Humor makes the search easier

Humor makes the search easier

By Riyadi

JAKARTA (JP): Ask anyone who lives in the city what it was
like for them finding a home and you may be sorry you asked, says
a guide to house hunting in Jakarta.

What makes this city a fascinating metropolis can also make it
an infuriating place for house hunting, especially for
expatriates unfamiliar with the local customs, the endless
network of streets and alleys, and a confusing house numbering
system.

But many realtors are ready to help. Large franchised realtors
like Colliers Jardine, Procon Indah/Jones Lang Wotton, ERA Realty
Indonesia are all too happy to help you find the right house in
the right area to suit your budget.

The first step in finding the right house is to call one of
your favorite realtors and tell them the kind of house you want,
the location and your budget.

Your agent will find some suitable houses and make an
appointment with you to inspect the properties.

Once you've found the home you like, the agent will inform the
lessor and take care of negotiations. When these talks have
finalized you will be required to sign a letter of intent and pay
a booking deposit for the owner's final approval. And you can
rest assured your new home is reserved.

The agent will then take care of the lease agreement, and
after you agree and sign you are required to make the full lease
payment. Then you get the keys.

Another way is to browse through classified ads in The Jakarta
Post, for instance, focusing on the "Houses for Rent" section.
When you call the advertisers you will realize some of them are
also real estate agents like Suzy Realtor, Home Trend, Trihomes,
Pacific Home Agency, Alvi Putra Bima and individuals, especially
housewives. Once again you will be required to describe the kind
of home you want.

While apartments and townhouses are the most popular and
convenient forms of rental accommodation for expatriates in
Jakarta, some still prefer to rent a single dwelling.

Some advantages of such a home are that it often comes with a
garden, a private pool, and is generally more spacious than an
apartment.

Ina Zamar from PT Procon Indah/Jones Lang Wotton said: "Houses
are better value for your money, in terms of features, size and
price."

The agent that finds your dream house is then entitled to a
five percent commission for their efforts. The owner of the house
will pay the fee.

Many expatriates come from towns and cities where people are
used to staying in big homes with large gardens.

When they come to Indonesia and realize that renting a house
here is not as expensive as in Singapore, Hong Kong or Japan,
they prefer to rent a spacious house with a garden, pool and more
privacy.

Leasing a spacious house would also be the choice for those
coming here with their family.

An American executive, working for an insurance firm, and his
wife have been house hunting since arriving in Jakarta last
month.

"We have a large landed house in my hometown in Florida," the
executive said. "Therefore we would also like to find a spacious
house with a garden here.

'Prison'

"We don't want to stay in an apartment, let alone in a hotel,
for one or two years," he said.

"It's like being in a prison, you know?" his wife added.

Home maintenance and security are prime concerns for Jakarta
residents.

Unlike in apartments and townhouses, where maintenance and
security are provided by on-site management offices 24 hours a
day, people leasing a house must be prepared to pay extra for the
services.

Many take up the practice of having live-in staff -- a house
maid, a cook, driver, baby sitter and sometimes a security guard.

Those who cannot be bothered with recruitment and employment
hassles may prefer apartments and townhouses located throughout
the city.

Nevertheless, the house leasing business is still growing at a
rapid pace. Cabinet ministers, other high-ranking officials and
legislators are renting out their homes to expatriates through
real estate agents.

Those having decent homes in prime locations like Menteng in
Central Jakarta, Kuningan, Kebayoran Baru, Kemang and Pondok
Indah -- all in South Jakarta -- can earn between US$2,000 and
$10,000 a month from renting out their homes to expats. No civil
servants, except for ministers, would earn that much.

House owners with a good business sense use the incoming rent
money to buy new houses in those prime areas. Otherwise, they
look for a plot of land in the right area, lease the land for
several years, build a decent house on the plot and rent it out
to expatriates.

A housewife who rents out a number of houses in the Kemang
area said: "But now it is difficult to find a large plot of land
in prime locations."

This business, like any other up-market, property-related
business, is strongly connected to the ebb and flow of the
country's economic and political life.

Increases in foreign investment and a conducive political
situation would lead to more expats seeking such spacious homes.

The real test for the real estate industry comes next year
when the People's Consultative Assembly convenes to choose the
Indonesian president and vice-president.