......Imagine owning a good-sized four-bedroom house where the monthly running costs can be as little as Bt5,000 a month. Sound too good to be true? Well, it needn’t be ... if Scotsman Gregor Reid and his business partners achieve their goals, writes John Davids.
Gregor actually described it as 100 quid (pounds sterling) a month – and I hope that by the time you read this my conversion rate is a little out due to the pound getting its act together.
But how achievable is the Bt5,000 of running costs?
“Very achievable,” says Gregor pointing out that many energy-saving measures have been included at the showhome which is now close to completion near the Mabprachan Reservoir.
So how are some of the savings being made? “The house will have a solar-powered hot water system,” said Gregor. “Potable water will come from a 54m deep well so buyers will enjoy free water for life.
“In addition all the water used (with the exception of that from the toilet) will be recovered and sprinkled on the garden using an automatic system.
“Thanks to a large canopy and a high roof void the house will be cool. The main living area and all the bedrooms with have air-conditioning installed but the natural coolness will mean that the A/Cs will not have to use so much power to keep the rooms at an acceptable temperature.”
Upon completion the house will be occupied by business partner, Jimmy Keane, “so it will always be available to show,” said Gregor.
The house lies on a small – three home – development which, once visited, is easy enough to find again. It lies a little way back from Mulligan’s pub near the lake. But, in the first instance, it is probably best that interested parties contact sole agents KCR Homefinder, in which Gregor also holds an interest. Indeed, his wife, Susan, works there.
“So really we have two homes to sell here,” said Gregor. “It’s our intention to build on just small plots – not whole villages – one or two houses at a time.”
Provided they are not let down by materials suppliers, the house should be in good order to see at the end of this month or the beginning of April.
“If people like what they see but have their own land we are happy to consider building on it for them. We can be very flexible,” said Gregor.
The house has 240sqm of living space under a 300sqm canopy; it has a T-shaped pool with bridge over it plus Sala alongside. It sits on a plot of approximately three-quarters of a rai. There’s even an under-cover Jacuzzi – so no sun-burned shoulders!
Price for the house without furniture or security system starts at just under Bt9m; a quality furniture package will add another Bt1m to this.
Developer funding is available with 60 per cent down and the balance repayable over five years “or we can do stage payments as the house progresses,” said Gregor adding that they are looking to complete homes during a quick five-month timescale.
This schedule allows time for concrete to dry properly before applying tiling. Gregor’s training as a concrete chemist is a reassuring bonus for buyers. While I was there I saw many concrete columns neatly clingfilmed to stop them drying too quickly. Ω
Details from KCR Homefinder in Siam Country Club Road on 038 405 167-8;
E-mail info@kcrhomefinder.com or
contact Gregor direct at recreid@aol.com |
