Tuk Tuk Drivers and their ways! Must read if you are using Tuk Tuks in Colombo

Using tuk tuks / Auto / three wheelers can be a challenge if you are an Expat / Tourist or even a local for that matter. Nowadays, with the growing number of foreigners coming over to Sri Lanka, the tuk tuk drivers have become very cunning and rude. Needless to say, there is always a bunch of honest and hard working tuk tuk drivers who are innocent in every sense of the word. 

Tuk Tuks without a meter

Do NOT get into these tuk tuks. Nope. I have learnt it the hard way and have often been ripped and disappointed with tuk tuks without a meter. Why would someone have a tuk tuk without a meter when 9 out of 10 tuk tuks have meters installed? The point it that they want to make more money and fool the foolish. 

Tuk Tuks with a meter (Buy hey! It's not working) 

Another no-go. This is more of a cheating technique where the board says that it has a meter and when you get in, the meter is just there but it's not on and if you don't bother asking, it will remain without use as it is and if you do ask him to turn it on, you would get a reply like 'It's not working' or he would quote the amount and say 'Even if you take the meter, it's the same thing' 

The catch between normal meter tuk tuks and company tuk tuks

The normal ones that you flick off the road charge around 40 rupees for a km while the company ones charge less (the range varies from 30 Rupees to 35 Rupees). It's best to call a company three wheeler if you are looking at a long distance. With short distances, the road ones will do. 

Night Hours 

Generally, the pricing differs at night and there is around 7 rupees increased for the first kilometer and then around 5 rupees more for every kilometer, understandably because it's at night. 

ALWAYS PAY IN RUPEES!!! 

This is one of the most important messages that I want to put across to all the users of tuk tuks. Make it a point to pay in rupees. Even if you have dollars and if they demand in dollars, simply tell them you don't have any dollars and pay in rupees. If you pay in dollars, chances are that you are going to get ripped off big time. 

Good luck with the Tuk Tuk experience in Colombo!

How to find out the market rate of a certain property / apartment etc

This is a very interesting aspect of property / real estate when it comes to pricing and costing. How can one get it right? As an owner you are put into this strange of whether, 'Am I asking too much or am I asking too little?' Below is a list of things you could do to figure out / investigate on market values:

1. Ask around and pretend to be a buyer of such a property

2. Call up Real Estate Agencies and inquire (Pay them for the service if you can)

3. Check out adverts of similar properties in the area on the newspapers and the internet. The internet is dominating the property market in many countries and you can easily gather facts and figures from the leading websites and thereby make your own report.

4. Talk to a bank and get them to do a property valuation, sometimes you may find real estate agencies that provide this service as well. Ask them how it works. (Pay and get it done if you think it's worth the job)

5. Use social media to get feedback from others and that way you would understand if there were any recent transactions in that area and gain a broader understanding of what's going on in the market.

Always remember that if you are getting a third person to find out about this, you got to pay them well otherwise the information is not going to be that accurate. There is no such thing as a free lunch. 

The prices can vary within days, weeks and months and it's important to have an idea on when to sell and when not to. 

You also have the option of testing the property in the market, although you may not want to sell it,you can still advertise and check the pulse of the market and see if there is less or more interest depending on the prices you advertise the property at. 

There is a rule when it comes to property prices, it either stays the same or it increases, property prices do not drop unless you have overpriced it or you are desperately in need of cash. Real Estate is the perfect investment for the future.

How safe is it to rent houses and apartments for expats in Colombo?

One of the prime concerns for anyone when it comes having a roof on top of their heads is this aspect of security. Regardless of the condition of the property and its luxury orientation, the first and the prime requisite or criterion for any renter or potential buyer would be the security and safety pertaining to that particular property. 

We, at Mr. T had a rather strange experience with a client when we took the client to the apartment on a rather high floor and to our surprise the client simply said that this is not safe. When asked why, the client said that rogues/thieves could jump over and enter into the apartment as it had large windows designed purely for light penetration and ventilation purposes Now then, this is an apartment on a rather high floor in Colombo 07 and the whole building is under camera surveillance and there are two security guards at the entrance with a control room that monitors movements seen through all the cameras. 

