Checklist: Before Buying a House | Malaysia property news and resources
The house that you may wish to buy may seem like your dream house, but before putting in an offer, consider a few details past its design and price.
For example, a basketball hoop attached to the home may cause you to assume that the neighbourhood is great for children. However, closer inspection may show that it has not been used in a long time, and there are no signs of children in the neighbourhood.
Make a few visits to the neighbourhood
A residential street that seems quiet and peaceful may be noisy and could be a highway-feeder road during rush hour traffic making it almost impossible to enjoy a quiet day or move around without hassle. Having a school opposite the potential buy could appear to be a perk during the holiday seasons, but come school days the extra traffic and racket might make you think otherwise.
Neighbourhood associations
How often does the neighbourhood have get-togethers? Do they host events often? Even if you don’t want to be a part of the association or attend the events, the fact that the association meet regularly is an indication that they care about their community and are working towards building a strong community. These are the kind of people who will look out for your house and your kids.
Browse through newspaper archives
Do ensure that you gather all the information on things you cannot see. For example, it could have been reported that a high voltage electrical line might be coming through your backyard or the neighbourhood may have had a lot of water supply problems in the past. Furthermore, you could check with the local city council, such as MBPJ, to see if there are any proposed future projects in the area.
Check the view
There are many neighbourhoods that have teardowns (or homes that have been demolished). Thus, it is vital that you look at the two houses on either side of yours. Check to see if they have had some teardowns. If they do, then you might consider that they could be building some huge structure that may affect your view or light.
Look at old utility bills
A pristine, landscaped garden may add to the allure of a home, but the water bill (apart from the other bills you would get trying to maintain the garden) could push up your monthly payments beyond the affordable range. The same applies for homes with multiple rooms and sections that you have to spend to air-condition during the drier, warmer months.
Look at the surrounding areas
This may not be a big concern if you are moving from just a few neighbourhoods away, but when you are moving to a completely new neighbourhood, you may not be aware of the little quirks or issue that might affect you. For example, if your home is a few streets away from an air base or an airport, then you can expect the reverberations and loud noises of aircrafts taking off and landing throughout the day.
Remember to do your homework and look beyond the property that you are considering to purchase.
Friday, November 15, 2013
7 Simple Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value | Malaysia property news and resources
7 Simple Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value | Malaysia property news and resources
For many of us our home is our most valuable possession. Hence, you should look for ways to further increase your home’s value. Regardless of whether it is simply to grow your investment or earn you better rewards when you sell it, increasing your home’s value is something you should attempt to do, especially since there are seven very easy ways to do it.
1) Inspect your home frequently
Being a homeowner yourself, you should remember that one of the steps you went through before buying your home was inspecting it yourself or hiring a professional to do it for you. As such, do ensure that your house is in tip-top shape by checking every now and then for signs of damage or disrepair and fix them as soon as possible.
2) Add more seating
If your home has space to spare, try adding a few extra chairs and a small table. You will be converting a previously empty open space in your house into a second dining, seating or lounge area. The furniture you choose will give potential buyers an idea of what to do with the space, which can translate into a higher perceived value of the house. This works especially well with outdoor areas such as the patio.
3) Tidy up
If you are getting ready to show your house to a prospective buyer, it would be best if you cleared up some of the clutter and random stuff you have accumulated over the years. This extends beyond little knick-knacks; pieces of furniture with no real purpose should get the boot as well. Minimalism is the key as less clutter will make your house seem bigger and more organised.
4) Paint your kitchen cabinets
If you are looking to revamp your kitchen, you should already know that your kitchen cabinets are something that cost a hefty sum and a fair amount of time to replace. Rejoice, however, for there is a very simple and cheap solution: give them a fresh coat of paint. This not only gives your kitchen a new look but covers up any scratches and surface damage they may have acquired over the years.
5) Throw in some potted plants
Not everyone has or can afford the time to upkeep a garden, but no one can deny that some greenery livens up a home like no other. A viable option is to decorate the inside or outside of your home with a few potted plants of your choice; this increases the appeal of your home but does not require you to hire a gardener.
