Choosing a builder

There are a few ways to finding a builder: the most important step in ensuring your dream house is built according to specifications, on time and on budget.
1. Ask your friends, who are satisfied.
2. Go through advertisements, not many in Malaysia.
3. Go around the town and look for impressive house workmanship. Look for the builder's contact from the signboard.
4. Ask the architect.
5. Ask the engineer.
6. Ask the lawyer.
7. Ask the banker.

A responsible interested builder will show you his company profile, a few houses that were built and being built. He will prepare a quotation for you according to your needs and budget.

This is such an important step that we took the longest time to decide.

Next, loan arrangement again!

DIY house planning 2

The most fulfilling part of the preparation is the research to building a house of our dream.

We set the ideals:
GREEN
Lots of fresh air and sun shine
Open space
Cost effective

We found the solution: SIMPLE.

There are good websites that show you popular house plans and good magazines too. They are good basis when you can conceptualize your own. We finding that drawing and showing the architect what you want helps save time and cut costs. Just take out your paper with squares and start drawing!

Tips: If you have everything on paper when you consult the architect most probably you will get a big discount!

DIY House plan design

Paperworks for house ownership in Malaysia

After the land was found, there were still a few steps and months before we could get the ownership.
1. Sign an agreement to purchase and pay a deposit of 5% from the agreed price.
TIPS: Some bargaining may be proceed the step. Generally in Malaysia, owners like to mark up the price for you to negotiate.)

2. Find a reliable lawyer to draft the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA). Standard template is generally used. For us, she negotiated with the sellers' lawyer to confirm the terms.
TIPS: For non-Malay buyers, be patient if you want to purchase from a Malay seller. The lawyer will need to get the Menteri Besar's (Chief Minister) consent. It may take countless years. Forget about it if you want to buy a Malay Reserve land, it is almost never!)

3. Once the SPA is finalized, just pick a good day to sign the many pages of documents. On this day we paid a total of 10% to the seller, inclusive of the deposit.
TIPS: Read through what you have sign to understand the terms.
Take note of the date. In 90 days you have to pay the other 90% of the sum.

4. Do a quick search for the best loan in town. The bank may promise you that the processing is pretty fast e.g. two weeks, but the release of the sum to the seller may take longer. Remember to count the days well otherwise you can get a penalty of 8% of the overdue days.
TIPS: The best published rate may not be the best negotiable rate. Talk to the right persons to fit your budget.

5. Things may get more complicated if you want to loan for the building of the house at the same time. You really have to finalize the house design quickly and get the local council approval within a very tight time. We didn't try to as it was too stressful.
TIPS: If you have a ready made house plan, you can save on the legal and processing fee by just applying for the loan once.

More......

criteria for a dream home 2

Continued from the previous post:

5. Feng shui Taboo: We always view feng shui as an art of living harmoniously with the nature. Many of the dos and don'ts and be explained logically. A tall post in front of the house, house facing the crossroad, house on the slope and house next to the hill have all be been demonstrated to be in disaster in Malaysian news. Nothing is perfect. We just aim for 70% correct.

6. Neighborhood: "The house on the right belongs to a cardiologist and the left to the boss of peanut factory." Almost every property agent try to create this link as much as he can. For me just avoiding Ah Long area is good enough.

7. The Feel: We have been to nice area which is much sought after, but not moved at all. When I saw the beautiful stream with the background of the rolling green hills as backdrop, I was touched. With the soldiers of trees along the jogger's track at one side and dotting coconut trees and Wooden houses at the other side, I know I have found it here.

So we kept driving again and again, asking around and around the area until the day the good fortune strikes. WE FOUND IT! We knew it right away, after seeing 188 houses.

After two days of consideration, we paid the deposit to the property agency. Our search finally ends here!

criteria for a dream home 1

My spouse and I developed a new hobby to drive around Ipoh to hunt for vacant land and houses. No hooks or nooks are left out. We are the first to go for any launching of a new project.
After 688 dys and seeing the 100th house, we knew what we are looking for.

1. Budget: A little stretch above comfort level is certainly good to encourage more savings for us. From the experience of our first house, we find that by the time we settle the loan our expectation is above that level. House is always an asset if we choose properly from the beginning. I think that goes with everything important in life e.g. spouse.

2. Location: This is the biggest factor to decide to value of the property. An exclusive and limited unit will certainly be sought after anytime. In Ipoh, Canning Garden and Chateau Garden are the champion. The main reason: Ipohite do not drive too far.

3. Freehold vs Leasehold: If PKR had granted freehold for all areas this will not be an issue. In Ipoh, limited areas are freehold. That again is the reason Canning and Chateau fetch the price that doubles or triples other areas. The newer areas of Botani and Klebang are freehold but far for Ipoh standard.

4. Gated and Guarded Community: The best is undeniably Sunway. Meru Valley Resorts and Uplands are good examples besides smaller places e.g. Pulai Heights and Sri Klebang. It is really a big attraction with climbing crime rates but security fee can be substantial.

Why do you need a home?

"Son, you should always go all out for your dream, never give up!"

"So, what's your dream?"
I have almost forgot my dream after dedicating my life to work and family.

Yes, since as a child I always wished for a space with lots of flora and some fauna.
A sanctuary for my family to relax and recharge.
A haven for my kids to explore and experience.
A gathering place for friends and relative to reconnect.

The double storey terrace house that I am staying in has enough build up area of 1800 square feet with wonderful neighbours. But it is just not my dream house.
Now it is my challenge to show my son that everyone can achieve his dream if he tries hard.

I have to prove it to him!