People go for more recreational facilities when buying homes now

PETALING JAYA: Buyers are going for more recreational facilities to be included in their housing projects.

“Environment and lifestyle now play a big part in their decision-making process.

“Gone are the days when home owners only want a roof over their heads,” said Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents president Chan Ai Cheng.

The top three facilities buyers would look for are a swimming pool, well-equipped gymnasium and games court, according to Chan.

In a gated and guarded community, buyers also want security, walk paths and cycling tracks, and extensive landscaping for that “resort feel”, she said.

Within a high-rise development, extensive facilities including rooftop gardens, car parks, impressive entrance statements and lift lobbies are much sought after.

To impress buyers, developers are building new and improved facilities.

“Developers are setting a new standard in terms of the number of facilities within a development.

“They are the key in attracting would-be home owners and as such, developers would go all out to impress buyers,” she said.

However, Chan said recreational facilities may not be enough, especially for teenagers who need more space for games and sports.

In the city, there is an issue of space due to high land cost, she said.

“This is where games centres could come into play.

“The centres could house tennis or badminton courts, swimming pools and other activities under one roof,” said Chan.

Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (Rehda) acting president Datuk NK Tong said: “There is a trade-off between providing more facilities and making homes more affordable.”

Tong said the amenities have maintenance costs as well.

“We don’t want to put in something that is too expensive to maintain,” said Tong, adding that open green spaces have remained a popular requirement among homebuyers.

“Trends are changing all the time but for young families, open parks are still very popular,” he said.

For landed development, developers are required by the authorities to provide parks but there are also developers of bigger townships that go the extra mile by offering extra facilities, he said.

For development in city centres such as Kuala Lumpur, Tong said there were many public amenities such as the KLCC Park, Perdana Botanical Garden and Titiwangsa Park.

“Our parks are usually not crowded and recreational facilities are there for people.

“Our cities are not lacking in green and open spaces so it is up to people to take advantage of them,” he said.