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I agree, please start with new HDB price slashing by another 40%. Than I say, "You The Man" HDB can stay at current sq/meters but price of 4 & 5 rooms slash ... Yahoo news: Singapore's Home Prices Need to Cool Further: Deputy PM Singapore's longest stretch of property price declines since the global economic crisis may not be sufficient to encourage a relaxation in housing curbs, according to Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Shanmugaratnam, who is also the finance minister, said the government can never get rid of cycles in the real estate market, which it will help cool with housing measures. Shanmugaratnam said: "There is some distance to go in achieving a meaningful correction, after the sharp run-up in prices in recent years. "We can never get rid of cycles in the property market, with the upswings in some years being followed by corrections. Our cooling measures cannot eliminate the cycle, but they aim to temper it. "What this means is avoiding a bubble during the upswing and allowing for a correction in prices subsequently," the minister added. Alan Cheong, senior director of real estate research at Savills in Singapore, told Bloomberg: "The government is signalling that the measures will be in place for a while longer. The curbs may start being rolled back after two to three quarters or maximum in a year." Last week, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said it was still not the right time to terminate the government's cooling measures and that there was still room for prices to moderate. Private home prices on the island dropped 0.7% in the three months to September, marking the fourth straight quarter-on-quarter drop, and bringing the slide over the past twelve months to about four percent. Most Expensive City Singapore has become the most expensive city in the world to live in following a rise in house prices after an influx of foreign workers boosted the island state's wealth and demand for homes. According to a February Economist Intelligence Unit report, titled The Worldwide Cost of Living Survey, a strengthening of the Singaporean dollar also pushed the country to pole position as the expansion of the financial industry contributed to the country's wealth. link: https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/singapores-home-prices-cool-further-deputy-pm-112102955--finance.html

I know most of the air con installer are using armaflex insulation. Apparently, Best Tech from IMM offer this pretty insulator which is call Yamato from Japan. The cover diameter seem like plastic wrapping that prevent water leaking from the insulator. Just want to hear some geniune feedback if anyone is using this Yamato and how good is it.

from the divorce and women chapter issues, should we give women a break?

Who feels this way? In fact, if u consider that when you die or no longer need a home and u sell ur house u will calculate that most of us will actually get paid to stay at your home! And because of our forced tax/savings called CPF, we can own a home purely by using this fund (which u cannot see if u dont use anyway). So housing in SG is free or more accurately, u get paid for buying a house (when u or kids evetually sells it)!

