Shermen Foo, A Singapore Realtor

Breath-taking, isn’t it ?

Artist's Impression of Orchard View

The next best thing from a sea-view apartment, in my opinion, is a city-view apartment. Kind of goes without saying.

Wheelock Properties are responsible for some of the most luxurious condominiums in Singapore, which include The Seaview, The Cosmopolitan, Ardmore Park, Ardmore II and many others.

Now, this development takes “privacy” to another level, because there is only one unit on each floor.

Which goes to say, if you live here, you will not have next-door neighbors anymore, because next-door is pretty much only yourself, and the view of the entire Orchard shopping belt.

Project Information of Orchard View
Tenure: Freehold
Ready in: 2010 Q2
Type: A block of 36-storey high-rise condominium, consisting of only one apartment one floor.
Number of Units: 30 apartments only
Developer: Wheelock Properties

Each unit occupies a floor level with a size plate of 2,530sqft each. Orchard View will be ready for occupation this year.

Facilities of Orchard View

• Sky Terrace
• Gym
• Playground
• 50m Swimming Pool
• Jacuzzi
• Reflective Pool
• Pool Deck
• Shallow Pool

I believe I speak for many when I say that I always thought it’s hard to find a condominium in Singapore that has a full view of the sea.

By that I mean, it’s not the kind where you look out the window and try to search for some vast grey span of liquid, and say, “That’s the sea!”

What I really mean is a truly breathtaking view out the window, of white sand, blue water and blue sky, and nothing else except for probably some greenery(it’s kind of hard to avoid greenery in Singapore).

Yeah, I always thought it’s impossible to get a true view of the sea in Singapore, with the impression that Singapore is a city void of all natural beauty contaminated with really tall concrete buildings.

That’s before I started this career and found the true beauty of luxurious real estate.

Just for starters, on Meyer Road in Singapore, is a stretch of new and old and even some under construction development of condominiums.

Literally located just beside the ECP, most developments are built facing south, therefore providing a complete view of the sea to most units.

I’ll narrow the list of developments today to just the beautiful “The Seafront On Meyer”. Just for your info, Here are the details:

I’ve received information that the intended completion date might be brought forward, and we’re looking at a very possible 2010 completion here.

More updates coming soon!

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) has opened and begun on many of their businesses within the past couple of months.

Haven’t got time to go to the casino myself, but feedback from a couple of my peers who enjoyed themselves a lot was that it isn’t as smoky and as difficult to navigate compared to other casinos in the neighboring countries.

I’ve been to the other casinos, and come to think of it, I always feel a little bit dizzy once I spend more than 10 minutes there. Just sitting a table makes me feel dizzy. Could be just me, but I remember reading somewhere that flashing lights, loud slot-machine noises, are a few of the many techniques that the management deploy to compromise the customers’ sense of judgement. Basically, to hinder them while they’re making decisions.

I blame that, for the several hundred bucks I lost recently on a cruise.

Anyway, as speculated by many, the RWS opening could have quite a boost on the property market in Sentosa Cove, well, mainly The Oceanfront, as it is the soonest to TOP among the other projects which were under development following the opening of RWS.

Speaking of which, I went down on-site last week to grab a few photos of a high-floor marina facing unit in The Oceanfront condominium.

For those who feel that in The Oceanfront you have to pick one of two types of views, mainly Marina view or Sea view, I assure you, it’s most definitely not true.

The photos taken from a high-floor marina facing unit:

View of the marina

Some sea view we have here.

Overlooking other developments..

That’s all for now. Have you gotten your own Oceanfront unit yet?

A considerably long time ago, I was invited to a birthday party of a friend’s at a BBQ area in a condominium, which in the SMS invitation read, “… thomson 800, opposite macritchie”.

He didn’t inform that the Thomson 800 was actually a condominium, so I automatically assumed that it is a club or country club or restaurant of some sort( you know how names of places of leisure get so creative).

As I drove towards MacRitchie reservoir, I was looking for some place with more people, since, you know, most birthday parties are held in public places.

And while I did just that, I thought to myself that it could very well be a condominium as I have heard of the name somewhere.

Then, with all credits to my good thinking(and probably some luck), I drove past a condominium and made a U-turn to see if the condominium was indeed called Thomson 800.

Ah! I felt so proud of myself and made another turn into the condominium.

As I tried to find a parking space, I thought that the condominium was strategically built on a superb location.

Reasons being:

1. It is just beside Mount Alvernia Hospital, and we all know that Mt. Alvernia Hospital is just minutes away from the city.
2. MANY renowned schools are nearby. Just to name some, CHIJ (Toa Payoh), Catholic High School, St. Joseph’s Instituion, Raffles Institution, Raffles Junior College, Catholic Junior College are all within a 3km radius.
3. The Thomson area has always been a popular place for local food. Many times I get seizures just thinking about looking for seats at the eatery that me and my friends want to dine in.
4. With the new MRT’s Circle Line, I don’t see how any sane person can find difficulty moving to and from the area.
5. MacRitchie reservoir park is just opposite.

This reminds me of a story.

I remember four years ago, I went on a “fitness neurosis” and took a bus all the way to MacRitchie reservoir just for a jog. As I warmed up beside the lake, two elderly ladies jogged past me and greeted me “Good morning” in the happiest tone I’ve heard from a stranger. From where I usually jog, people mind their own business and sometimes give me a look which says, “What are you looking at? Want a race?”.

I greeted them back and went on my jog, and just about every person I pass by, they greet me “Good morning” just the same way the first two ladies did. I wondered to myself if the people living around the area are all that friendly. True story.

Who wants to live in a condominium that is freehold, close to the city, close to amenities, easy traveling with public transport, private and quiet, and with a nice greenery view?

Here are the details.

