Show & sell
Showflats furnished to the tune of thousands of dollars are later sold lock, stock and barrel
By tay suan chiang
Property buyers know that the mantra is location, location, location, but once inside the showflat, what can clinch a deal is the furniture, furniture, furniture.
No expense is spared by developers in decking out their showflats, sometimes to the tune of many thousands of dollars, to persuade a hopeful buyer that this is The One.
Think plush sofas and chairs, and marble dining tables with matching dining chairs. And luxurious beds piled high with plump pillows in stylish fabrics.
'A great deal of attention and time is spent on the interior design of our showflats to enhance the unit's quality finishings and layout,' says Ms Tan Bee Kim, director of Wheelock Properties.
The showflat is open for inspection during the sale period. After that, it is dismantled if it is a stand-alone unit or sold off if it is part of the project.
But what happens to all that desirable furniture? Developers that Life! spoke to have several ways of handling that.
Ms Tan says that 'if the showflat is built within an actual unit, the furnishings will be sold together with the unit. Where the showflat is built in a temporary structure, furnishings are sold off'.
One of Wheelock's latest projects is luxury condo Orchard View in Anguilla Park, which has 30 four-bedroom units. One of these is used as the showflat.
Orchard View received its TOP (Temporary Occupation Permit) earlier this week and six units have been sold since its soft launch two week ago. The unfurnished units are going from $3,100 per square foot.
The showflat is decked out with wallpaper, plush sofas and even an outdoor swinging day bed which overlooks Orchard Road.
Wheelock declined to reveal the cost of this furnished unit but says that some customers have expressed interest in purchasing the showflat complete with decor.
However, they will have to wait as it will be up for grabs only when the project is fully sold.
On the allure of this all-in-one unit, Ms Tan says: 'Our showflats are meticulously styled by a team of consultants with furnishing and accessories sourced locally and overseas.
'Bespoke pieces further enhance the personality of the apartment and offer buyers a unique home ready for immediate occupation.'
Similarly for property developer Wing Tai, it has three on-site showflats at its Belle Vue project in Oxley Walk that will be put up for sale fully furnished.
Furniture and accessories from well-known brands such as Poltrona Frau, Moooi, Carl Hansen, Cassina and Kartell dot one of these, a $6.5-million four-bedroom apartment. A similar unfurnished one costs $6 million.
'Some buyers, especially our overseas clients, seek a furnished apartment for the convenience of relocation and immediate occupation,' says Ms Len Siew Lian, Wing Tai's general manager for property.
Should a home owner buy that unit but does not like the furnishings, Ms Len says 'it's the owner's choice what he wishes to do with it after the purchase'.
She adds that the apartment will be cleaned before being handed over to the buyer. 'Once sold, there'll be no more viewing of that particular showflat unit,' she says.
Mr Thio Gim Hock, chief executive officer of property developer Overseas Union Enterprise (OUE), says he will not have a problem of leftover furniture on his hands for his company's only residential development, Twin Peaks, an upcoming project in Leonie Hill Road at the former Grangeford condo site.
That is because the project is being sold fully furnished - a first in Singapore. All its 462 units will come with the same furniture seen at its showflat.
'The chairs, lights, tables, beds, blinds and even bedlinen will all be provided,' says Mr Thio. 'The apartments will be ready for use.' It has hired interior firm Suying Design to fit out the apartments.
The furniture includes designer classics such as Carl Hansen Wishbone chairs and the Eames Lounger and Ottoman by designer duo Charles and Ray Eames.
Twin Peaks will be launched only next month, but Mr Thio says it has already shown the showflat to some 'bankers, investors and foreigners'.
'They have indicated their interest to buy,' he says. He declines to reveal how much the apartments will cost, saying only that they will be 'at market price'.
He also declines to say how much the furniture is worth. Buyers who do not like what is there can request a change. 'They can also select their own colours for the furniture,' he adds.
These furnished apartments will appeal to investors who want to rent out the apartments immediately, or to home owners who do not want to have to deal with finding furnishings for their home, he says.
Home buyers whom Life! spoke to have different thoughts on buying furnished showflats.
Financial consultant Brandon Tan, 49, gives it the thumbs-up. He says: 'It saves me the trouble of hunting for furniture, and the choice is tastefully selected. I need to take only my clothes to the new home when I move in.'
But for bank relationship manager Yasmine Lee, 30, buying a furnished apartment is not something she will consider.
'I don't like knowing hundreds of people have stepped into my home or sat on the furniture. Plus, I like the idea of dressing up the home myself,' she says.
Other developers choose to go the recycling route. A Frasers Centrepoint spokesman says that 'as part of our ongoing effort to be environmentally friendly, we will recycle some of the furniture, lighting and small landscaping items for our subsequent showflats'.
A Keppel Land spokesman says that for its showflats, a 'small number of items are recycled but the majority will be sold off'. He declines to give further details but adds that 'we may use them to furnish completed units that are unsold, if such opportunities are available, and sell these units furnished'.
Over at CapitaLand, its spokesman says that 'art pieces that are on loan are returned, while some basic furniture items are donated to charitable organisations and other household accessories are stored for future use'.
taysc@sph.com.sg
All the units in Twin Peaks are sold completely furnished while only three units in Belle Vue will come all done up. -- ST PHOTOS: MALCOLM KOH
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