Neighbor Disputes: 5 Ways To Peacefully Manage Them

As I moved to three places in three years, I have had my share of difficult neighbors. You may love your home but getting stuck with awful neighbors can have you thinking of moving out. Here are some tips on dealing with rude, nosy, or difficult neighbors without causing too much drama.

#1: KNOW THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF NEIGHBORS

From nosy neighbors to dangerous neighbors, there are diverse types of neighbors that you need to watch out for. Red flags exist for a reason. Do your best to weigh whether the situation needs to be managed or not. Let us illustrate through the “richer than you neighbor”.

The “richer than you” neighbor refers to the people whom you try to keep up with. These people parade their flat renovations, new car, and shiny gadgets. Despite doing nothing wrong, you may start to brew feelings of jealousy or inadequacy.

Remember that you do not know the whole story. Focus on the qualities of your home that make you happy. Revel in pride as you take care of your indoor garden. Focus on these positive things and stay contented with what you have.

#2: CREATE A LOG OF QUESTIONABLE BEHAVIORS

The truth is, we are not aware of all our actions. Your neighbor may not be aware that he or she often blasts the volume of their television or that you can hear them scream at each other. Make a documentation of the offending behaviors to help your case when you need to present it to the housing board or the property owner.

Store a log of the offending behaviors and take a note when it happens. Add any communication you and your neighbor have had regarding the problem. Do not forget to write what you have discussed.

#3: DO YOUR RESEARCH ON THE RULES AND REGULATIONS

Whether you live in an HDB Complex or a Condominium, there are a set of guidelines dictating tenant behavior. Check your housing contract or do your online research to know the rules and regulations of your place.

For instance, playing loud music after 10 pm is not allowed. If your neighbor is in clear violation of these rules and regulations, you will have a stronger case when you go speak to them.

#4: COMMUNICATE POLITELY AND DIRECTLY

Before going to the upper management to raise your disputes with the neighbors, try to speak with them first. Give your neighbor a chance to fix the problem and hear him or her out. If you are not comfortable with face-to-face confrontation, you may leave a note or send an email to highlight what is going on.

Be polite and direct to let your neighbor know what affects you. Try not to use accusatory language, which can put your neighbor on defensive mode.

#5: DO NOT REACT IN THE MOMENT

The best advice that I received was to put some space between the incident. Do not react in the heat of the moment, because you might do something wrong. Avoid saying anything that you would regret in the future.

Image credits: unsplash.com

Take time to figure out what you want the resolution to be. Your goal is to express what happen and solve the problem together. Compromise if needed.

Sources: 1 & 2

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HDB's August 2020 BTO Starting Prices

Choose your home from 11 new Build-To-Order (BTO) projects that offer a total of 7,862 units of 2-room Flexi, 3-, 4-, and 5-room flats:

  • Keat Hong Verge in Choa Chu Kang
  • Parc Residences @ Tengah
  • Champions Bliss and UrbanVille @ Woodlands
  • Kebun Baru Edge in Ang Mo Kio
  • Bishan Towers
  • Dakota One in Geylang
  • Costa Grove in Pasir Ris
  • Tampines GreenCrest, Tampines GreenGlade, and Tampines GreenOpal

Apply for your choice town and flat type by 18 August 2020, Tuesday, 11:59pm.

Information on the BTO projects is available on the HDB InfoWEB. You can apply online using your mobile phone, tablet, or computer without visiting the HDB Hub. Successful applicants will be determined by a computer ballot, and not on a first-come, first-served basis.

For other housing options, you can apply for HDB’s open booking of flats, which allows you to book a flat as early as the next working day after you have made an online application. You can also find out the location and number of flats in our upcoming BTO sales exercises.

Important Notes

HDB precincts are planned to serve the evolving needs of the community. There are spaces catered for future inclusion of amenities/ facilities (such as childcare centres, elderly-related facilities, education centres, residents’ committee centres, and day activity centres), commercial facilities (such as shops and eating houses), mechanical and electrical rooms, and such other facilities depending on the prevailing needs. These spaces could be in the void decks, common property, car parks, or stand-alone community buildings.