Imagine that. 'This is not safe' Oh well!!! 

This is partly to do with the mentality of the client that this is not a safe country and that there are drug addicts and robbers roaming freely in literally all parts of Colombo. Fortunately, that isn't the case. Sri Lanka has never been this safe and pretty especially the city of Colombo. Yes, the common notion of problems, accidents and crimes is always on the back of your mind wherever there is human life making its presence but that does not mean that Colombo should be singled out as a "NOT SAFE" area. In fact, Colombo is probably the most super-safe area in the country. 

So the answer to the above question would be:

Yes, it's generally safe to rent / buy a house or apartment in Colombo. We see more and more expats / foreigners asking for houses. A few years back, it used to be only apartments but now foreigners / expats do like to rent a place in and around the city, sometimes outside of it as well. There is just a bit of risk involved when buying a house as opposed to the apartment and that is the security factor, you can simply lock an apartment and go wherever you like but you cannot do the same with a house or if you have too many enemies, an apartment might be an easier option. 

Think smart when investing in property and yeah, it's safe to to buy/ rent houses and apartments in Colombo. Enjoy your time while you are here! What is meant to happen will eventually happen!

Good luck and keep smiling! :)

Pay Your Real Estate Broker / Agent on Time!

When it comes to payment matters, the professionals make it a point to pay on time. It's very important that these payments are made either on time or well before time as that strengthens the bond between you and the Real Estate Broker / Agent. 

What it also does is that you become a priority customer to them and winning their attention is never a challenge if you are able to pay up as soon as you can. The Sri Lankan property owners are gently gathering more respect toward the professional brokers/agents and this is a good sign. 

You real estate broker / agent is not just a person like anybody else, he/she is you property partner, your property advocate and can be very useful to you in real estate matters. After the police and the secret intelligence of any country, it's the real estate folks that know what exactly is going on. 

If you are thinking of ditching a professional broker / agent after you have used their services, be careful as this goes a long way, in a world where everything is available in the space of a few clicks, a lot can happen and can be done to tarnish and blacklist you if you mess around. 

Sometimes, the evil curse of money takes a toll on your head and you might think, 'Why should I let them make money from my property?' but the fact of the matter is that they have brought you the money in the form of a client and it is your duty to ensure that they too benefit just like you do. 

It must be said that there are property owners and clients in Sri Lanka who treat their Property Brokers/ Agents like family and when it comes to payments, they make it on time and sometimes offer a complimentary gift or an extra amount (tip) as a token of appreciation. 

'No one should say this to me - When I walk on the road, that man owes me money!' Were the words of a property owner who ensured that he left no debt and that is exactly the mentality of a perfect property owner. After all, the fee is a very small amount.

'Before the sweat on the forehead of the worker dries, you must pay him', were the words of a wise man when it came to honouring a business deal. Make your payments on time and make them count. The relationship you build with people is more important than any of the materialistic pleasures this world has to offer. Good luck!!!

SIGN IT OR YOU WILL PAY FOR IT!

It is super important that any agreement you reach with the client, broker or agent that you have the matters discussed / spoken  in writing. Sri Lanka is a developing nation and while this transition is taking place, the job of the conventional broker who works purely based on trust (verbal agreement) is slowly diminishing. From the honest broker's perspective, it is also quite a risky task to deal based on a verbal agreement. So it's actually a win-win for both parties to have things in written form. 

There are many local and international agencies that are hitting the Sri Lankan market because they see potential to provide their services and thereby make good money. It is important to have all what is said and discussed in writing. The same applies when it comes to the confirmation of a certain property, be it a sale or rental, it does not matter - every piece of information has to be in writing and that is what matters at the end of the day. 

It must also be said that many property owners are very nice people and I have personally come across many of them who have been taken for a ride and have lost a substantial amount of money. The whole purpose of writing this here is to educate and create awareness among all the owners / brokers / agents etc. that it's extremely important to have everything you discuss in writing. 

