WR Construction site progress as at 23/08/13

How to research brand new homes

If you are looking at new homes, you should take some time to determine which options you like best. If the model you want is not even built yet, except perhaps as a model home, you may have limited ways to get to know more about it. But it can still be done with the following methods.

The first way to start looking at brand new homes is to check websites that show the layouts of the houses you like. For example, if you like a particular builder, you should look into the floor plans of the latest series of houses. The plans should be shown online so you can get an idea of how the interior of each property is laid out. In addition, you should be able to see elevations you can choose from for the exterior of each house. Examples of your choices for the exterior may include balconies, courtyards, porches, and decorative touches that you can add.

You should also check out the map of where the new homes will be built. This may be all the information you have available to you in the beginning stages of the series of houses, so it makes sense to first make sure you want to live in the area. Then you can start looking at floor plans as they become available on the builder's website. Eventually, model homes should be built so you can get an even better look at each property.

Once the house you are considering has already been built at least once as a model home, you should be able to see pictures of the interior and exterior online. These, along with the floor plan, can give you an idea of how the home looks before you even go check it out. Of course, the house features on the website will likely have many features that are upgrades, not standard, so keep this in mind as you look at pictures of it.

If you like the way the house looks in pictures, you should visit the model home to experience the floor plan firsthand. Then you can get a feel for what the property looks like close up. Of course, you should be looking at a number of new homes at this point rather than pinning all your hopes on just one. This means you should visit a few of them so you can compare what you like and do not like in a home.

When you use these tactics to do some research, you can narrow down your many choices when it comes to newer properties. Just because the series of houses has not even been built yet does not mean you cannot get a good look at what's in store for the future properties. Then you can have the advantage of watching your next property be built from scratch.

Based on the article by Alfred Ardis

How to choose the right neighbourhood

First-time homebuyers typically take the time to research what type of neighbourhood is appropriate for their specific personal needs before they buy. There are many different types of neighbourhoods, such as Transit-Oriented Design, Up-and-Coming, Multi-Generational Housing, Urban Core, and so on. Each neighbourhood has its own advantages and disadvantages and certain families may choose one over another. What neighbourhood your dream home is located in should be a large deciding factor in choosing where you want to live. Here is a basic breakdown of some of the most well-known neighbourhood areas:

Transit-Oriented Design: These neighborhoods are specifically built with public transportation in mind, they surround high traffic businesses with cost-efficient apartments, condos and townhouses. They are usually convenient but not very spacious, and mainly consist of a younger, single crowd possessing a lower income.

Up-and-Coming: Located near downtown areas but expanding towards the suburbs, they are mostly larger family homes. They are cheaply priced due to their close proximity to a lot of construction areas. Usually plays host to a diverse population, less crime and situated a little further away from public transit.

Multi-Generational Housing: Will accommodate all walks of life by combining several generations into one community. New developments attempt to cater to many family oriented homeowners at the same time.

Urban Core: The downtown heart of the city, usually featuring a diverse population and many apartment and loft-style homes. Boasts plenty of access to public transportation, paid parking and, alas, higher crime rates.

Historic: This area is surrounded by the city's most notable government-owned buildings and business complexes, featuring large Victorian and colonial-style homes. Owners are an older crowd, and these homes tend to take more effort to maintain (although their appeal is still very high).

Contemporary Urban: These types of neighbourhoods are typically for the educated, professional and younger crowd, with taller high-rise living areas usually located near downtown business areas. Possesses a great nightlife district for the dating crowd.

High End: Upper class, expensive, elegant, contemporary homes in gated communities or situated next to large bodies of water. Also located high on mountaintops, sprawling hills or any other difficult-to-reach places, they are often private, quiet, status symbols.

Rural: These are the furthest away from the city, usually near to farms, ranches and large custom-built homes boasting acres of land. If you love nature and solitude, this is the ideal choice for you.

Based on the article by Reed A Lattin

WR Construction site progress as at 24/07/13

Woodsbury Suites - Open for Registration

The latest addition to Harbour Place is finally here.

