A new poster for the home

I got a new poster for the home- to fill up the walls.
Paid RM130 for a big canvas from Canvas Street- a subsidiary of Photobook

It's slightly different from normal frame as normal frame would have a glass on it. Nevertheless, I am happy with the price I paid. I am thinking to do this every year.

Irobot Roomba Model 581 Trial Week

A friend owns a IRobot Roomba Model 581 since early this year. I have, been contemplating in getting one since early this year!!!

I already knew I wanted to get a robot vacuum cleaner, but just didnt know which one, which model or brand. I did a lot of research, survey and even wanted to lug one back from the States.

Then my friend offered me to try her unit for a week and see how it goes. 

According to my friend, she is not fully satisfied with the Irobot as she is a super clean person. She tested with intelligent vacuum n seems that it failed her.

So I had the robot in my house for 1 week. In fact, still in my house. On the first week, I used it 3 times.

I had to shut the kitchen door. Confined the robot to the tv area 

 Robot in-action

 Collected dust.hair, etc

 Even tissue paper captured

One week of dirt. 

Overall my experience, quite good. Fulfilled me 99%. 

I wonder if the Picabot can do the same with 70% less the cost?

Phase 2: Living Hall Reno

What do you think of this design?

If you've been following this blog, you will know that I have embarked on my "renovation journey". This is phase 2 after a one-year span of completion of Phase 1.

In this design, I would need new set of TV to fit the new TV cabinet, sofa and coffee table. Some rugs, bean bags (I like Doof) and curtains.

Happy Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year folks. This blog is so rusty and well of cobwebs...Anyway I would like to wish everyone a healthy, wealthy and prosperous Chinese New Year. HUAT ar!!!!

Having a new home should means I should decorate it? I actually didnt have time or mood to decorate because our CNY is a simple affair, nothing extraordinary.

Here is my wall feature which I promised aeons ago. Plain. This wall is huge and a bit empty. So I decided this should be a "memory" wall whereby I will hang precious memories into this piece.

The ID selected a few stickers and allowed me to choose. In fact, besides sticker, she did recommend some other ideas. But I put-off the other ideas cos it will "create more work"..you know..something you need to dust/wipe

That's all for now.

Before-InProgress-After : Masterbedroom - Part 3

The full-height wardrobe

To design this, it took a lot of effort! Just the design alone, it has many revisions, at least 20 times!!

Because it was so customize, both ID and myself also forgotten about practicality. When the quote came, it for one 1 wardrobe. How the inside of the wardrobe looked like is up to me. So we started with a basic drawing and end up changing up to 15-20 times I think.

So came the day where I started to put my clothes and I realised..darn the wardrobe is too high. I cant get my clothes. I had to tip toe... I also realised, I needed more drawer space. Anyway I got those Ikea boxes too.

The final drawing after sooooooo many rounds

In Progress

3 panel sliding wardrobe.

First panel

Second and Third Panel

Things to take note:
1) The quoted price for the wardrobe is "designer's" price. Not factory or retail type. So my expectation were..since the price were higher..then
a) quality should be good.
b) the wardrobe, 1st handover, the clothes holder were like dropping because clothes too heavy n the rod seems to be causing a "u" shape. So the ID took it back and re-do it.
c) on 2 occasions, the ID took back the door to make the door more solids, the mirror to hold stronger n also change all colored mirror to the same color.
d) on a few patches, the workmanship was very bad. Although I can accept it, but ID insist to take back.
e) if you are doing your own design, better ask urself or take measuring tape n go to the actual site . Because on paper, it looks small, but real..its huge. That why I had to tip toe to get my stuff.

Before-InProgress-After : Room 2

Before:

 It was a girl's room. 

So pink, so nice. 

Wished I was little again. 

I never had my own room until I came back from university

This room had no fan. So I bought a KDK from Top 10 in Puchong

*Must Visit this shop if you intent to buy FANS, Panasonic, KDK or Alpha as they are super cheap* Even staff price cannot get this cheap. I compared as Harvey Norman Staff Price cannot get me this rate. The sales guy said they only earn RM2 per fan sold. How True I dont know, but surely they have volume. When I went, they were PACKED.

Location: Top 10, just 2 doors away from Tesco Puchong. Same side.