Do not buy the verbal bull shit, not only will you have to pay more but it would also impact your mentality and impression when it comes to certain people and their backgrounds, nationality and most importantly their profession. It's a dog eat dog world and there just as many good and bad people in the market, everyone wants to make a fast buck. It will not cost you to play it a little safe and get everything in black and white. Please do be extremely mindful about it. Sign it and be risk free.

Good Luck!

Determining the rent of your apartment. Get it right in the 1st time!

One of the most baffling situations any apartment owner gets caught to is the rental price of their apartment.
How do you figure out what a good rate is? What are pros and cons? Am you asking too much or too little?

Many a time, I have noticed that apartment owners are either asking for sky high rates or do not have an idea on how much to ask as the rent for their apartment. On a few occasions, I have come across a bunch of owners who are happy to give it out for a nominal rent purely because they want someone reliable to look after their place. The motive of such owners is not to make money or profits but to ensure that the house is maintained well and that the people living in it are honourable and dignified.

So what is the best way to set about pricing your place?

One of the first things you must do is to inspect your own apartment very carefully and fix all the flaws. This is only if the apartment is used and requires your attention.

There is always a range in which apartments could be rented out especially if they are in complexes and this range should be identified, if you are not living there or do not know how to do this, get hold of another owner in the same complex or simply get hold of an experienced realtor who might be able to shed some light on the numbers.

Once you know the minimum and maximum ranges, you should wisely arrive at what you think is a reasonable figure (preferable somewhere in the middle) and be flexible when it comes to negotiating with clients. Any sane person, once a few lines are exchanged with the potential tenant, understands the calibre of the client and is in a good position to gauge whether the client is worthy of the apartment or not.

This is the simplest way to approach this whole scenario. Do not go by the fancy numbers told to you by various people. There is always the market price and then there is your price which has to somewhere around the market price.

An initiative that requires your support - CSR respected by Mr. T - The Real Estate Giant

Mr. T - The Real Estate Giant will be launching its first major CSR initiative 'Knowledge For All' which is an array of activities carried out in various underprivileged schools. The plan is to spread knowledge especially in the English medium and mainly through reading which will involve the setting up of English Libraries in these schools and the continual supervision to ensure that the children are benefiting and using the facility provided in the best possible manner.

The first step is to hold discussions with such schools in order to gauge their pulse on the matter and determine how much of support they can gather from their end. The provision of a reading room / library with shelves has to be the least they could do to support this initiative. The management of Mister T plans to set up at least 100 libraries inside the 3 years commencing from 2016.The project is expected to invite the support of every Sri Lankan that can contribute in this worthy clause and be a part of by helping out in whatever way possible. 

To be part of this initiative and/or to know more about this, please send an email to info.mistert@gmail.com

Mr. T - The Real Estate Giant

Mr. T is one of the fastest growing real estate firms in Sri Lanka with a colossal clientele. With more than sixty thousand followers on facebook and a client base which encompasses many of Sri Lanka’s richest individuals, it is certainly thriving in the market as an impact player when it comes to cracking deals. The key areas that Mr. T focuses on are building trust and providing unexpected levels of professionalism using both technology and innovation in order to cater to as many clients as possible. In this day and age, where technology is dominating the world, Mr. T has come forward to provide opportunities to all those who are looking for various properties either to buy or rent, be it permanent or temporary and one of the most fascinating aspect of their service is the practical knowledge that they possess when it comes to advising the client on the much needed issues, problems and challenges that are faced by many of the clients in terms of any property related matter. At Mr. T, it’s of utmost importance to be honest, transparent and trustworthy in order to do the real estate broker’s business in this part of the world especially when the number of amateurs is more than the number of professionals. 

