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New Homes
New Homes: Deciding Where To Live And Work
"New homes - where to live and work". This topic is often put forward by scholars, urbanists and town architects. Generally, it is a nonsense which is out of date with reality.
Majority of us cannot choose where we work unless we live in apartments for rent. For home owners, the economics of mortgage will decide on the location.
The current unstable job market no longer dictates where we live. And it is not our fault that city planners do not understand this situation.
New Homes and Urban Villages
New homes in urban villages is a new trend. Urban village is an exciting term to camouflage problems with transport. There, city councils and developers encourage walking and cycling around beautifully designed parks.
However, smart landscape design around houses and city apartments will not resolve long distance travel to work. Even in some busy Melbourne areas buses often do not operate after 6pm.
Apartments for sale close to the transport may cost more than isolated dwellings. But be smart, too close to railway line is noisy and unhealthy.
New Homes - How to Choose Home Design Plans
There are two categories which drive home design ideas of new homes for future adaptation:
- Individual needs
- General setup to accomodate those needs.
Individual needs should consider certain level of disability with aging inhibitants. There are few things to remember for better home design of your new home:
- The entrences should be wide enough for wheelchairs and motorised scooters.
- Bathrooms must have room for safety rails, non-slippery coverings and decent sized shower.
- Electrical switches, bath tubs and controllers must be at comfortable height for adult of any age (Australian recommandation - 0.9-1.1 meters).
- Entrance to the house should be unobstracted, shaded (or with provision for shade) and wide enough to accomodate life style changes.
- Rooms should have minimum space for wheelchair manuvreability.
However, it is the location and the size of wet areas which is vital to better home design ideas and plans. It is cheaper to relocate rooms rather than bathrooms and toilets.
Therefore, centrally located wet areas will definitely save money in future extensions and renovations. Ensure that your new home has those wet areas away from future extensions.
New Homes and Safety
Ironically, safety is generally not the priority when we buy or build a new house.
However, simple tips can prevent life threatening injuries.
The majority of domestic accidents happen in the kitchen and bathroom.
Home design plans often do not consider that children also use these areas.
Even interior design ideas aim at adults, because adults are the ones to pay for it.
However, smart buyers of new homes can demand changes.
New Homes Safety Tips
There are number of things to remember about safety features in new homes and city apartments such as:
- New homes and city apartments should have ovens and stoves at the bench level.
- Spacious cabinets for heavy items should be located at the bottom
- Access to sink in your new home must be non-slippery.
- New homes and city apartments should have non slippery bathroom floors
- Steps in the bathroom should be prohibited in new homes and city apartments.
- New homes and city apartments must have safety rails in baths and spas.
New Homes and Fences
Fence is often the main object of dispute. Some new home buyers want to sell land quickly without paying for the fence.
By law, neighbours are obliged to pay half for the adjacent fence. Though this is obviously fair not everyone wants to agree.
Furthermore, neighbours may not agree to the type of the fence and the stall mate begins.
Although, you may be right to sue your neighbour you should consider the following:
The legal cost may be far more than the value of the disputed fence.
Legal actions bring unpleasant relations with your neighbours.
Compromise can be reached by means other than payment.
Whether you live in the city apartments, rental houses, holiday houses or your own new home - you must always try to resolve issues peacefully.