Top 10 Reason To Refinance Your Property in Malaysia

1.To SAVE interest rate - a new financier will generally offer lower rates from existing financier.

2.To REDUCE monthly installment- With lower interest rate offer by new financier, the monthly installment will be reduced too.

3.To SHORTEN loan tenure- borrowers initially with loan tenure of 30 years can shorten the loan tenure if his/her financial income is more stable.The loan tenure can be shorten if he/she commit a higher monthly repayment.It directly shorten the loan tenure.

4.To CASHOUT home equity- A property value will usually be appreciated through years, when the property value increases and the loan outstanding reduces, it will create an home equity for owner who is also the borrower . When the owner refinances the property, the home equity will be cashed out.

5.To CONSOLIDATE debt- Understandably nowadays consumers are taking more than one borrowing , e.g. car loan, personal loan, credit card outstanding, term loan for business, study loan, over draft etc. Borrower may take opportunity to cash out the home equity and pay off the rest of loan or borrowing to consolidate the debt.

6.To REDUCE home loan account- Borrower may have more than one home loan account, he or she can refinance to cash out one of the properties’ home equity to pay off the rest of the home loan account.

7.To SWITCH from variable rates to fixed rates or vice versa- Variable rates fluctuates according to BLR which is announced by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). Whereas fixed rate, the rates is constant.It is common that, fixed rates are much higher than the variable rates at the time a borrower sign acceptance of the offer.

8.To SWITCH from conventional to islamic loan or vice versa- Basically Islamic and conventional financing have no far differences. The major difference is the way or concept of Islamic financing is Syariah compliance. Some Muslim borrowers may change package to adhere to Islamic borrowing concepts.

9.To CHANGE financier- Some borrowers may be experiencing unsatisfied quality of service provided by existing financier. So they refinance is to put their loan account to new financier.

10.To CANCEL MRTA- MRTA made it compulsory by most of the bank in the first time of borrowing of borrowers’ house. Borrower may refinance to other financier so that they allow to cancel the MRTA to get life insurance which is in long term provide better benefits and coverage.

5 Important Steps Before Selling Home

1)Motivation for Selling

First of all, you need to know your purposes for selling your home. The reason you bought it was for investment ? or for long term residential purpose? Some people pay hard for their house installments for years and sell it because of emotion impulse.Discuss this issue with your partner  and think thoroughly before making any wrong decision.

2)Buying a New Home

Most of the people who plan to sell their homes also plan to get a new home too.So,do prepare the listings of new homes and do some research on neighbours and types of new homes you want to be residenting.If you are into investment,Check the location of the new home and future development plan in that area.

3)Call Real Estate Agents

Interview and talk to at least 2-3 neighborhood specialists and real estate agents.Selecting the right capable agent is as important as selecting a quality new home.Talk to the agent to understand the plans and strategies they are going to implement in marketing your home.

a)Home Sale Preparation

Get advices from people who sold their homes before.Move the furnitures out.

b)Repairs

Rapairs the basic maintenance issues.Do not save money on that which may cause you loosing a deal.

c)Home Staging

By staging your house,you will probably get more.Request assitance from agents and proffesionals.

d)Home Pricing

Do not select an agent based on suggested sales price. Some will overbid each other to get the listing but do not overprice. Remember taht overpriced homes often sell for less than the market value.

e)Net Profits from Selling

I always prepare two net sheets for sellers, each with a low price and a high price. This way, sellers can be prepared for the worst and hope for the best. If the lowest net price will let you buy the home you want, it's time to find financing.

4)Get A Lender

Check with existing lender how much existing need to pay off.Next,steps you need to do are order a beneficiary statement,check out new financing offers from your own lending institutions and credit unions,ask for a Good Faith Estimate (GFE),compare rates and fees,ask for referrals to mortgage brokers from agents. Often, mortgage brokers have more flexibility to discount rates and are more competitive.

a)Get a loan preapproval letter to check how much mortgage you are qualified to borrow.

b)Its is advisible to apply for lower mortgage for easier payment for the long run.

c)Compare the types of mortgage,select wisely.

5)Sell Before Buying

It's always more profitable to sell before buying a new home.Don't just search a new home through Real estate portals in the internet.Making decision by just viewing pictures and videos on new home is not sufficient.Visit the the place personally to have a clearer and more realistic and vivid look.

Lists of Dubai Future Projects

There are more projects to come in future.I just views some of the concept pictures of the buildings.they are futuristic,sophiscated and  spectacular in design and sturcture.There projects that will be run are

Dubai City Tower,Dubai Death Star,Dubai Ski Dome,Dubai Mall,Dubai Arch Bridge,Dubai Towers,Dubai Promenade,Dubai Opera House,Dubai Hub One,Dubai Renaissance,Dubai Grand Pyramid,Trump International Hotel & Tower,Hydropolis,The Palm Tower,Porsche Towers,The Cloud,Dancing Towers,0-14 tower,ETA Hotel,Arabian Blade,The Wave Tower,The Pixel Tower,the infinity tower,Al Sharq Tower,The Lighthouse,Tiara United,Al Burj,Space Science World,Stellar Tower,Pal Jebel ali,The Apeirin Hotel,The Empire Tower,P-17,Synergy,Vision Tower,Lam Tara Towers,Golden Dome,Atrium City Towers,Burj Al Alam,Meydan Godolphin River City,RTA Headquarters,Nakheel Tower

Burj Dubai Construction Progress and Timeline

Click on the picture to enlarge

September 2004: Contractors from Emaar begin the construction of the future world tallest building.

February 2007: Surpasses the Sears Tower with height of 500m.

May 2007: Surpasses the 449.2 m (1,474 ft) to which concrete was pumped during the construction of Taipei 101.

July 2007: Surpasses Taipei 101, with height of 509.2 m (1,671 ft).

