The Criterion EC

[edward79]

Any kakis here stay near The Criterion EC @ Yishun Ave 1? How is the surrounding e.g. ease of public transport, amenities, F&B, etc?

I am thinking of upgrading from my HDB and is for my own stay, but I also hope that it can retain/increase it value after time so that I can still sell without difficulty should I decide to upgrade further.

Do you think it is a good buy? Thanks!

 

[rider83]

Any kakis here stay near The Criterion EC @ Yishun Ave 1? How is the surrounding e.g. ease of public transport, amenities, F&B, etc?

I am thinking of upgrading from my HDB and is for my own stay, but I also hope that it can retain/increase it value after time so that I can still sell without difficulty should I decide to upgrade further.

Do you think it is a good buy? Thanks!

Went the showflat at both Criterion and Signature. My parent-in-laws are also staying around the area.

The plus points are some units are facing the reservior and relatively a quiet/peaceful area.

Facilities wise, nearby there is a coffeeshop and grocery store, walking takes about 5 min. Khatib town centre (more coffeeshops and other stores like bread, DIY, supermarkets....) is further away, walking takes about 15-20 min. In my opinion, it is too far to walk, probably need to drive.

Transportation. Not many feeder buses serving the area. Because it is at a rather ulu neighbourhood in Khatib, long distance buses do not go there. In other words, you will be better off taking feeder bus to interchange or MRT station then travel by trains to town. Nearest MRT station is Khatib which is at the town centre but feeder bus goes to Yishun instead.

Agent was trying to sell the idea that Seletar will develop into an aerospace park and will see demand. However, I am not really sold into that idea as Seletar is surrounded by Yishun, Punggol, Sengkang and Yio Chu Kang. YCK already has lots of condo waiting to be rented out.

Lack of development in the area.

All in all, I feel that this development is more for people to stay. Peaceful, quiet plus reservior view is ideal. Retaining value should be ok because Singapore is land scarce after all. However, resale wise, if I am a buyer I prefer better location.

In the end, we didnt give the cheque

 

[edward79]

Actually the key plus points for me are the price, a bigger floor area as compared to my current flat and the possibility of getting the unit that I prefer. Other than that the place is totally new to me.

I share the same sentiments as your analysis, esp the lack of public transport and amenities. These are really holding me back as I am currently staying in a centralised area with ease of access to MRT and shops. Really at a lost now as I would need to forgo my current convenience that I enjoy on a daily basis in order to gain the other perks that come with the new property. But I also recognise that I probably cannot afford an EC at a more favourable location if there is even any to begin with. Private condo is out of my reach.. =[

 

[tokidoki_sg]

That area seems to be still under development, with a lot of BTOs on the way. So maybe after The Criterion TOP, there maybe more facilities available.

I did booked a unit there. I find that the price and layout are reasonable. I also like how each block are spaced out.

 

[derwang]

Actually the key plus points for me are the price, a bigger floor area as compared to my current flat and the possibility of getting the unit that I prefer. Other than that the place is totally new to me.

I share the same sentiments as your analysis, esp the lack of public transport and amenities. These are really holding me back as I am currently staying in a centralised area with ease of access to MRT and shops. Really at a lost now as I would need to forgo my current convenience that I enjoy on a daily basis in order to gain the other perks that come with the new property. But I also recognise that I probably cannot afford an EC at a more favourable location if there is even any to begin with. Private condo is out of my reach.. =[

Forgoing convenience/centralized area for this EC.. I don't think is worth it.

 

[rider83]

Actually the key plus points for me are the price, a bigger floor area as compared to my current flat and the possibility of getting the unit that I prefer. Other than that the place is totally new to me.

I share the same sentiments as your analysis, esp the lack of public transport and amenities. These are really holding me back as I am currently staying in a centralised area with ease of access to MRT and shops. Really at a lost now as I would need to forgo my current convenience that I enjoy on a daily basis in order to gain the other perks that come with the new property. But I also recognise that I probably cannot afford an EC at a more favourable location if there is even any to begin with. Private condo is out of my reach.. =[

It sounds to me that you will be buying more your own stay. I am currently staying in Punggol, 5 min walk from MRT. We are very comfortable as we walk to the MRT everyday without the need to take the feeder bus or LRT (literally packed to the brim every morning). Although we are looking to upgrade, we are thinking very hard whether to forgo our current convenience (especially new shopping mall with cinema coming) as well. So we are very choosy in the next location.

