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Safety, Security, Gated and Guarded

Property News/ 28 September 2014 Leave a comment

by Charles Tan

These days whenever my friends told me that they are buying a landed property, my first question is always, ‘Gated and Guarded?’. And their answer would always be, ‘Yes’. Honestly, should you buy a landed property which is not gated and guarded today? For me, no. Reason? My family would be staying there and the extra premiums and maintenance fees that comes with one is well worth it. First of all, it does not mean that gated and guarded would never face potential crime. However, gated and guarded adds one additional security layer. That’s important to me. In terms of gated and guarded, my preference would be for following.

Nope, I am not looking at hot areas. My reason is because I do not wish to pay through my nose for such a property. I would prefer areas which are upcoming or even newer areas. Truth is, if we look at just additional 15 minutes, our option expands tremendously. Let’s face the facts, with the ever reducing prime lands, landed properties have a better capital appreciation potential and since I am staying, sooner or later the prices would go up.

Developer. Sorry, I would not buy from unknown developers or developers with bad reputation. I do not believe in taking risks because with landed property, it is highly likely that I would be paying a premium compared to high rise anyway. For secondary properties however, I am okay to buy from any developer because I would already be able to view it before I buy. Therefore, for this, I am prepared to pay a slight premium for developers that I think is worth that premium.

Design and Space. Between these two, I would rate space higher. Space as in the lanes in the development, parks, playgrounds, lots of trees. Basically I do not wish for the project to feel cramped. As for design, I am taking about the design of the home from outside. If it looks great, then great. if it looks average, I can still accept it as I can still renovate the interior to my liking. How about if it looks truly bad? Haha. Thus far, I have yet to see a design which I dislike so much that I never bothered to look inside.

>> This opinion article comes courtesy of Charles, the founder of kopiandproperty.com. He is popular for sharing his thought on property investment mostly based on his own 11 years experience as well as from all the readings and conversations with property gurus in the industry. (Source)

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  1. Wf
    September 29th, 2014 at 11:01 | #1

    I think this is not really a new discussion. It was on and off discuss few years back. But I think with so many concerns and lifestyle I think this is getting more attention.

    Unlike JB or KL, I think in Penang, G&G is not really a no.1 priority to the people here.
    Some not interested to pay for maintenance fees. To them for landed, they already paid premium price. Why pay more?

    Furthermore in strategic places and matured neighbourhood, it is well populated and the overall residents income are higher and not mixed too much with lower society or villages and hence the risk are lower. For eg, in Sg Dua, Batu Uban, I don’t think it is needed. They too already have established strong and well organied Committee in their housing area.

    I agree in new and not so developed areas G&G should be prefer.

    Since here people are “cost conscious”, do you have a list of landed strata G&G ( not those merely guarded) project maintenance fees structure for Penang state and its facilities? Hope some expert or agents, can provide.
    At least we can compare and discuss further from here.

  2. DIBS
    September 29th, 2014 at 13:23 | #2

    G&G also got disadvantage, no freedom cant renovate cant change paint cant park addition car infront the house cant make noise cant do party cant have pet cant sing k cant hear music loudly cant do many thing cant…but I prefer G&G due to safe:-D

  3. Wf
    September 29th, 2014 at 14:20 | #3

    true also hv less freedom. Cannot simply do business too.

    ANyway, how much u will to pay for maintenance fees? RM300/mth?

  4. james
    September 29th, 2014 at 16:43 | #4

    I see G & G has its advantage as compare to non-gate, look around those terrace in Penang without gated, it end up very unorganized and not nice looking, people tends to do anything as I wish in landed, sometimes, too much freedom would attribute to unnecessary issue. I don’t mean freedom is a bad thing, but the issue is… majority of people not able to be discipline, it ends up.. many issues arise which need to be regulated.

    Personally, G & G has more advantage in term of security, facilities, difference life style and sentiment staying in G & G, I don’t mind to pay the maintenance fee and willing to pay for the service, my concept, what is the point of saving peanut to risk your investment/safety, furthermore, there is huge investment being made when you have committed the landed property, RM200 per month of maintenance fee is very minimal. it is a fund to maintain the area, like garden, rubbish management, facilities and so on, in fact, you are not paying for nothing, you are enjoying the facilities, security in your compound, just like an insurance coverage for the peace of mind.