August 2007: Surpasses Sears Tower antenna, with height of 527.3 m (1,730 ft).

September 2007: Surpasses Ostankino Tower Moscow with height of 540 m (1,772 ft) .

September 2007: Surpasses CN Towe in Toronto with height of 555.3 m (1,822 ft).

April 2008: Surpasses the KVLY-TV Mast with height of At 629 m (2,064 ft).

June 2008: Burj Dubai's height is now over 636 m (2,087 ft) being announced by Emmar properties.

September 2008: Surpasses the previous record-holder- of world tallest building the Warsaw Radio Mast in Konstantynów with height of 688 m (2,257 ft) , Poland.

January 2009: Current height of 818 m (2,684 ft).

The final height is still a clue as Emaar did not announce about it but it's confirmed that the Burj Dubai tallest man made tower will open on the 9 sept 2009 coincidence with the launch of Dubai Metro.

Why Invest In Dubai?

Why invest in Dubai?

1)Its is being calculated by specialists that the popution of Dubai will increase from 1.6million to 3 million by the year or 2010 which means more population is equaled to more demand.

2)Everyear there are as much as 5 million of trourists visiting Dubai.It is expected that by 2010,the number will increase to 15 million.

3)All real estate development and planning is controlled by government and completed in a timely fashion.There will be more and more projects coming in 2009.

4)Strong support from the government for real estate in Dubai as much as 40 billion USD invested.

5)Dubai is a hub and important financial centre whereby many international companies outsoucing operations in High rental yields on completed and well located properties of between 8 - 15 %per annum.

6)Direct flights from the UK and Ireland which bring convenients to oversea investors.

7)Fast development and expansion of properties growth with high end and luxurious building for tourists.Dubai has more leading hotels
of the world than any other country today.

Dubai Real Estate Good News

USA homebuilder John Laing Homes,one of the largest private home buildiers in US and a subsidiary of Emmar properties file bankruptcy.The company listed assets of more Dh3.678 billion($1 billion) and debts of $500 to $100 million.The info is stated in the Chapter 11 documents in Bankruptcy Court Delaware.

In the other of the the bad news,there are also new projects to be implemented in the year of 2009 by one of the leading property developers,Deyaar.Markus Giebel,The Chief Executive of Deyaar announced that it will deliver more than 7 projects with more than 1300 units of its diverse project portfolio.The projects will be

1)The Citadel -the commercial tower (Business Bay)

2)Hamilton Residency -residential tower (Business Bay)

3)Madison Residency - the residential project (TECOM)

4)Coral Residence (Dubai Silicon Oasis)

5)Jade Residence (Dubai Silicon Oasis)

6)Ruby Residence (Dubai Silicon Oasis)

7)Saphire Residence (Dubai Silicon Oasis)

Besides the good news,there is another one.Many leading property developers also implemented an easy payment schedule to lighten investors burden too.Chapal,a freehold property developer announced an extension of 1 year for payment schedules to Dubai and Ajman property buyers.It will be easier for investors who invested in Chapal's projects like Emirates City Ajman, Jumeirah Village Dubai,Dubai Sports City, Emirates Lakes Towers (Ajman),Chapal Flora Residences (Ajman).Dawood Al Shirawi organiser of International Property SHow 2009(IPS 2009) has confidence that the RE market will be recovered in 2009 with new regulations.

Dubai Real Estate News

feb 7
Commercial 2412 AED/sq,FT
Apartment 1803 AED/sq,FT
Villa 1514 AED/sq,FT

Feb 14
Commercial 2283 AED/sq,FT
Apartment 1758 AED/sq,FT
Villa 1365 AED/sq,FT

Emaar properties,one of the Middle East's biggest real estate firms and the developer of the world's tallest tower, Burj Dubai is still looking at future investments in oveseas although suffered from a decline in profits.Emmar will continue with the on going construction but will put a hold on new projects.Emmar suffered losses of 202% in the 4th quarter of 2008 due to a Dh1.77 billion writedown.Emaar recorded a profit of Dh0.9204 billion prior to considering the inventory write down and recorded a profit of Dh6.662 prior to the total inventory write down.A bad result of year 2008 is due to global economy crisis which slowed down the real estate market.RAK properties reported net profits of Dh379 million.The profits decreased 24% from 2007 to 2008.To counter the challenge.RAK plans to withdraw some of its investments in real estate funds and land bank.Hence,ongoing projects can still be continued.

Economy Crisis Hits Dubai Real Estate Market

Dubai real estate property prices fall by 50% due to lower demand frm buyers.According to reports,the real estate market in Dubai is falling from 20% to 50%.It is predicted by experts that aparment prices will fall by an average of 20% .Individual decline between 10% to 50%.Some how it depends on development.Villa prices will remain stable with an average drop of 10%.United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi suffered a fall of 20% prices since last summer.Qatar suffered a fall of 10%.It has now become a Buyer's market rather than a Seller's market.Buyers have more advantage in negotiating prices.THe property prices will continue to fall for 9 to nine months which resembles a situation in hong kong 11 years ago.The values fell ranging from 20% to 50%.Expert predicted that investors would come back if property becomes more affordable as the asking price now is unsustainable.From international News, projects worth $72.35 billion are in a dilemma causing great lose to pakistani investors.Although there is no official annoucement about projects development on hold from developers,reporters stated that over 50 building projects can be seen in standstill.Real Estate projects worth $3.275billion has confirmed to to be cancelled.If this crisis continues,job losses will increase in constrution field which will worsen the situation.Following day,news said that the real extent of the halt in developments in Dubai has been revealed by an international bank which estimates that projects worth £53 billion have now been put on hold.According to HSBC 59 projects have been severely affected by the global downturn and of these eight have been cancelled and the rest put on hold.In a report note the banks says that high end residential projects and commercial developments are those at most risk in the current economic conditions.Hopefully good news will come in coming months.

