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!
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