1. Moving the lawn is not for you – you don’t like to trim pull weeds and paint.
2. You travel a lot for your job or your sanity.
3. You don’t want a big home that you have to take care of.
4. You have very few friends and want to meet new people.
5. You want to ensure your community adheres to rulers and regulations.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
How To Find A Good Apartment
Buying or renting an apartment is an excellent choice for those who either cannot, or those who want to scale down and enjoy life a little more. While renting has its place in life, it should never be a long term solution.
Plus, if you are a busy person home ownership may cramp your style.
Making a real estate investment is a sound contribution to your future, and sometimes starting out a little slowly makes sense.
Finding an apartment first and a dream home later can make the transition from renting to home ownership a reality.
Or, buying an apartment at a later stage of your life instead of renting will keep your money working for you. Plus, apartment ownership comes with amenities such as a community pool and a fitness center. If you live alone this can be a great way to meet people with similar interests.
Do you care about the way your environment looks? Management companies do a great job in keeping the properties in top condition. They keep the interest of the owner foremost because every owner pays a maintenance fee to keep the grounds and the property in top shape.
A real estate agent based in Kuala Lumpur said before finding an apartment, you should study issues such as noise, ventilation, interior environment, natural light, safety and security, building management, hygiene and accessibility.
“To make sure you get the best value for your money talk to independent valuers and real estate agents. Don’t just rely on advise from developer or agents. This is very important is you are buying from a plan, so the value of the finished property will reflect what you pay for”.
Tips on finding a good apartment:
First organize the information yourself. Where have you lived over the last five years, where do you work, where do you like to move on to, and how much are you willing to pay?
You may want to get a credit report on yourself if you are concerned that credit blemishes may cause a problem during the leasing process.
Filter out 99% of other apartment complexes. The most important level of filtering is the location. Select the area you want to live in. If you are moving to an apartment from out of town, get help from someone in the area where you are moving to.
Set a realistic budget. Your cost of housing should nor exceed about 30 to 35% of your household income. This includes rent, electric, gas and water.
The next step in selecting an apartment is to find the unit type, unit size and amenities which are important to you. Consider the in-unit amenities and the project or community amenities.
Use an online property search or locator like www.iproperty.com.my to find and ideal venue on all available apartment in the city. This will help with your moving costs.
Limit the list of apartment which seem to be best fit - to perhaps five or eight apartment properties. Start calling the property owners to get up to date information on unit availability and the specials they are offering.
Specials can vary from floor plan to floor plan.
Calling the apartment owners before you visit will help you get the best deal.
Also ask for information on application fees, deposits and the first month rent.
Visit three to five properties which best fit your requirements. Ask detailed questions about issues that are most important to you.
That notes while you are the property. Confirm information on the deposits, first month’s rent, application fee, rental rates and unit amenities while you are visiting each property.
Also ask to see the unit they have available instead of just seeing the model unit.
After visiting the properties, review your notes and select the property that is best for you.
Ask if they can improve their last offer by reducing the deposit, waiving the application fee or reducing the rent.
Visit the property and negotiate the tenancy agreement which is a legal documents. Ask questions if you do not understand portions of the document. In most cases it is negotiable. If a term does not seem reasonable, change it.
Before accepting the apartment, walk through it with the agent or apartment manager.
Carefully inspect items such as carpet, vinyl tile, mirrors, switch plats, and the level of finish in the bathtub/shower and wall sockets.
If the apartment is not clean, ask the representative if they can clean up before moving in.
Also ask about what you need to do regarding cleaning the property to have your deposit returned.
Plus, if you are a busy person home ownership may cramp your style.
Making a real estate investment is a sound contribution to your future, and sometimes starting out a little slowly makes sense.
Finding an apartment first and a dream home later can make the transition from renting to home ownership a reality.
Or, buying an apartment at a later stage of your life instead of renting will keep your money working for you. Plus, apartment ownership comes with amenities such as a community pool and a fitness center. If you live alone this can be a great way to meet people with similar interests.
Do you care about the way your environment looks? Management companies do a great job in keeping the properties in top condition. They keep the interest of the owner foremost because every owner pays a maintenance fee to keep the grounds and the property in top shape.
A real estate agent based in Kuala Lumpur said before finding an apartment, you should study issues such as noise, ventilation, interior environment, natural light, safety and security, building management, hygiene and accessibility.
“To make sure you get the best value for your money talk to independent valuers and real estate agents. Don’t just rely on advise from developer or agents. This is very important is you are buying from a plan, so the value of the finished property will reflect what you pay for”.
Tips on finding a good apartment:
First organize the information yourself. Where have you lived over the last five years, where do you work, where do you like to move on to, and how much are you willing to pay?
You may want to get a credit report on yourself if you are concerned that credit blemishes may cause a problem during the leasing process.