Real Estate Malaysia Market Situation

Articles from the Star newspaper 26 january 2009

Experts have said that the Malaysian property market is resilient enough to withstand the onslaught of a softening global economy.They opine that sales would be ongoing but in small volumes as most purchasers adopt a wait and see attitude while developers downsize their new property launches.

Association of Valuers & Property Consultants in Private Malaysia (PEPS) president James Wong Kwong Onn says that property prices would fall 5% to 10% as slower economy cools demand.

“Prices for properties across the board will fall but on a gradual basis,” he says.adding that Malaysia is in a better position compared to Singapore, Hongkong and Thailand which are more exposed to the US subprime crisis.

He says the government’s RM7bil stimulus package including the reduction of Employee’s Provident Fund contriburitons from 11% to 8% coupled with lower interest rate and inflkation would provide the bright spark to the property market.

Real Estate and Housing Developers Association(Rehda) Penang branch chairman Datuk Jerry Chan Fook Sing thinks the property outlook in Penang is still bullish.

“Property prices in the state have always done well and with the level of economy we are going to be seeing,land prices both on the island and mainland should continue appreaciating buy at least 5% to 10% over the next five to seven years.”

Penang also has the highest sales growth in the countryh(five year compounded annual grothw rate (CAGR) of 11% vs the average of 8%).House prices on the island have risen to almost match the Klang Valley’s,growing at a five-year CAGR of 4.3% vs the national average of 2.9%.

The completion of the Penang bridge would also act as a catalyst for major growth.Economic activity in the vicinity would automatically intensify.

Chan foresees more people moving to the mainland especially to the southern part of Seberang Prai of which Batu Kawan is the first point of the second link between the island and mainland.

“When the first bridge was built,it was a nucleus for growth.Industrial areas mushroomed up overnight in the northern part of Seberang Prai.And areas like Butterworth,Juru and Bukit Minyak started growing and land prices appreciated.”he says

Land prices in the southern part of the mainland now range between RM8 and RM20 psf.He predicts that prices could easily appreaciate by 50% with the kind of major development projects happening over the next few years.

Penang’s property market has always drawn buyers from far and wide as the state has all the allure of a good place to live- the beaches,the hill and the people.The lack of land bank will continue to push demand for landed properties to go up while good condominium projects in selected locations will still do well despite the economic downturn.

Land shortage has shifted the focus of housing development to the south-West district comprising Relau,Teluk Kumbar,Batu Maung and Balik Pulau-the new growth corridor for Penang.

The housing trend at the moment places emphasis on life style concepts favouring luxurious developments with a resort feel while most new projects are gated and guarded.

Developers today are required to provide more such as quality finishing,extended warrantyh and better security.These featured are what purchasesrs look for when deliberating on their dream homes.

Mortgage Calculator

While searching and surfing with the search engines, i found a website called widgetbox. Personally , i think this is a good and a must tool for Real Estate. Useful and easy to use.

10 "DONT" for home buyers before closing.

Your home buying process is on the way.Looks like the sellers accepted your offer to purchase. The home is officially under contract ,The lender pre-approved you and you are waiting to move into your new house?Nothing is 100% certain until everything is settled.A wrong move could slow down or stop the transaction or could even spoil your whole plan.

1. Don't make any major purchase
You bought a new house.Thinking of getting a brand new car which fit your new house too?Its not advisible to do so if you are depending on a mortage for the house.
An increase in your debt to income ratio reduces the amount of monthly income available for your mortgage payment.
Even Using cash to purchase the car might not help, since banks consider cash reserves when approving your mortgage.Talk to your loan officer if buying the car is a must.

2. Don't Change Jobs Unless It's Necessary
A consistent job history is better than a nonconsistent one.It might not affect much if you change jobs within the same field, but it's better to stay put until the house is yours.

3. Don't Give an Earnest Money Deposit Directly to a For Sale By Owner Seller
Your good faith deposit should go into a trust account. Some for sale by owner sellers don't understand that funds are not their to spend until closing.
I've heard many stories about sellers who spent the deposit money prior to closing. When the transactions didn't take place for valid reasons--such as financing or repair issues, the buyers had to fight for a refund.
Find an attorney or other neutral party who will hold the deposit for you until closing day and make sure your contract dictates what happens to the funds if the transaction doesn't close.

4. Don't Let Your Emotions control you
Calm down and have a clear mind during the entire home buying process, especially during and after a home inspection. Be realistic.If you are buying an older home,some repairs are required to be done by seller but dont because of a little refusal from seller affected your decision of buying the house.
Never fall so much in love with the house that you'll do anything to own that lovely house--unless you're sure you can handle it emotionally and financially. Decide what type of repairs you can realistically tackle, then stick with the decision.

5. Don't Forget to Switch Utilities (electricity / water)
Its a simple one but also an often forgetted one,but you'd be surprised how many people forget to apply for utility service at their new home ended up staying in a house without water and electricity.Call the utility companies as soon as you have a contract. Find out how many days lead time they need to switch the service, then get back with them when you have a firm closing date.
After that,discontinue the services at your old home.

6. Don't Forget to Line Up Your Hazard Insurance
it's another often-forgotten task that buyers scramble to take care of at the last minute. Before closing, your lender will want to see an insurance binder showing you have coverage for the new home. Get it as early as possible so that closing isn't delayed.
In some locations, additional types of insurance coverage might be necessary. Talk to your lender about insurance requirements well before the closing date.