Tips to consider in investing for a property

It doesn't matter whether it's a buyer's market or a seller's market; there is one thing that is common among all homebuyers and that is - they don't want to get ripped off. And while thoughts of white fences and granite countertops may be dancing allover your mind, being carried away by a dream and left holding a serious bill would be very problematic. Getting your first home would be one of the biggest purchases you'll ever make, so instead of making an impulse buy, make sure you do your research and have yourself backed up by a few quality advisers.

Now, if you are wondering how can someone who is going to buy a property for the first time be able to get a fair deal on the home they are prepared to place an offer on, here are several important tips you need to consider.

• First things first, attend a first-time home buyer's seminar. Every undertaking needs to be learnt before you actually go hands on. The same goes to home buying. Making the wrong decision on your first house can come back to haunt you, so it is important to take a little time to learn from the pros and go straight to the head of the class with your investment knowledge. Here, you can decide whether you should get yourself a deal of house and land packages or a lot.

• Understand your budget. Having high expectations on the type of house you wish to get can set you up for disappointment if you don't know what you can afford. So you need to sit down and look seriously at your average monthly budget, take a hard look at where you are spending your money on - everything from the restaurant bills to your dry-cleaning bills. And when you finish checking out your monthly bills, you'll then figure out what you have left to spend for your monthly mortgage and home expenses. And if the numbers aren't adding up to what you want, then you need to start to buckle down and change your spending ways to make sure you are able to pay your bills as this is one of the most important factors in buying your first home.

• Take your time. Homes constantly come on and off the market. You may not be able to find your dream home, however, you won't need to settle for anything less simply because you feel under the gun to buy something. For the time being, you can consider renting so you can give yourself time to find the right home.

Based on the article by Keith H. Bailey

Penang projects get a boost

THE Penang Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas has called for support for the four major infrastructure projects worth RM6.3bil that was proposed by the state government. He said there was a need to upgrade the road infrastructure in Penang to be on par with developed countries. “Thus, the state’s intention to implement the RM6.3bil project to resolve traffic issues should be supported,” he said yesterday in his speech when opening the first sitting of the first term of 13th Penang State Legislative Assembly.

The project comprises a 4.2km bypass connecting Gurney Drive to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, a 4.6km bypass connecting the expressway to Air Itam, a 12km paired road between Tanjung Bungah and Teluk Bahang and a 6.5km undersea tunnel connecting Gurney Drive to Bagan Ajam. The tunnel project had however come under fire from some non-governmental organisations and politicians who feared that it would bring negative environmental and economic impacts. Abdul Rahman said a feasibility study and Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment would be carried out to ensure that the projects are safe for implementation and can be completed well.

On power supply, he said Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) would build a RM3bil power plant in Prai which would be completed in 2016. He said that from 2015 to 2018, the utility company aimed to increase the distribution of electricity in the state with the construction of eight 842 megawatt main intake substations at a cost of RM589.5mil. 

Abdul Rahman also said the state government had identified seven sites statewide for its affordable housing projects. He said there would be a total of 22,172 units, of which 3,152 units would be built on the island and the rest on the mainland. He said more than 19,000 people had registered their interest to purchase units at two projects - in Jalan S.P. Chelliah where 1,900 units will be built and Bandar Cassia in Batu Kawan which will have 520 units.

On healthcare, Abdul Rahman said the state was setting up dialysis centres in Balik Pulau and Seberang Jaya at a total cost of RM4mil to provide subsidised treatment for poor patients. “The state hopes to start operating the centres by the end of the year,” he added. In his speech that lasted close to an hour, Abdul Rahman also extended his condolences to the family of victims who died in the second Penang bridge ramp collapse on June 6 and freak storm on June 13.

Other issues he touched on included investments, traffic and transportation management, tourism, agriculture, welfare, sports, youth, women’s development and Islamic matters.

The Star Online

Wednesday July 3, 2013