Love @ 1st sight!

For the past few days, Ben and myself had been going around viewing flats for our love nest. Of course, our dear friends, Mindy & David have also been accompanying us whenever they are free and giving us important and valuable suggestions. Thanks buds! ;-)

Tonight was no exception. I had arranged to meet with an agent, Patricia, to view a few flats which are just a few blocks away from where we are currently staying. But first, we have to view a flat located near to Bukit Batok Central. We arrived at the meeting place and we did not see anyone waiting for us... Talking about punctuality, Ben is very particular especially when he is the customer. He always feels that the customer should not be waiting for the service. I called Patricia and she told me that she would be arriving soon as she was still walking to the block. When Ben heard that Patricia is still walking to the block, he was thinking that Patricia is not driving and wondering how we were supposed to go to the blocks near to our place. The previous agent whom we have met a few days ago had brought us around in his Jaguar and that has pampered and imprinted a deep impression in Ben's heart.

Patricia arrived shortly and apologized for her lateness. She told us that she had arranged with another agent to view the unit together and we went up to the unit. We did not like the flat and Ben told Patricia about our preferences. True to Ben's assumptions, Patricia brought us to a bus-stop and told us that bus service number 187 could bring us to the next location which is near to our place. But she was not sure where to stop and actually asked us... Ben was grumbling quietly to me and I hoped that Patricia would not disappoint us further.

We managed to stop at the correct bus-stop and walked to our next location. Patricia was holding a map but it was in Chinese... She was kindda lost and Ben had to take over the lead to bring us to the place. Ben was saying that he could be a better agent and he should collect some commission from Patricia for showing her the way haha!

We viewed a few flats and finally at Block 337, we found what we wanted!

The unit is located at a corner and is kept clean. We both had a very good impression of the unit as it gives us a cosy feeling and Ben immediately put it in his KIV list. However, the sellers were asking for a $30k Cash Over Valuation (COV) which we find it to be on the high side. Also, I find the lady seller very familiar as though I have met her before somewhere. But I could not recall and let it pass. We decided to view other units first before making any decision.

We went to another unit but it was not to our likings. Patricia then informed us that according to the agent from the unit which we liked, someone was considering to buy the unit and they would be going over again later. Ben told me that he had noticed a Malay family talking to an agent at the void deck of the block when we were going to the unit and he believed that they were the ones the agent was referring to. I did not believe Ben but still, we decided to go back to the unit just in case it is true. Ben call this his policeman's hunch.

When we went back to the block, the Malay couple and agent were not at the void deck anymore. We went up to the unit but they were not there too. We took a second viewing of the unit and decided to buy it if the COV was reasonable. While we were negotiating with the sellers to lower their COV price to $20k, a Malay family and an agent came to the unit. Ben told me that they were the same couple and agent whom he had seen earlier. I couldn't believe my ears when the seller's agent informed us that the Malay couple had gone home to fetch their children to view the unit. So Ben really hit the jackpot after all. Full marks for his good observation skills!

The agent representing the Malay family went to speak to the sellers' agent and soon after that, the sellers' agent spoke to the sellers. Ben believed that they were negotiating about the COV but we just waited. The sellers and agent then called us to the master bedroom and told us that the Malay family was offering $20800 for the COV and they were stretched to the max. The sellers' agent also told us that the sellers preferred to sell the unit to us and they would close the deal with us if we could offer $22k for the COV. They were also giving us a metaphor that the numbers "22" symbolized two swans kissing each other. I was pondering and could not make a decision. Then suddenly, Ben said "Ok" and shook hands with the sellers and we went to the living room to wait while the sellers' agent spoke to the other agent.

What we saw after that was a drama that we would never forget for life!

The sellers' agent went into another room with the Malay family and their agent to announce that the deal was closed. The other agent was fuming with anger and he shouted that he would like the sellers themselves to announce to them personally. The sellers acceded to his request and went in the room. They came out shortly after and the Malay family stormed out of the unit with their agent. The sellers' agent further informed us that the Malay family had wanted to increase their offer to $22800 but was rejected by the sellers. Ben then told me that the extra $2k was worth it as the house is in a move-in condition. He also said that the face of that agent was very black and gestured me a victory sign. I didn't know things can turn so ugly. But oh well, the owner preferred to sell the unit to us...