Air-con, the previous owner left it there. However the ID re-located the air-con hose. Air-con hose used to end up at MasterBedroom toilet. But since I wanted a dry toilet area, (where the air-con hose were), no choice but to relocated the air-con hose to 2nd toilet wet area.

 
In Progress

They put in the Ikea Wardrobe originall from the Master Bed Room

The shelves were custom made and measured.

The curtain rod was removed and thrown away

Grills needed as Philip is still young.

Grill and Shelves Prices were mentioned earlier. Please scroll to old post.

Electrical: Added some florencent tubes and fan.

Since this is NOT considered a big makeover, no point to contact the plaster ceiling guy. So the ID innovative-ly used wood cover up the ceiling.

After

This is the Maxtrack Blind which I talked about. The left hand side is closed up with 10% sunlight.

The right hand side, in between the "lines" will be direct sunlight.

This is good as I dont have to turn on the lights for Philip to sleep at night. Natural lights. So he can get used to sleeping without lights.

Location: Maxtrack is located in Jaya 1

Price: RM30 per sq ft with 25% further discount off the total bill

Please click on the photo to see the entire picture.

Location:
1) Jundeco: Ikano. http://jundeco.com.my/. I got mine physically as I wanted to see it before purchase
2) Korean Mat: Mini Toons, 1U.
3) Thomas and Cars Duvet from Flea Market, Subang Parade.

The wood ceiling

So do I like this room?
The occupant of this room is super pleased. :D

Sales & Purchase Agreement

When buying a property, an agreement needs to be signed by the buyer and seller. The agreement is called the Sales & Puchase Agreement. The agreement will state the common understanding, the unit price, what fittings/furniture is included and what's not. Besides, all government regulations is mentioned as well.

Ok, first hurdle of finding a place is settled.

Now, second hurdle is getting the S&P, Loan, etc.

Agent: Do you have your lawyer?
Me: No, you recommend. Must be efficient, work fast type
Owner: Yes, we choose the same lawyer so easy to work and must work fast.

The next day, 3rd July, a law firm calls me up.
Lawyer girl: Do you agree we become your lawyer
Me: Send me the quotation first

Guess what !@#$%% very sneaky lawyer

The next day, he prepares the S&P Draft and email to ME AND THE SELLER without quotation. Wah-lau-eh.."its like I (lawyer) already done the work, you cant reject me now"

And me being soft-hearted, I really must give him a good punch right! How to reject him? So I ask for discount. Luckily he gave 40% off lawyer fees. I was hoping for 50%. But 40% is close enough and at least hei-sek-jor.

However after consulting my cousin (a corporate lawyer), I should had turned him down and go for another lawyer cos he did not demonstrate professionalism (by right, quotation first, agreed, then send draft to me first before seller).

Anyway the entire process Ding Dong for more than dunno how many days! After the agreed stipulated S&P time-frame, both me and Seller have not come to a conclusion to our agreement cos I wanted to protect myself and Seller also have different views.

At the end, Seller appointed her own lawyer. I stuck with this lawyer. We exchange feedbacks and comments only the "Land Title" issue. Sigh! Everyone want to cover their own a$$.

So how? The final S&P signed on Aug 21. From July 3-Aug 21. By right, each of us (seller and buyer) can charge ourselves interest! Anyway deemed settled

Next: Securing a Bank Loan

Note: It is very important for you to read through the S&P. Although most S&P is standard, but you really need to read the fine prints to protect yourself and not the other way round. The reason for the delay is because I wanted to protect myself and not the seller. But at the end, I compromise otherwise there is no way we can settle the agreement.

Choosing the Unit - Part 3

That Saturday afternoon, I was so sad. I was really looking forward as the unit I saw was the BEST among the ones I have seen. Then I locked myself and I prayed. This time I prayed differently. Remember I used to pray only 1 sentence?

I prayed differently this round and it went:
- Pray for the owner to remember me and have a special feeling towards me
- Pray for the other prospects that come and the prospects wont like the place
- Pray specifically that it will be $A-40k

I prayed this everyday since Saturday until....


On Monday 29th June
Agent: Rachel, u sure u want to let go?
Me: Holding to my principles..yes. I am only willing to go at the said price
Agent: If you really like it, why not compromise nearer to the owner's price?
Me: Nah... its ok la. You let go
Agent: ok la. alright.