7. Don't Become buddies with the Seller
It's great to be friendly.Be clear that your role is a buyer and he is a seller.Don't get into too many long discussions with the sellers as personality conflicts often cause judgments.
Remember, this is their home. You're no doubt excited about moving in, and if you didn't like the house you wouldn't have offered to buy it. But you'll make changes--everyone does. A casual statement about "ripping up that ugly carpet" might be hurtful enough to keep the seller from negotiating with you about repairs or other issues that crop up.

8. Don't Panic if the Appraisal Comes in Low
At least not at first. There are some things you (and your agent) can do to correct the problem. Study your options.

9. Don't Go It Alone
If you're working with an agent, it's the agent's duty to track many of the day to day details that involve the lender, the seller, or the seller's agent. Be sure your agent schedules a final walkthrough just before closing.

10. Don't Ignore Lender Requirements
Know what is expected of you and take care of it. For instance, a Certificate of Eligibility is required to move forward on a VA loan. That's something you must handle yourself. Answer lender questions and provide required paperwork as quickly as possible--moving into your new home depends on it.

Beginner Tips for investing

some points are important to become a Real Estate investor.It might help you to decide whether you could fail or succeed at investing in Real Estate.

"can you afford it?" Investing in Real Estate is very expensive and you need to understand your budget completely before you think of venturing into Real Estate investing. You might think of taking a Real Estate loan or using some of your hard earned savings and then investing in Real Estate, but before you do that, make sure you can pay back the Real Estate loan.Check the interests and years your have to pay back.As now adays market situation is not really well.You need to sit down with the banker and fully understand the plan of paying the loan.It is a huge commitment to invest in Real Estate and you have to be very sure before you make the decision.

"why you wish to invest?" in Real Estate.If you invest in Real Estate for your self.You just need to search a property that fits your requirements.If you want to invest for your family, you need to check out the formalities and papers of the land such as the road connectivity, electricity, water and you should also find out how close the estate is to shops,banks, schools,hospitals,post office etc.Check the interiors of the house to ensure that there are no repairs of any fault which are necessary.As repairs will increase the cost of buying the property.

"selling it in the future"? Location location location.Remember these key words.It is important that you research on the estate concerned. Calculate how much appreciation the land is likely to go through and choose a most profitable area.Check with the state government.What town/city developing projects they are running on that area.This will affect the properties values in that area.Next,you should also make sure that you select the right Real Estate agent before you start thinking of investing in Real Estate. The Real Estate agent you choose should have enough market knowledge and he should also be well aware of the current trend,updated news in the Real Estate market. Make sure that he is dependable or else you might end up with a bad bargain and consequent problems. Thus, it cannot be stressed enough that you have to be careful when choosing a Real Estate agent.Well known experienced agents introduced from benefited investors or friends is important.Most people who wish to invest in Real Estate make mistakes because they rush into it without taking serious consideration. Do not let other parties or your Real Estate agent pressure you into investing too soon.The final decision is on you.Be determined but not rush.

Buying a Real Estate property and buying a business makes no difference. You should pay attention to the state of the market for the land you will wish to sell, the past history of that land, the nature of the area where your property is located, and how much the property costs, and what kind of financing you will need.

10 Tips to green your home

It's all about the eaves
A roof should overhang walls by at least one foot. That keeps the sun off windows and exteriors, which helps the house stay cool in summer.It also protects siding from the weather, meaning you may be able to go twice as long between repaintings or re-sidings.


Reuse and remodel
The house you fix up will probably be much greener than anything you build in its place, no matter how cutting edge the new design or how much recycled material you use.

Sure, some old houses just can't be saved. But even a building with serious problems can give you plenty to work with.

You might, for example, be able to salvage the first floor and build around it. With a total teardown, all the stuff that went into building the old house, including the fossil fuels the original construction crew had to burn, goes to waste. (Construction material is one of the largest contributors to landfills.)

And, of course, you'll consume a lot of energy and materials putting up a new structure. If you choose to remodel, consider expanding up rather than out. That's an easy way to control your home's carbon footprint.

Size does matter
Fight the urge to go big and high. Not only is a smaller, well-proportioned house easier to heat and to cool, but you'll need to buy less furniture to feel at home in it. And isn't consuming less the whole point? Some specifics to remember:

A kitchen for normal cooking
kitchen that's less than 20 feet long with countertops less than 4 feet apart is more convenient unless you are serving 5 course meal everyday.

Bedrooms are mainly for beds
Beds should be located at the correct spot in bedrooms.Usually people dont sit much in bedroom as chairs in bedrooms have a way of just collecting the laundry or stuff.

More rooms can be better than one giant space
Instead of a high-ceilinged great room that combines a kitchen, dining room and living room, use the same square footage for a combination of rooms with standard ceilings. Divide them with french doors that you can open out when you want family togetherness.

The latest on renewable energy
The wind
Let's just say you probably won't be installing a wind turbine in your backyard anytime soon. Even if the homeowners association didn't come after you with torches and pitchforks, the truth is most places aren't breezy enough.

But in many areas it is possible to sign up with an electricity provider that gets its juice from renewable sources, often including wind. Your monthly bill may be about $10 higher, but you'll be doing your bit for the planet.

Go to the Department of Energy's Green Power Network to find your local provider.

The sun
A solar water-heating system can reduce the fossil fuel you'll need for showering and washing clothes. Before installing one, determine whether you have a sunny enough location to recoup the up-front costs, which can range from $3,000 to $8,000.

A solar electricity system can be pricey too. But if you're building, consider having your home pre-wired for it (for an extra $1,500 or so). Then you can install photovoltaic panels after they get cheaper (as they undoubtedly will).


Get a zone defense
Thermostats have become as smart as your iPod.

You can program them to respond to your use patterns, cutting your energy bills by nearly 10%, according to data from Energy Star, a government program that sets efficiency standards.

If you want to get fancy, you can divide your house into multiple climate zones so that you heat or cool only the rooms that need it.

In summer you can focus the air conditioning on bedrooms and spaces that get the most sun.