The history of Mr. T is quite inspiring although the company underwent formal registration a couple of years ago and is currently run by its directors, it must be said that this family business was in existence since the 1980’s when there were only two ways of attracting clients in this trade, one being predominantly through adverts on the newspapers and the other by word of mouth. Today, the company has grown to such an extent that it has also expanded into other businesses such as corporate training, event solutions and corporate branding and not only is it venturing into other sectors but is also on the lookout for various other business opportunities in order to make its mark in the business world. ‘When we thought of expanding and going big, the main goal was to professionalize this brokering business and I am happy to state that by taking the approach we have taken and having come a long way since the business was run by my parents, we have to a great degree succeeded in bringing this business to a stage where people respect it and consider it more like a profession as opposed to a job anyone could do.’ Shared one of the directors of the company.

Apartments - Demand and Supply - The DEAL!!!

Colombo is undergoing a huge change in its skyline and it's clear that a major contributor of this is the number of apartment buildings that are coming up. 

There is an enormous demand for apartments and commercial real estate in the city of Colombo and one might feel that there are too many apartment projects that are currently underway. As of now, there are approximately 3000 apartment units in town and this figure is expected to be above 6000 by 2018. 

Are there enough buyers in the market?
Will people like the idea of living in an apartment?
Would there be an over supply of apartments?

The above questions are lurking on the minds of many people such as developers, investors, potential buyers and of course realtors. So what's the deal? What's really happening in Colombo with so much of construction etc?

The fact of the matter is that there is money in the country and there are buyers as well. The most distinguishing aspect would be the luxury type. Colombo still lacks in Super Luxury apartments and that is precisely where the void is. When considering the kind of projects that are underway, it's quite clear that most of it is super luxury which caters to the lifestyle of the high net-worth individuals.   

We must also not forget that apartments are bought not just to live, they are bought as investments by individuals as well as companies and there is a market there - a fairly big market. On top of that, there is an expat market as well. Colombo is on its way to become a leading city in the world and with so many expats and other international brands settling in, there will be the interest of the foreigners who would buy for various reasons. The current number of apartment units is certainly not enough. 

Why is the current number of units not enough?

For the simple reason that there is nothing much to choose in terms of size and uniqueness. When considering the number of super luxury apartments, clearly there is a shortage. Yes, there are luxury apartments but there are not many super luxury apartments. I wouldn't want to classify them here as I may sound biased if I may do so. One has to physically visit the complexes and then decide if it is anywhere close to luxury or super luxury. 

It is also quite clear that there is a high demand of normal/basic apartments which are priced on or below the 20 million range and locals are very keen to invest in them. The biggest risk one takes when it comes to settling for a basic or normal apartment is the maintenance of the building/complex. Buying an apartment is one but maintaining the common areas is a challenge to all the residents. 

The bottom line however with apartments - demand and supply is that now is not the best time to determine if there is an over supply or not, probably once we reach 2018, we would know if there is an over supply or whether the demand is still there as most of the projects are not complete and majority of the completed projects have done well in their sales. 

Until then, fingers and toes crossed!!! 

What's Up Sri Lankan Property Owners?

There is a growing concern in the real estate market with respect to this notion of 'Foreigners Only'  when it comes to renting out their properties, most of the Sri Lankan owners are always comfortable to let expats and foreigners occupy their properties and this is going to hit the local market very hard.  It is sad to note that these Sri Lankan Property Owners are leaving behind a huge segment of locals who can sometimes outshine the standards of the expat or foreign lifestyle.  This mentality has to  change and probably will but it has to happen soon.

Perhaps it has to be brought to light that all foreigners do not qualify to win a property be it commercial or residential properties.  When it comes to apartments especially,  it was noted that the owner is super curious to know the nationality mainly because  certain  nationalities have lost it in Colombo and word has spread to be cautious with such  clients.  Hence,  the importance of getting hold of a reliable agency / broker is highlighted.  There are agencies in Colombo that are extremely careful  of the  clients they deal with. 

Having said that,  it must also be remembered that one must not single out a nationality just like that as that would sound very rude. Not all are bad and not all are good either.  There has to be a certain degree of screening involved and a little bit of background check king to be done  before you proceed  forward.  At times,  when it's difficult to extract information,  use the agent who brought the client to obtain more information about the  client so he understands that his job is not over.  Many unprofessional agents just go missing after they get their money and this   culture has to change.

