Concept of Green homes in Malaysia; is still in its infancy stage
‘Go green’ is a mantra that most people have started following to make this earth a better place for our future generations. Just one such step that has been taken in this regard is of making green homes. Since the same uses renewable sources of energy and recyclable construction material, these kinds of homes help in preserving the environment. The concept of constructing green home has gained ample momentum all over the world; similar is in real estate malaysia. Many projects based on this concept have already been started in Malaysia. One such is of the Bird Island Project where such green homes were offered just for rental purpose initially, but are now being offered for sale since 2011.
The biggest hurdle that stops a buyer from buying such green homes is the price difference seen between conventional homes and such eco-friendly homes. Malaysian government just to tackle this issue and to increase the demand for such green homes among buyers and investors has taken some strict steps. First amongst these was the collaboration between Ministry of Housing and Local Government and the YTL. The Malaysian government and this company have started publishing articles about the advantages of such green homes and sustainable development to educate homeowners. These articles are aired in local newspapers and more such journals on a regular basis.
The second step taken to increase the awareness of such green homes in Penang real estate is through exhibitions that will be organized in every major city in Malaysia to help people know what benefits they can enjoy by making this long term investment. Also, the company has taken some steps to cut down the cost of construction to ensure that buyers do not face a big difference in the purchase price when compared to conventional homes. It’s a well known fact, that if homeowners in Malaysia find the deal affordable they will surely move ahead to make purchase of such green homes in an increasing number. This will thus help Malaysia to emerge as a leading country in sustainability development and would make it easier to fulfill the vision called ‘Green Malaysia’.
A survey was conducted in Malaysia last year to know the reaction and acceptability level of such green homes among Malaysians. Mostly conducted in Penang and Klang Valley, the data collected showed that almost half homeowners in Malaysia are still ignorant about this new concept of manufacturing homes. Most people thought that homes with more greenery are green homes. Also, among the population which was aware about what green homes actually are, the major concern was the high price of these homes when compared to traditional homes.
Seeing the awareness level that Malaysians share for such green homes its indispensable for the government to take some strict steps to educate people and to spread responsiveness about the long term advantages of such homes. Also, Malaysia is lacking in the technology that is used for the construction of such green homes. Developers who are educated about undertaking such projects are called from overseas in order to manage the entire project. If the Malaysian government takes strict steps to overcome all these hurdles it would not be long when every homeowner in Malaysia would be interested in buying a green home.