Hi there! saw your PM, I'll answer you here so that others can build on it or give you their point of view and benefit readers as well. my answer is biased towards LF because that's where I bought, there's a big camp here who will tell you about horizon hills pluses too. the key is really what suits you best because they've got different characteristics on offer. see which do you identify with and then make your decision.
As to Strata title, basically this one works like a condominium. Exterior changes not allowed interiorly do what you want, how you want, when you want otherwise it is no different from a freehold title. The bad point is that you don't have freedom in controlling your house in totality, and you feel as if you're in a 'stepford wives' community. For me I like it strata this way the whole precinct maintains a unified look and is very neat. There are some people who either have lousy color pallets or IDs and can make the exteriors butt ugly and that may devalue house prices in the neighborhood in the long run.
I think if you're asking for lot size its 27' X49' in the brochure. Because it is relatively small its marketing trick to give built up rather than lot size. You own the land but exteriors will be managed (the additional parcels e.g. car porch, garden, small side garden are in the S&P that you sign). Well in terms of risk I don't see any difference. Except that the developer has to handover from the master title to strata just like condominiums. A delay here can be problematic for the flippers.
As a LF resident, I like this place for its serenity. Its dead quiet and peaceful. As a terrace house precinct, the density is fairly low. Even if you put the whole LF together it is still very low. Which I feel gives it a certain air of exclusivity. More people means more problems. haha (again my biased view). Also, the developer is not going to build high rise condos current or the future, so it strengthens my point. I like the double security giving me better peace of mind i.e. you have to go through 2 guarded gates first to LF and 2nd to your precinct this reduces public access into the development especially in situations where the road can be used as a shortcut through to another area e.g. resulting in heavy traffic buildup yielding noise and security issues. As for the terrace its perfectly sized for singletons or small families. I hate to clean up acres of space and like things minimal and simple would not break my back when I do it myself. Because the place comes partially furnished, I forgo the headache of renovations. I like the built in kitchen a lot and would forsee myself spending much time there. All the lights/fans/air-con are fitted even wardrobes. If you're intending to buy, then your unit might be fully furnished can literally walk in with a bag. I have not seen another development till date offering this package this place just spoke to me when I viewed it. Also because its strata the exterior is maintained by the developer overseen by the resident committee. Which is good with concrete plans to freshen the facade every few years with new paint for every house, garden, maintenance repairs etc. Again individual houses on fully freehold titles in comparison may choose not to do that and may end up again pulling down the house value in the neighborhood.
As for quality, the finishing imho is of high standard and rectification works for me are very minor. I am quite happy with the built in kitchen really! and the materials used all round is not bad at all, though I would suggest doing something about those 'incomplete concrete' looking steps, avantgarde yes but a tad too 'underwhelming'.
As for the cons, its far from amenities vs. HH. You MUST have your own car because its not very accessible by public transport (unless cabs). There are people who feel insecure about the road leading towards LF.This is the current situation you must be ok with now (of cos there are talks about future plans which I think we all ignore. if it becomes a reality, 2 thumbs up). In terms of amenities HH will be a better bet. Personally, I do not see it as a biggie as I do my grocery shopping once a week also forces me to plan properly. Also, somethings I can't get in JB anyway (like fresh prosciutto, boutique wines, cheese [buffalo mozzarella, single/double cream...] etc) and will do it in SG and then come back in so it makes no difference. Truthfully, the road in could be a problem so I stay cautious. Thankfully the road is a busy/semi-busy one because the PTP port is further in. Hope this gives you an idea of LF. Like I say definitely biased so make your decisions wisely! This is the hard part.
Nice write-up and very informative. As U pointed out the great things abt. LF. but the Strata title deal and the access to LF were the deciding factors for my decision to get HH instead and the fact that HH had a NICE Golf Course.......
I was still deciding too at that stage I guess. HH's selling point is the golf course! i also liked it for it continuous lanscape blend into the precincts. I hear there is a package where you get golf privileges as a buyer? Not a golfer though, i think i'll be one of those swinging like a monkey and unearthing soil rather than hit the damn ball. hurhur.