To facilitate your flat application, we have provided information on the surrounding land use, proposed facilities, and their locations in the maps and plans in this brochure. As the information provided is based on the current planning intent of the relevant authorities, they are indicative only and are subject to review from time to time.

Notes:
* 2-room Flexi flats come in two sizes – 36/37/38 sqm (Type 1) and 45/46 sqm (Type 2).
^ The starting prices of flats in the table above are based on 99-year leases. For illustration purposes, the assumed Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) amounts are:
2-room Flexi flat: $80,000
3-room flat: $75,000 in non-mature towns and $60,000 in mature towns
4-room flat: $60,000 in non-mature towns and $45,000 in mature towns
5-room flat: $45,000 in non-mature towns and $30,000 in mature towns

The starting prices after grant amounts are illustrative, assuming that the household incomes of eligible first-time buyers of flats in the mature towns are higher. The actual grant amount received will depend on the buyers’ income and eligibility. Read more on EHG in HDB InfoWEB.
+ Prices include the costs of floor finishes, internal doors and sanitary fittings.
^^ Singles who apply for a 2-room Flexi flat under the Single Singapore Citizen (SSC) Scheme will pay $15,000 more than couples. Eligible singles can also apply for the EHG of up to $40,000. The actual grant amounts will vary according to income.
Selling prices are rounded up to the nearest thousand dollars.

Click here to check your eligibility.

Click here to work your budget.

All information from HDB.

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The Risky Assumptions When Planning Your Retirement

Have you ever wondered how much money do we need in our silver years to be able to afford our desired lifestyles? Most adults would be relying solely on their CPF funds to finance their retirement. Asset-rich but cash poor retirees could be thinking of renting their HDB flats out to supplement their retirement funds. There are indeed several ways to build up our retirement income. However, we must be mindful of avoiding some of the dangerous assumptions when planning for our retirement.

Oversight To Account For Inflation

Inflation can have a big impact on retirees even if they have been historically low. According to Monetary Authority of Singapore, Singapore’s historical core inflation averaged an annual 1.7% since 1990. While 1.7% per annum may not appear alarming, it will compound to a staggering 66% over a span of 30 years! If you are a retiree receiving a fixed amount of stipend, the value of your money will decrease with each passing year. Hence, your retirement funds will be eroded by inflation if they are not carefully managed. Unfortunately, inflation does not stop just because you have stopped working. Therefore, it becomes important that your investment grow at rates that are at least equal or better than the rate of inflation to protect the value of your retirement funds. How do we then continue to enjoy the taste of life at our retirement years without feeling the pinch of inflation, especially when we have stopped working and receiving salaries?

Reliance on Rental Income From Property

Some adults plan to rely on rental income from investment properties to supplement their retirement funds. However, with the recent cooling measures announced in July 2018, investing in a second residential property is increasingly out of reach for most working adults.

Some retirees might be thinking of renting out the vacant rooms in their HDB flat especially as their children gradually might have left the home that they grew up in. However, this option comes with its own set of inconveniences. It could take a couple of months before a tenant can be found. There is also the administrative hassle of providing tenant’s details to HDB for record-keeping. Of course, all these pale in comparison to stories of horror tenants who damage the HDB flat or are tardy in their rental payments. In such circumstances, renting out their HDB flats may not be the best option to supplement your retirement income.

CPF LIFE Alone Might Be Insufficient

For a retiree who sets aside the maximum Enhanced Retirement Sum (S$271,500), the monthly payout from CPF LIFE is expected to be about $2,000 per month. If this amount is sufficient to pay for your daily expenses during your retirement, then this is definitely a good safety net for you to rely upon. However, it is not true that all Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents can depend on their CPF funds to finance their retirement entirely. In fact, it is widely reported that almost 4 in 10 CPF Accounts do not even have enough funds to meet the Basic Retirement Sum. For the group of retirees who do not generate enough funds from their CPF LIFE payouts, it is necessary to generate extra income from alternative sources such as investments.

