Two small signatures, one very big move.

I sat across from both of them. They were about to make arguably the third biggest decision of their lives so far. The couple (let’s call them N and M) had just gotten engaged last year. Barely a week ago, they had optioned for a three-room resale HDB flat in Tampines. At this moment, they were about to make a $4,000 payment to the sellers to exercise their Option to Purchase.

“How do you feel?” I asked M.

“Nervous,” he said. “It’s such a big step.”

Understandably so. The two of them were in their twenties. Purchasing a house is a big move, and purchasing a resale HDB, even more so.

It must have felt like a whirlwind for them. Just two weeks ago, they had asked me for a consultation. In about an hour and a half, over coffee and sandwiches, we went through the timeline and worked out their budget. Every question they had was answered.

By the next day, I had shortlisted ten suitable units within their budget and made arrangements for viewing that weekend. Buying a resale flat in Tampines is a challenge for first-time buyers, mostly because it is one the most expensive areas in the east.

However, N and M were undeterred. They knew what they wanted. They wanted to be close to their families.

More importantly, we had talked about their plans for the next five to ten years. Tampines North, with its projected growth and transformation, fits nicely into those plans.

The unit they chose was the third we viewed that weekend. It was on a very high floor. The house was bright and inviting. N stood by the living room and looked out the window quietly. “I like this house,” one of them said quietly. It ticked a lot of their boxes. The fact that the house was tastefully renovated and well taken care of eventually made the decision easier. 

Which is why we were now sitting at the table waiting for the next step. N made a transfer to the sellers from their joint-account. We signed the Option to Purchase.

“Congratulations!” I said to them. “How do you feel?” I asked N.

“Relieved!” she laughed.

It’s funny. Hearing that made me feel like a proud older brother. The two of them had just taken their first real step into the future they had been talking about.

Congratulations N and M. I couldn’t be happier for the two of you.