Be realistic, Mah tells home buyers

[mr funny]

http://www.straitstimes.com/Singapor...ry_458228.html

Nov 24, 2009

Be realistic, Mah tells home buyers

HDB cannot build flats only in mature estates, or only on high floors

By Jessica Cheam


THE Housing Board (HDB) cannot meet all expectations of home buyers even though the standard of housing has increased over the years, said National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan.

Addressing Parliament yesterday, he said some buyers seemed to have unrealistic expectations.

Mr Mah, who is 61, recalled his childhood days living in Kim Keat Avenue.

His then three-room HDB flat 'was like a palace' - even though there was just one toilet and bathroom in a flat with eight people.

'It was basic but it was like a palace to us because I had just come from a one-room (flat) with 10 people in Chinatown. So I think that reflects our expectations at that time and how things have changed,' he said.

Although new HDB flats are 'going to be even nicer over time... certain expectations, we cannot meet', he said.

HDB cannot build flats only in mature estates, or flats that are only on high floors, he pointed out.

'I need to have flats on the second floor and third floor as well. And who is going to live on these floors?

'So I think our commitment is that we will build and make available flats to young couples at affordable prices.'

The minister was responding to Nominated MP Viswa Sadasivan, who had wondered why - despite the measures for adequate and affordable housing - 'there appears to be a groundswell of discontent that first-time buyers are not able to buy the flats'.

Replying, Mr Mah shrugged off the suggestion that there is a groundswell of discontent.

However, feedback from the ground has shown that home buyers 'would like HDB to provide ready-made flats in good locations at cheaper prices, faster, better... and this is the reason why I think we have to better communicate our policies', said Mr Mah.

'But I dare say that there is also a mismatch of expectations, that there is an element of unrealistic expectations.'

He urged young Singaporeans to be realistic in their expectations. Even flats on the second floor will grow in value, he said. 'These flats will increase in value over time. The non-mature estates today will become the mature estates of tomorrow.'

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[xebay11]

'I need to have flats on the second floor and third floor as well. And who is going to live on these floors?'

Don't be so greedy lah, sacrifice a bit of your pay check, make the void deck super high, like 8 storeys and only start building flats from 9th floor, problem solved and make people happy, why always tell people to lower their expectation to Kim Keat road 3 room flat days? those days Ministers also not paid so much, now paid multi million dollars, so people's lives must also upgrade, right?

[sleek]

Don't be so greedy lah, sacrifice a bit of your pay check, make the void deck super high, like 8 storeys and only start building flats from 9th floor, problem solved and make people happy, why always tell people to lower their expectation to Kim Keat road 3 room flat days? those days Ministers also not paid so much, now paid multi million dollars, so people's lives must also upgrade, right?

Or just follow those private apartments and condos with MSCP below the units?

[jlrx]

http://www.straitstimes.com/Singapor...ry_458228.html

Nov 24, 2009

Be realistic, Mah tells home buyers

HDB cannot build flats only in mature estates, or only on high floors

Minister Mah Bow Tan lacks imagination ...




He just needs to get Koh Brothers to add in a supporting pillar between the "Cloud City" and the ground, and he will be able to kill two birds with one stone - flats in mature estates, and only on high floors.

[mcmlxxvi]

Minister Mah Bow Tan lacks imagination ...

He just needs to get Koh Brothers to add in a supporting pillar between the "Cloud City" and the ground, and he will be able to kill two birds with one stone - flats in mature estates, and only on high floors.

jlrx please join URA / BCA!!! Don't let us down ok!

[jlrx]

jlrx please join URA / BCA!!! Don't let us down ok!

How do you know I am not a junior URA/BCA officer who got scolded for suggested such a "stupid idea"?

This type of idea must be suggested by the "appropriate" type of people, then it will be considered "brilliant"!!!

[DarthRevan]

jlrx, you're a talent!

[proud owner]

How do you know I am not a junior URA/BCA officer who got scolded for suggested such a "stupid idea"?

This type of idea must be suggested by the "appropriate" type of people, then it will be considered "brilliant"!!!

i am not surprised .. that junior's brilliant ideas kana 'stolen' and used by senior at a later stage

just like i heard ..ERP was developed by some Poly students ..submitted to LTA ..kana rejected , but the idea was not returned ...nor did the students patent it ..

and a few years later ..LTA launched it .. became their 'ideas' ..

[hans]

morale of the story, always patent your idea.

i am not surprised .. that junior's brilliant ideas kana 'stolen' and used by senior at a later stage

just like i heard ..ERP was developed by some Poly students ..submitted to LTA ..kana rejected , but the idea was not returned ...nor did the students patent it ..

and a few years later ..LTA launched it .. became their 'ideas' ..

[jlrx]

morale of the story, always patent your idea.

Thanks for the reminder!

I've just submitted my "Cloud City" patent ...