Insulate, insulate, insulate...
Upgrading the insulation in your home - including caulking and weather-stripping around windows and doors - can cut your heating bills by as much as 20%. (To learn how to do a home energy audit and find leaks, see energystar.gov.)

But you should also pay attention to design features that make insulation harder or easier.

Cathedral ceilings and flat roofs need extra attention
In homes with those features, your ceiling may sit directly under the roof, putting the room that much closer to the elements. You'll need to make sure these ceilings are especially well insulated and carefully vented.

Recessed lights can leak
After all, they basically require you to punch a lot of holes in your ceiling. If you install them under attics or roofs, make sure to use fixtures that are IC rated, which means you can safely pack insulation above and around them. These can cost $10 to $20 extra.

Dirt insulates
If the site where you intend to build your home is sloped, consider putting a portion of the structure underground. You'll get some natural protection against extremes of both heat and cold.

Ventilate and circulate
The key to keeping cool in the summer without cranking the air conditioning is to force warm air out of your house as quickly as possible and to have air constantly moving over your skin.

Vents in your attic space - combined with insulation in the ceiling below - keep the cool air downstairs from being warmed by the pocket of hot air above.

A whole-house attic fan, which pulls hot air from the rest of the house into a well-ventilated attic, can let you turn on the AC less often. (Just make sure you put an insulating cover over the unit in the winter.)

When building, place windows and doorways to maximize cross-ventilation so that breezes flow easily through rooms.


Be wise about windows
You can benefit from the most old-fashioned kind of solar power simply by putting windows in the right places.

In the northern part of the country, a house with most of its windows facing south will collect more light - and therefore more heat - in the winter. (You'll also be able to keep the lightbulbs off until late in the day.)

If you live in warmer climes, it's smart to have most of your windows facing north so your home doesn't bake all year.

In general you want fewer and smaller windows. That's because every window costs: Even the best of them will rot and leak over time. And even deluxe triple-glazed, argon-gas-filled windows will let out more of your home's heat than a wall would.

By the way, the super-insulated variety probably won't save enough to pay back the steep premium - maybe twice the price - over the up-to-code double-glazed kind.


Adding up the bill
If you're building from scratch, good design can get you a long way toward green. But for the most sustainable home, you'll also want to shell out some extra bucks for the right materials and appliances.

Those costs can add up fast. Remember that while green appliances will lower your energy bills and upkeep year after year, there's less direct payback from using recycled or salvaged woods and other materials.

20 Tips for selling home fast

Make a lasting first impression
The front door should be clean and presentable. If the doorbell is not working repair it.

Walls and woodwork
Faded walls and worn woodwork won’t sell your home. A small investment in paint or wallpaper will.

Let the sun shine in
Open the drapes and curtains. Clean the window and panes. Turn on the lights. House buyers are drawn to bright, cheerful interior.

Call the plumber and the electrician
Dripping water taps suggest worn out plumbing or careless maintenance. Clean those rust stained sinks. And make sure the drains are running free and clear. Loose electrical wires, broken sockets and fused out bulbs, flickering tube-lights are a no-no.

The devil’s in the details
Loose door knobs and handles. Creaky doors. Door latches not closing smoothly. Sticking drawers. Wobbly hinges. Jammed windows. They can all cost you a potential customer. Fix the defects and they make a sale.

Safety sells
Keep staircases and corridors clean and free of clutter. Cluttered areas are not only unattractive; they are dangerous as well.

Sell the whole home
Let prospects see the big picture. Make sure your attic is presentable, your garage is neat and your basement is organized. Give storeroom space a clean coat of paint.

Buyers love big closets and wall cupboards
And they look even bigger when they are clean, neat and well organized. Get rid of piles of clothes, old cartons and other clutter.

Bathrooms are big sellers.
Make bathrooms sparkle. Clean sinks and bowls. Recaulk where needed. Make sure towels and bathroom mats are freshly washed.

Wake up your bedrooms
Remove excess furniture. Use attractive and colourful bed linens and spreads. Open the drapes and curtains and let the light in. Remember, this is where your buyers spend one third of their lives.

SHOW AND SELL
It is now showtime! Here are ten suggestions to help you make the most of it.

Lighten up
Home buyers love the light. By day, let the sun shine in. By night, turn on all your lights, inside and outside. Don’t forget the accent and picture lights.

Avoid crowds
House hunters hate crowds. When your brokers shows your home, send the children away to the neighbours and take a long walk.

Silence is golden
When your home is being shown, turn off the radio, television, stereo or any other noise-producing source. It will make your agent’s job easier.

Keep pets out of sight
Make your pets disappear when your house is being shown. Your prospect may have different tastes in animal than you.

Stay in the background
Do not try to engage your prospects in conversation. Let your broker do his or her job and let your buyers inspect without interruption.

Be prepared
You never know when your consultant (agent) may need to show your home on a moment’s notice. So, make your beds and tidy up each morning, just in case.

No apologies necessary
Nobody’s perfect. There’s no need to apologies for the appearance of your house. Let your agent field any negative comment.

Sell the home period
Don’t try to sell your prospect your old furniture, appliances, lamps or anything besides your house. Save it for after the sale.

Leave it to professionals
Let your broker discuss selling price, terms, possession dates or other such details. They have been carefully trained and will negotiate on your behalf.

Show by appointment only
Your agents can schedule all showings including those from other real estate offices. All you need to do is to make sure your home is ready to show.

Invest in Malaysia

Malaysia is not only a country famous for its natural resouces and agricultures.Its now a knowledge based,export base,High technology country.Tall buildings such as The Twin Towers and KL Towers, KLIA Airport, Sepace F1 Cicruit are part of the succesful Built projects in Malaysia.