Sri Lankan Property Owners need to understand that  it's more to screen the client as opposed to eliminating the locals from framework. Just imagine a Sri Lankan living abroad as a foreigner, would he get the kind of treatment that is given to foreigners here? That kind of respect? Nope.  It's a big no.  So where will our Sri Lankan clients go then?  This topic needs to be considered very seriously and  there has to be a win-win situation. 

How to pick a Good Realtor in Colombo

Picking a good realtor who will get the job done for you is very important. Whether you are an expat or a local. It's best that you do your homework before approaching any of the Agents/Agencies in Colombo.

According to my research, there are around 400 agents in Colombo operating in various styles. Some specialize in a certain area such as commercial properties, apartments, houses, lands and estates and some deal in luxury properties which cover some of the above. 

Colombo being a city full of opportunities, there is a good chance that you would come across the following types of individuals who claim to be Agents or Brokers (Most of them do not know the difference between an agent and a broker). 

a. Full Time Employees of Other Businesses/Companies/Organizations

This is a category of Agents that enjoy a one off bonus in most cases when someone from their company is looking for accommodation. This happens even in certain embassies. Everyone loves to have a piece of the cake. 

b. Housewives and Ladies who bank on their luck

This is a very famous category in Colombo purely because of their special skill of extensive communication. There are a number of housewives that do not use their real name but go with something starting with 'Mrs' and ending with their husband's second name. Very tricky indeed. 

c. Tuk Tuk Drivers

This is another prominent category of agents that only thrive to make a fast buck. These agents are not one bit professional but they have very good ears. It's not advisable to be on phone calls when you are inside the tuk tuk as they are on the lookout to hunt down a big fish and can be a pain if you fall into their trap. 

d. The Professionals

Sadly, there is a shortage of professionals in the country and many do not know whom to turn. From this category, there are certain Agencies - Yes, there are real estate agencies in Colombo that provide a professional service and it's most advised to promote this category. They have a website, the present a proper business card, they dress well, they have a pleasant personality and what's more, they are registered either as Agencies or have the individual license. You can find them easily if you Google their name. 

Considering the amount of agents in the market, it's best to stick with professionals as the element of risk is minimal and the service is assured. It's also advisable to load the agent with questions just to ensure that the professional agent you are talking to knows his/her stuff. There are times when the professional agents do not have what you need and it can frustrate you but that's how it is. Sri Lanka needs a professional association for agents which is fueled with the true spirit of networking.  

Are you an Expat in Colombo? Not sure whether to rent a house or apartment?

One of the most common dilemmas among the Colombo expat community is whether to rent out an apartment or a house? Even Sri Lankans who have lived abroad have this question on what's safer.

However, the fact of the matter is that Colombo has changed. It has changed so much that a Sri Lankan who left this country 10 years back would be awe-struck to come back and notice the massive change in terms of development. 

I will give my two cents on renting an apartment and/or house. I am sure you would be in a much better position to figure what works for you.

Renting out an apartment

This is considered to be the safer option for many reasons but then again it will depend on your taste. There are plenty of apartments in town and depending on which location you prefer and what luxury type, there is a good chance of finding some options. With apartments, the following factors kick in:

* Super Tight Security
* Additional facilities such as pool, gym, club house etc
* Convenience and easy maintenance

I would propose that if you are a small family or a single person or even a couple for that matter, renting out an apartment is wiser as opposed to a house. You can also consider a house if it's within a gated community but you may not find them to be that luxurious. 

The following could be considered to be some of the negatives if you are an apartment-person:

*Space - There are very few apartment complexes here that give you a good sizes apartment
* Garden - This is something you will miss
* Pets - If you have a pet, you will have to drop the idea of living in an apartment unless it's a quite and tamed cat.

I think the two most important factors would be convenience and safety and renting an apartment in Colombo 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 is advisable.


Renting out a house

Now we come to tricky part of living in a house. This could be divided into two types, namely, gated communities and stand alone houses.

