Ching: PM struck the right chord when he talked about our homes.
For us Singaporeans, the home is ultra important. A roof over our heads. Our nest egg. Our security.
PM said the Government will give you help to buy a flat, increase its value and even unlock its value for you if you need money for your old age. Choo, you already own a flat, right?
Choo: Yes! All my own. Five years ago it cost me $200K.
Now, every day agents are shoving paper under my door offering me more than $400K.
But have you seen the pictures PM showed of the new-look HDB heartlands? Like a resort!
Wonder if I can buy a timeshare there.
Ching: It was something amazing. PM showed an artist’s impression of Anchorvale Community Centre.
He was right when he said it should be called ‘Anchorvale Country Club’.
When these plans are in place, the whole HDB landscape is going to be transformed.
No other city in the world has public housing that is so cool - like private housing.
For new homes like Punggol 21, there are those with river views, a town centre by the water front and water activities. It will be the new face of Singapore.
When the PM was showing them last night, all those listening to him went ‘wahhhh!’ and clapped.
The older homes in Queenstown will also get a facelift.
I saw the slides which PM showed last night.
Alexandra Canal has a wooden deck built over it, with a park on top.
Quite amazing.
So, everyone can benefit from the property boom, like you, Choo.
Choo: Ah, but I’m not selling. My home is my nest egg, and from what’s been said, the egg is starting to look like a golden one, the only thing missing now is more elderly-friendly features.
Ching: Well, there is the lift-upgrading programme, which is very popular.
Putting in these kinds of facilities will help to increase the value of the flats.
Owning a flat is like ‘buying shares in Singapore’ as PM says, and when Singapore does well, it will seep into the value of the flat.
You said your flat was a ‘nest egg’.
Well, there’s a new plan for those with smaller flats, the three and two-room flats, and with elderly owners.
The Government will ‘buy back’ the tail-end of your lease.
Choo: What? You mean Government can ‘buy back’ your own flat while you continue staying in it? You don’t have to sell and downgrade?
Ching: The Government will buy back some of the lease, leaving it with 30 years. The Government will give you some of the money in a lump sum, the other bit in an annuity - something that will pay you a sum of money for as long as you live.
Choo: Wah, sounds like touch Toto big time.
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