Property Hunter Magazine Issue 63- February 2015 | Page 53

Convenience. Shops close at 5pm. Oh dear, are we able to buy anything at all since everything closes at 5pm? No offense but I think this labeling is a little unfair because every evening, I was still able to buy stuffs at the supermarkets there. Yeah, its true that MANY are closed by 5pm but there are still many specific stores of the supermarket chains which are open till 9pm and for one nearby CBD, it’s open 24 hours. Just to name a few of the chains, they include Woolworth’s and IGA. Both offer attractive prices for some of their products and some of their dairy products are cheaper than Malaysia, after conversion. As for the eateries, there are still many which remain open even up till 9pm including those in the neighbourhood of Belmont. Even the casino is easily accessible. Property prices and the potential gains. Please note that foreign buyers are not allowed to buy secondary properties from the market in Australia and of course that includes Perth. However, we can buy new properties or newly redeveloped ones. In terms of the prices versus the quality in terms of location, size, convenience and environment, Perth is really pretty good even when compared to Malaysia. Not many of us can buy a home just within walking distance to a nice park with a garden or even water features for just AUD$400,000 or lower. In terms of capital appreciation, Perth remains a growing city and buying new properties would not be that easy because many of the more popular suburbs are already pretty mature and new units are not easy to come by. This is why when we buy a good one, the chance of it appreciating is definitely good. There is the potential for AUD$ to appreciate again since today it’s lower than its historical highs. Thus, there’s potential for further gains due to currency exchange. I have not changed back my AUD$ to RM because it has depreciated more than RM from the day I bought them. Sigh… Services are expensive though. Yes, this one is not a myth. Your plumber will be charging you a number that would make you feel ‘dizzy’. So would your dentist and so would the electrician you called to your home. Australians love to DIY for a good reason. There are lots of huge DIY stores too and I think if you DIY, the overall cost savings would be huge. Thus, if you are thinking of staying for a longer term than usual, be prepared for this or you can prepare your funds too, to pay them. On second thought, if you intend to learn some new skills, why not think of this as an advantage too? Haha. No thick smoke, no burning of rubbishes, clear water right beside the housing area. Perth is surrounded by water. Lots of water. I went to Mosman Park for a stroll and when I was taking pictures, I noticed that the water was clear. In fact very clear. This was right beside a restaurant and I told my wife and we were very impressed. I did not see a single vehicle spewing thick black smoke. There were also no rubbishes on the streets. Perhaps I have only passed the good areas? I have no idea but when we look at this aspect, Perth is way ahead of many of the cities I have visited thus far. There are lots of other factors. Just go and experience it yourself. Perhaps Sydney and Melbourne would have all these that I have mentioned above. Perhaps they are more exciting. However, both of these are also further than Malaysia. Both of these cities have also been ‘hotter’ for many years where properties are concerned. If you do think that some of the reasons stated above are valid, it’s time to take a look at Perth. Properties are not just about where everyone is buying or where everyone said we should buy. It should also be where we have been and we felt good about it. If one whole family of different ages, background and even occupations can all agree that Perth is worth another visit soon, I think there’s something right about it. Happy visiting or considering. While the author makes reasonable efforts to present information which he believes to be reliable, the author makes no representation that the information or opinions contained in this article is accurate and complete. Readers are advised to seek specific professional advice before acting on the views. www.PropertyHunter.com.my 53