PETALING JAYA: Exorbitantly high selling prices, stringent banking rules and a generally cautious sentiment that has been having an impact on the Malaysian property market this year could continue into 2013. Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA) deputy president Siva Shanker said property transactions in the first half of 2012 had slowed ... Read More

THE coming Budget 2013 is expected to address two interesting issues - how to curb the speculative property market and how to address the issue of affordable housing. In a recent report, Kenanga Research says market talk is that the Government will consider hikes in real property gains tax (RPGT) and increase ... Read More

MOTORISTS travelling along the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway in Penang should enjoy a smoother journey after the road-widening project is completed by end of this month. Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the project was carried out by IJM Corporation Bhd and the Malaysian Highway Authority. “The ... Read More

PETALING JAYA: Kenanga Research has downgraded the property development sector to a “neutral” rating from “overweight” previously, due to potential worse-than-expected Budget 2013 risks. It noted that recent news reports had indicated that Budget 2013 would see measures to control the soaring prices of property, including tighter fiscal policies to curb speculation ... Read More

PETALING JAYA: The secondary residential property market could face a slowdown in transactions within the next six to 12 months due to oversupply of properties caused by speculative buyers. Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA) deputy president Siva Shanker said “secondary properties in secondary locations,” namely apartments within the RM150,000 to RM300,000 ... Read More

AFTER losing a roof over his head due to an interim court order in Penang more than two weeks ago, Tan Kim Swee thought his parents would never get to enjoy the comforts of a home. The 34-year-old construction worker, who earns only RM900 per month and has to support ... Read More

PETALING JAYA: Affordable housing will be one of the highlights in Budget 2013, said Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai. The Deputy Finance Minister said among the initiatives being looked into was the enhancement of low-cost home development projects, particularly the My First Home Scheme. Lim said the Government had proposed to ... Read More

PETALING JAYA: Property players are hoping that Budget 2013 would introduce encouraging policies or tax adjustments that allow businesses to thrive in the current local and global economic environment. Mah Sing Group Bhd managing director Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum hopes to see new financial incentives, tax breaks or even ... Read More

PETALING JAYA: The Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (Rehda) expects the housing and property market to plateau in the second half of 2012, but will remain resilient. According to a survey Rehda conducted, property developers are optimistic of the second half and more respondents plan to launch projects ... Read More

GEORGE TOWN: Despite the global economic crisis, property investments coming into the country and going to overseas this year are expected to increase substantially. The recently introduced 10% stamp duty for foreigners buying properties in Singapore has increased the attraction of Malaysia as a property investment destination. Property investments flowing ... Read More