Alfisyah’s Home‑Snap Journey: From BTO to Executive Swirl
Meet the family behind those dreamy shots: Alfisyah, the kind‑hearted business‑dev account manager, shares her everyday life with her husband Fairuz – a dedicated civil servant – and their two tots, Aadam and Aalia. Their latest venture? A move from a cozy 4‑room BTO in Yishun to a sprawling Executive Apartment in Hougang.
Why the upgrade happened
- Space craving: Kids grow fast, and so do the corners you need for playdates and homework.
- Better amenities: A bigger apartment means a gym, a pool, and a balcony that doesn’t feel like a rooftop living room.
- Future‑ready finance: They’re planning their money carefully to keep the dream alive without drowning in debt.
Alfisyah’s Instagram is a treasure trove where she offers straight‑talk and hand‑on tips—anything from budget hacks to choosing paint colors that won’t make the whole family sweat.
From 4‑Room BTO to a 5‑Room Executive
Last month, she posted a behind‑the‑scenes look at the process. Picture this: a 34‑year‑old mom with a laser focus on spreadsheets, beside her 35‑year‑old civil servant hubby, both determined to pin down the best financial strategy while juggling parenting, jobs, and the endless medium‑six‑thirty hustle.
Inside the budgeting debate
She’s transparent about how they valued each dollar: mortgage rates, stamp duty, renovation budgets, and those “I’ll just add a Starbucks” spontaneous splurges.
Takeaway: Before you jump to an exec flat, ask yourself—do you really need a spare bedroom for future roommates? And do your finances allow it? Alfisyah shows that smart planning makes the dream manageable.
Humor & heart: A real family vibe
There’s a guilty laugh in the post when a toddler runs into a hallway full of oddly shaped door frames. Kids are real-life comedians! Yet every photo, from Aadam practicing his “tall‑boy” poses to Aalia’s “mini-music‑studio” corner, screams “home sweet home.”
So, what drove the family to upgrade? A mix of need for space, desire for premium amenities, and a strategic money‑plan that kept the dream within reach. And thanks to Alfisyah’s candid, witty updates, it’s clear that the day‑to‑day reality of raising kids and navigating mortgage markets can be turned into a lovable, vibrant living story.
Eldest kid was starting primary school, 4-room BTO flat in Yishun was too small
A Journey to a Bigger Home
The Fam‑Story: From Cuddles to Couch‑Gym
Picture this: Aalia, the bright-eyed joey, was just about to hit the big “school zone.” Their plan? Send her to CHIJ [Our Lady of the Nativity] in Hougang, a sweet spot close enough to her grandparents that a quick stroll was all it took. That’s the sort of “home‑situation” a dream family would narrate—until the world turned upside‑down with COVID.
The twist came when Alfisyah’s work crashed into the “home first” arena. She switched to permanent work‑from‑home (WFH), which sent a ripple through the setup: the grandparents stayed on the sidelines, and Alfisyah became the go‑to nanny while juggling a full‑stack of deadlines from her phone.
Why Bigger Happened to Be in the Future
Fast forward to the homestead phase—three rooms tucked into a BTO flat weren’t cut out for our little dynasties. The family realized they needed:
- Three private rooms for Aadam, Aalia, and yourself (unfortunately, the clever space for a home‑gym won’t get a bedroom spot).
- An open‑concept kitchen that could either stay that way or, with a splash of renovation, transform into a modern foodie‑hub.
- A spot that’s cheeply close (within 4 km) to Alfisyah’s parents to keep the CPF Proximity Housing Grant running smoothly.
- A school that’s no more than two city bus hops from the house.
- Stores that are literally a stroll away—because hunger doesn’t wait for traffic or pandemics.
The Search Chronicles
Once the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) closed the BTO door, the hunt began. Picture a family of ten (four adults plus two kids and Uncle Fai’s gym) taking on a treasure hunt with a chest‑full of wish lists.
And voilà: by weaving together all those non‑negotiables, the family found hope in a new place that sang the tune of “room for everyone, a gym for the fit, and all the best stops within arm’s length.”
Closing Thoughts
Life throws a curveball—COVID, caregiving, and evolving family needs. This is a story about turning those curves into a straight, wider path. A story where love, creativity, and a dash of humor make the ride feel like home in more ways than one. Share your thoughts? Maybe add the house‑sad faces of friends… or the one who thinks every house is a gym‑a‑together.
Considered going for a maisonette during the house-hunting journey
Home‑Hunt Highlights
Alfisyah and Fairuz started out eyeing an Executive Maisonette (EM), even taking a tour of one unit. But it quickly became clear the EM fell short on a few points: a wall‑to‑wall gym was a must, and with a Smith machine already in their BTO flat, they needed more room. The house also had to house two bedrooms for their kids, Aadam and Aalia.
It Became a Smooth Ride
They said the journey felt breezy, and here’s why:
- Self‑guided discovery – The pair checked out listings on a property portal, piling up 9 favourites. The favorites were mostly Executive Apartments (EAs) and maisonettes.
- Agent’s tighten‑up plan – The agent advised trimming the list further. The couple cut it down to the three top picks that matched their non‑negotiables.
- Speedy visits – With the agent’s organization, they crammed the three viewings into one day.
- Quick offer – The next day, they made an offer on the third unit they saw, and
- Victory! – All that followed is history.
The Deal
After 13 years of working hard, the couple closed the deal at $640,000 and did not pay any cash‑over‑valuation (COV). They landed a 1,550‑sq‑ft Executive Apartment that was 27 years old at the time of purchase in 2019.