Patricia then asked us to issue a cheque of $1k to the sellers as the deposit for the Option to Purchase (OTP). We could change our mind if we do not wish to buy the unit within 15 days but we would have to forfeit the deposit. Patricia also advised us to make a second viewing of the unit before we made the final payment of $4k to finalize the OTP. We set the viewing and payment date on 11th May.

We left the unit happily and we went to have our dinner at the nearby coffeeshop. Ben received a call from David and told him that we'd selected a unit already. Mindy & David were nearby and joined us for supper while they listened to our adventurous tale.

At the end of the day, we were $1k poorer but 1 step nearer to acquiring a home for ourselves. Hip Hip Horray x3!

Will You Marry Me?

Today's my birthday! My ex-colleagues and friends have been celebrating my birthday for me but the one I've been waiting for is today.

Ben has specially taken leave just to celebrate my birthday with me. He had planned a series of programme but would not let the cat out of the bag despite me asking him several times.

We left my house at around 12 noon and we went to Marina Square (MS) for a quick lunch. Ben still refused to tell me where we were going but he just held my hand and told me to follow him. We walked and walked and finally arrived at the entrance of KBox. Ben had made reservation and we went into 1 of the rooms. Back in our courtship days, Ben had always brought me to KBox and he was the one who had encouraged me to sing even though I felt that my voice was horrible.

In the room, Ben selected all my favorite songs. Despite the fact that we have not been going to KTVs for a few months, he still remembers muacks! We had an enjoyable singing session in the room and we left at 5pm. Ben was saying that he was hungry and I suggested a few places for dinner but all were turned down. We went out of MS and walked towards the direction of Esplanade Mall. I told Ben that I knew where he was bringing me and the place was no other than the newly built Singapore Flyer. Ben shook his head and led me on to the 2nd floor of Esplanade Mall. He brought me to a Japanese restaurant, Ichiban Boshi.

The queue outside the restaurant was long and the restaurant was packed with people. Fortunately, Ben had already made a reservation and we were seated at a big table in the restaurant shortly. The table can accomodate 6-8 persons but there were only the 2 of us. Ben said that the staff might have given our table to somebody else and gave us this table to make up for their mistake. The restaurant also has a conveyor-belt system just like Sakae Sushi. The staff were all busy with their work and were unable to attend to us attentively. We looked at the menu and were spoilt by the choices of food available. Some of the food are unique which are not available at Sakae Sushi. We placed our orders and waited eagerly for our food. The food came and we were amazed by the huge portion. The food was also superb and the price was also reasonable.

After our hearty dinner, Ben suggested that we would take a stroll to the Singapore Flyer to digest all the food we had eaten. When we arrived at our destination, we were overwhelmed by the sheer size of the Singapore Flyer. You may see it as a small wheel from afar but it is different when you are viewing under it. We explored the interior of the building while at the same time admiring the beauty of the Singapore Flyer. Suddenly, Ben surprised me by bringing me up to the boarding platform on the 3rd floor. He produced an e-ticket and told me that he had purchased the tickets online a few days ago. I was so excited as I had never board the Singapore Flyer before.



We entered a capsule and began our 37 mins ride! We took some photos and the sensation of the capsule rotating and moving was very minimal. We saw the night view of Singapore through the capsule and the view was very beautiful.




When we reached the top of the Singapore Flyer, I was looking elsewhere when Ben nudged me. I turned around and saw Ben kneeling down with the proposal ring in his hand. He looked deeply into my eyes and asked, "Dear, will you marry me?". My heart was pondering hard and fast and I said, "Yes of course". Ben recovered from his position and we kissed.

After the ride, we went home. Although it was a tiring day, it was memorable to me and I could see that Ben had really put in a lot of effort in planning all these for me. I love you dear!