Casa Merah: For owners only.

[doragirl]

For WFW, construction work end at 9pm.

yes i agree. they don't usually end early especially towards the later part of completion. sometimes they work into midnight with bright lights seen. I used to stay at one where the next plot of land was built from scratch to a cluster of hdb for 2 yrs. the noise is actually bearable in my opinion, it's only the dust that will settle in daily even though i'm not directly facing it, blocked by other stacks. some cons include the need to wait for all the big and slow trucks that go in and out.

btw, i also don't face optima directly. in a way, i get 50% lesser dust.

[Daniel_Yee]

Rent it out lor...
If Optima can sell 1k psf, Casa Merah also mah..

I saw the planning for that area which states commercial use for the last piece of land, but to say it is a shopping centre there is a bit premature, the access will be difficult for cars coming in and out as Tanah Mera Kechil Link is very narrow and even has a road divider in the middle and also there is not enough critical mass for a shopping centre to sustain there, Simpang Bedok already has a retail area and except for the ground floor, the second floor hawkers centre and some shops are quiet as a ghost town.

BTW 99 year lease properties do not hold good mid term value, short term and long term may see some gains, so unless you sell within 5 years, I dont see how you would make good gains, as there is oversupply in that area, even East Meadows have many units selling below valuation.

[venus]

Rent it out lor...
If Optima can sell 1k psf, Casa Merah also mah..

But it doesnt work this way. there are a lot of other factors that determine the price a condo can command. CM can fetch around 750-800psf now, east meadow can? silversea selling $1600psf for seaview units, cote d'azur can sell at this price?

[dist16]

Welcome welcome.... just happy that our little community is getting bigger...

Thanks hkching. I am at the last row of the stakes same with you...

I like this thread we can share our latest info about CM and even the reno ideas etc... thinking I should pull my hubby here to take a look also as he is the one to worry about the reno part

[dist16]

Do you guys worry about the pollution and smell with the new building and new reno? How long do you plan to leave the unit there and let the smell subside before you move in?

By the way, last night an agent called me asking if I want to sell my unit. The offer is 800psf. Not sure true or not. Anyway on average I receive 3 calls every day from different agents since 2 months ago. Dont know where they got my home tel#.

[Daniel_Yee]

It will take some time to reach that 1000psf and rental yield is an important factor. But you cannot compare silversea and cote d'azur with casa merah and optima. The finishing is better at silversea and have nicer units and thus, the higher price. But casa merah has much nicer finishings. So in terms of quality, I feel casa merah is much better. Of course, quieter a lot. I am not sure about the actual unit but I went to both showflats with an intention to flip but never get any. I think optima only offers homogenous tiles and some normal looking condo stuffs. But wing tai really put in quality finishes for casa merah and people will know in a few weeks time. Might buy one unit there and let it appreciate to 950psf then sell.

But it doesnt work this way. there are a lot of other factors that determine the price a condo can command. CM can fetch around 750-800psf now, east meadow can? silversea selling $1600psf for seaview units, cote d'azur can sell at this price?

[Daniel_Yee]

They get from the management office or their power search system for agents. Pay $ can get liao. Don't sell now. I got 30-40% gain for my TR but I am waiting. If AMK can sell 1.2k, tanah merah can sell 1.3k. My TR can sell 2k already. 220% returns where to find.. Wait for IR or you put a 950psf price tag. Once TOP, people move in and those need to rent will rent out, then price will stabilize and move towards Optima pricing. Don't forget, casa merah immediate rental yield whereas optima need to wait. Which is why the better quality Lumiere cost lesser than Icon because Icon got rental. Just wait for casa merah to overtake the psf for optima then u sell. Always remember, casa merah has more quality and don't have the 3 toners noise every 2 mins.

Do you guys worry about the pollution and smell with the new building and new reno? How long do you plan to leave the unit there and let the smell subside before you move in?

By the way, last night an agent called me asking if I want to sell my unit. The offer is 800psf. Not sure true or not. Anyway on average I receive 3 calls every day from different agents since 2 months ago. Dont know where they got my home tel#.