A Dynamic Business Environment

Malaysia, strategically located in the heart of South East Asia, offers a cost-competitive location for investors intending to set up offshore operations for the manufacture of advanced technological products for regional and international markets.

Supported by a market-oriented economy and pro-business Government policies, Malaysia offers investors a dynamic and vibrant business environment with the ideal prerequisites for growth and profits. Malaysia's key strengths include well-developed infrastructure and productive workforce. A politically stable country with a well-developed legal system, Malaysia also provides attractive incentives for investors.

Advancing with Technology

Technological advancement has become an integral part of Malaysia's growth as an industrialised nation. With the help of technology, Malaysia is steadfast in providing for the modern day requirements of investor companies based in the country. Malaysia is one of the most technologically developed countries amongst industrialising nations in the ASEAN region. The nation's persistent drive to engage modern technologies proves to be a great advantage to manufacturers in Malaysia.

Well-developed Infrastructure

Infrastructure in Malaysia is designed to serve the business community; it is one of the best in Asia. Telecommunications network served by digital and fibre optic technology, five international airports (all with air-cargo facilities), well-maintained highways and seven international seaports make Malaysia an ideal springboard to the Asia-Pacific market.

Industries in Malaysia are predominantly located in over 200 industrial estates and Free Zones developed throughout the country. These zones are categorised as export processing zones, which cater to the requirements of export-oriented industries. There are also specialised parks that have been developed to cater to the needs of specific industries.

Human Resources

One of Malaysia's greatest assets is her human resources. The workforce here is young, educated and productive, proving to be one of the best in the region. The Government's emphasis on human resource development ensures the continuous supply of manpower to meet the needs of the expanding manufacturing and services sectors.

Towards the Economy of Tomorrow

As a result of perceptive foresight, strategic planning and abundant resources, Malaysia offers investors a wide spectrum of investment opportunities. The technologically-inclined economy of Malaysia is proven through the country's involvement in advanced electronics manufacturing, R&D, biotechnology, photonics, logistics, design, innovation and a highly automated manufacturing sector, to name a few. The Government's objective is also to make Malaysia a hub for other value chain activities, such as R&D, design and development (D&D), procurement, logistics, distribution and marketing, business support services and shared services.

A Hub for Foreign Companies

The conducive business environment in Malaysia has made the country one of the world's top investment destinations.Cyberjaya,putrajaya Cities for Information Technology,Kuala Lumpur,Central of banking,business & entertainments .Malaysia has attracted more than 5,000 foreign companies from more than 40 countries to establish their operations in the country.Includding the Middle east countries and China.Many of them have also expanded and diversified their operations in the country, reflecting their confidence in Malaysia as a site for their business ventures.

The Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) is the first point of contact for investors who intend to set up projects in the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. With its headquarters in Malaysia's capital city of Kuala Lumpur, MIDA has established a global network of 19 overseas offices covering North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific to assist investors interested in establishing manufacturing projects and services

Real estate vs U.S economy crisis

Real estate contributes a total of 10% output to US economyt. If real estate declines, it affects the constuction field.More and more people will loose their construction jobs, thus potentially increasing unemployment.

Real estate sales and prince are related.If real estate sales declines,it eventually leads to a decline in real estate prices too.Value of Homeowners homes will drop at the same time,doesnt matter whether they are actively selling it or not.This then reduces the amount of home equity loans the homeowner can get. Thus, reduces consumer spending.

According to reports and statistics,over 70% of the U.S. economy is based on personal consumption.If consumer spending decreases,it will contribute to a downward spiral in the economy. This results in further unemployment, further reduction in income and consumer spending. If the Federal Reserve doesn't intervene (by reducing interest rates, then the country could fall into a recession. The only good news about lower home prices is that it lessens the chances of inflation.

Tips for travellers&visitors to malaysia

Currency

The unit of currency is the Malaysian Ringgit indicated as RM, which is equivalent to 100 cents. Coins are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 sen and RM1. Currency notes are in RM1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100. Foreign currency and traveler's checks can be converted to Malaysian Ringgit at banks or authorized money changers throughout the country.

Airport Tax

An airport tax of RM5 and RM40 is charged upon departure for all domestic and international flight passengers respectively.

Telephone

Local calls can be made from public phones, whether coin or card operated. International calls can be made from phone booths with card phone facilities or at any Telecom offices. Most hotels are equipped with IDD services with a minimal service charge. - Useful Phone Directory.You can get prepaid cards with cheapest rate from rm2-10 provided by local mobile phone services. Maxis, Digi or Celcom.

Tourist Police

Visitors who encounter unforeseen problems and difficulties can seek the Malaysian Tourist Police Unit with blue uniforms(Police Diraja Malaysia) for help.There are many booths for help.They often patrol tourist spots and will render assistance too, as well as safeguard tourists' security.

Business Hours

The country runs on a normal 8 hours a day system.Saturday is half day and Sunday is a rest day.In Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah states, Friday is a day of rest with Thursday as half days. Department Stores and supermarkets are open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Night life areas such as pubs,bistros,discos and clubs opened until 2 am in the morning.

Tipping

Tipping is not a way of life in Malaysia, but is fast becoming one.

What to Wear

Malaysia has warm climate.Light, cool, and casual clothing like tshirt is recommended all year round. For more formal occasions, men should wear jackets, shirts slacks matching with ties or long-sleeved batik shirts whereas women should wear dresses.

Water

It is generally safe to drink water straight from the tap, but it is safer to drink boiled filtered water,drinking bottles,mineral water or any bottled beverages sold in shops like 7-11.

Medical Services

Medical services are available in most towns at government hospitals and private clinics.Private clinics close at nine oclock.Different from some foreign countries,non-prescription drugs are available at pharmacies, supermarkets, hotels, and shopping centers.

