High Estates

The bar for luxury residential real estate in Hong Kong, already one of the most expensive areas in the world, has been raised.

The Peak, at 1,811 feet above sea level, is the highest point on Hong Kong Island and has symbolized prominence and wealth since the 19th century. Formally known as Victoria Peak, it towers above the heart of the city and has spectacular, 360-degree views of all of the surrounding islands. To live there signifies a status level for which captains of industry from around the world are willing to pay top dollar.

Last month, The Peak exceeded its own lavish reputation, with local headlines claiming it is the site of the most expensive residential piece of land in the world. The government land auction of 12 Mount Kellett Road fetched $231 million from Sun Hung Kai Properties — 134 percent of the opening bid and a projected $5,417 per square foot.

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Real estate laws vary greatly form state to state. If you are buying real estate you should understand what rights you have in the state you are in. In California you have many rights and are legally covered in many cases to have these rights.

The following list explains the basic rights every buyer has when buying real estate in California.

1. You can and should interview and compare many agents and lenders during the beginning of your process. This will help you to find the best people suited to help you. Avoid jumping right into a deal without first looking around.

2. California has a Residential Purchase Agreement called a RPA-CA. You have the right to use this document to make or accept offers.

3. California has a law that states an agent must tell you about any relationship they have with seller. There is an Agency Disclosure Form you can use for this purpose.

4. You can and should have an attorney look over all paperwork. California is an escrow state, which means there is a third party involved to help for enforce the contract. So understanding it is important.

5. The RPA-CA contract allows you to have the right to reject any offer you’ve made if you are not satisfied with the physical condition of the home or neighborhood.

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Whenever you visit an open house, jot down a few things that you like and dislike about it as soon as you arrive. What is its overall appearance from the outside? Is it close to nearby schools if that is a necessity? How about shopping malls? And how far away would it be from your job? Sometimes these are questions that home buyers fail to take into account early in the buying process.

When inside the home, be sure to check everything and take plenty of notes as you go. A few things to watch for are the condition of the cabinets, the carpet, the walls, the ceilings, and so on. Take good notes on any items if you feel may need repair.

Consider the size of all the rooms in the home, and determine if they will meet the needs of you and your family. If necessary, even take a tape rule with you to be able to measure out individual rooms and see what kind of space is available. Pay particular attention to storage and closet space, as this is an area that is quite often overlooked by new home buyers, but will become very important if you should decide to buy.

It’s also a good practice to spend a few minutes outside the home and listen for noises that could be bothersome. Perhaps there is a train that passes nearby, or freeway noise that seems excessive. Just taking the time to listen can sometimes be very illuminating, and can help you ovoid moving into a home where noises could be constantly irritating.