Pitfalls of home ownership

Buying a property can be a risky business, especially for those entering the market for the first time. According to Roger Wakeham, director at property developers CHI, many buyers have been shortchanged by developers who cut corners to reduce costs, and what may seem like a dream home could well turn in to a nightmare.

“Some developers think the bottom line is the most important thing and have ended up in trouble, making savings on things which cannot be seen, such as wiring and drains,” said Wakeham.

“The quality of construction is often hideous. I know of someone who bought a villa for Dh2.4 million three years ago and recently sold it for Dh6m, but it’s of such poor quality it should be torn down.

“There is an oversimplification of the property market in Dubai. Too much emphasis is placed on square-foot rates, rather than the quality of construction and finishes. Dubai prices are still cheaper than Singapore's, so there’s still room for growth.” Homeowners could be in for a nasty surprise when the first rains arrive, if the developer has scrimped on insulation or water proofing.

Dubai experiences rain about five times a year and this can cause flash flooding.Your villa will flood if its drains are not robust enough.

“Developers in Dubai lack the experience of building villas in wet climates and so don’t have the necessary understanding of managing rainfall.

“In Europe, houses have pitched roofs, not for aesthetics, but to deal with rainfall, whereas Dubai’s flat roofs are ill-equipped to cope with water, and will leak unless properly insulated,” said Wakeham.

When inspecting a property for potential possession, take notes for future reference and comparison, and make at least two visits during daylight and at night. You could be in for a nasty surprise if the road is used as a cut-through by rush-hour motorists, for example. Air conditioning is a crucial factor. Cheaper-built villas will have the uglier, officestyle square ceiling vents, as opposed to less obtrusive recessed units.

Also check to see if each room has its own control unit, otherwise you will be conditioning empty rooms and running up a huge, unnecessary electricity bill. Villas with individual room controllers may be more expensive, but will save you money in the long run.

“All the time, I see people ripping out tiles and fittings because they were so low quality. By being careful, you can save yourself a lot of time, hassle and money,” Wakeham added.

Source: Emiratestodayonline