Local Touch

Food hawkers selling traditional and local delicacies make up the everyday scenes in big or small towns throughout the country. One can try "teh tarik", a smoothened, creamed tea, and all kinds of roti such "roti canai","roti bomb","roti pisang" etc.The roti is a fluffy pancake prepared by a local person of Indian Muslim ancestry. Spicy Malay food, such as "nasi lemak" and various kinds of Chinese noodles and food are also popular.Such as the hokkien fried mee "char kuey teow" , "hokkien mee" , Penang "prawn mee", Ipoh "gei si hor fun" ,curry me and more

As Malaysia is a multi-religious country,As Malay as majority,chinese,indians and other races as minorities.Various Muslim mosques, Buddhist temples, Hindu temples, and Christian churches can be found almost anywhere. Despite the many changes and developments in the cities and big towns, Malaysia has many "kampung" (villages), jungles(Taman Negara), beaches(Pulau Redang,Perhentian,Tioman,Pangkor,Langkawi etc), and rice fields. Many houses in the "kampung" are built on stilts. Batik cotton fashion is popular in Malaysia . It can be used for casual wear, as well as formal functions.

IMPORTANT
Drug traffickers are sentenced to death by Malaysian Law.No weapons such as gun is allowed too.

16 Tips on buying property in Malaysia

1. Before you decide to buy a house or property, please ensure that:
• The housing developer has a license and it is still valid.
• The housing developer has an advertisement and sales permit and it is still
valid.

2. Determine the house type that you plan to get:
For landed property such as bungalows, semi-detached houses and terrace
houses, the expected date of completion is 24 months from the date of signing of
the Sales and Purchase Agreement.

For subdivided building such as condominiums, flats, apartments and
townhouses, the expected date of completion is 36 months.
Buyers are advised to obtain from the housing developer the
complimentary brochures with all the pertinent information about the project such
the development's license number, and advertisement and sales permit.

3. Land status
Please ensure whether it is:-
• Freehold land - it is in perpetuity.
• Leasehold land – check the number of years left.
• Malay Reserve.
The status of the land can be checked at the Land Office or the State
Land Registrar.

4. Brochure Information
Brochures are given free by the developers. Please ensure the brochure has
the following information:
1. The Housing Development’s License number and the expiry date.
2. The advertisement and sales permit number and the expiry date.
3. Name and address of:
i. The licensed housing developer
ii. Authorized agents (if any)
iii. Those holding power of attorney (if any)
iv. The project management company (if any)

4. Land status
i. Freehold
ii. Leasehold – number of years left
iii. Encumbrances – whether the land has been mortgaged to the bank
for a loan

5. Location description
i. Building material specification
ii. Size of building
iii. Amenities and/or Services
6. Name of housing project (if any)
7. Expected date of completion
8. Price of each type of house
9. Number of units for each type
10. Reference number of the approved building plan and name of the local
authority.
The rights of buyers must be understood as contained in the Sales and
Purchase Agreement as per schedules G and H of the Housing Development
(Control and Licensing) Regulation 1989.

5. First Payment
The first payment of 10 per cent must be made upon signing of the Sales
and Purchase Agreement. Please ensure the date of signing of the SPA and the
date of first payment are the same.
Be aware that the housing developer is not allowed to collect any form of
payment without a Sales and Purchase Agreement being signed.

6. Architect Certification
Make sure any demand by the developer for installment payment is
supported by a certificate duly signed by an architect or a certified engineer.

7. Interest on Late Payment
If the buyer or end financier for the buyer fails to pay the developer the
progressive payment or installment within 21 working days from the date of the
written notice of payment from the developer, the buyer will be charged an
interest of 10 per cent per annum on the installment not paid.

8. Termination of the Sales and Purchase Agreement
Be aware that failure to make the progressive payment or interest charged
on late payment for a period of more than 28 days will give the developer the
right to terminate the Sales and Purchase Agreement. The developer must serve
the notice in writing by AR registered post of its intention to terminate the SPA.

9. Infrastructural Maintenance Fee
Buyers must pay the cost of maintaining the infrastructure from the date of
vacant possession till the date the responsibility is taken over by the local
authority or management corporation (in the case of a subdivided building).
Infrastructure is defined as:
1. For land and building - Road, driveway, drains, sewerage, pipelines and
sewerage tank for the housing development.
2. For subdivided building - Road, driveway, drains, sewerage, pipelines and
sewerage tank for the building.

10. Maintenance and Management Fee
From the date of vacant possession the buyer shall be responsible for
paying for services such as:
1. For land and building
i. Refuse removal, upkeep of drains and grass-cutting on the road
reserves.
ii. The buyer is responsible for such payment until such responsibility
is taken over by the proper authority.
iii. The buyer must pay a six months’ deposit upon being handed
vacant possession for the services to be rendered. After six months,
if the services are still not taken over by the relevant authority, any
subsequent payment shall be payable on a monthly advance.
2. For subdivided building
i. Payment is for the cost of maintaining and managing the common
area and payment starts when vacant possession is handed over.
ii. The buyer shall pay one (1) month’s deposit and three (3) months’
advance in respect of the maintenance service charges and any
payment thereafter shall be payable on a monthly advance.
iii. Maintenance fee must be paid to the developer from the date of
vacant possession up until the formation of a management
corporation under the Strata Title Act 1985.
iv. Once the management corporation is formed under the Strata Title
Act 1985, maintenance services will be handled by the
management corporation and the buyer must pay the maintenance
fee to the management corporation and not to the developer.
Reminder: Maintenance fee must be paid as long as the buyer owns a
parcel in the said maintained building.

11. Sinking fund
For subdivided building only
The buyer shall upon the date he takes vacant possession of the said parcel
contribute to the sinking fund an amount equivalent to 10 per cent of the service
charges.
The buyer shall pay one (1) month’s deposit and three (3) months’
advance in respect of the service charges to the sinking fund and any payment
thereafter shall be payable on a monthly advance.