Just 1 week ago, we went to take a look North Park Residence. In my opinion, this is best project in 2015. Of course, comes with a price as well. After visiting the showroom, I think North Park Residence has a much better "value". If you are interested to hear my view on NPR, then I will share my analysis.

 

[doody_]

It sounds to me that you will be buying more your own stay. I am currently staying in Punggol, 5 min walk from MRT. We are very comfortable as we walk to the MRT everyday without the need to take the feeder bus or LRT (literally packed to the brim every morning). Although we are looking to upgrade, we are thinking very hard whether to forgo our current convenience (especially new shopping mall with cinema coming) as well. So we are very choosy in the next location.

Just 1 week ago, we went to take a look North Park Residence. In my opinion, this is best project in 2015. Of course, comes with a price as well. After visiting the showroom, I think North Park Residence has a much better "value". If you are interested to hear my view on NPR, then I will share my analysis.

Would be great if you can share on NPR. How's the pricing like?

 

[Advancer]

North park is like $1300 psf isn't it???

 

[edward79]

It sounds to me that you will be buying more your own stay. I am currently staying in Punggol, 5 min walk from MRT. We are very comfortable as we walk to the MRT everyday without the need to take the feeder bus or LRT (literally packed to the brim every morning). Although we are looking to upgrade, we are thinking very hard whether to forgo our current convenience (especially new shopping mall with cinema coming) as well. So we are very choosy in the next location.

Just 1 week ago, we went to take a look North Park Residence. In my opinion, this is best project in 2015. Of course, comes with a price as well. After visiting the showroom, I think North Park Residence has a much better "value". If you are interested to hear my view on NPR, then I will share my analysis.

i guess we are having similar considerations. its the thought of forgoing something that i can enjoy on a daily basis that is holding me back. unfortunately budget is not on my side so anything more expensive with better location is not going to work out for me.

NPR is a more favourable location than the criterion but personally i dont like projects with commercial units below. i prefer the project to be solely for residential purpose.

 

[edward79]

That area seems to be still under development, with a lot of BTOs on the way. So maybe after The Criterion TOP, there maybe more facilities available.

I did booked a unit there. I find that the price and layout are reasonable. I also like how each block are spaced out.

which unit you booked?

have you surveyed the surroundings on what are available and reachable by foot?

 

[edward79]

Forgoing convenience/centralized area for this EC.. I don't think is worth it.

haha i call it the problem of having the privilege to enjoy the convenience/centralised location that has made me so dependent on it that i find it really difficult to convince myself otherwise. seriously i would not have considered further if my current place is similar to the location of this project.

 

[welshwiz]

It sounds to me that you will be buying more your own stay. I am currently staying in Punggol, 5 min walk from MRT. We are very comfortable as we walk to the MRT everyday without the need to take the feeder bus or LRT (literally packed to the brim every morning). Although we are looking to upgrade, we are thinking very hard whether to forgo our current convenience (especially new shopping mall with cinema coming) as well. So we are very choosy in the next location.

Just 1 week ago, we went to take a look North Park Residence. In my opinion, this is best project in 2015. Of course, comes with a price as well. After visiting the showroom, I think North Park Residence has a much better "value". If you are interested to hear my view on NPR, then I will share my analysis.

NPR is way over-priced. For $1300++ psf, you can get something closer to town and next to MRT...and get to Orchard faster!

Imagine if you really need to sell next time, how much will that be? $1500psf or $1600psf? it's just too risky...

i rather buy something not so close to central (have more privacy) for about $1000psf and buy myself a nice ride (or re-invest) with that price difference...

 

[tokidoki_sg]

which unit you booked?

have you surveyed the surroundings on what are available and reachable by foot?

I booked a 4brm unit. Since i drive, i din survey the surrounding.
I used to stay in Yishun so i'm not very concerned with this location.
I've been looking for a 4 bdrm unit and frankly pte ones are really too exp for me.

Did you checked out Brownstone EC? It's next to the new MRT between Yishun and Sembawang. If you prefer more central location, then i guess Brownstone EC is out too.

 

[ralfale]

If I'm not wrong, condo above mall can be priced around 200 psf more compared to nearby surrounding condo. However for NPR, it is definitely more than 300 psf or more. Current transactions 1300 to 1400. I felt this is grossly overpriced for yishun location. Hard to sell, hard to rent in future.

 

[rider83]

The way I see NPR's value is this....

1) Very good location. Just beside the Yishun MRT. Only "complaint" is that Yishun MRT is not underground. Would be perfect if it is... We also love relatives and friends visiting us. So this is added advantage.