[Daniel Foo]

I saw the planning for that area which states commercial use for the last piece of land, but to say it is a shopping centre there is a bit premature, the access will be difficult for cars coming in and out as Tanah Mera Kechil Link is very narrow and even has a road divider in the middle and also there is not enough critical mass for a shopping centre to sustain there, Simpang Bedok already has a retail area and except for the ground floor, the second floor hawkers centre and some shops are quiet as a ghost town.

BTW 99 year lease properties do not hold good mid term value, short term and long term may see some gains, so unless you sell within 5 years, I dont see how you would make good gains, as there is oversupply in that area, even East Meadows have many units selling below valuation.

Actually the road there is the least concern. They can easily remove the divider in front of East Meadows along Tanah Merah Kecil Ave, or they can easily make an entrance from the other side i.e along New Upper Changi Road, somewhere before the Tanah Merah MRT, make an entance exit to the commercial building via underground carpark.
Anyway most heartlanders shopping mall slip road is narrow, look at Simei Shopping Centre, Tampines Mall and the new Tampines 1 Mall and you will understand. There is an opportunity cost if you want Shopping mall at your door steps. You will have convenience but you have to compromise.

Critical mass for the proposed mall will eventually come in with Changi Business Park, 4th University opening up in the next 2 years. Also once more condos is erected along that area, you will have more human traffic and patrons.

Leasehold projects in good location will still fetch a premium especially it is located near MRT, amenities or good schools. Look at Bayshore Park, The Bayshore which is close to the sea, after close to 25+ years it is still fetching what some of the newer condos is fetching in terms of psf because of location which you cannot take away.

For those projects like Telok Kurau area boutique condos although it is Freehold, you will have a problem offloading down the road of its locality, lack of full condo facilities and way too many surrounding similar projects. I have a friend who is still trying to offload his Telok Kurau condo after 3 years. No takers as customers complain to deep in and hard to rent out, no MRT nearby etc.

[venus]

Casa merah better quality??? ntuc choice homes was the one who built ECs rmbr? CM owners are discussing abt changing this and that finishing. If so nice why need to change?

[Daniel Foo]

Casa merah better quality??? ntuc choice homes was the one who built ECs rmbr? CM owners are discussing abt changing this and that finishing. If so nice why need to change?

No perfect world lah, one man's meat is another man's poison. If everything is perfect, ID (Interior Designer) & contractors *will all be out of job.

[Daniel_Yee]

I don't know. No comments since I don't own any unit and I haven't see the actual unit yet. I already said, my comments are based on the showflats only. This is just my point of view and you may have different opinion. Casa merah finishing is quality and of course, generous with nice marble vanity and marble flooring. For Optima, seems like homogenous tiles all the way and cupboards and vanity look cheapo to me. But outside, Optima looks better. Anyway, really have to see the actual unit. Now talk so much also no use. The developer draw Esta so nice but actual view is so cannot make it. I remember blue windows and glossy white in the pamphlet but now, just plain windows and yellowish walls.

Anyway, Wing tai was the developer. NTUC only pump in money. They know nuts about building condos.

Casa merah better quality??? ntuc choice homes was the one who built ECs rmbr? CM owners are discussing abt changing this and that finishing. If so nice why need to change?

[venus]

Actually what i was trying to say was its not so simple like what u said "if optima can sell 1000psf CM also can." Many factors can affect valuation, not simply bcos of design or finishing. even within the same development diff units command diff price. eg facing, level, condition, etc.

Btw your last comment regarding wingtai and ntuc's roles in this project... I think its the reverse leh

[doragirl]

Actually the road there is the least concern. They can easily remove the divider in front of East Meadows along Tanah Merah Kecil Ave, or they can easily make an entrance from the other side i.e along New Upper Changi Road, somewhere before the Tanah Merah MRT, make an entance exit to the commercial building via underground carpark.
Anyway most heartlanders shopping mall slip road is narrow, look at Simei Shopping Centre, Tampines Mall and the new Tampines 1 Mall and you will understand. There is an opportunity cost if you want Shopping mall at your door steps. You will have convenience but you have to compromise.

Critical mass for the proposed mall will eventually come in with Changi Business Park, 4th University opening up in the next 2 years. Also once more condos is erected along that area, you will have more human traffic and patrons.

Leasehold projects in good location will still fetch a premium especially it is located near MRT, amenities or good schools. Look at Bayshore Park, The Bayshore which is close to the sea, after close to 25+ years it is still fetching what some of the newer condos is fetching in terms of psf because of location which you cannot take away.

