Associate Professor Sr Ts. Dr. Noorsidi Aizuddin Bin Mat Noor
Allah! There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him—the Ever-Living, All-Sustaining. Surah Ali 'Imran (3:2)
Active/Resort
Where to find it:
Sunbelt and coastal cities, in the desert, by water or in the mountains
What you can call home:
Large single-family homes in newer architectural styles, luxury cabins, upscale condos
Your Neighbors:
Affluent and active middle-aged adults and seniors
Why You’ll Like It:
Outdoor activities to fit your lifestyle, tons of places to get a tan, go fishing or hiking
Why You May Not:
You’re a couch potato
Ethnic
Where to find it:
Near downtowns in major metros
What you can call home:
Small apartments, older single family homes
Your Neighbors:
Immigrants from a particular ethnicity, young couples, budget-conscious singles
Why You’ll Like It:
Affordable housing, interesting cuisine and products
Why You May Not:
If you’re not the same ethnicity, you may feel like an outsider
Status/Destination
Where to find it:
In the hills or mountains, by water, behind gates
What you can call home:
Large, custom-built single family homes and McMansions on the lake, on the beach, with city views, in gated communities; plush penthouses and lofts in trendy, urban areas
Your Neighbors:
Affluent high-powered executives and wannabes, upper-middle income achievers, celebrities, millionaires
Why You’ll Like It:
Status, exclusivity, privacy, security
Why You May Not:
Keeping up with the Jones is hard work
Historic
Where to find it:
Anywhere
What you can call home:
Large, well-preserved, older single family homes known for their architectural styles ranging from Victorian/Queen Anne to Colonial Revival
Your Neighbors:
Style-conscious middle-aged couples, aging adults who grew up in the neighborhood, home-improvement buffs
Why You’ll Like It:
Lots of curb appeal, history and character
Why You May Not:
Stringent home maintenance and style requirements
Pedestrian
Where to find it:
Small pockets in major metros
What you can call home:
Cozy condos and apartments, lofts above businesses
Your Neighbors:
Hipsters and single professionals
Why You’ll Like It:
You don’t need a car to get what you need
Why You May Not:
Little to no parking, noise, density
CUL-DE-SACS & KIDS (BEDROOM)
Where to find it:
Suburbs and new subdivisions
What you can call home:
Large single family homes with manicured lawns and finished basements, tract homes, newly built homes
Your Neighbors:
Middle-aged soccer moms and dads whose lives revolve around their children
Why You’ll Like It:
Lots of curb appeal, playmates for your children, active neighborhood associations
Why You May Not:
You’re single or don’t have children, not close to city hotspots
NEW URBAN
Where to find it:
Near a business hub other than the city’s main downtown
What you can call home:
New single family homes in retro styles, upscale apartments and condos, lofts above businesses
Your Neighbors:
Educated, affluent-to-middle income couples with no or few children, young single professionals
Why You’ll Like It:
Close to work, shopping and nightlife
Why You May Not:
Too many hipsters, inflated home prices push some buyers out of the market
URBAN PIONEER (Up-and-Coming)
Where to find it:
Near downtown and inner-ring suburbs
What you can call home:
Fixer uppers, older single family homes ranging in style from ranch to modern, garden-style apartment buildings
Your Neighbors:
Ethnically diverse mix of young singles and couples, recently divorced and single parents, aging retirees who have lived in the neighborhood for years, immigrants
Why You’ll Like It:
Cheaper homes that are likely to increase in value, working-class sensibility, new development
Why You May Not:
Construction noise and eyesores, neighbors who can’t renovate their homes
URBAN CORE (Downtown)
Where to find it:
Downtown, the heart of major metros
What you can call home:
Aging single family homes and apartments, modern luxury lofts and condos converted from old warehouses and above businesses
Your Neighbors:
Ethnically diverse mix of young single professionals, low to middle income families and seniors
Why You’ll Like It:
Affordable housing, eclectic mix of high-end and modest, close to nightlife and city attractions
Why You May Not:
Little to no public parking, typically has higher rate of crime, transients
Choosing your valuer
When choosing a valuer, the following is a handy checklist of questions you should ask:
• Does the valuer have intimate local knowledge of the suburb you are looking in?
• Is the valuer appropriately registered?
• Does the valuer hold ‘Certified Practicing Valuer’ status with the Australian Property Institute or is he/she appropriately accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors? (two peak industry bodies for valuers in Australia)
• Does the valuer have professional indemnity insurance of at least $5m?
• Is the valuer accredited with any lenders? (important for purchasers)
It is always important to engage your valuer formally and usually we would recommend it be done in writing. That way your instructions can be easily interpreted and relied upon.