2) Yishun is a very good town in the sense that it is the only town in the Northern region with a upcoming big shopping mall. If you look at 2 or 3 MRT stops north/south of Yishun, there isn't any town with such big mall. Mall pulls in crowds, crowds bring money to the mall, and makes it an attractive location to live in.

3) Integrated project. What I mean is NPR is above the shopping mall. Can buy everything easily. There are also shops selling cheaper stuffs at the neighbourhood area in Yishun central.

4) Competition among private residences. Consider you wish to buy a place in the North, probably for reasons like want to stay near parents, good amenities etc... NPR is obviously the choice. Although it may look too expensive, you look around NPR and realised, there is no other condo nearby!! Taking a look at the map, Yishun MRT is surrounded by other HDB. The only probably condo development is the piece of land that Yishun Temporary Bus Interchange is sitting on. Beside Yishun Pond, there is another plot of land but I wont consider that as near as NPR to the MRT.

Definitely NPR is not cheap or affordable. I am interested in their 3+1 room unit but the floor area is just 77 sqm. I really wonder if the unit can fit a 3-gen family.

 

[welshwiz]

The way I see NPR's value is this....

1) Very good location. Just beside the Yishun MRT. Only "complaint" is that Yishun MRT is not underground. Would be perfect if it is... We also love relatives and friends visiting us. So this is added advantage.

2) Yishun is a very good town in the sense that it is the only town in the Northern region with a upcoming big shopping mall. If you look at 2 or 3 MRT stops north/south of Yishun, there isn't any town with such big mall. Mall pulls in crowds, crowds bring money to the mall, and makes it an attractive location to live in.

3) Integrated project. What I mean is NPR is above the shopping mall. Can buy everything easily. There are also shops selling cheaper stuffs at the neighbourhood area in Yishun central.

4) Competition among private residences. Consider you wish to buy a place in the North, probably for reasons like want to stay near parents, good amenities etc... NPR is obviously the choice. Although it may look too expensive, you look around NPR and realised, there is no other condo nearby!! Taking a look at the map, Yishun MRT is surrounded by other HDB. The only probably condo development is the piece of land that Yishun Temporary Bus Interchange is sitting on. Beside Yishun Pond, there is another plot of land but I wont consider that as near as NPR to the MRT.

Definitely NPR is not cheap or affordable. I am interested in their 3+1 room unit but the floor area is just 77 sqm. I really wonder if the unit can fit a 3-gen family.

Well, comparing to other Yishun developments, the premium to be paid for NPR is almost S$300psf on average.

Assuming the unit you buying is 77 sqm (or 829 sqft), you are technically paying S$248,700 extra for "convenience".

Not saying it's wrong, but is convenience really worth that much?
Different pple different perspectives I suppose...

Oh ya, just FYI, North Park Residences is not condominium status

 

[edward79]

I booked a 4brm unit. Since i drive, i din survey the surrounding.
I used to stay in Yishun so i'm not very concerned with this location.
I've been looking for a 4 bdrm unit and frankly pte ones are really too exp for me.

Did you checked out Brownstone EC? It's next to the new MRT between Yishun and Sembawang. If you prefer more central location, then i guess Brownstone EC is out too.

Brownstone although near to MRT, it's even further up which I don't think I will fancy.

The 4-bedder is a good choice. Would have considered that if I can afford it. By the way did you ask for any discount? If yes what is the %? Any other perks that are offered to you?

 

[tokidoki_sg]

Brownstone although near to MRT, it's even further up which I don't think I will fancy.

The 4-bedder is a good choice. Would have considered that if I can afford it. By the way did you ask for any discount? If yes what is the %? Any other perks that are offered to you?

Nope, no discount offered. I booked before public launch, Agent only mentioned that usually during public launch, the price will go up a little.

 

[Zze121]

Well, comparing to other Yishun developments, the premium to be paid for NPR is almost S$300psf on average.

Assuming the unit you buying is 77 sqm (or 829 sqft), you are technically paying S$248,700 extra for "convenience".

Not saying it's wrong, but is convenience really worth that much?
Different pple different perspectives I suppose...

Oh ya, just FYI, North Park Residences is not condominium status

You mean $248,700 extra between a normal condo vs a condo next to MRT plus on top of mall?

Convenient in measurable term is time and money spend on travel for the entire family whole year round.

 

[edward79]

Nope, no discount offered. I booked before public launch, Agent only mentioned that usually during public launch, the price will go up a little.

By the way is the list price inclusive of GST? I understand that there is stamp duty of 3% minus $5.4k, resale levy of $40k when I sell my current unit (4-room HDB), Any other 'hidden' costs?