For those projects like Telok Kurau area boutique condos although it is Freehold, you will have a problem offloading down the road of its locality, lack of full condo facilities and way too many surrounding similar projects. I have a friend who is still trying to offload his Telok Kurau condo after 3 years. No takers as customers complain to deep in and hard to rent out, no MRT nearby etc.

i like your analysis

hope you manage to get a unit here and flip at a good price or if not, bunk in as neighbours with us

[venus]

You are so right abt differences between showflat/ broachures and actual thing. most 1st time hdb upgraders sure get rude shock when they collect their keys

[doragirl]

Do you guys worry about the pollution and smell with the new building and new reno? How long do you plan to leave the unit there and let the smell subside before you move in?

By the way, last night an agent called me asking if I want to sell my unit. The offer is 800psf. Not sure true or not. Anyway on average I receive 3 calls every day from different agents since 2 months ago. Dont know where they got my home tel#.

My agent also called me and asked me if i want to sell now since it has appreciate a good 100k at least. we did discuss about it and find that such are small carrots that cannot compromise in the long run. When economy is good and our unit can fetch higher than today, will we ? if valuation goes down, it's also fine because we are staying in for own comfort, but anyway is the location that matters to us now so we won't be tempted to earn a quick one.

actually i did consider waterfront key, but top too long.

[doragirl]

No perfect world lah, one man's meat is another man's poison. If everything is perfect, ID (Interior Designer) & contractors *will all be out of job.

true.. beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. for those who like balinese style, wood finishing will be great, some like modern contemp, country, oriental, european, french, then we just have to make changes to suit our needs.

not so much about condemning the project. in fact, casa overall landscape is one of the better ones I've compared with before making a decision to lock in my subsale.

[venus]

My agent also called me and asked me if i want to sell now since it has appreciate a good 100k at least. we did discuss about it and find that such are small carrots that cannot compromise in the long run. When economy is good and our unit can fetch higher than today, will we ? if valuation goes down, it's also fine because we are staying in for own comfort, but anyway is the location that matters to us now so we won't be tempted to earn a quick one.

actually i did consider waterfront key, but top too long.

If I were u I will wait till economy improves and shopping mall (If there is really going to be one) to come up. Be patient.

[Daniel Foo]

i like your analysis

hope you manage to get a unit here and flip at a good price or if not, bunk in as neighbours with us

I am your neighbour there lah. Wat stack are u in?
We can plan for a mini barbeque for all the CM supporters here.

You heard anything on key collection for your stack?

[doragirl]

I am your neighbour there lah. Wat stack are u in?
We can plan for a mini barbeque for all the CM supporters here.

You heard anything on key collection for your stack?

haha, sorry blur sotong me. thought someone said they don't have a unit here.
my stack faces the children's pool.

as for key collection, someone mentioned start from stack 50 right? so i guess i will be one of the last to collect.

[xebay11]

Actually the road there is the least concern. They can easily remove the divider in front of East Meadows along Tanah Merah Kecil Ave, or they can easily make an entrance from the other side i.e along New Upper Changi Road, somewhere before the Tanah Merah MRT, make an entance exit to the commercial building via underground carpark.
Anyway most heartlanders shopping mall slip road is narrow, look at Simei Shopping Centre, Tampines Mall and the new Tampines 1 Mall and you will understand. There is an opportunity cost if you want Shopping mall at your door steps. You will have convenience but you have to compromise.

Critical mass for the proposed mall will eventually come in with Changi Business Park, 4th University opening up in the next 2 years. Also once more condos is erected along that area, you will have more human traffic and patrons.

Leasehold projects in good location will still fetch a premium especially it is located near MRT, amenities or good schools. Look at Bayshore Park, The Bayshore which is close to the sea, after close to 25+ years it is still fetching what some of the newer condos is fetching in terms of psf because of location which you cannot take away.

For those projects like Telok Kurau area boutique condos although it is Freehold, you will have a problem offloading down the road of its locality, lack of full condo facilities and way too many surrounding similar projects. I have a friend who is still trying to offload his Telok Kurau condo after 3 years. No takers as customers complain to deep in and hard to rent out, no MRT nearby etc.

