What is a Cluster Home? And Why Should First Homebuyers Choose a Cluster House

Many people are full of question marks about the dazzling array of real estate types in the market? Especially the cluster house that has suddenly emerged in recent years. How is it different from other properties?

A cluster house, also known as a strata-landed house, cluster homes are private properties that are structured in groups which are relatively close to each other and connected by 4 units, which forming the arrangement of “tian” in Chinese characters.

The cluster house usually has the following characteristics to make them into cluster homes:
* Freehold & landed property
* There is an open space on the side of a cluster house. Under normal circumstances, the size of the open space is from 10ft++
* The house does not have a back alley, and is connected to the back unit, and the back door is usually built on the side.
* Cluster homes usually have larger rooms than ordinary houses, and some houses have more bedrooms and bathrooms, which are suitable for families with more members.
* The cluster house/adjacent bungalows belong to residential land leases and are protected by the Housing Development Act.
* Cluster houses own their section of the whole roof. Each cluster house is responsible for the section of roof that covers their section of the block.
* Cluster houses are made up of four or more properties in one building. For a cluster house to be a cluster home there has to be four or more properties linked together in a square or oblong shaped building. A house in a block of four cluster houses is also known as a quarter house.
* Cluster houses in blocks of four have their own garden to the side of the house and not to the rear. Cluster houses in blocks of four share their back walls with another property in the block, which means it cannot have a back garden. Instead of a back garden, cluster homes in blocks of four will each have a garden to the side of the house.
* Cluster houses of six or more properties tend to share a communal garden space. Cluster houses in blocks of six or more properties will share outside and garden space as a communal area.

Why should you choose cluster house?

* Affordability
If you are a first-time home buyer, from a pricing perspective, cluster houses are a good choice and can provide you with good entry houses because they are often cheaper than semi-detached houses of the same size. Cluster house is one of the more affordable types of landed housing.
This is because the cluster housing targets a relatively broader market segment. A cluster house will cost you about $170,000 on average, while a bungalow may cost you $960,000.
* Exclusivity
Cluster homes are sometimes compared to mini villages, providing residents with a sense of tranquility and uniqueness. When you live in a cluster house, you don’t have to worry about getting a parking space or sharing the gym with many other strangers. You just need to share these public facilities with your neighbors, there won’t be so many anyway.
* Safety
The cluster housing development is basically a living community with gated and guarded.
In this development, security systems have been put in place to control visits by visitors and the public, and provide residents with greater security and peace of mind. This means you no longer need to worry about security issues such as robbery or burglary.
* Suitable for families with children
If you are still young, why don’t you like swimming pools and playgrounds? Cluster houses usually have these, so if children want some outdoor play time, they don’t have to risk too far. Since the cluster houses are closed, you don’t have to worry about them risking too far and getting lost. In addition, cluster house is usually part of a town that provides convenient facilities such as schools and parks, and is very suitable for people with children.

Originally published at https://www.tlw.com.