Construction status as at 14/02/2011

Popular Styles of Home Architecture Today

If you are a fan of modern architectural designs, then you probably want to know the different trends in terms of home architectural designs. You will be amazed with the variety of wonderfully designed properties with highly functional spaces.

Knowing the different trends will help you decide how to upgrade current home. This will also enable you to apply new trends in your home. Some of these trends can help you conserve energy better and live a healthier and an environmentally friendlier home.

Here are few of the most common trends today:

1. Eco-friendly home designs. Many builders today are concerned about the environment. This is why they gearing towards the use of sustainable materials. This is a good thing because everyone can benefit from this. Aside from using eco-friendly materials, properties are also designed to lower the carbon footprint of the property. Designs are looking to maximize the natural light so that household will use less of the artificial lights during the day. Rooms are also built to reduce the use of air-conditioning.

2. Prefabricated homes are in today. The parts of these homes are manufactured off-site and the parts are shipped to the location where they are assembled. Many builders are using this because they are able to build homes with good quality faster. There are several designs to choose from. This is why properties can still be customized to address the needs of the home buyers.

3. Re-purposing and reusing home structures. Due to concern for the environment, builders today are not throwing away structures or materials when home building. They find good uses for old structures and incorporating it in new homes without compromising the quality of the property. Many builders are also doing this to preserve history.

4. Accessible home designs. This is perhaps one of the most notable trends in new home designs. The designs are simpler, allowing the homeowners to move around easier. Owners can also get to their things easier because they are more accessible. For instance, high cabinets are replaced with a more convenient storage where users can easily get to their stuff.

5. There are also several additional features that lets the owners relax and enjoy their home better Family rooms are among these features. Owners are looking for that extra room in the house where they can just hang out. They are also interested in having more living space where they can bond with family and entertain friends.

Houses today are simpler and more spacious. This is because of how contractors integrated the wise use of spaces in the house. There has also a significant change in the choices of materials for the construction of properties. Homeowners are moving towards the use of sustainable materials. This is due to the growing awareness of the troubles that the environment is facing.

There are also new trends on the rooms and features that homeowners value today. Many are more drawn to family rooms as well as home offices. Familiarize these trends to choose an applicable design for your home.

Based on an article by Roby Hicks.

Choosing to invest in property

It's not easy to invest in property. With the volatile market, you never know what might happen to your property or your money.

When it comes to property, there are no guarantees. The best thing you can do is simply to protect your investment by making smart choices.

To do this, you have to think hard and plan ahead. After all, property is always a substantial investment.

Determine what kind of property you want to invest in. You can go for a condominium unit if you can afford it or start with a simple apartment if money is tight. On the other hand, you can also purchase a vacation house especially if you travel a lot. Whatever you decide on, it's always best to weigh your options before you plunge ahead.

If this is your first time to invest in a property, it might be a good idea to start with something smaller in order to limit your risk exposure. In this case, an apartment building might be a good option as it is easier to get tenants and it offers a more stable income.

But regardless of the kind of property you choose, the one thing that you should pay attention to is its location. In fact, location is everything when it comes to property. A good location is one where there are schools, banks, hospitals, markets, and public transportation nearby.

After you have decided on a good location, keep abreast of the developments in the area. Of course, it would be ideal if you can choose a property that can help you pay off the mortgage.

To help you get the best deal, engage the services of a real estate agent. An agent can tell you all you need to know about a certain property so you can easily evaluate your options. Finally, look for a good financing company. Remember that the higher your credit score, the higher the likelihood of getting a good deal on the mortgage.

Based on the article by Andrew Capster who has been writing articles about investment for the past four years

Construction status as at 24/01/2011

Chinese New Year Roadshow (19-23/01/2011)

First of all, we would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy & Prosperous New Year. Ocean View residences will be having a road show at Sunway Carnival Mall in Seberang Jaya with fantastic offers and promotion in conjunction with this festive season. See you there.

Transforming your new home

Give It a Personality

New homes are great: new foundation, new plumbing, that new carpet smell. It's important to put your own stamp on your new home home. Make it different from your neighbour's so that it not only has its own charm and personality, but when it comes time to sell your house has something different to offer: a customized look.

Step Back In Time

One great way to turn your monotonous home design into something unique is to go historic. Since brand new houses don't yet have a story to tell, you now have the opportunity to create your own stories, your own history. So though it's a recent addition it can still have an antique feel with the right remodels. And they don't have to be huge projects. You don't need to gut the place and rebuild in order to create a historic look. Instead, replace a modern window with stained glass to add some rustic charisma. Invest in some carved woodwork on your staircase. Swap the carpet or linoleum with reclaimed wood floors. Install some engraved stonework around the fireplace mantel. The finer points are often what set a house apart: it shows that the homeowners care about small customized details, which will speak highly of the house's overall quality and upkeep.

House of the Future

However, even in historic homes, you still need all the bells and whistles. A great way to transform a cookie-cutter floor plan is to modify and update the house fixtures. Kitchens are big selling points but most come standard with a fridge, dishwasher and range unit. But if you add a few modern touches you could turn a boring kitchen into a state-of-the-art space. Install stainless steel appliances for a sleek, streamlined look. Put in dishwasher or warming drawers. Swap the Formica with natural stone counter tops. Even hardwood floors can seem homogenous, so set yourself apart with tiled flooring or quality linoleum. Also, bathrooms are typically a tub, toilet, and sink. Why not add a Jacuzzi, a steam shower, or even a sauna to give the space its own distinct character.

Don't Waste Space

Most new homes have at least one extra room: an unfinished basement, a spare bedroom, or a living room that's never used. Why not turn these empty spaces into something exceptional. A finished basement is always a great investment, especially if you turn it into a bedroom with egress windows and an additional half-bath. But if you want to get inventive, why not turn it into a home theater with a projection television and stadium seating. Or turn it into a rec room with a full wet bar, pool table, and a flat screen for the big game. Most guest rooms simply contain a bed and end up being used for storage. Instead, why not turn it into a home gym or a personalized office space. And living rooms are tricky. Typically these rooms hold a couple pieces of nice furniture and are never thought about again. Why not turn these areas into functional rooms: install built-in bookshelves to create a home library, a table and chairs for a formal dining room, or maybe add a roll-top desk, liquor cabinet, and piano to form an old-fashioned parlor.

Based on an article by Marc Dickinson who has worked in both the general contracting and landscaping trades and is currently a home improvement freelance writer with over 300 articles published.

New Site Show House (06/01/2011)

These are the latest images of the new show houses at the actual Ocean View Residences construction site. 2 units have undergone a total make-over to provide purchasers and potential purchasers an opportunity to finally experience the Chic Urban Living concept in the flesh.

This is the Type A Alpha show house.


This is the Type B show house.