WR Construction site progress as at 31/12/12

Luxury homes and what their owners usually have in them

Luxury homes are houses and dwellings that are usually owned by people who are intent on having the best things in life or the most comfortable things that they can afford. For the most part, these individuals or families usually start off with dwellings that are larger and grander in scale than the ordinary ones. They are usually located in neighborhoods that have similar residents and houses. Some may be located in remote areas which can only be reached with the use of vehicles and other means of transportation that are usually luxurious and privately owned. Some of these luxury homes usually have features and perks that are exclusively found in the most luxurious dwellings. One thing that should always be remembered when dealing with people who can afford the little luxuries and quirks that are available is that they always want to feel comfortable and safe in their houses.

Safety

In terms of safety, the rich splurge on their security in terms of CCTV cameras and other monitoring equipment that they deem necessary to feel safe. In many cases, security people are often hired to make sure that there is always someone around the premises who can be trusted to keep the owners and other occupants of the dwelling safe. Before, panic rooms were not so common but these days there are more and more people who require the installation of such rooms in their luxury homes. Apart from the panic room, some people also outfit their houses with escape routes that only they and their family know. Alarm systems are also the norm for many people who wish to stay safe and secure in their houses. There are security companies that actually maintain the safety and security of their clients upon their request. The local police may also be connected to the alarm system of the house if this service is available.

Comfort

The level of comfort that rich people have in mind may be vastly different from ordinary people. Many home owners of this caliber often see their domiciles as an extension of themselves and the comfort that they need. This means that they want their every need to be addressed as well as their every desire. In terms of needs, luxury homes often have the many amenities and facilities that first class hotels and resorts have. These are readily available to their owners at their convenience. Usually, some people have movie rooms made in their dwellings that can accommodate up to several people. Kitchens are also state of the art with every conceivable convenience available. Many of these home owners might also wish to stay in remote areas with spectacular views of the mountains or the beach or a lake. Picture windows are the norm for domiciles that offer great views to their owners.

These are just a few of the perks that often come with luxury homes. Some of these dwellings are often put up for rent while others are only accessible in our dreams.

Based on the article by Alfred Ardis

NCER has attracted RM12.3bil in investments this year

PUTRAJAYA: The Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) has attracted RM12.3bil in investments and created 16,335 jobs to date. Last year, the region attracted RM9.9bil in investments with 10,369 job opportunities, the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) said. NCIA CEO Datuk Redza Rafiq said the major investments came from the agriculture and manufacturing sectors, with strong participation from Japanese investors. “Local private sector participation in the economic region grew from 19.4% last year to 39% this year,” he said after exchanging an MoA with four companies, witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, here yesterday.

The companies are Cypark Resources Bhd, Naza Automotive Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, TS Solartech Sdn Bhd and Toyo Tires Manufacturing (M) Sdn Bhd. The MoA will see the companies involved in the renewable energy and motor vehicle sectors expand their businesses by building new plants and exploring new opportunities in the economic region. Redza said NCER would enter the second phase of development next year. “NCIA will be looking to broaden private sector involvement, including establishing networks of business and cultivating both foreign and domestic linkages.

“The ultimate objective is to deliver growth with social equity in the northern corridor, by positioning it as a diversified region renowned for its core business clusters, with spending power generated through the creation of jobs and business opportunities,” he said. Earlier, Redza attended a meeting with Najib to discuss the development and direction of NCER. “The Prime Minister has given us the thumbs-up and said he's very satisfied,” said Redza, adding that the meeting also set an investment target for next year.

He, however, declined to reveal the figure. - Bernama

Source: The Star Online - Friday December 14, 2012

April date to complete structure

The link between Batu Maung on Penang island and Batu Kawan in south Seberang Prai is now scheduled to be bridged in April. “We expect the second Penang bridge to be opened to the public by September once other works have been completed and the bridge deck tarred,” Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) managing director Datuk Dr Ismail Mohamed Taib.

“We are targetting Sept 8 for the public opening.” Ismail said the project was ahead of schedule with 89% of the bridge’s structure completed. Ismail was speaking to reporters after accompanying the Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas to inspect the work progress on the second Penang bridge.

He also visited the UEM Builders Bhd casting yard in Batu Kawan, where the Segmental Box Girders (SBGs) for the bridge are being moulded. Ismail said that the final SBG (8,092) was expected to be cast on Dec 20, following which a small ceremony at the site would be held to celebrate the milestone.

Keeping tabs: (From left) Ismail briefing Abdul Rahman on the bridge's progress during the latter's visit to inspect the project

 

Construction for the RM4.5bil second Penang bridge commenced on Nov 8, 2008 and is expected to reach 90% completion by the end of the year. Once completed, it will be 23.5km long, 10km longer than the first bridge. It will be the longest bridge in South-East Asia.

The bridge also incorporate a uniquely designed technology known as High Damping Rubber Bearing which is designed to withstand the effects of earthquakes up to 8.2 on the Richter Scale at a distance of 300km from the source.

Source: The Star Online - Tuesday December 11, 2012

By: Hafiz Marzukhi

The best way to buy a home

Buying real estate for the first time is one of those things that people seem to be expected to know how to do. Why is that? It is probably the largest investment an individual will ever make with their money and the importance of making a good decision goes well beyond financial considerations. Making a big mistake when deciding which house to purchase could lead to any number of undesirable results, including foreclosure down the line. If you are concerned about the pathway to home ownership, here are some tips to help you conquer this milestone in the best way possible.

Hiring an Agent

You don't have to hire a real estate agent to buy a home, but first time buyers would be wise to do so. Yes, it costs money and you're probably trying to save every penny you can right now, but there are many benefits to having an agent on your side. One of the main benefits is being able to outline your budget and what you're looking for in a house and then having appropriate listings brought back to you. This can save you a lot of time and frustration. You may also be privy to listings that aren't on the market yet, putting you in prime position to make an offer.

Take Your Time

Buying real estate isn't something you want to do in an afternoon. While you don't want to miss out on the house of your dreams by dilly-dallying on a decision, you're probably better off letting it get away than you would be buying something you only realize later wasn't your best option. It's one thing to feel buyer's remorse after purchasing an expensive stereo system at the mall. It's quite another to feel it after buying a house. Take a couple of months and really research your options.

Taking Out a Loan

This is one of the trickier parts of the real estate racket, although it usually isn't nearly as challenging as home buyers think it will be. Loan offices and banks, after all, are quite accustomed to lending money to people who want to buy a house, even if this is a foreign world for you. Don't wait until you have your heart set on a house to get loan preapproval from a financial institution. This will open up many more sellers, as some will not consider an offer unless they know the buyer will qualify for a loan.

Based on the article by Alfred Ardis