considered for LTVP+. The first approved LTVP+ will grant 3 years residency and subsequent renewal will be 5 years. Current holders of LTVP will be considered for LTVP+ on next renewal. If holde...
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Homestay in Malacca

I recommend these two places because the owners are very nice people (and I mean really really nice), and they charge reasonably. If any doubt, just tell them and they'll be glad to help, I think that's the most important thing when one is abroad, you have hearty people willing to help, to enlighten, so you can really have fun and enjoy the trip. Homestay 1 @ Jalan Angkasa Nuri DT 1562, Jalan Angkasa Nuri, Taman Angkasa Nuri, Durian Tunggal, Melaka. Homestay 2 @ Jalan Taman Kota Laksamana 7A, (TKT 1) Jalan TKL 10, Taman Kota Laksamana, 75200 Melaka. If interested, please contact Cassie Chan - 012-6185628 Candy Chan - 017-3320728 Mr Chan - 016-2094593 Email - cassiebiz@live.com Facebook - cassiebiz
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How to Marry a Thai in Singapore

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You should refer to here -  https://www.rom.gov.sg/reg_info/rom_marriage.asp Please spend some time to go through and understand the information on that section (legal provision, other information, filing of notice, solemnization and etc), if your still not sure, feel free to drop a comment here or you can use their FAQ . The ROM website did a really good job of putting together the information that you need in a well-organized manner. I've done it once and I think the guide is very easy to follow. The only hiccup I've had with my marriage is during the  Appointment for verification & Statutory Declaration where both of us were required to read out a wall of text and my wife had difficulty getting past the first few lines and the counter guy got fed up and told my wife to stop. Definitely my oversight as I didn't arrange for an interpreter beforehand but luckily, there was a licensed interpreter at the scene and we managed to get her to do the interpretation ...
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Document Translation from Thai to English

Where to Translate Golden Mile Complex, Level 2 Royal Thai Embassy If I remember correctly, they charge around S$40-S$45 per page at Golden Mile but personally, I have not tried any of the above. I had my wife's documents translated at Professional Thai Linguistic Services. They charge S$30 per page e.g. birth cert, S$20 for a page with not many characters e.g. front and back of Thai ID card. If you are interested, following is more information. Professional Thai Linguistic Services 36B Hong Kong Street Holly Building Singapore 059675 Tel: +65 6774 2703 Fax: +65 6773 2778 Certification after Translation Note that the certification part is not specified on ICA website, as of publication of this article. Also note that according to one of my readers who did a translation recently, the Royal Thai Embassy in Singapore only accept submission on weekdays from 8am to 11am. After you receive the translated copy, according to ICA hotline, you need to g...
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Property Agents in Singapore Must Display Agent Card

24 Feb 2011 AsiaOne http://business.asiaone.com/Business/News/Story/A1Story20110224-265130.html Starting from 01 Mar 2011, all property agents in Singapore must display their Estate Agent Card when representing their agency. Estate Agent Card Agency Logo Agency Name Agency License Number Agent Name Agent Registration Number Recent Photograph of Agent Agent Registration Expiry Date Non-Compliance Agents can be fined up to S$10,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 6 months. Verify Agent Card We can visit CEA's Public Register to verify agent card information. For more information about CEA, you can visit http://www.cea.gov.sg .
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Buy HDB Flat with Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) Spouse

Eligibility You are a Singaporean Citizen (SC) and you are planning to buy a HDB flat with your SPR spouse. What Can You Buy For a SC/SPR household, you can either go for subsidized housing or a Resale Flat. You can purchase under the following schemes If you are married, you can buy under Public Scheme . If you have not married but planning to do so, you and your future-spouse can buy under Fiance/Fiancee Scheme . CPF Housing Grant As a SC/SPR household, you are eligible for a Family Grant of S$20,000.
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Buy HDB Flat with Foreigner Spouse

Eligibility You are a Singaporean Citizen (SC) and you are planning to buy a HDB flat with your Foreigner Spouse (FS) who is holding a social visit pass or work permit. What Can You Buy For a SC/FS household, you are not allowed to purchase subsidized housing. Subsidized housing refers to any housing that is bought directly from HDB. List of subsidized housing New flats from Build-to-Order (BTO). A flat from Sale of Balance Flats. Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS). Executive Condominium (EC). But you can buy a Resale Flat from the open market and you must buy under Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme . Note that you can buy a subsidized flat if your spouse is a Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) . CPF Housing Grant As a SC/FS household, only the Singaporean is eligible for housing grant i.e. Singles Grant of S$11,000. UPDATE: For resale applications received on or after 15 Aug 2011, the grant amount will be S$15,000.
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Long-Term Visit Pass - Plus (LTVP-PLUS)

http://www.ica.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=12665 Good news for those of us who cannot get PR for our beloved spouse, because the Singapore government has come up with a enhanced long-term visit pass called LTVP-PLUS or LTVP+. I'll sum up the key points in the FAQ provided by ICA so you don't have to go through one big page. Do let me know if I missed out anything or correction is required by dropping a comment. GENERAL LTVP+ will be in effect from 01 Apr 2012. LTVP+ holders will enjoy extended duration of residency, public healthcare subsidies and easier access to employment. No separate application required for LTVP+; an application for LTVP will automatically include your spouse for LTVP+, if eligible. LTVP applications submitted from 01 Feb 2012 will automatically be considered for LTVP+. The first approved LTVP+ will grant 3 years residency and subsequent renewal will be 5 years. Current holders of LTVP will be considered for LTVP+ on next renewal. If holde...
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How to Marry a Thai in Singapore

Image
You should refer to here -  https://www.rom.gov.sg/reg_info/rom_marriage.asp Please spend some time to go through and understand the information on that section (legal provision, other information, filing of notice, solemnization and etc), if your still not sure, feel free to drop a comment here or you can use their FAQ . The ROM website did a really good job of putting together the information that you need in a well-organized manner. I've done it once and I think the guide is very easy to follow. The only hiccup I've had with my marriage is during the  Appointment for verification & Statutory Declaration where both of us were required to read out a wall of text and my wife had difficulty getting past the first few lines and the counter guy got fed up and told my wife to stop. Definitely my oversight as I didn't arrange for an interpreter beforehand but luckily, there was a licensed interpreter at the scene and we managed to get her to do the interpretation ...
Read more

Commission Calculator for DBS Vickers SG Stocks

Made this little tool to help me calculate the costs of buying or selling a stock, just enter number of shares and price and it will show both buy and sell costs at the same time. Can even choose by cash upfront, online or phone and it will calculate using respective rates. Cash Upfront ONLINE By Phone Shares: Price: Value: Commission: Clearing Fee: ...
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