Renting out a house in a gated community

This is as good as renting out an apartment but the facilities would vary. The key here is that you don't have to worry about security and it's safe. There cannot be any burglaries or anything unless the neighbourhood is not so great. I am afraid to say that this kind of property could be found mainly outside the city of Colombo. In addition to the above, you have to share the pool too unlike stand alone houses which at times come with a pool entirely for you. 

Renting out a stand alone house

There is no problem in renting out a house in Colombo. It's safe and secure (of course with the common sense you have, you would know if it isn't when you view the property). There are few things to ask the landlord when it comes to renting out a stand alone house:

* Age of the structure - very important.
* Age of the furniture and whether the house was renovated unless it's a brand new baby
* Whether there is any flooding anywhere near the house
* Who lives behind, in front and on either sides
* Whether it is safe, I have mentioned that it's not a problem renting out a stand alone in Colombo but always take the assurance of the landlord because let me tell you this, where there are humans, there is always this risk of something waiting to happen.

A good way to feel assured is to call up a reputed agency and seek their advice on the stand alone house. Trust me, if you treat the agents with a great deal of respect and ask for their honest opinion, they will tell you things. Agents who have been in the trade for a long time know much more than a landlord who has been renting for ages. 

I have personally come across a large number of expats that have been living in houses and so far, I have not heard of any catastrophes of any kind. We have a fairly large expat community in the Nawala, Rajagiriya, Battaramulla areas mainly because of some schools that are easily accessible from there and those areas just on the outskirts of the city and are seriously growing not only with expats but even locals, in fact, Rajagiriya is an area where some of the richest people of this country reside. There are many foreigners living inside the city too but it's always good to be with herd. 

In conclusion, like I emphasized from the beginning - it's to do with taste and lifestyle. I have come across expats who have asked for apartments but eventually ended up in a house and vice versa. Please feel warmly welcome to read some of the other posts on this blog which I am sure would help in gaining the much needed information you need to decide on the most important aspect of life, wherever you are which is a good, solid roof on top of your head. 

Good luck in finding a heavenly home! 

If you have any questions or need to know more about living in Colombo, kindly drop an email to info.mistert@gmail.com.

FAREWELL TO THE LEGEND! TRIBUTE TO KUMAR SANGAKKARA

Written on 12th March 2015 at 4:00 am

You came, you saw; you won 20 million hearts,
A contribution so great and immense,
And you made it to the top on your smarts,
While the world watched in utmost suspense.


Your presence behind the stumps,
Your elegance in the shots in front of the stumps,
Your eloquence when you’re away from the stumps,
Defined your class, be it in life away or near the stumps.


The passion you emanate in your game,
The determination in your eyes,
However much the same,
Has day in, day out made you but wise.


Your name will always be etched on the cricketing field,
You’ll always be remembered on the field,
You’ll always be loved on and off the field,
For, you’re such a humble human being on and off the field.


A golden star shining so bright,
You’ve always brought pleasance to our sight,
Sharp as a knife; straight as a bullet, be it day or night,
Oh! Watching you play has been such a delight!


Thank you, thank you; thank you!
For bringing glory to this country! Thank you,
For making and doing all of us proud! Thank you,
For being you and just you! Thank you!


Come what may, today, tomorrow or any day,
Kumar Sangakkara is a name that’ll stay,
It will echo into the world in every way,
This; your beloved family and fans will hope and pray!


As you step into a beginning,
With courage, confidence and pride,
We wish you a future so winning,
That success greets you on every stride!


Forget not that you’re an absolute gem,
Sometimes a walking nightmare to some of them,
Cutting and slicing every ball into its hem,
But most certainly loved and admired by all of them.


A career so illustrious we couldn’t have asked in ODI & Test,
With the future so brilliant, with new dreams; hopes and goals,
We wish you simply nothing but the best of the very best,

 For we’re Tamil, Sinhalese, Muslim, Burger and above all proudly Sri Lankan souls!

Written by Adam Thaha
www.facebook.com/thaha.adam

Some Important Questions to ask when purchasing an apartment!!!