Future-proof Your Retirement Funds With The AIA Retirement Saver (III)

Given that young professionals lead hectic lifestyles, they may not have the time and energy to plan for their eventual retirement. Yet, planning ahead to future proof our retirement is essential and the AIA Retirement Saver (III) is one of the ways to do that. The AIA Retirement Saver (III) is a simple and hassle-free retirement solution which provides a guaranteed stream of retirement income for 15 years. Your hard-earned savings is safely secured since the capital is guaranteed; you will get back every dollar that you contributed at your desired retirement age. On top of that, you will receive potential monthly dividends which could help to cushion the impact of inflation. Premium payment duration is also flexible; single lump sum, 5 years, 10 years or simply pay till your desired retirement age – 55, 60, 65 or 70. It is easy to get started because no medical underwriting and check-up is required. In essence, the AIA Retirement Saver (III) is truly an easy and stress-free solution tailored to any individual retirement plan.

Conquer The Uncertainty & Plan For Your Desired Retirement

With the AIA Retirement Saver (III) solution, individuals can cast aside their retirement worries as their savings will be in the good hands of professionals. The AIA Retirement Saver (III) can be an additional pillar to supplement your retirement funds. As it can be tailored to maintain the purchasing power of your retirement funds, you can be assured that you will still be able to enjoy your desired lifestyle during your twilight years. Don’t leave your retirement to uncertainty. You can certainly plan for the uncertainty by taking action now.

 

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4 Rental Tips For Expats In Singapore

Ring in the reality check! Singapore is a country which considers “space” as a luxury. Singaporeans do not usually keep their spare rooms open for annual guests to lounge on. More often than not, they keep these extra rooms for rental. You would be suprised to learn the amount of bedrooms that landlords can squeeze in a seemingly small condominiums.

It goes without saying that it is cheaper to rent out a single room than the entire flat. So, set a minimum bedroom requirement as well as a minimum size requirement before signing a contract. Equip yourself with rental strategies such as this.

UNDERSTAND THE DISTRICTS

What are the Singapore’s districts? Well, watching the Hunger Games series was probably the last time you have heard about a nation’s divisions. Similarly, Singapore’s districts offer distinct living experiences. You cannot get away from these categories as an expat or someone who is looking for a place to live at.

You must study the district codes initially. These codes tell you whether a rental unit is located at the core of the central region (e.g., District 10 including Tanglin Road), within the radius of the central region (e.g., District 2 including Chinatown), or outside of the central region (e.g., District 28 including Yio Chu Kang).

EMBRACE THE OUTSKIRTS

Location is one of the most important factors interplaying with the market’s property prices. Now that you have a grasp of the twenty-eight districts, you can distinguish between the “central region” and the outskirts. Rent is cheaper in areas away from the central region and the MRT (Mass Rapid Transport) stations.

The central region may not necessarily apply to your lifestyle. As Singapore is compact and accessible, odds are, you are about an hour away from the central region with public transportation. For instance, you can easily travel from the Boon Keng “heartlands” to the Orchard “central” through MRT or buses. You can even walk from one town to another (e.g., I once walked from Toa Payoh to Novena for 20 minutes).

Furthermore, the government seeks to make every town self-sustaining. Almost every neighboorhood has its own parks, shopping malls, and eateries. Ask yourself: Is a central location too overrated?

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

One cannot deny that we all have distinct personalities. If you are not a morning person and you find it difficult to allot an hour of leeway every morning for your commute then, opt for another strategy. Maximize your preparation time and lessen your transportation costs by finding an affordable place near your workplace.

As pointed above, location is an essential factor. Do a quick Google search on the possible routes you may take to get to your destination. Choosing the smartest way gets you to work on time. Being punctual is a respectable trait to have as an employee.

The humble country has a network of buses and trains. However, the vehicle interval or arrival time of buses is more unpredictable than the trains. Taking the MRT is generally a better choice.

