What's a safe space worth?
SquareRooms|September 2023
Meet Lisa, the single who bought a resale HDB flat at age 24 to provide a safe home for her family.
JOYCE YANG
What's a safe space worth?

CPF nomination is rarely discussed in the context of buying a home, but its importance is a lesson homeowner Lisa had to learn the hard way.

When Lisa was 12 years old, her family of four began staying in her aunt's three-room flat, entwined in a joint tenancy with her father. But little did they know that this arrangement would shape their destiny when tragedy struck 12 years later.

In 2019, Lisa's father passed away, leaving them grappling not just with grief but also with the grim reality of having no property in their name. To add insult to injury, her family's relationship with their aunt had also gone south, putting them at risk of being ousted altogether. Lisa knew what she had to do-secure a safe space for her family, and fast.

"I only did that because I had no other choice that was acceptable to me. I refused to let my family continue to stay with my aunt," confesses Lisa in one of her YouTube videos. Her family's touching story resonated with over 175,000 viewers, who follow her journey and pick up nuggets of wisdom from her channel, Lisa's Adulting in Singapore.

However, the odds were stacked heavily against her. Lisa discovered that her father had not made a CPF nomination, resulting in funds being tied up and effectively barring them from financial resources.

She was left with little choice and, as a mere undergrad student, bit the bullet and took on a daunting mortgage of nearly $200,000 to purchase a two-room resale flat under the Non-Citizen Family (NCF) scheme.

This story is from the September 2023 edition of SquareRooms.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2023 edition of SquareRooms.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM SQUAREROOMSView All
10 Essentials For An Elderly-Friendly Bathroom
SquareRooms

10 Essentials For An Elderly-Friendly Bathroom

From the shower to the toilet and vanity, here's a guide to helping your loved ones age comfortably in your home.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
Design redefined
SquareRooms

Design redefined

Southeast Asia's designers reinterpret value through craft and innovation at EMERGE @ FIND 2024

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
Pure perfection
SquareRooms

Pure perfection

Stay healthy and hydrated with Hydroflux's PILSU water purifier

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
A fresh look at an icon
SquareRooms

A fresh look at an icon

Discover the newly improved shopping experience at IKEA Alexandra

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
Designing with purpose
SquareRooms

Designing with purpose

From public service to design, Cassandra, the founder of Eden Living shares her inspiring journey of building a brand centred on the philosophy of restful living.

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2024
From Drab to Japandi
SquareRooms

From Drab to Japandi

A condo built in the nineties gets a makeover, complete with an airy open kitchen and a spacious walk-in wardrobe.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
A rare retreat
SquareRooms

A rare retreat

Guided by Ken's expertise, Seng Kiat and Mallory transformed their executive apartment into a versatile home for both adults and children.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
Kitchen Renovation: Do's and Don'ts
SquareRooms

Kitchen Renovation: Do's and Don'ts

A well-designed kitchen encourages you to cook more and makes entertaining a breeze. Start here with our guide.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
Designing through time
SquareRooms

Designing through time

In June 2024, Caesarstone opened its doors to an exclusive unveiling of the Time Collection, a new range that promises to redefine surface design. Over two carefully curated events, Caesarstone brought together industry professionals and homeowners alike, offering a glimpse into the artistry and innovation behind their latest creation.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
Cook in style
SquareRooms

Cook in style

Discover the latest innovation in kitchen surfaces with Stratus, a cutting-edge compact surface solution from Greenlam.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024