Location Ma Soe Yein Street in Mayangone township Price US$800 per month rent (neg) Contact Moe Myint Thaw Tar real estate agency Agency Phone : 221687, 707517

THIS five-year-old wooden home in Mayangone township has immediate charm and mountains of potential as a cosy urban retreat, though its large yard will require plenty of attention if the property is to become the creative haven it could be.

With a swimming pool, large lawn and mature trees, the 18,400-square-foot compound – which, incidentally, backs onto the Yangon City Golf Course – is a welcome departure from the heavily concreted and cramped yards so common in the city.

The house, offering almost 9000 square feet of living space over two floors, also breaks with modern-day tradition: remarkably, there are no imposing pillars or plain, towering walls despite its upmarket status. Instead, a log-cabin approach in keeping with the surroundings has been chosen. There are large balconies on the second floor as well as an expansive wooden porch overlooking the garden out back.

The downside is the living quarters. While there are large open spaces that would be great for throwing parties, displaying canvases or practising with your rock band, there are only two bedrooms, one on each floor.

Both bedrooms have bathrooms attached, and there is a third bathroom/laundry on the ground floor beside the fully equipped kitchen.
The house has large windows that allow in plenty of natural light to warm up the naturally stained wood walls and floors.

There is garaging for one at the base of an old three-storey building near the house. The second floor is designed as staff quarters – although it is some distance from the bathroom by the kitchen – and the top floor is suitable as storage space.

In the main house, a basement adds an interesting dimension, but the owner does not want to make this available to tenants.

Paving work and swimming pool preparations are to be completed by the end of August. Basic furniture, four air conditioners, a phone line and a satellite TV connection are included.

The only real drawback of this secluded gem is that it is for rent only – the owner knows this one is a keeper.