When the race is run and the crowds have gone, and the cheers of victory have passed into silence, what use remains for a racing car? The plinth, the velvet rope, a forgotten, dusty corner of some museum? Not here. Deep below Mazda North America's research and development offices in Irvine, California, there is a basement. It is not so much a cellar, though, as a hallowed paddock for hard-charging thoroughbreds. As the steel entrance door rolls upwards, lights turn on in sequence, revealing machines of various vintages, in varying states of undress. For fans of the rotary engine, it is nothing short of a treasure trove. Closest to the door is the RX-2 campaigned by Car & Driver magazine's Don Sherman in 1973. Modified for International Motorsports Association (IMSA) Racing Stock class, its 12a rotary unit produces 218 horsepower at a Ferrari-like 8,400rpm. Don Sherman's victories in the pictured RX-2 gave Mazda its first road racing wins outside of Japan. Without mufflers, it is easily the loudest thing down here. So ear-splitting is the racket that specialised sound-suppressors were fitted so mechanics would not go deaf when the engine idled in the garage. The RX-2 provided the first competition wins outside Japan for Mazda, establishing the brand's performance credentials right from the start. The pinnacle of Mazda motorsport history is the orange and green-liveried 787B's win at the 1991 Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race. Mazda remains the only Japanese manufacturer to have won the premier prototype class, and while the race-winner currently sits at Mazda's factory museum in Hiroshima, its sister car is here, being fettled to race. While bodywork panels have been removed to facilitate a transmission service, the car itself looks essentially brand-new. It has also been modified. “We call it the 'Davis Dimple,'” explains Jeremy Barnes, public relations director for Mazda North America (MNOA), gesturing towards a curious bump on the car’s canopy. “We had to custom-mould the door to make room, and pour a special seat.” The roof bulge, or “dimple”, is reminiscent of the modification made to the Le Mans-winning Ford GT40 campaigned by Dan Gurney in the ‘60s, which required the change to accommodate its pilot’s long torso. Here, the tweaks were undertaken so Robert Davis, MNOA vice president of operations, could fit. Compared to the compact Japanese drivers who piloted this car to an eighth-place finish at Le Mans in 1991, Davis is a hulk, wearing the car like a 700hp, 1,800lb glove. The IMSA RX-7 sporting a white and green livery. It doesn’t take long to suspect that nearly everyone at MNOA is involved with either racing or supporting these machines at heritage events. Barnes drives an IMSA RX-7 GTO at tracks such as Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, on California’s Monterey peninsula. The RX-7 GTO is a 600hp beast that he says “is always trying to hurt you. That's why I like driving it so much.” A more modern prototype racer is here as well, an RX-792P. Like the 787B, it is powered by a four-rotor, 700hp engine, and neither it nor any other machine here is driven gently on the track. “Our CEO Jim O'Sullivan told us, 'I want to have the cars run, and run up front,'” Barnes says. They are also very well cared for. Randy Miller, a wiry young man with a megawatt grin and a rotary engine cutaway on his T-shirt, is charged with keeping the cars in fighting shape. “There's no Haynes manual for these things,” he quips, referencing a widely used series of mechanical guides. But he is clearly adept at his job; it doesn’t hurt that he is a certified master fabricator. Tucked deeper in the basement is a vehicle the size of a CX-9 but with the aerodynamic properties of a lunchbox. Miller built this all-electric tool transporter from scratch, having tired of lugging tool chests back and forth to the race pits, and it includes a generator, car-lift and row upon row of sliding drawers. Mazda works with several restoration companies to complete their cars, but also has considerable in-house resources. The mirrors on the 787B, for example, as well as the "Davis Dimple", were custom-made on premises. Miller doesn't always have to work alone either, as many staff members volunteer their time and talent to get things ready for race weekends. The 1967 Luce coupe was Mazda’s only rotary-powered front-wheel-drive car. This commitment to racing infuses many of the rare street cars tucked away among the competition vehicles. There are oddities such as a Japan-only three-rotor twin-turbo Cosmo from the 1990s, as well as a 1967 Luce coupe: the only front-wheel-drive rotary-powered car Mazda ever made. The only left-hand-drive RX-7 Spirit R ever produced was specially modified for a Mazda executive in the US. More prosaically, an extremely low-mileage 1978 GLC hatchback stands as an example of the practical vehicles that helped foot the extravagant racing bills. Next to it, a turbocharged, all-wheel-drive 323 GTX demonstrates that Mazda could engineer fun into even their lowliest of econoboxes. A row of street-driven RX-7s includes a pace car, as well as the only left-hand-drive Spirit R – a special edition produced for the right-drive Japanese market – ever made. Strictly speaking, this last one might not be considered part of the final run of RX-7s, as it was specially built at the factory for an MNOA executive. It has lightweight Recaros, upgraded brakes, specialised engine tuning and bespoke aerodynamic elements. It is also – at least during this visit – broken. Next to the RX-7s are a few open spaces, evidence of some missing cars. These are currently upstairs, and are perhaps better loved than any other machines down below. This year is the 25th anniversary for the Miata – also marketed as the MX-5 and Eunos Roadster – the best-selling sports car the world has ever seen. It conveys all the fierce joy of the racing cars down here, but in a tidier, admittedly more reliable little package suited to public roads. Cleaned up and drained of fuel, the cars are being readied for the 2014 New York auto show, where press previews begin 16 April. Among them are the original cars displayed at the model's 1989 Chicago auto show debut – one red, one blue – that are respectively the 14th and 15th Miatas ever produced. A supercharged concept called the Super20 has just returned from a trip to Alaska, where it cavorted with a local Miata owners club. Further on, there are the concepts: a sleek third-generation Miata Spyder, a flared yellow first-generation car that sat alongside the stock originals at Chicago, and a one-off fastback coupe. An original clay model of the Miata. Southern California is the birthplace of the Miata, where the original design was carved in clay, and where the suspension and handling were refined. An original model touched by the hands of designer Tom Matano is down here, too. Among the New York-bound Miatas is a white, slightly ratty, showroom-stock racing car. Reaching into the cockpit, Barnes pulls out the original Sports Car Association of America logbook and flips it to the first page, dated 23 September 1989. This car also shared the Chicago stage in 1989 with the red and blue cars, but would go on to podiums of another kind. Compared to the mighty beasts that sleep below, it is a simple thing, but no less battle-hardened. It makes, in fact, a nice spirit animal for Mazda as a whole: small, energetic, quietly obsessed with going fast. Such traits do not lend themselves neatly to a museum format. But this is a paddock, remember, and its occupants were born to gallop – even right through retirement.