12. Payment of Quit Rent, Rate Assessment, etc
From the date of vacant possession or date of assignment, whichever is
earlier, the buyer is responsible for the quit rent, assessment, rate payment and
other charges relating to the property bought.

13. Vacant Possession
Vacant possession on the building complete with water and electricity
connection must be handed over within 24 calendar months from the date of
signing of the SPA for landed property and 36 calendar months for subdivided
building.

According to Regulation and Rights of House Buyers during the Handing
over of Vacant Possession, the buyer have to ensure the property is free from any
encumbrances before accepting notice of vacant possession.
If the developer leases the land or the property, the developer must settle
the balance payment before handing over vacant possession.
Conditions that must be followed by housing developers:
1. Certificate from the developer’s architect stating that:
i. The building is completed.
ii. Water and electricity are ready for connection.
2. The developer has applied for:
i. The issue of the Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (CFO)
through Form E**
ii. The local authority has issued a notice stating that Form E has been
checked and accepted by the relevant authority.
** Form E is an application from the developer’s architect to the relevant
authority for the issue of the CFO.
The buyer is entitled to enter into occupation of the property only upon
issue of the CFO by the relevant authority. Likewise, any renovation can only be
carried out upon issue of the CFO and approval of the plan by the relevant
authority.
While inspecting the building, any defect is recorded and handed over to
the developer to be rectified. Make sure you obtain a copy of the report.

14. Damages
The buyer is entitled to claim for late delivery from the developer.
If the developer fails to deliver vacant possession of the building as
stipulated by the SPA, it must pay damages calculated on a daily rest, 10 per cent
per annum of the purchase price.

15. Defect liability period
The defect liability period is 18 months after the date of vacant possession.

16. Creation of Management Corporation for Subdivided Building
A management corporation will be created once the strata title of each
individual parcel is issued to the owners.
Other functions of the management corporation include insuring and
maintaining the building.

Malaysia driving & public transport

To drive on Malaysian roads, you are required to hold a Malaysian Competent Driving Licence, Probationary Driving Licence or an International Driving Licence. A foreign licence can be used if it is endorsed by the Road Transport Department, and some nationals are allowed to drive on their own country licences for their first three months in Malaysia. Information is available from the Malaysian Road Transport Department.

Nationals of the countries which have reciprocal agreements with Malaysia can apply for a Malaysian driving licence, on provision of:

1.Their existing driving licence and a photocopy of the licence
2. A translated script (if the licence is not in English) in English or Bahasa Malaysia, provided by the Embassy of the issuing country or the licensing authority
3. A colour photograph (25mm x 32mm)
4. Their passport/travel documents
5.Payment of RM60.00 for 2 years
6.A completed JPJL1 Form


Holders of valid foreign driving licenses from countries that do not have reciprocal agreements with the government of Malaysia but are member/contracting countries of the United Nations Conference On Road and Motor Transport, Geneva (1949 and 1968) can apply to the Director General, RTD to be exempted from tests to obtain a driving licence.

Vehicles use the left-hand side of the road and the use of safety belts by front passengers is mandatory. Cell phones either talking on phone or SMS are prohibited while driving. Laws against drinking and driving are strictly enforced with stiff penalties(Saman).Drivers who just get their license need to have a P sticker at the front window.

If you dont have a driving license.There are still public transport everywhere like city bus,LRT,KTM and taxis.

Malaysia buying & renting property

buying property

For foreigners,it is relatively cheap to buy a house or apartment in Malaysia, and some have even made good returns on their property investments over time. A wide range of properties is available, including large detached houses (bungalows), semi-detached and terraced houses, apartments and condominiums.

Properties for sale can be found through the real estate agents from real estate companies or Malaysia real estate website and advertise in the local and national press. It may also be possible to buy land on which to build your own property. However, it should be noted that some areas of land can only be bought and sold by Bumiputera (Malays and other indigenous groups).Those land is called Malay Reserve land.

Foreigners are eligible to buy 2 houses at a cost of not less than RM150,000 each. For this purpose, they are also entitled to apply for a loan from a local bank for 60% of the purchase price.

The standard procedure for purchasing a property is:

1) Sign letter of offer and pay 3% of purchase price as earnest deposit
2) sign sale and purchase agreement after 14 days; pay 7% of purchase price
3) Pay balance of purchase price within 3 months

Legal fees, stamp duty and agency fees (if used) are also payable.


renting property

It is relatively cheap to rent a house or apartment in Malaysia, except in central Kuala Lumpur where rental prices are higher.Places such as Puchong,Serdang,Sungai Buloh,Rawang are much more cheper.Of course the higher price it is, the more secured and quality it has. A wide range of properties is available, including large detached houses (known as bungalows), semi-detached and terraced houses, and apartments and condominiums. Condominiums are a popular choice among expatriates as they offer good security with cctv eqquiped and security guards to look after the condos.In addition with a wide range of facilities often including a swimming pool, gymnasium, playground ,car park, laundy and tennis courts.

Some of the most popular areas of Kuala Lumpur for expatriate residence include Kenny Hills, Damansara Heights, the city end of Jalan Ampang, Bukit Kiara, Ampang, Bangsar Baru and Taman Tun Dr. Ismail. Given the KL traffic congestion, it is important to choose a location carefully in relation to place of employment.Some area have international schools too if needed.

Furnished, semi-furnished and unfurnished properties are all widely available for rent, and can be found via the real estate agents which are numerous in urban areas and advertise in the local or national press. Some expatriate websites also advertise rental properties in their classifieds sections. One point worthy of note is that unfurnished properties are often completely empty, without even kitchen units or a cooker. Leases are usually drawn up for yearly renewal.