Filter out 99% of other apartment complexes. The most important level of filtering is the location. Select the area you want to live in. If you are moving to an apartment from out of town, get help from someone in the area where you are moving to.
Set a realistic budget. Your cost of housing should nor exceed about 30 to 35% of your household income. This includes rent, electric, gas and water.
The next step in selecting an apartment is to find the unit type, unit size and amenities which are important to you. Consider the in-unit amenities and the project or community amenities.
Use an online property search or locator like www.iproperty.com.my to find and ideal venue on all available apartment in the city. This will help with your moving costs.
Limit the list of apartment which seem to be best fit - to perhaps five or eight apartment properties. Start calling the property owners to get up to date information on unit availability and the specials they are offering.
Specials can vary from floor plan to floor plan.
Calling the apartment owners before you visit will help you get the best deal.
Also ask for information on application fees, deposits and the first month rent.
Visit three to five properties which best fit your requirements. Ask detailed questions about issues that are most important to you.
That notes while you are the property. Confirm information on the deposits, first month’s rent, application fee, rental rates and unit amenities while you are visiting each property.
Also ask to see the unit they have available instead of just seeing the model unit.
After visiting the properties, review your notes and select the property that is best for you.
Ask if they can improve their last offer by reducing the deposit, waiving the application fee or reducing the rent.
Visit the property and negotiate the tenancy agreement which is a legal documents. Ask questions if you do not understand portions of the document. In most cases it is negotiable. If a term does not seem reasonable, change it.
Before accepting the apartment, walk through it with the agent or apartment manager.
Carefully inspect items such as carpet, vinyl tile, mirrors, switch plats, and the level of finish in the bathtub/shower and wall sockets.
If the apartment is not clean, ask the representative if they can clean up before moving in.
Also ask about what you need to do regarding cleaning the property to have your deposit returned.
How To Create An Eco Friendly Bathroom
Whether planning a new bathroom or remodeling one, creating an eco-friendly bathroom can be a money-saving option that’s healthy for the environment and the people living in the home.
Step 1
CONSIDER using ceramic tile for floors, countertops and walls surrounding the tub and shower. Ceramic tile is less prone to damage from moisture, and some tiles are even made from recycled products.
Step 2
INSTALL a low-flow shower head, and save money on water and energy bills over time. New models no longer drastically reduce water flow, and they typically use about 2 gallons of water per minute. Conventional shower heads use about 6 gallons per minute.
Step 3
SAVE more water by installing an ultra-low flush toilet, which typically uses about four liter of water for flushing. Dual-flush toilets have two knobs that allow users to conserve water by selecting the amount needed for flushing waste. Pressure-assisted toilets also save water and use compressed air for efficient flushing but they can be noisy.
Step 4
LOOK for wheatboard bathroom cabinets, which are typically made from wheat straw and a nontoxic binder. Cabinets made from conventional particleboard and medium-density fiberboard, known as MDF, can emit toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde. Cabinets made from supportive, harvested wood are another eco-friendly option.
Step 5
PREVENT mold by installing a bath fan that reduces moisture. Make sure the fan is safe for installation over tubs and showers.
Step 1
CONSIDER using ceramic tile for floors, countertops and walls surrounding the tub and shower. Ceramic tile is less prone to damage from moisture, and some tiles are even made from recycled products.
Step 2
INSTALL a low-flow shower head, and save money on water and energy bills over time. New models no longer drastically reduce water flow, and they typically use about 2 gallons of water per minute. Conventional shower heads use about 6 gallons per minute.
Step 3
SAVE more water by installing an ultra-low flush toilet, which typically uses about four liter of water for flushing. Dual-flush toilets have two knobs that allow users to conserve water by selecting the amount needed for flushing waste. Pressure-assisted toilets also save water and use compressed air for efficient flushing but they can be noisy.
Step 4
LOOK for wheatboard bathroom cabinets, which are typically made from wheat straw and a nontoxic binder. Cabinets made from conventional particleboard and medium-density fiberboard, known as MDF, can emit toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde. Cabinets made from supportive, harvested wood are another eco-friendly option.
Step 5
PREVENT mold by installing a bath fan that reduces moisture. Make sure the fan is safe for installation over tubs and showers.
8 Eco-Friendly Home Improvement Ideas
Today, it’s more important than ever to consider eco-friendly or “green” products and materials when you improve your home. This is because we want to do our part to keep the environment healthy, but it is also because most of us cannot afford to waste money on inefficient homes.
Many products and materials that are eco-friendly can help your pocket book-think low water bills, affordable gas and electricity bills.
Fortunately, there are many options today for those who want to make eco-friendly home improvements. Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Tons of water is wasted each year in the bathrooms, so take a look there when you want to renovate. For the toilet, consider a dual flush model. These are designs that use two different flush settings depending on what you need (usually a powerful mode offers 6 liter, a nice and gentle 3 liter flush as well). This can greatly help reduce water consumption in the home over in the course of a single year.