I still continued praying cos as long as it is NOT sold, I have a chance right?

Then on 2nd July, Thur
Agent: Rachel, the unit is yours
Me: Huh?
Agent: Owner said particularly sell to you only
Me: Really?
Agent: There are others whom offered the owner at higher price than you. but Owner said, sell to you
Me: Oh Thank you thank you. Tonight I pass you CASH.
Agent: No need la. Cheque..
Me: Ok. See you at the owners place.

After putting down the phone, I was so happy and in fact disbelief cos how come God answered my prayer. Then I asked God for forgiveness and thank Him again and again!

At night.... went to the owner's place
We did the transaction and signed some forms.

The owner's wife then related how she felt comfortable with me, and how cute Philip was and that we are genuine good people whom will take good care of the place..

... Then talk talk talk... found out that the daughter study in Sri Nobel (fyi, we have special relationship with Clarine Chun), then found out the owner work in Sime Darby XXX (fyi, my mom worked in Sime Darby for 25 yrs)...the more we talk, the more we got excited! Some more church-goers to Calvary Church, Damansara Heights.

Ok, first hurdle done
Now, second hurdle is getting the S&P, Loan, etc.

Choosing the Unit - Part 2

Thank God, I found another agent and I am so happy to know she is an experience one. When I meet her, I can sense she is mature and experience. She took me to see 2 units. (Unit-x, Unit-y)

About a week later, I called her.

Me: I want to buy unit-X
Agent: Sorry. Just sold. Before you called me, I just sold. Collecting the cheque in the evening
Me: bump. Heartache.
Agent: There is another seller. U interested to view? The seller just contacted me. I myself have not even seen the unit. The seller said her unit is very nice and priced at $A.
Me: Wah Piang. $A? same price as a duplex already wor...
Agent: I have not seen the place yet. Normally seller will say their unit is very nice, well maintain to jack the price. But we see the place first ok?
Me: ok

~~ At night.. ~~
Agent: We see the place first then comment/discuss the price ok?
Me: ok

Me: Wah......... really nice. Better than Unit-x. (Unit-x is $A-80k)
Agent: its really nice. really very well maintained and well-kept
Me, Agent, Owner all talk talk about place. But no price talk cos need to be ethical as any pricing negotiation must go through Agent

We left the place
Me: through ur many years of experience, tell me, how much you think is worth for this unit?
Agent: $A-40k
Me: ok. that's the price you offer the owner. I trust your judgment

Friday-morning
Agent: Rachel, owner said $A-30k is the best
Me: I think first, but we go Saturday again to see

Saturday-afternoon
Agent: Rachel, the owner said $A-30k is the lowest he will go
Me: Heartache. Burden. Ok la. You tell him I am willing to "let-go". I wont compromise.
Agent: ok. I will open this opportunity to my other clients

That Saturday afternoon, I was so sad. I was really looking forward as the unit I saw was the BEST among the ones I have seen. Then I locked myself and I prayed. This time I prayed differently. Remember I used to pray only 1 sentence?

I prayed differently this round like this:
- Pray for the owner to remember me and have a special feeling towards me
- Pray for the other prospects that come and the prospects wont like the place
- Pray specifically that it will be $A-40k

I prayed this everyday since Saturday until....

Choosing the Unit - Part 1

Every-time after seeing the units, I would try to visualized if I would to stay there, where I would put the furniture, TVs and such.

When I saw a particular unit that I liked, my visualization would be even deeper. I will keep thinking about it for a few days. During the few days, I will also pray asking God, "God, if that place is for me, means its for me". I prayed this sentence over and over again.

There was 1 unit that I particularly liked. I made an offer, but the agent refused it. I really didn't like young agents because I think they are there to make $. By right, when I make an offer, the agent must revert to the owner. That why if I had a chance to speak to the owner, I believe I will win in my negotiation skills!!!!

Once I went for viewing. This another young agent had the chic to bring another 8 prospects at the same time. Talking about professionalism!!

At the meantime, someone wanted to rent my house in USJ and paid good money. I was very gan-cheong as they wanted to move in asap. So how? move back to my parents?

Thank God, I found another agent (This is Chooi Kuan) and I am so happy to know she is an experience one. When I meet her, I can sense she is mature and experience. She took me to see 2 units. (Unit-x, Unit-y)