I subscribed to home hubbers early this mth and also port my house no. from singtel to starhub. Singtel subsequently cancelled my landline on the 17/08 and starhub was suppose to restore my line on the 18/08. Up to date and with numerous calls and emails that either put me on hold for 15 to 20 mins without anyone answering or no reply via email at all, we finally went down to the ouutlet and was told to wait indefinitely for them to restore our landline as they are doing upgrading. I am fedup with them checking if anyone experience this issue before?

Hi all ppl, My friend and I is organizing a rice donation drive on our National day, 9th of August 2014. We are doing this purely for charity purpose. Please don't come and disturb arh. Last year i donated and went to help ferrying the rice to 2 old folks home and little that we know that these ah gong and ah ma need our help and company. When we were there they welcome us like their children, some are already senile but lively. The condition of the old folks home i went is not in very good condition and they always base on kind people like us to do donation. Last year i got take some photos. We are looking for participant to volunteer in "ferrying" the rice and donating "moolah" to buy rice. Our target is to have 6 tons of rice. If we got excess cash we will turn them into biscuits. 1 bag of 25kg rice is $30. You can also donate nominal amount. But more is always the merrier. For donation matters, you all can look for Ken (8113 8901) or PM me. On behalf of all ah gong and ah ma, i wanna thank you all first! (: If can, make yourself free on the morning on 9th of Aug, we will go volunteer and help out the needy one! UPDATES as of June 2014: 1 bag of rice is $25. For donations: Look for Towkay Ken @ 50 Serangoon North Ave 4, #01-08, First Centre. Or contact him @ 8113 8901.

Prices of resale (ECs) are catching up with those of private mass market homes as the increasingly luxe features at recent ECs have boosted the profile of these homes. The price gap between resale executive condo and comparable mass market homes has narrowed to just 17.2 per cent this year, data from the Singapore Real Estate Exchange (SRX) found. This is a sharp fall from the previous market peak of 32.2 per cent in 2007. SRX added that the price gap has been narrowing and stabilising since then. Last year, the gap was 17.4 per cent while it was 14.5 per cent in 2010. Executive condo combine elements of private and public housing and often have premium furnishings and condo-like facilities. Experts said they are becoming more popular now as many home buyers see them as value buys, particularly those that offer innovative and high-end features. Units at new executive condominiums launches are also typically 20 per cent to 25 per cent cheaper than new mass market homes owing to Housing Board rules applying to ECs such as a household monthly income cap of $12,000. Knight Frank research head Png Poh Soon added: "As buyers' perceptions of ECs and private homes are blurred, when ECs reach that fifth and 10th year, the price gap could narrow even further provided that the quality of EC finishings and features is equivalent to (that of) private homes." PropNex chief executive Mohamed Ismail expects the gap to be "marginal and as little as 5 per cent" as more and more EC projects, especially the recently launched ones, approach their 10-year-old mark. ECs are subject to a minimum occupation period of five years. They can then be sold only to Singaporeans and permanent residents. They become private property after 10 years and can then be sold to foreigners. Recently, developers have also upped the ante at EC projects as they battle for buyers spoilt for choice owing to the flood of new home launches. Penthouses and skysuites, for instance, have become more common at executive condominium projects. Some even feature private jacuzzi pools. However, the price gap varies among the six suburban districts that have at least two EC projects eligible for resale here, SRX noted. For instance, the gap in District 19 - comprising estates like Hougang, Punggol and Sengkang - is the highest at 22.4 per cent. Resale ECs in this area include The Florida and Park Green. District 18, made up of Pasir Ris, Simei and Tampines, and District 20, including EC projects like Bishan Loft and Nuovo in Bishan and Ang Mo Kio, have the lowest price gap of just 10 per cent. Experts said this is likely due to the string of new EC launches and sites being sold in the north-eastern estates that provide stiff competition to existing ones. OrangeTee managing director Steven Tan said home buyers are willing to pay more for ECs in mature estates such as Bishan as there is a limited supply of resale and new EC projects there. Estates with resale EC projects that are more than 10 years old are also likely to see narrower price gaps as these EC projects are fully privatised. "Some new buyers or foreigners might not even know that what they are buying are actually ECs," he added. The price gap is also expected to narrow further as ECs cement their reputation as being on a par with private condos. PropNex's Mr Mohamed noted that the new EC launches have been getting a lot of hype with lifestyle elements - such as concierge services and infinity pools - taking centre stage at some projects. "There is also an increasing demand for ECs as home prices increase. The overall quantum for private homes might no longer fit the budget of a buyer and so he might turn to ECs instead as an alternative," he added. "And so as demand for ECs increases, the price gap narrows in turn." Knight Frank's Mr Png noted that the many larger ECs units at recent launches are likely to see a smaller price gap after the fifth and tenth year of completion as their higher-end offerings could appeal more to buyers. The SRX collates transactions by major property agencies, which account for more than 80 per cent of the market.

