Cecil Lee

A three bedroom type C9 and three balcony panels...

Case Study 5: Unit Balcony with just Three Panel Sliding Doors. What does this mean? 1. This photo is from The Terrace at Punggol which had just T.O.P. 1.1 Three panel sliding doors at the balcony/PES:- 2. As the size of flats gets smaller and smaller. There is a surge of flats with balconies that are only three (3) panels instead of the more common four (4) panels found in older condos, ECs and even HDB flats. 3. The benefit of 4 panels means that the openings are exactly at the middle. And the panels can slide to each side for ease of entry and exit of the living room/balcony. 4. Not anymore if there are instead three panels. 5. If so, it is thus not possible to have a large sofa or place it too close to the balcony sliding door(s). Plus the TV console or cabinets cannot be too thick or fully cover the sliding door panel on the other side of the sofa location. 6. Thus, this means that one has to seriously consider not only the length of the sofa but also the height of the arm-chair and the width of it. Make sure that it does not block the lock mechanism at the sofa side and vice-versa. 7. Another plus of a four panel sliding door means that often one may still leave ajar or a gap and not fully close the sliding panels. But for a three panel door; often than not the opening is close to the edge of the roof-line. And often, this is the first area where heavy winds and rains may come in. 8. For example: Sol Acres development has similar three (3) panels:- (Note: This is an acutal photo from The Terrace EC Block 88 ground floor unit PES) 9. More: An added bonus if a unit has an outdoor power socket and water-point. 10. One will only know if there is a water point or outdoor power switch after collection of keys. As often, this is not mentioned in the sales brochure. But an added bonus if your new unit has them:- 10. A Four panels balcony sliding doors. (Location: Bellewaters EC) 10.1 The advantage of this four panel balcony sliding door means that not only the middle two panels can be opened; but also either of the side or corner panels can also be opened. 10.2 Thus it incorporates the best of both worlds of the three panels with this four panel model.

This photo is from The Terrace at Punggol which recently T.O.P. Can't be helped. Since 2016, I keep on seeing a three panel sliding balcony doors. Just imagine, one cannot open the panels in the centre or mid-point. And in many cases, on either side where the entry/exit is; one may either have the bulky sofa or the TV console. Isn't it much harder to access in and out of the unit view these two panels. And especially heavy downpour and windy conditions, it would be fool-hardy to open the sliding panels on either side for ventilation... I have seen many units in Sol Acres also share this similar three panel balcony sliding doors... If sofa and TV consoles are bulky is too close to the openings... can hinder the opening and closing of the door panels on either side .... An added bonus if the PES of Sol Acres units have these:-

An extra bonus especially for ground floor units with PES to have a water-point and a power point. But if one has yet to stay in the unit; try to either not apply for PUB or lock up especially the power point. I have personally seen contractor's workers tapping power from such vacant units. Since the owners are no where to be seen.

Can't be helped. Since 2016, I keep on seeing a three panel sliding balcony doors. Just imagine, one cannot open the panels in the centre or mid-point. And in many cases, on either side where the entry/exit is; one may either have the bulky sofa or the TV console. Isn't it much harder to access in and out of the unit view these two panels. And especially heavy downpour and windy conditions, it would be fool-hardy to open the sliding panels on either side for ventilation...

The Terrace block 88. Let's face it. In Singapore and Hong Kong: a number like 8 or 88 sells... This unts in this block 88 was completely sold out quickly.

Past ranking of 4 bedders..

100 Palms Residence Since this is one of the few ECs that is over-subscribed and few got it... I am releasing the ranking exercise of the 3 bedders..

More photos The Terrace

Just T.O.P. The distinctive "coffin shaped" design..karaoke ...

Just in.. another successful balloting

Hopefully, all new condos and EC developers play their part by including the actual location of the central rubbish bins. In some developments there may be two: normal or regular rubbish and another one for recycling.

Hillion Residence and Onemap.sg The outline of the three blocks in Hillion Residence now appears on onemap.sg. I have taken the liberty to prepare the compass markings on this map. There is a 4 degrees difference between the onemap vs streetdirectory.com map. For example: the E1 for onemap shows 77 degrees. But for streetdirectory is 73 degrees. A small 4 degrees variance. Fortunately, it makes no difference as the stacks/units still face either E1, W1, S1 or N1.

1. Le Quest has similar stacks such as the sample below that has the kitchen and stove at NW. 2. In Feng Shui, this is known as Fire at Heaven's gate. Considered inauspicious for the stove to be within the NW cardinal point. 3. For a male breadwinner, it is less than ideal to select a unit with the kitchen at NW sector. 4. Do a search in this forum for " Fire at Heaven's Gate ". 5. Generally, a kitchen especially if a stove is directly at the NW cardinal point will be inauspicious for the male-head of the house. Typically this can affect him. 6. This is because NW under the Ba Gua Trigram belongs to the Heaven (sign). And NW also represents the male-head elder of the house. 7. Thus in simple terms: turning on a stove at NW will burn one's Heaven luck = not lucky and also may affect the male-head elder's career. 8. If you have done so many review as I have, even in a ranking exercise; I can pick out stacks/units in my mind that has this concern. And flag it to the potential purchaser. 9. Thus for this development, I randomly picked Block 10 stack #33 at Le Quest. For example:- 10. Mind you, there are lots, lots more of similar stacks with kitchen at NW sector in HDB Ubi Grove = caveat emptor.. let the buyer beware!

These are some considerations: 1. As you have mentioned; do expect many view points with regards to a project such as this. 2. Frankly, based on just looking at these three photos; and that you are already aware of the potential "some noise" from the SLOW traffic + the highway (and another road running below the causeway). 3. It is of my personal opinion that:- R & F Princess Cove U/C 3.1. The highway curves away from the development or the potential block/stack/unit that you are eyeing on. 3.2. And the stack/unit that you are looking is of high floor and South Facing; While majority the stacks in the two blocks the smaller and the larger block is more towards SE facing. 4. In fact, in equivalent Singapore, East Coast / Marine Parade "facing" = typically morning sun. And the side closer to UOB bank building does have also some afternoon sun. 5. Considering the unit you refer to: in my opinion is a can buy for this unit. My views may perhaps differ if asked to advice on another stack/unit.

HDB Bishan North Square diamond design motif. This motif is considered an old school design.

Mangosteens galore at Bishan North Shopping centre

Photos taken today. Whilst visiting Admiralty Flora. Looks like Admiralty Grove is almost there...

Just T.O.P. Interior walls are also using dry walls...

Not me Lee Hai.. lah.. My clients seems to be in a lucky streak..hehehehe Majority got called up.. to pick one... Maybe they (the agents) should flower bathe.. leh... I just found out two more got their chosen units! Most likely goes to >88% success rate..hehehehe

An unconventional cone shaped cork-screw or threaded screw design..

For the Chinese, it is considered inauspicious to give a clock. And a clock facing a unit is like giving a clock to them. This implies "death" to whoever received a clock'

Simei St 1 The 4 leaf clover and circle motifs

Simei St 1 6 sided shaped motif...

Unlucky for the clock face to face one's home