Development Name: Thomson 800

Developer:Property Enterprises Development Pte Ltd

Tenure:Freehold

Construction Year:2000

# of Units:390

Facilities:

• 24-hour security.
• Gym.
• Free-form swimming pool.
• Children’s pool.
• Splash pool.
• Jacuzzi pool.
• Sun deck.
• Sauna room.
• Steam room.

• 2 tennis courts.
• Squash court.
• Golf putting green.
• Children’s playground.
• BBQ pits.
• Jogging path.
• Multi-purpose hall.
• Multi-storey and surface carparks.

It’s one thing to hear or read about  The Oceanfront @ Sentosa Cove, but it’s a whole different experience to see what kind of view you can get from the apartment.

Here are the actual pictures from the place.

Marina View from Oceanfront

This is from the walkway along the marina behind The Oceanfront.

Look! The Oceanfront!

A look at the several blocks of apartments of The Oceanfront from the beach.

Let's take her out to fishing today!

A clearer view of the marina from behind The Oceanfront.

One of the best attributes of living in Sentosa is the fact that you can enjoy your privacy, while being close to entertainment at the same time.

As it has been announced, the first phase of the Integrated Resort begins on 20th January 2010, which is about two weeks from now.

Speculation has been made that the entire resort will be up in a matter of months.

That being said, living in Sentosa Cove would mean that the vibrant city life is just a short drive (or even walk) away, and when you’re done having fun, you can retreat back into your home at the beach and enjoy the sounds of the waves.

It sounds like being in two places at the same time.

One of the most common questions I receive as a Realtor when I meet people is, “So, if you could pick any place to live in, in Singapore, where would it be?”

I believe the first post I’ve written pretty much rules out landed property, because I’m the kind of guy who ultimately goes for breath-taking landscapes.

That will leave me with HDB apartments and Condominiums.

See, the thing with finding a HDB apartment with a comparable view, is as tough as finding a needle in a haystack. There are thousands of HDB units in Singapore, and it’s hard to pinpoint exactly which area, which level and which direction is the unit facing to suggest that the unit is the one. And the owner of that unit might not be selling it too.

On the other hand, finding a private apartment with a good view is relatively easier. Even though, there could still be some trouble finding the right unit.

Not unless you know where to look for.

Introducing The Oceanfront @ Sentosa Cove.

The name of the project is pretty much self-explanatory.

The Oceanfront @ Sentosa Cove is built right by the beaches, finding a good sea-view apartment isn’t that difficult at all.

Total units: 264

Apartments have a wide range from 113 sqm – 398 sqm

Villas, Sky suites, Sky villas from 426 sqm – 752 sqm

Food, party, shopping and the upcoming multi-billion dollar Integrated Resort are just minutes away.

How’s that for luxurious living?

Upon completing the Real Estate lessons in the first company I was in, I had to get started.  I had a couple of relatives who could use my service, and I immediately phoned them up, finding out more about what they want/need.

One of the first leads I had was a distant relative of mine, she needed a place to move into after selling her house. I considered myself lucky and began working on her wants.

Well, considering her requirements, I brought her to a couple of apartments I found through the company’s database. Of course, I had to find out more about the place I’m bringing her to, before bringing her to the apartment. I had to make sure that whatever apartment I was about to show her, has to be what she wants.

So I went to find out more about the apartment online.

1. Nearby amenities: Check
2. High floor: Check
3. Price within budget: Check
4. Freehold: Check
5. Area(2/3 bedrooms): Check

5/5 seemed like a deal done. However, the apartments I brought her to were rejected. And the reasons were reasons I could never have imagined myself.

Too close to the expressway; highway noise, living room too small, walking distance to market too far – these are just a few examples.

A few weeks later, I began to think she was just playing me. So I slowed down in my search for her demands, and tried to work on other leads.

Soon, another relative of mine called me and told me she had been seeing other apartments with other agents pretty frequently, and she loved the apartments they showed her to, she was already in the negotiating process, as a matter of fact.

I couldn’t let this go. I went back to search for a couple of apartments more to bring her to. I knew that even if the apartments are not what she told me to look for initially, it’s going to be worth a try. I’m not going to let her go to other agents just like that.

So we went for viewings, and again, she wasn’t in the least bit interested. And that same day, she said she was going for other viewings with other agents, and she asked if I would like to follow her, as a relative.

I figured, why not? I had to see these places they’re bringing her. I had to find out how far better are these places compared to the ones I brought her to.

So I drove her to meet the other agent at a condominium.

Reaching the condominium, I had a comparison chart in my mind. I mentally compared the facilities in that condominium and the ones I brought her to.

“Hm, decent car park.”

“Big pool, not bad.”

“Private lift lobbies, what’s next?”

So we took the lift up to the 21st floor, and I went into the apartment after them.

The moment I entered the living room, I had only one thought in my mind.

“I have to live here.”

I instantly knew what was it she wanted. All the freehold/leasehold, nearby amenities requirements don’t matter that much anymore.

The view from the living room spreads on the glass pane in the living room like a painting, like a masterpiece of some magical artist.

From the living room, it was an unblocked view of the beaches and the sea. The sunny and hot weather in Singapore isn’t that awful anymore; in fact, it helps complete the masterpiece. I totally forgot I was in the city when I looked outside. Never have I known  it is possible of seeing something like that in Singapore. I always thought I had to go to Dubai or the Maldives to see anything like that!

That was the day my perspective of luxurious living was changed. Nothing matters more than having something so amazing in your home when it comes to luxurious lifestyles.

In this weblog, I intend to show you guys projects I know of in Singapore capable of providing you a luxurious lifestyle.

Do check back for updates on the latest projects I’ve found. Don’t miss out!

Signing out,

Shermen Foo.