6) Add storage
Creating additional storage in your home serves two purposes: not only are you providing potential buyers with more storage space, you are also adding a greater sense of organisation to your home. However, do not go overboard by stuffing every available space with a cupboard or closet.
7) Give it a good shine
Beauty tips are not just for people’s physical appearances; your home can benefit from its own version of make-up as well. Fixtures and any stainless steel features in your home such as your kitchen sinks and faucets deserve to shine – literally – and their sparkle will give your home a ‘new’ look.
For many of us our home is our most valuable possession. Hence, you should look for ways to further increase your home’s value. Regardless of whether it is simply to grow your investment or earn you better rewards when you sell it, increasing your home’s value is something you should attempt to do, especially since there are seven very easy ways to do it.
1) Inspect your home frequently
Being a homeowner yourself, you should remember that one of the steps you went through before buying your home was inspecting it yourself or hiring a professional to do it for you. As such, do ensure that your house is in tip-top shape by checking every now and then for signs of damage or disrepair and fix them as soon as possible.
2) Add more seating
If your home has space to spare, try adding a few extra chairs and a small table. You will be converting a previously empty open space in your house into a second dining, seating or lounge area. The furniture you choose will give potential buyers an idea of what to do with the space, which can translate into a higher perceived value of the house. This works especially well with outdoor areas such as the patio.
3) Tidy up
If you are getting ready to show your house to a prospective buyer, it would be best if you cleared up some of the clutter and random stuff you have accumulated over the years. This extends beyond little knick-knacks; pieces of furniture with no real purpose should get the boot as well. Minimalism is the key as less clutter will make your house seem bigger and more organised.
4) Paint your kitchen cabinets
If you are looking to revamp your kitchen, you should already know that your kitchen cabinets are something that cost a hefty sum and a fair amount of time to replace. Rejoice, however, for there is a very simple and cheap solution: give them a fresh coat of paint. This not only gives your kitchen a new look but covers up any scratches and surface damage they may have acquired over the years.
5) Throw in some potted plants
Not everyone has or can afford the time to upkeep a garden, but no one can deny that some greenery livens up a home like no other. A viable option is to decorate the inside or outside of your home with a few potted plants of your choice; this increases the appeal of your home but does not require you to hire a gardener.
6) Add storage
Creating additional storage in your home serves two purposes: not only are you providing potential buyers with more storage space, you are also adding a greater sense of organisation to your home. However, do not go overboard by stuffing every available space with a cupboard or closet.
7) Give it a good shine
Beauty tips are not just for people’s physical appearances; your home can benefit from its own version of make-up as well. Fixtures and any stainless steel features in your home such as your kitchen sinks and faucets deserve to shine – literally – and their sparkle will give your home a ‘new’ look.
FOR SALE: Semarak Condo, Batu Caves
MORE UNITS FOR SALE & RENT in Semarak/Penaga Condo!
FOR SALE: Semarak Condo
* 1206 sq ft
* 4 rooms & 2 bathrooms
* low floor & facing pool
* facing Batu Caves
* a serene & calm place to live
* walking distance to KTMB Batu Caves
* nearby Angsana Apt, Tmn Raintree townhouse, Amara
* next to Kg Laksamana, Kg Nakhoda, Jln Ulu Yam, Selayang, sri Gombak
* easy access to MRR2, Jln Ipoh, Jln Gombak, Jln Ulu Yam
Seling $420k ono
for viewing contact/sms/whatsapp OMAR 012-7343782
FOR SALE: Semarak Condo
* 1206 sq ft
* 4 rooms & 2 bathrooms
* low floor & facing pool
* facing Batu Caves
* a serene & calm place to live
* walking distance to KTMB Batu Caves
* nearby Angsana Apt, Tmn Raintree townhouse, Amara
* next to Kg Laksamana, Kg Nakhoda, Jln Ulu Yam, Selayang, sri Gombak
* easy access to MRR2, Jln Ipoh, Jln Gombak, Jln Ulu Yam
Seling $420k ono
for viewing contact/sms/whatsapp OMAR 012-7343782
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