Information About Bloom
Click to view, or right click to save files to your computer. ORANGE'S ATTRACTIONS (Article, Qantas Inflight Magazine, 2008
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Frequently Asked QuestionsQ. HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN IT IS THE RIGHT TIME TO MOVE?
Q. I WANT TO RESERVE A VILLA, BUT I STILL HAVE TO SELL MY OWN HOME, WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
Q. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF MY HOME?
Q. CAN I HAVE MY OWN GARDEN?
Q. CAN FAMILY AND FRIENDS STAY OVERNIGHT?
Q. WHAT ARE THE CREDENTIALS OF THE MANAGER?
Q. WHAT IS THE MANAGER’S ROLE?
Q. WHAT IS THE ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE OF STAGE 1?
Q. IS MY DEPOSIT REFUNDABLE?
Q. HOW MUCH DEPOSIT DO I REQUIRE TO RESERVE MY UNIT AND WHAT IS THE PROCESS AFTER THIS?
Q. HOW IS THE WEEKLY SERVICE CHARGE DETERMINED?
Q. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE WHITEGOODS AND APPLIANCES?
Q. WHAT OTHER EXPENSES AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR IN MY HOME?
Q. WHAT HAPPENS IF I VACATE THE VILLAGE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME?
Q. CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN THE DEPARTURE FEE?
Q. IS ANY STAMP DUTY PAYABLE ON THE PURCHASE?
Q. WHEN THE TIME COMES, HOW CAN I RESELL MY HOME AND WHO WILL SET THE PRICE?
Q. ARE PETS ALLOWED?
Q. DO RESIDENTS HAVE ANY SAY IN HOW BLOOM IS RUN?
Q. WHAT HAPPENS IF BLOOM IS SOLD AND WHAT PROTECTION IS THERE TO ENSURE THE STANDARD OF FACILITIES AND SERVICES ARE MAINTAINED?
Q. WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE OF CHOOSING A LEASEHOLD RETIREMENT VILLAGE OVER A STRATA UNIT?
Q. WILL EXTENDED HEALTH CARE AND SERVICES BE AVAILABLE IF THE NEED ARISES?
Q. CAN I MAKE MINOR DESIGN CHANGES TO MY UNIT PRIOR TO MOVING IN?
Q. WHEN SHOULD I SELL MY HOME?
Q. HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN IT IS THE RIGHT TIME TO MOVE?
A. If you are thinking about the desire to have a home that is low maintenance, provides good security, has access to a large array of facilities and services, lets you enjoy your friends and the activities you choose to enjoy in your retirement , then retirement living is a solution you should consider.
Q. I WANT TO RESERVE A VILLA, BUT I STILL HAVE TO SELL MY OWN HOME, WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
A. You are able to reserve a villa with $1000 fully refundable deposit. Our sales consultant will work with you to ensure the appropriate timing of the sale of your existing home.
Q. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF MY HOME?
A. The ongoing weekly service fees and maintenance reserve fund cover the external maintenance of your home and the village. Our Handyman is available to assist with minor maintenance tasks around your home; he will also be able to arrange qualified contractors to attend to the more demanding tasks on a user pays basis. The handyman will change light globes, fix leaky taps, hang paintings, move heavier objects or carry out maintenance required in your home.
Q. CAN I HAVE MY OWN GARDEN?
A. Of course, this is your home after all. Each residence has a pleasantly landscaped private courtyard that allows room for you to potter within the privacy of your own home or if you would like to care for a particular piece of the garden all you need to do is arrange with the Village Manager and gardener. This area will be dedicated to your care and in need, in the event that you are away for an extended period, the gardener will ensure that your area is cared for. At anytime you are able to hand this area back to the gardener.
Q. CAN FAMILY AND FRIENDS STAY OVERNIGHT?
A. Absolutely! It’s no different to your current family home. Quality time with family members and friends is encouraged and the facilities and location of BLOOM is a good excuse to encourage overnight stays. There are some village rules which must be complied with in the interest and consideration of other residents. We also ask that village management are notified of guests extended stays for security purposes or in the case of an emergency.
Q. WHAT ARE THE CREDENTIALS OF THE MANAGER?
A. Village Care Pty Limited manages Seniors Living projects throughout Australia, representing the interests of over 1000 residents. Their CEO Loretta Byers is a past President of the RVA (Retirement Villages Association) and has over 30 years experience in the retirement industry. Their specialist services cover resident matters, property, safety & security and marketing & sales.
Q. WHAT IS THE MANAGER’S ROLE?
A. To ensure the smooth running of all operational issues, co-ordinate social activities for residents and to ensure a cohesive and caring environment. Friday afternoon drinks, movie nights, day trips or restaurant outings are examples. Co-ordinating maintenance requirements for residents, assisting residents to link with health, well-being and community services, and assisting with mail and newspaper deliveries are also part of this function.