CONSIDER THE HDB

In the recent years, more and more foreigners have warmed to the Singapore’s public housing or HDB (Housing and Development Board). Before you completely frown upon this idea, here are some of the reasons why this is a viable option:

a. There is a significant difference between private and public rentals. HDB flats with 2 rooms start at S$1,500. While, the same space costs about S$3,000 at private condominiums.

b. HDBs are usually walking distance from town facilities and public buses.

c. Food is insanely cheaper than the ones available at the condominiums as hawker centres are typically at the ground floor of the building.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

If you are planning to stay in Singapore for a long period of time, staying at an HDB flat will allow you to absorb the local culture better.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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HDB’s Build-To-Order Sale Launch: Hougang, Yishun, Sembawang & Tampines (Apply before 23 Aug)

HDB SALE LAUNCH AUG 2016

Good news for those who’s looking for a BTO flats.

HDB has launched 5 new Build-To-Order (BTO) projects that offer a total of 4,841 units of 2-room Flexi, 3-, 4-, 5-room, and 3Gen flats:

  • Buangkok Woods in Hougang
  • EastDelta @ Canberra in Sembawang
  • Valley Spring @ Yishun
  • TampinesGreenVerge and TampinesGreenView

bto2
Apply online for your choice town and flat type by 23 August 2016. Applications are open till 23 August 2016, 11:59pm, and you can apply online at any time till then. Successful applicants will be determined by a computer ballot, and not on a first-come, first-served basis.

Apply Online Now

Important Notes

HDB precincts are planned to serve the evolving needs of the community. There are spaces catered for future inclusion of amenities/ facilities (such as childcare centres, elderly-related facilities, education centres, residents’ committee centres and day activity centres), commercial facilities (such as shops and eating houses), mechanical and electrical rooms, and such other facilities depending on the prevailing needs. These spaces could be in the void decks, common property, car parks or stand-alone community buildings.

To facilitate your flat application, we have provided information on the surrounding land use, proposed facilities, and their locations in the maps and plans in this brochure. As the information provided is based on the current planning intent of the relevant authorities, they are indicative only and are subject to review from time to time.

Home Budget

Notes:
* 2-room Flexi flats come in two sizes of 36 sqm (Type 1) and 45 sqm (Type 2).
^ The assumed housing grants are meant for applicants applying as a family nucleus or two singles under the Joint Singles Scheme for a 2-room Flexi BTO flat. SHG is applicable only to 2-room Flexi, 3-room and 4-room flats in the non-mature towns. With the SHG enhancement announced at NDR 2015, eligible first-time flat buyers with income up to $8,500 would now enjoy SHG of up to $40,000:
2-room Flexi flat: $80,000 (comprising AHG of $40,000 and SHG of $40,000 where applicable)
3-room flat: $70,000 (comprising AHG of $30,000 and SHG of $40,000 where applicable)
4-room flat: $55,000 (comprising AHG of $15,000 and SHG of $40,000 where applicable)
5-room flat / 3Gen flat: $10,000 (AHG only)
The actual grant amounts vary based on income and choice of flat type. Read more on various CPF Housing Grants available.
+ Buyers are required to pay 5% of the published price using their own CPF and/or cash savings when the total housing grants (i.e. AHG and SHG) they can enjoy exceeds 95% of the published price of flat. Excess housing grant, if any, can be used to pay for Optional Component Scheme (OCS) items and premiums that singles and Singapore citizen/Singapore permanent resident households have to pay, before crediting into the Singaporean buyers’ CPF accounts.
** Singles who apply for the 2-room Flexi flats under the Single Singapore Citizen Scheme will pay $15,000 more than married couples. Eligible singles can also apply for AHG and SHG. The additional amount payable and the grants will vary based on the choice of lease tenure. The actual grant amounts will vary according to income. Read more on various CPF Housing Grants available.
Selling prices (excluding and including grants) quoted above are rounded up to the nearest $’000.

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