AT first thought, it might appear prudent to pay off a property loan as quickly and as soon as possible. However, is this really the wisest and smartest financial decision? Consider using cheaper home loans to grow your net worth. – LEE MUN WAI writes…

Home loans usually have lower interest rates than vehicle loans and other unsecured credit, because the use of a home as collateral reduces the lenders risk of financial loss.

People can refinance an existing loan and extract additional funds to pay off credit cards and other debts. Refinancing enables homeowners to lower their overall monthly payments or frees up funds for other purposes and simplify their lives by having to make just one payment.

Refinancing a RM1mil, 30-year loan from 7.5% to 6.5% would save more than RM240,000 in interest over the life of the loan, or more RM150,000 in today’s dollars given a present value discount of 3%, all other elements remaining equal. Despite market turmoil, interest rates remain at attractive levels.

Alternatively, consider investing the additional funds into solid, reputable investments (such as unit trusts,Amanah Saham Malaysia, real estate investment trusts, etc) that can potentially give you returns in excess of what your home loan is costing you.

If your home loan is costing you 5% but you can derive returns of 8% from your investments, you are growing your net worth by 3%!!

Start comparing loans from several different financial institutions before deciding and get information in writing.

Carefully consider your cashflow situation, if you have the income to handle your new refinanced home loan obligations, it might just be more prudent to refinance that house of yours and start growing your net worth. Seating your assets and start letting them work for you.

Source: The Star

ALOR SETAR: Housing developers who advertise their projects in newspapers without permits from the National Housing Department (NHD) risk facing legal action.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heungsaid he recently discovered that private developers were advertising their housing projects without the necessary permits.

“There are developers who have received notices from the ministry for breaching the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966 by not applying for the permits. If they are found guilty, they face a maximum fine of RM250,000.

“So far, no one has been fined,” he said after handing over keys to house owners of the revived housing project of Taman Sri Derga Fasa III here yesterday.

Chor also urged newspapers to be more careful and verify permits with the developers before accepting the advertisement.

He said Taman Sri Derga was the 113th out of the 178 abandoned projects in the country since 2009 which had been successfully revived by NHD.

Chor, who is Alor Setar MP, also said that of the 11 abandoned private housing projects in Kedah, six had been revived by NHD.

The rest were under rehabilitation status.

He encouraged developers to implement the build-and-sell concept by starting with small projects involving about 10 to 20 units of houses.

Earlier, Chor attended a briefing on Duties and Responsibilities for Licensed Housing Developers Northern Region organised by the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia Kedah/Perlis branch.

In his opening speech, he said the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966, which was approved by Parliament last year, was expected to be implemented early next year.

He also urged developers to be more responsible when undertaking housing projects as legal action would be taken against those who abandon the projects.

Source: The Star

Venn Signature, a gated and guarded residential development by Venn Group near Jalan Raja Uda. Strategic location with easy access to schools, wet market, banks and restaurants.

Comprises 3-storey terrace houses with build size ranging from 3,490 sq.ft. onwards. Features include 2 spacious master bedroom, security guard house and 24 hours CCTV monitoring.

Property Project : Venn Signature
Location : