Housing Project at the Weizmann Institute of Science

Questions? Send a e-mail !

Q: I would like to know why the decision to make the houses' floor heights as 2.85 m. has been made ??? Many tenants would like to have height as 3.00 m . Why this issue has not been brought to general vote (as the roofs for example)?. Or alternatively, what is the problem if every family decides on its own ??? (the differences in the height of houses will then be minor (0.3 m) and should not affect the general look of the shchuna) .

A: A priori, there is no problem in changing the height. As said in the meeting, you should get in touch with the architects, and see what it means in term of construction and price.

Q: I have one comment regarding the revised Mifrat (by the Machon): The maximum price for the kitchen has been determined as 35K Shekel for the single houses and 28K Shekel for the Du. From the point of view of construction prices, the only difference between the two types of houses is the built surface: 180 vs. 160 (the price per square meter will be the same). Therefore, the proportion of the maximum prices for the kitchen should be the same 160/180, which makes the price for the kitchen of the Du 160/180x35 = 31K Shekel. Jehud

Q: In case we can have any input on the Mortgage terms:

1. There are only 3 points of bailing out without penalty, 5, 10,15 years. There is a (real)possibility that tax rule or other changes will make the mortgage undesirable at some future date. Could we make unpenalized bailing out more frequent (e.g., every 2 years?).

2. The requirement for taking life insurance is not universal (I do not have on my current mortgage). As the bank has the "shiabud" in their name, this seems redundant. Those over 55 or 60 may find premiums quite high, and otherwise may not wish to hold life insurance. Here also, perhaps some change can be made?

3. Many of us have bad memories of long hours spent waiting in lines of mortgage bank. As we are a large group perhaps they can arrange for us more efficient paperwork? Sydney.

Q: Hi Dani, I did not succeed using the email from within our housing web site. So here is an idea/request to the vaada (attn Eliezer Ronen?): I suggest to ask for the possibility of starting to re-pay the $120K mortgage to the bank only after entering the house. There are many cases in which banks offer this 'grace period'. In fact, Gadi Kober himself, said in one of our meeting that this is a possibility. Zvi Livneh.

20/7/99 - Q: I would like some info. about the idea of leaving the top floor to its full height, (i.e. not constructing the ceiling there). I would like to know if other future tenants are considering this option and if so - whether they have got any professional advice as to the advantages/disadvantages of it. I am, in particular, concerned about possible accumulation of heat in the summer. Any experience with this? Thanks, Edna Shemesh

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