In our #POV series, MyNiceHome speaks to young home owners about their home ownership journeys, and invites them to share their unique stories and experiences, directly from their point of view.
Hi there! We’re Yu Wan and Syarir – 30 and 32 this year – and we have been together since our university days. After graduation, we knew our next milestone would be to build a future together, starting with finding our first home.
We started applying for a flat in 2020, right after we embarked on our full-time careers. Knowing that flats offered under the Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise generally had shorter waiting times than newly launched BTO projects, we decided to give it a shot. That led us to apply for a unit at Bartley Beacon in Bidadari, and we were thrilled to secure one in the November 2021 SBF exercise.
How We Chose Our Flat: What Mattered Most
1. Location, location, location
Being close to family was a top priority. Syarir’s parents live in Upper Thomson, so we were keen on somewhere nearby. Bidadari struck the perfect balance – central, convenient, and just the right distance from both our workplaces and our loved ones.
2. Buying within our budget
Affordability was our next major consideration. We started crunching the numbers using HDB’s budget calculator, which gave us a good sense of how much we could comfortably afford based on our savings, CPF balances, and combined income. We capped our budget at around $600,000 – which meant Prime flats were out of reach, but Bartley Beacon fitted our budget and checked all our boxes.
3. Making the most of housing schemes and grants
Being under 30 at the time, we qualified for the Staggered Downpayment Scheme (SDS), which was a huge help since we had just started working. We also received the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG). With the housing loan from HDB and the grants, our monthly payments are very manageable – just a small portion in cash each month.
Looking Forward to Life in Bidadari
We are really excited to move into our new home! We’ve already explored the project site and nearby Woodleigh Mall, which is just a short walk away.
What stood out to us is how seamlessly everything is connected in the neighbourhood – from the park to the shopping mall. Plus, both Woodleigh and Bartley MRT stations are conveniently located near our future home.
As self-declared foodies, we can’t wait to uncover the hidden gems around the estate. There’s even a new hawker centre opening nearby – and yes, it’s already on our must-try list!
Though we are not the most sporty people, we do enjoy nature and peaceful walks. We are looking forward to regular evening strolls through Bidadari Park, just a stone’s throw away from our new place.
Advice for Fellow Young Home Buyers
Starting early made all the difference for us. Applying for a flat right after we began working gave us time to plan our finances and future without feeling rushed.
If you are a young couple thinking of getting your first home, our biggest advice is: plan early and budget wisely. Start by applying for your HFE (HDB Flat Eligibility) letter. It gives you a clear picture of your grant eligibility, loan amount, and what types of flats you can apply for. Also, keep in mind the construction time for BTO flats – it’s never too early to start planning! We can’t wait to collect our keys and begin the next chapter of our lives as homeowners – in a neighbourhood we already love, and a home we’ve waited for with so much excitement.
Photos by Chevonne Law