Decided not to do a full renovation despite the age of the flat
From Old to Gold: How We Revamped a 30-Year-Old Flat Without a Full Overhaul
We snagged a charming flat that’s been around for almost three decades—no need for a demolition frenzy! The key reason? The place was already in stellar shape, especially the open‑concept kitchen. Couple that with a budget that said “no wall hacking,” and we kept 99% of the flooring intact.
What We Tinkered With
- Kitchen & Bathrooms: The eye‑candy of the estate: we tore them down and gave them a fresh, modern makeover.
- Minimal Wall Tricks: Since we avoided major wall cuts, we saved a ton on materials and labor.
- Flooring: Was in good condition, so no new tiles—just a fresh coat of polish.
Teamwork Make the Dream Work
We had a top‑notch interior designer who paired up smoothly with the contractor’s project manager. Their partnership ensured any hiccups were sorted out on the fly. Lucky timing? We wrapped up the renovation just before the circuit breaker trips—what a twist of fate!
Beware the Hidden Souvenirs!
Skipping a full teardown means hidden faults can sneak in. Just a few months after the upgrade, our ceiling started leaking. Turns out, the previous owner had cleverly concealed a pipe inside a lightbox we kept. That little secret drained our wallet when it finally sprung a leak—nothing from HDB or PUB helped.
Pro Tip: Dig Up the Past
Ask your previous homeowners about any hidden work they did—pipes, ducts, or hidden wiring. If you left them untouched, decide if you want to keep it as is or give those areas a fresh run‑through.
- Find out the details of any previous remedy.
- Check for concealed pipes or plumbing that might be a future headache.
- Decide whether to restore, replace, or leave untouched.
In short, a partial renovation saves time and money—but always be on guard for surprises buried underneath decades of history.
Open-plan layout of the home was inspired by the Airbnbs the family had previously stayed
Our Favorite Home Features – A Quick‑Dive
Open‑Plan Living is All the Rage
When we sat down with Alfisyah and Fairuz to talk about what makes their home special, the answer was a simple, yet bold one: Open‑Plan Fun. “We absolutely love the open‑plan floor layout of our current home,” they confessed.
Because, let’s be honest, the 4‑to‑8 room Airbnbs we’d hunkered down in before COVID all had open‑plan setups. The endless flow of space had got under their skins. So when they could design a fresh house, they followed that blueprint.
Extra Space for the Win
- They needed a walk‑in pantry or a laundry room that didn’t clutter the kitchen.
- Earlier homeowners had carved the spot to house a portable sauna.
- Alfisyah & Fairuz kept that layout intact but gave it a brand‑new purpose.
No Pinterest? No Problem!
Three years ago, when the couple started moving and converting an old cottage into a modern gem, Pinterest was not on the radar. Tap into something different – real TV!
They dove into the world of HGTV, MTV’s Cribs and even Architectural Digest and Awake Live on YouTube. The showrooms and creative angles fed them with ideas that made their new house feel like a personal home‑design show.
Takeaway
Open‑plan aesthetics, extra functional zones and a dash of show‑biz inspiration can turn a raw space into a living masterpiece. Turn your living room into a fluid vibe – no Pinterest required!
Living in a neighbourhood with a “kampong spirit”
Why the Flat Was a Hit
Alfisyah and Fairuz had more than just square footage, condition and layout on their checklist when picking their EA home. They were hunting for the perfect vibe, and the neighborhood turned out to be the secret sauce.
The “Kampong Spirit” Factor
They’re not just fans of modern design – they crave that easygoing, “kampong” feel that makes everyday life feel like a community festival.
- Friendly neighbors who actually chat over the wall.
- Local business owners who open their doors (and maybe a jar of jam) for the whole block.
- Kids who swap snacks and secrets on playgrounds and from balcony windows.
Living on the Lower Floor?
Sure, it’s a bit lower down, but that’s one of the perks. In the afternoons, you can hear the giggles of the little ones playing, and sometimes they even mosh into the roof to shout, “Hey, Sam! Want to play?”
From a Balcony Perspective
Fairuz chuckles, “My daughter loves chatting with our neighbors from the balcony – they can see where we’re living, and we’re seeing them!”
All in all, this flat isn’t just a place to sleep; it’s a living, breathing community that turned the family’s everyday into something a bit more magical.
A full reno is not the key to a beautiful home
Spicing Up a Leak‑Infested Pad Without Breaking the Bank
Alfisyah and Fairuz aren’t letting a leaky ceiling pin them down—they’re proving you can still make a home feel royal without a full makeover. Their mantra? “Whatever you can spare, if it doesn’t bug you, keep it.”
Home‑Buying Hacks from the Couple Who Know the Real Cost
When the question of “What did we learn from hunting down this flat?” came up, they dropped a two‑step win:
- Flexible décor works wonders. Loose, movable pieces can transform a space faster than any refill‑ment.
- Crunch the numbers. Don’t just eye the sticker price. Wash in the renovation bill, the monthly gash for electricity and water that different unit types pull, and the livability of the spot.
“You can snag the property you want, but can you afford to actually bankroll living in it?” they remind us.
Life in the Current Nest
Right now, the duo are happy campers—fiddling over the latest interior trends, swapping a sofa for a lounge chair or adding a stylish plant. “Styling is a lot of fun!” they admit.
Dreaming Beyond the Current Spaces
When asked about their ideal dream home, they’re eager for a bigger footprint that can comfortably hold:
- A dinner table that lets everyone chat without awkward elbows.
- A couch big enough to couch‑up with the whole crew.
- A double island that clocks out your culinary adventures.
“We’re not big fans of multi‑storey houses,” they chuck, preferring a single sweet level that opens up the vibe.
Where It All Started
This story first hit the fan on 99.co under the tags:
- Interior Design
- Home
- HDB
