CHOOSING AN

IDEAL HOUSE…REPORTER: STEPEHN ERA

WHAT DO YOU VISUALIZE AS YOUR IDEAL HOUSE?

IS IT HOUSE MADE OF GLASS?

IS IT MODERN OR INDIGENOUS?

IS IT A VILLA OR A SIMPLE CONDO UNIT?

IS IT WITHIN THE CITY? OR ON THE TOP OF HILL?IS IT ONE THAT VIEWS

THE BREATHTAKING SCENERY IN A COUNTRYSIDE?

THE IDEAL HOUSEThe ideal house should be made up

of strong material, has a adequate space, is well-ventilated, well-built, aesthetically designed, and has a beautiful landscape. It is located in a place free from noise and dust pollution, surrounded with greeneries, and has amenities nearby that allow for family comfort, convenience, accessibility, and enjoyment.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN CHOOSING AN IDEAL HOUSE

1. HOUSING COSTThis refers to the amount of money needed to

buy land and put up a house or to buy land with house. Many families today are faced with problems of financing for a house. Saving regularly from one’s salary may take a long time to come up with the needed amount to buy land and a house. There are several ways of financing to realize their dreams of owning their houses.

2. HOUSE LOCATIONChoosing the right location for the house is very

important. Since housing is more or less a permanent goal and the family will have to live there and establish roots, one has to consider a number of things. First on the list is the kind of neighborhood. Second is its accessibility. Is the neighborhood decent, safe, and peaceful? Is it progressive? Are the people living in it from similar socio-economic status and profession? Is the place near the place of work? Is it near a school, the church, the market, the hospital, and the other places where the family may need to go? If ever the place is far from these places, is there sufficient transportation that will allow family members to go to such places?

When choosing the location of the house, it is necessary to visit the place first and observe its surrounding areas. Take note of the land’s topography, zoning, lot sizes, location, and the quality of construction done on model houses. It is helpful to study the following:a. DRAINAGE SYSTEMb. WATER AND ELECTRIC SERVICESc. SECURITYd. BOUNDARIESe. ROADSf. AMENITIESg. TOPOGRAPHYh. HOUSES

3. DESIGN OF THE HOUSESThis is also known as the architectural

design. It refers to the overall appearance of the house; the relation of one part to the other parts. Is the house a one-storey , two-storey or more? Is the design American-inspired, European, or simply indigenous Filipino? Sprawling bungalows in spacious lots are typical American; two-storey houses with attics and gothic designs are European-inspired. The indigenous Filipino is simple in lines with limited but spacious rooms, and partly or wholly built of native materials, such as sawali, kawayan, or Philippine woods like narra, yakal, apitong and perhaps with kapiz and other shells for accents or decors.

BUILDING CODE, HOUSING CODE, AND SUBDIVISION CONTROLS

Whether the family is building its own house or buying a ready-made one, it is important to be familiar with some regulations governing the house.

1. BUILDING CODE- this is a series of standards and specifications designed to establish minimum safeguards in the construction of building. Its aim is to protect the family members who live and work in buildings from the fire and other hazards and establish regulations to further protect the health and safety of the public.

2. HOUSING CODE- this is an application of the government’s police power put into effect by local ordinance, setting the minimum standards for safety, health and welfare of the occupants of the house. It covers three main areas:a. The supplied facilities in the structure, such as, toilet, bath,

sink, etc.b. The level of maintenance, which includes both structural

and sanitary maintenance like leaks in the roof, broken banisters, cracks in the walls, etc.

c. Occupancy, which concerns the sizes of dwelling units and rooms of different types, the number of people who can occupy them and other issues concerning the usability and amenity of interior space.

3. SUBDIVISION CONTROLS- this refers to the way in which a subdivision’s land is to be divided and made ready for development. Subdivision developers should provide a survey and plot the planned area to provide home buyers the information for future streets, commercial and recreational areas, and boundary lines of home lots.

THE ELEMENTS OF A WELL-PLANNED COMMUNITY WHERE THE HOUSE WILL

BE LOCATED ARE:1. The houses in the community are adapted to the lifestyle of the families and are available

at a cost affordable to the family.2. There is an orderly arrangement of houses, schools, church, stores, health and

recreational ,facilities within the neighborhood so that people will have an opportunity to know one another.

3. There are recreational facilities for different age groups.4. There are parks, playgrounds, and green areas that can bring nature closer to the family.5. There are available transportations that allow family members to move easily to other

communities.6. There is employment available for those who want to work.7. There are schools that provides education for diff. age groups8. There are health facilities that can provide health care.9. There is a community system that makes it easy to get in touch with others.10. There is continuous supply electricity, water and other basic amenities for all.11. There is a police system that is sympathetic to the community and has respect for law and

order.

THAT’S ALL. THANK YOU.