    To those who really calculative in term of maintenance fee for landed because of the mentioned reason, “why I pay more since premium price is paid”, it sounds like, “I already bought a expensive car, why I have to do maintenance”.

    My advice is to them is.. save your money in bank, do not to buying any property for your own good. : )

  5. c
    September 30th, 2014 at 10:04 | #5

    hahaha…..i prefer too G&G but the extra premium is simply hitting over the roof.
    My favourite location Batu Uban Vilariz, the 3ST is really for rich ppl.

    Anyway personally i think in those matured and established Taman, well….may be not necessary.

    I still try to look for more info such as maintenance fees for full facilities G&G. as we know (just like condos) it will increase over time. hence need to find more afforadble maintenance fees la
    James, u seems knowledgeable in G&G, can share?

  6. song
    September 30th, 2014 at 11:40 | #6

    G&G or not is only a matter of preference. Some people like it, some people don’t. Added security yes, but some people get robbed too in G&G. There’s control in terms of reno for G&G that makes it look “neat”, but then somebody like the individuality of non G&G.

  7. Wf
    September 30th, 2014 at 14:22 | #7

    Hi Charles,

    Most of the pros and cons points have been discussed before.
    Do u have the data/info to publish on the strata landed G&G maintenance fees rate?

  8. aquaboy
    aquaboy
    September 30th, 2014 at 17:10 | #8

    If most developers keep putting in G&G in their plans, does that mean that G&G will be one of the criteria for landed house buyers in coming future?

    If such scenario is the case, what will happen to those non-G&G ones in terms of price wise?

  9. JJ
    September 30th, 2014 at 17:26 | #9

    I think G&G is a must for modern urban living. As modern working adults are busy with long working hours (or stuck in the traffic jam most of the time) or frequently travel for holidays, G&G concept put their mind at ease to ensure that their belongings and the love ones are being protected.

    Currently there are some projects in the island are G&G strata concept. One of them is Maven at Balik Pulau. Maintenance is RM0.17 psf + sinking fund. Given two carparks with a store room at the ground floor, it gives a high consumers value in accommodating owner’s need. Heavy equipments (Trolley, strollers) can be kept and accessed at ease.

  10. juak
    September 30th, 2014 at 17:49 | #10

    @JJ

    Hard selling your balik pulau property ah? With Batu Kawan coming up, Balik Pulau is going down the drain already lah. Keep it for your own weekend stay loh.

  11. james
    September 30th, 2014 at 18:09 | #11

    @c
    I don’t have much of knowledge in G&G but some basic concept to share, as what I know there is a project located in Sg ara, for instance, one Residence@ Tree residency, in fact, the concept is similar to apartment with strata title. the residence has to follow the house rule regulation within the premises, you may has limited flexibility to do what you like in accordance with house rule. Although it has less flexibility in renovation which it need to keep uniform for all the exterior of the house, but I see it is advantage and value added in term of keeping the outlook organize, you may think it has less flexibility but there has its advantage against unnecessary problem , let me give you a scenario, for those ever run into problem with bad neighbor in landed, I think strata title concept may keep away from this problem. at least, you can fill a feedback to your management for help. Of course, everyone has their own preference, however, I would rather to take lesser risk than sorry. the choice is yours. you need to evaluate the level of risk against the value you could save especially, looking from safety point of view. Nothing is free in the world and perfect. You need to take your own risk for any decision is made.

    Another reason I would choose strata title concept is because living in a community, confliction is always exist. in order to mitigate this common issue, the rule and regulation is a guideline to keep everyone discipline. if you unable to accept this concept, I think strata title is not suitable to you.

  12. c
    October 1st, 2014 at 11:14 | #12

    thanks James. noted these points.

    actually i like both type too. how i wish i own both!

    finally got one data, Maven RM0.17/sqft, (but this is not typical landed right?, townhouse?)

    How much for One residence, White Lily, SouthBay etc?

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