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What’s a Bungalow in Malaysia?

by Ian Fan | Apr 23, 2018 | Property

Last week, we went up into the sky to view a Bungalow in the Sky. Today, let’s look at landed bungalows.

What is a bungalow? There are differing real estate definitions for bungalow; but in Malaysia, a bungalow is basically a house built in the middle of a plot of land.

Often, we real estate agents get a lot of enquiries from clients who want to buy a bungalow. There are many and different types of bungalows in the market. We’ve to filter the buyer’s requirements and match the buyer with the right bungalow.

Basic / Renovated Bungalow

A basic bungalow usually maintains its original structure. The first owner or the seller did not renovate or extended the bungalow; therefore earning the term “basic bungalow”. Buyers can tear down the building and rebuild from bottom-up. Or they can maintain the structure internally, and then renovate and extend around the structure.

Basic Bungalow in Petaling Jaya (click picture to learn more)

Modern Bungalow in Damansara Heights (click picture to learn more)

Renovations and extensions involve additional expenditure. Usually in a suitable to move in condition as is. But sometimes, the bungalow may not be renovated to buyer’s taste.

Modern Vs. Tropical

How then do you differentiate a modern bungalow from a tropical bungalow? From my many bungalow viewings, a modern bungalow tends to emphasise on the colour white, glass panel windows, and spacious living. A tropical or Balinese style bungalow emphasises on nature, solid timber flooring, brown window frames, and beige walls.

3-sty Modern Bungalow in Damansara Heights (click picture to learn more)

4-sty Modern Tropical Bungalow in Damansara Heights (Click picture to learn more)

Swimming Pool & Private Lift

Some bungalows come with many additional features (just to name a few): swimming pool, private lift, basement, garage, sauna, wine cellar, and squash court! Nonetheless, the features that get the most attention from buyers are swimming pool and private lift. Some buyers prefer to have a swimming pool because it’s a water feature, while other buyers don’t prefer to have a swimming pool because of the maintenance costs associated with it.

For bungalows with three or more floors; the feature that separates a three-storey bungalow from another three-storey bungalow is the private lift. Imagine walking down three or four storeys up and down daily in your own home. Good cardio exercise! Generally, buyers who show an interest in bungalows with private lifts indicates that they want to buy a bungalow that is wheelchair-friendly and/or they have an elderly family member(s).

Space Vs. View

The bungalow is not without its land as defined in the beginning. The ideal bungalow is one built on flat land. Even if the bungalow is constructed on flat land, the next question is the amount of available space on the land. Some bungalows take up a lot of space on the land that there is very little or no garden. There are also bungalows with a big garden and a lot of land for future expansion.

Sometimes, that’s not the case from Mother Nature. There are bungalows built on the hill.

Buyers have to sacrifice the space for the view. Bungalows built on a hill present magnificent views from top-down and surround. Wake up every day to a beautiful view!

Bungalow with a view

Bungalow on flat land (Click picture to learn more)

Similar Yet Different

Some neighbourhoods may have bungalows with a variety of individual designs. Along the same road, buyers can find a basic 2-storey bungalow, a modern 3-storey bungalow, a modern 3-storey bungalow with a swimming pool, a tropical 4-storey bungalow with lift, etc.

On the other hand, there are bungalows built in a gated and guarded, master-planned community. All the bungalows in the community have similar layouts and interior designs. The bungalows are not built by individual homeowners but by a master developer.

Summary

Throughout my real estate career thus far, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to view and learn about the many different types of bungalows in Damansara Heights, Bangsar, Bukit Tunku (Kenny Hills), Country Heights Damansara, Petaling Jaya, etc.

Each bungalow has its own unique interior design, feel, build, and story to tell. I’m a real estate agent for anyone who wants to purchase or rent a bungalow in Petaling Jaya or Kuala Lumpur. I would also like to invite your good self to respond if you are interested to sell or rent out your bungalow in Petaling Jaya or Kuala Lumpur.

You can call me on my mobile 0123447550 or Whatsapp me.

Where do you sit in a restaurant?

by Ian Fan | Apr 6, 2018 | Lifestyle

It was the heat of the day. Hungry and pressed for time, I went to a restaurant for a quick lunch. I found a spot in the restaurant, settled down comfortably, ordered my lunch. While waiting for my order to arrive, the lunch crowd started to trickle into the restaurant. Each individual and group of individuals that walked in were searching for the ideal spot to sit in.

Some say how a person eats, speaks volume about him/her. Jenny likes spicy food but Sofia doesn’t; Ben saves the best bite till last, whilst Kenny mixes everything and gobble up.

In the same manner, where and how a person sits in a restaurant says a lot about the person.

Outside / Ground

People who sit outside may be trying to avoid another cold environment such as the office (temperature wise). It is already freezing in the office; they need someplace warm. Furthermore, having stuck between four walls at work; one may like to sit in the open. There are also the sunlight, the breeze, and the crowd – a naturally refreshing environment.

At the same time, people who sit outside also want to feel a part of society. They like to watch life pass them by. The group of (high) school students talk and laugh loudly. The businessman in his black suit walks and talks hastily on his mobile. The old couple walks hand-in-hand down the city sidewalk. The jogger walks her pet dog. Some common stereotypes of city people. Life goes on.

Balcony

Moving up is the balcony, another open-air environment. People who sit on the balcony are deemed to be seeking solace. It’s probably very hazy below. They have had a rough day. They need to be above the clouds. They need an alternative and refreshing view to the troubles of life.

Thereafter, the breeze blows away the negativity. It is gone with the wind.

Facing the entrance

Now, let’s move into the restaurant. People who sit facing the entrance have great expectations of what’s to come.

They are expecting something of the unknown; something magical; something dramatic to happen. Somehow, somewhat, someone will walk through the entrance.

Back facing the entrance

of facing the entrance is to sit with their backs facing the entrance. People who sit in such a way want to look away from all the distraction that is happening. They can’t stand the drama that is happening.

They had an eyesore. They’ve seen too much, heard too much, and said too much. They want to un-see what they have seen. So they turn away.

At the corner

The table in the corner is usually where the quiet, lonely, and focused people sit. They have important tasks to complete. They prefer to be left alone and undisturbed.

They don’t want to draw too much attention to themselves. This is so that they can quietly sneak in and out of the restaurant without being noticed.

In the middle

People who sit in the middle are presumably attention seekers. When a person sits in the middle of the restaurant, all eyes would immediately turn to him. People seated on his right would turn to their left. People seated on his left would turn to their right. People seated in front of him would look up. People walking into the restaurant would notice him sitting in the middle of the restaurant.

Alas, my client called me when I had just finished my lunch. My client (who also happens to be a restaurant owner) had just arrived and I am going to show him a ground floor shop-lot for rent.

That person is me. Sitting in the middle, I had a 360-degree view of all that was going around me. I saw how and where people sat in the restaurant.