2. A new coat of paint will increase appeal to the outside of a house and brighten up the drab spaces inside. It is also an easy and relatively inexpensive home improvement method. When selecting the paint, stick to brands that use non-VOC or non-volatile organic chemicals. Just ask the paint department of the home improvement store, and someone should be educated enough to help you find and eco-friendly paint to suit your needs.
3. Flooring is one of the first things people think of when they remodel, and there are many ways to get what you want and still be eco-friendly. For those who are looking for a natural type of material then cork flooring is a great option to explore. It is durable, comfortable to walk on, and boasts of using of non-toxic adhesives, with a wide range of colors and designs available.
4. Your floors may not really need to be replaced at all. Reusing and refinishing already existing materials is a hallmark of the green movement, so another viable home improvement option is in refinishing the floors you currently have. This is plausible if you have wood floors underneath any other type of floors in your home.
5. Carpets can be eco-friendly too. Sometimes it’s hard to beat the warmth and softness of carpets but if you want to be green and healthy (carpeting is well known for harboring dust mites, and dust) consider carpet tiles. Which is the in-thing right now. There are typically created from recyclable materials and are very easy to install and clean. This makes them a beautiful choice.
6. In the bedroom, look for organic bedding. Many off-the-shelf bedding products are treated with a chemical called formaldehyde, which is intended to make them soft, but is hazardous to the environment as well as your health. Look for organic bedding instead.
7. As for the bed itself, consider eco-friendly mattresses. There are several companies that have them available; most are typically made from natural latex rubber which is friendly to the environment. Also these mattresses pose fewer problems when it’s time to replace them.
8. Think solar power whenever possible. This can save you a lot of money in the long run. For example, if you are replacing your water heater, consider a solar powered model. This will reduce energy usage, lower your power bill, and ensure that you always have plenty of hot water on hand, even if the power is out in the rest of the house.
Matthias Gelber, a German environmentalist living in Malaysia said: “The issue of environment responsibility is an important one more so with the rising cost of fuel, electricity and water. Resources cost money. It is not free. And consumption leads to pollution. Anything that can help reduce water and electricity bill combined with environmental responsibility will bring us a double return for our investment, as well as a better future for our children.
Many products and materials that are eco-friendly can help your pocket book-think low water bills, affordable gas and electricity bills.
Fortunately, there are many options today for those who want to make eco-friendly home improvements. Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Tons of water is wasted each year in the bathrooms, so take a look there when you want to renovate. For the toilet, consider a dual flush model. These are designs that use two different flush settings depending on what you need (usually a powerful mode offers 6 liter, a nice and gentle 3 liter flush as well). This can greatly help reduce water consumption in the home over in the course of a single year.
2. A new coat of paint will increase appeal to the outside of a house and brighten up the drab spaces inside. It is also an easy and relatively inexpensive home improvement method. When selecting the paint, stick to brands that use non-VOC or non-volatile organic chemicals. Just ask the paint department of the home improvement store, and someone should be educated enough to help you find and eco-friendly paint to suit your needs.
3. Flooring is one of the first things people think of when they remodel, and there are many ways to get what you want and still be eco-friendly. For those who are looking for a natural type of material then cork flooring is a great option to explore. It is durable, comfortable to walk on, and boasts of using of non-toxic adhesives, with a wide range of colors and designs available.
4. Your floors may not really need to be replaced at all. Reusing and refinishing already existing materials is a hallmark of the green movement, so another viable home improvement option is in refinishing the floors you currently have. This is plausible if you have wood floors underneath any other type of floors in your home.
5. Carpets can be eco-friendly too. Sometimes it’s hard to beat the warmth and softness of carpets but if you want to be green and healthy (carpeting is well known for harboring dust mites, and dust) consider carpet tiles. Which is the in-thing right now. There are typically created from recyclable materials and are very easy to install and clean. This makes them a beautiful choice.
6. In the bedroom, look for organic bedding. Many off-the-shelf bedding products are treated with a chemical called formaldehyde, which is intended to make them soft, but is hazardous to the environment as well as your health. Look for organic bedding instead.
7. As for the bed itself, consider eco-friendly mattresses. There are several companies that have them available; most are typically made from natural latex rubber which is friendly to the environment. Also these mattresses pose fewer problems when it’s time to replace them.
8. Think solar power whenever possible. This can save you a lot of money in the long run. For example, if you are replacing your water heater, consider a solar powered model. This will reduce energy usage, lower your power bill, and ensure that you always have plenty of hot water on hand, even if the power is out in the rest of the house.
Matthias Gelber, a German environmentalist living in Malaysia said: “The issue of environment responsibility is an important one more so with the rising cost of fuel, electricity and water. Resources cost money. It is not free. And consumption leads to pollution. Anything that can help reduce water and electricity bill combined with environmental responsibility will bring us a double return for our investment, as well as a better future for our children.
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