1st property is BTO. Should we save my doing a minimal design or spend a bit afterall we got it at a good price? Any advise?

It depends on what's the purpose of your house. Do you plan to resell it later on like 5-10 years time? Do you want to call it your forever home sweet home?

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Generally, people are doing minimal design especially if they plan to sell after MOP. Otherwise, an average design will do depending on your budget.

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All the best!

If the intention is to buy and resell after MOP, then do minimum reno to make it livable will do. If intention is to stay long term as a permanent shelter, then place a higher budget to make it more comfortable for yourself and your family.

Excellent question! I think there are two considerations here seeing how this is your first property:

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1) What are your future plans for this unit?

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Are you thinking of upgrading as soon as you can? If so, then yeah, stick to a minimal design. Not only will it make it easier for you to sell it (i.e. if you only have the basic built-in furniture) but you will probably save more money that you can grow now.

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If you are planning to stay for an extended period of time (e.g. due to proximity to a primary school of your choice for your children), then you should try to make it more conducive for your family, maybe even personalise it. After all, if you're going to stay for a decade at leat, you might as well make it your own.

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2) Unless you have lived together for an extended period of time before this, you don't really know what your living preferences truly are.

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Something like a display shelf or feature wall that you think you want now might turn out to be a white elephant in a year. The couch or the curtains you bought might not be suitable for the pet you later have in life.

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Be mindful of these things when planning your renovation, unless you're very sure about what your living habits are like.

Do it within your budget. to me, comfortable to the soul and eye and make you happy is important. after all it's your house that you will spend quite a number of time in.