What are the things that you can or cannot do (seriously) ... e.g. go visit your friends/parents, go to nearby mall to watch movie What happens if your boss do 'house visit' and you are not home? Just asking :)

http://asingaporeanson.blogspot.sg/2015/04/singaporeans-in-australia-packing-up.html?m=1 is this real ?

hello all, I have searched before I post this topic. I cannot find any post regarding home Surveillance camera. Anyone have any recommendation for home Surveillance camera to share pls?

ChauffeurME-Singapore renders drive home service to party-goers who care for their love ones. Drink.Drank.Drunk? What ever it is, why put yourself at risk? Drink driving is a serious offence not only in Singapore but throughout the Globe. Worried getting stopped at Police road blocks or getting into accidents causing injuries or fatality? Well, we won't know what is exactly going on around us when we start getting tipsy. Put all these worries aside. We are just a call away! Our experience drivers will pick you from your location and drive you home to your loved ones safe and sound! Nothing else matters more isn't it? Advanced bookings are welcome. Call/Sms 8777 7087, our friendly operator will allocate you a driver to send you home SAFE! Only @$38.

My home Mitsubishi Starmex Aircon louvre spoilt. I checked it and found out motor corroded n not working. Any idea where can I get this motor replacement? Such unique motor don't think sim lim tower will have ... Any idea? Thanks

This maybe a quite stupid question but...I changed to City Gas pipe supply after the renovation of our kitchen and now have a spare gas cylinder. Not sure though of how to dispose of it will it be possible or sell it back to Union or Solar Gas?

Just saw newsflash fm CNA, MSK released fm M'sian ISA being deported back home here.

Hihi, Any home chefs here? Let's share our recipes / photos and show off our culinary skills!

What is the best way to hammer the little nails from the trunking to the wall? I have difficulties holding the tiny nails while hammering it into the wall. and most of the time, the nail will bend or only can go half way. :(

as in the title? can i just leave it at home as an art piece?

I would setup the breadmaker at night, then ny morning I would have freah warm whitebread. But the problem is the bottom end of the bread would always be damped. It would by 4th or 5th day, the bread would have moss. How to resolve this problem? I am using Breville Breadmaker.

Rennie Whang, My Paper, Tuesday, Sep 16, 2014 SINGAPORE - Sales of new homes were stagnant again last month, with developers selling 432 private homes. This was a 15 per cent drop from the 509 private condominium and apartment units moved in July. The number of new homes sold last month was 23 per cent more than the 351 homes that were launched, indicating that buyers went for units at projects launched earlier in the year. The top seller was The Panorama in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 2, which moved 40 units at a median price of $1,249 per square foot (psf). Other popular developments included Coco Palms at Pasir Ris Grove, with 23 units sold at a median price of $1,046 psf, and Eight Riversuites at Whampoa East, which sold 22 units at $1,345 psf. While there were no executive condominium (EC) launches last month, 58 EC units were sold. A major contributor was Waterwoods EC at Punggol Field Walk, which sold 28 units at a median price of $813 psf. After including the number of ECs sold, a total of 490 new private homes were sold last month, a 13 per cent drop from July. - See more at: http://business.asiaone.com/news/private-home-sales-drop-august#sthash.4n4kxehU.dpuf

Hi all. I plan to CPF to pay my bank loan for my new house . May I know what if my medical for Home Protection Scheme From Cpf is being rejected due to medical ? Does that mean I cannot buy the house any more or it is just that I still can proceed with the purchase but only without medical coverage that all? Anyone will encounter this?

My home is using a system 3 for all the room except the living hall. Wanted to add a system 1 to the living hall. Aircon ledge no problem to add on another outdoor unit, power point also ok. but need to add a bracket. I was considering, instead of adding a bracket and outdoor unit, can I change the outdoor unit to a system 4 and getting only the indoor unit for the living hall and use back existing room indoor unit? Giving all are using the same model. My current one only 2 years old and still available in the market (Panasonic NKZ) Wonder anyone done that before...

suspected FOREIGN TALENTS abusing old helpless folk http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?p=56640108 FOREIGN TRASHES are good for singapore , quoted from old man li

Hi Guys Just wondering whether do all of you get an agent to sell your house? Anyone try to sell directly? Any experience to share?