I have come across many clients who just don't know where to start. They have the money but they don't have the knowledge. Below is a list of questions that I have prepared for anyone who plans to purchase an apartment. 

So let's imagine that you have seen the advert somewhere or someone has just passed the number to you and you have no idea about the apartment. 

1. What floor is the apartment on? 

This is very important question, the reasons are too many. If you are not a Sri Lankan, you cannot buy below the 4th floor. Even if you are a Sri Lankan, I would advise you to buy above the 4th floor because somewhere down the line, you too might want to sell what you have bought and could at that point sell it off to a foreigner too. 

Another important reason for not buying on the lower floors is the noise, dust and of course the mosquitoe-factor. You have to have a really open and sharp eye to notice these things. You also do not have a great view if you are on the lower floor and at night, you probably won't experience a great deal of breeze. Don't get me wrong, if you are in need of a lower floor and qualify to buy one, go ahead and take it!!! 

2. Do you have a sinking fund? 

If the answer is 'NO', then it can be a deal-breaker! I mean it! Don't even think about buying an apartment which does not have a sinking fund or provision fund. Imagine the structure after 10 years? Someone's got to have a reserve fund for emergency work or future maintenance right???

3. Are the Deeds clear?

This is a tricky question, in most cases, the owners do not get it right and agents have to go through a tiring experience unless the lawyers are really good. I would also like to advise you to not ask this question to Agents purely because most of them have no clue and some because they don't have a clue, simply lie to you saying all is well. The best way to get this sorted is to obtain the copies and hand them to your lawyer who would probably understand the intricacies. A note on the lawyers, some are good and some are lazy. 

4. How old is the apartment?

This is something you would obviously consider at the very beginning, when you have made up your mind to buy an apartment but at times you can get misguided due to budget limitations. Ask as many people as possible about the age of the building and how the apartment was used, who lived in and whether there were any replacements in the fittings etc. 

5. Why are you selling it?

This can be a very interesting question if the response is a foolish one. On certain occasions, the owners tell you the truth on why they are selling it and it is up to you to determine how much of it is bullshit and how much of it is really the truth. 

If you require any more information on apartments or have any doubts/questions, please send them to to info@mrtgiant.com 

KYNSEY PLACE RESIDENCIES - From the Eye of an Apartment Specialist

Kynsey Place Residencies is a small apartment complex located in Colombo 07 on Kynsey Place just near the Carey College. Kynsey place has access from Kynsey Road as well as Ward Place which makes it more interesting. 

Having visited many of the apartment at Kynsey Place Residencies, I felt it would only be fitting to furnish some information about the compound purely because of the feedback that was received by certain clients.

"This is way better than some of the super luxury apartments" - Client from England

"This is the best apartment I have seen so far" - Client from Germany 

None of the apartments is up for sale though, some are occupied and some are up for rent. Looking at the above feedback, the key aspect to consider is that prospective tenants/rental clients frankly are not too bothered about the size of the complex and what facilities it provides, it's all good if there is the pool, gym, rooftop etc. The apartment inside is what matters and if that's superbly done with proper finishing and great materials used, chances are that the much acclaimed super luxury apartments will lose some of its value. 

This is the best apartment in the building and is currently under offer. It's absolutely brand new and has approximately 3000qft with 4 rooms, 3 of them are en suite. Brilliant eh?

This is the best 3 bedroom apartment in the building and is currently available at USD 2000/month. Worth taking a look and you will realize there is hardly anything to complain about.

The other facilities

This apartment may not be in the limelight but it is a far better design than many of the super luxury apartments and gives you that homely feeling. A note on the lighting, this is one of the most fascinating things about this place, the entire lighting of the apartment on the 6th floor is computerized with remote control switches, in other words, you could control the lighting of your apartment from basically any part of the world if you have internet access. 

If you are looking for a decent place in town and are in need of a good advisor who would really put himself into your shoes and assist you in deciding what's good, please get in touch with our Real Estate Agency and we will provide you our best apartment specialist who will shed enough and more light on the subject of apartments in Colombo. Write to info.mistert@gmail.com