Selling?

We have been inundated with fliers from real estate agents who dangle eye-popping prices of houses they have sold in our neighbourhood. Usually, the fliers end up in the trash.

But recently, we learnt that our immediate neighbour, Uncle Chan, has sold his house. For slightly over a million. His house is the same size as ours, also a corner terrace, but in original condition. Well-kept but original in its 40-year-old look. KH figures that our house can probably fetch a higher price considering that it has been 'renovated'.

Well, I don't want to sell. I'm not ready to think about selling now - especially now that the roof is no longer leaking!

I'm very happy with my little 'yellow' (now vanilla) house. Yeah, with 5 kids the space might be a little tight, but it is still cozy and comfortable. The kids too, enjoy the house. They love that they get a bit of a garden to run around in, they have made many firm friends among the neighbourhood kids. I like it also because Mum lives so nearby (we love popping in and out of each other's houses and sending/bringing food over). I also like the location very much - centrally located but quiet, Toa Payoh and Bishan just a couple of bus-stops away, 20min from the MRT, CTE/PIE around the corner. I've settled in here so well.

Just the thought of selling my little house makes me sad. Can't imagine if or when we actually sell and have to move! Think I'll howl...

But I also acknowledge that if the market keeps rising, then it makes good financial sense to sell at a good price, move to a HDB flat (which is affordable), stay liquid or invest the rest of the money wisely for 'retirement'. This is what we've always said we wanted to do when we got the house at such a good price 9 years ago. Back then I did make a mental note to not get too attached to the place because I knew this would happen someday. But the market stayed down for a long time and selling was not a good option. Along the way, the house became not just an investment cow waiting to be fattened and slaughtered, but a real home we loved.

I've brought three babies back to this house. Celebrated countless birthdays. Seen my babies toddle around the place. Some day, it would be nice to have wedding tea ceremonies here. The very thought of selling seems like a betrayal of this dear little house!

So when KH mentions the idea of selling these days, I say a quick 'no'. But I don't know how long we, or he, can wait. If the market keeps going up, it looks like it will be a 'sooner', rather than a 'never'.