That is why I said that leasehold good for very long term investment or if you flip within five years, many 99 year leaseholds loose value after 5 years.

Don't know about your friend, but TK freehold boutique projects very near MRT are very in demand.

Well anyway good luck on Casa Merah, I have lived in Tanah Mera before and it is time for me to move on closer to the city, the East Coast and something freehold. Tana Merah has its charms and is great for peaceful landed like living but I am not betting my horses on a shopping centre there.

One thing I do agree Casa Mera is a better development than Optima anytime.

[cksonic]

hahaha...i asked my lawyer to take out my mobile and contact number when lodging the caveat, so far nobody called yet. only got my current house address for necessary correspondence, just hope no agents show up at my doorstep waving me a check!

but good to oso receive these calls from agents sometimes, so you know roughly what the market is like out there.

Do you guys worry about the pollution and smell with the new building and new reno? How long do you plan to leave the unit there and let the smell subside before you move in?

By the way, last night an agent called me asking if I want to sell my unit. The offer is 800psf. Not sure true or not. Anyway on average I receive 3 calls every day from different agents since 2 months ago. Dont know where they got my home tel#.

[cksonic]

isit too early to get an interior designer now to do up the design? CM will be my marital home come Jan 2010, and i am now abit kancheong on the renovation part. 1st time home owner

my agent tell me not to kancheong just get key 1st, inspect the defects then slowly plan the renovation. he says sure can complete by year end.

[hkching]

haha, sorry blur sotong me. thought someone said they don't have a unit here.
my stack faces the children's pool.

as for key collection, someone mentioned start from stack 50 right? so i guess i will be one of the last to collect.

I think he meant block 50 start not stack 50..

[hkching]

isit too early to get an interior designer now to do up the design? CM will be my marital home come Jan 2010, and i am now abit kancheong on the renovation part. 1st time home owner

my agent tell me not to kancheong just get key 1st, inspect the defects then slowly plan the renovation. he says sure can complete by year end.

I think it depends if u r in the rush. I'm staying at a temporary place right now so need to rush a bit. Got my id and design ready. When get key, he will start measuring and can start work off site.

Most reno will take 6 to 8 weeks. Some things can be added later too like curtains. So u should be in time.

[gerberas]

I think he meant block 50 start not stack 50..

Hi, Can someone advise how do we tell which blk belongs to which stack? Anyone staying in ground level, with a patio? Thinking of installing a shelter (or whatever u call it!) in the patio so that my kids can run around without me having to worry about litter from above.

[Daniel_Yee]

My wife is in NTUC choice home. That is why I know.. Hahaha. NTUC know shit about building house. It's always NTUC pump money then joint development. Dakota residences also a joint one.

Actually what i was trying to say was its not so simple like what u said "if optima can sell 1000psf CM also can." Many factors can affect valuation, not simply bcos of design or finishing. even within the same development diff units command diff price. eg facing, level, condition, etc.

Btw your last comment regarding wingtai and ntuc's roles in this project... I think its the reverse leh

[Daniel_Yee]

There are 2 daniels here

haha, sorry blur sotong me. thought someone said they don't have a unit here.
my stack faces the children's pool.

as for key collection, someone mentioned start from stack 50 right? so i guess i will be one of the last to collect.

[WolleyDragon]

My wife is in NTUC choice home. That is why I know.. Hahaha. NTUC know shit about building house. It's always NTUC pump money then joint development. Dakota residences also a joint one.

so you're saying the developer of this condo is really Wing Tai? I thought the split is 70% NTUC and 30% Wing Tai..

maybe I should take a look at this then

[Daniel_Yee]

Nope.. Fully developed by WingTai. NTUC pump $ only.

so you're saying the developer of this condo is really Wing Tai? I thought the split is 70% NTUC and 30% Wing Tai..

maybe I should take a look at this then

[venus]

My wife is in NTUC choice home. That is why I know.. Hahaha. NTUC know shit about building house. It's always NTUC pump money then joint development. Dakota residences also a joint one.

Is that right? hmmm....how come last time when I called wingtai to enquire abt CM they said they dunno anything and told me to call ntuc as they are fully in-charge of the project? strange...

u also agree ntuc quality not great rite? though I read in this thread someone mentioned ntuc project very high std. scratch my head...