Q. WHAT IS THE ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE OF STAGE 1?
A. The second half of 2010 - Bloom will keep you updated with progress.
Q. IS MY DEPOSIT REFUNDABLE?
A. Yes. Your initial holding deposit can be refunded right up until you are required to complete the contract for settlement.
Q. HOW MUCH DEPOSIT DO I REQUIRE TO RESERVE MY UNIT AND WHAT IS THE PROCESS AFTER THIS?
A. An initial deposit of $1,000 is all that’s required to reserve your unit. To formalise your intention to purchase, an Agreement for Lease is issued and a 10% deposit is paid to our Solicitor’s Trust account.
Q. HOW IS THE WEEKLY SERVICE CHARGE DETERMINED?
A. These charges are determined in consultation with the residents. Resident Representatives meet with Village Management annually to review expenditure and the financial management of the village. Weekly Service Charges are set annually, and upon review can only be increased if the village residents agree to it.
Q. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE WHITEGOODS AND APPLIANCES?
A. Items such as oven, cook top, range hood and dishwasher are all the responsibility of Bloom. If an appliance is broken beyond repair, the replacement of such item is covered by Bloom.
Q. WHAT OTHER EXPENSES AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR IN MY HOME?
A. You would pay your own electricity, gas, your own phone bill and home contents insurance.
Q. WHAT HAPPENS IF I VACATE THE VILLAGE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME?
A. The Village management will request that you inform them, in order for a watchful eye to be kept on your home so that the safety & security of your home is maintained at an optimal level. This will also assist the village manager in case of the need to evacuate in an emergency.
Q. CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN THE DEPARTURE FEE?
A. When your unit is vacated there is a fee paid to the operator from the resale price to cover a number of items. This includes:
- A contribution towards the refurbishments costs of your unit. This expense can be quite substantial depending on the age of the unit and ensures the resale potential is maximised before it’s marketed for sale.
- Contribution towards capital replacement items. This includes replacement of appliances, capital works and ensures all the buildings are maintained to the highest possible standard. Income for the operator and to assist with funding the provision of communal areas.
Q. IS ANY STAMP DUTY PAYABLE ON THE PURCHASE?
A. No, as at 1st January 2008, the Office of State Revenue ruled that Stamp Duty would not be payable for leases in Retirement Villages within NSW. This represents a substantial saving when compared to a standard contract of sale.
Q. WHEN THE TIME COMES, HOW CAN I RESELL MY HOME AND WHO WILL SET THE PRICE?
A. Firstly, you or a member of your family will need to formally advise us of your intention to terminate your lease, and then a member of our sales team will discuss and agree the proposed sale price and sale process.
Q. ARE PETS ALLOWED?
A. We welcome most dogs, cats and other small pets that can be cared for within the security of your own home which boasts a fully fenced private courtyard. There are a few guidelines about the approval process, number of pets and keeping control of your pet to protect the safety and comfort of other residents.
Q. DO RESIDENTS HAVE ANY SAY IN HOW BLOOM IS RUN?
A. Yes, once the village is populated then a residents committee will be formed. This committee will represent the views of the residents to management; this is not to stop individual residents from meeting with the manager to talk about their personal recommendation but to assist residents in general. In addition to this, special resident committees such as social committees can be formed to assist with the organizing of social events.
Q. WHAT HAPPENS IF BLOOM IS SOLD AND WHAT PROTECTION IS THERE TO ENSURE THE STANDARD OF FACILITIES AND SERVICES ARE MAINTAINED?
A. All residents will own their unit through a 99 year registered lease on title. This is a secure form of title and is the most common among retirement developments.
Q. WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE OF CHOOSING A LEASEHOLD RETIREMENT VILLAGE OVER A STRATA UNIT?
A. The main advantages to the resident are the exemption of Stamp Duty and the obligation on the Operator to maintain the facilities and services on offer at the Village. There is solid Legislation and Regulations in place to protect residents within Retirement Villages and to provide guidelines and obligations for Operators. This Legislation is governed by the Department of Fair Trading and the Retirement Villages Act 1999.
Q. WILL EXTENDED HEALTH CARE AND SERVICES BE AVAILABLE IF THE NEED ARISES?
A. A range of excellent care service providers from the local area will be available to allow residents to continue to live independently. Should the need ever arise such services can be provided in the comfort and privacy of your own unit. This would be on a user pays basis; however the Village Manager will be available to assist in accessing and identifying these services if required.
Q. CAN I MAKE MINOR DESIGN CHANGES TO MY UNIT PRIOR TO MOVING IN?
A. Yes, many residents may wish to make changes to the interior finishes of their villa. All changes are required to be approved by the owner. In the event such changes incur additional costs, these will need to be paid for prior to settlement and will not be refundable if settlement does not proceed.
Q. WHEN SHOULD I SELL MY HOME?
A. Bloom will be in regular contact throughout the construction process with updates on the anticipated completion time. This will ensure you have enough notice to prepare your current home for sale. Settlement will then take place close to the completion date.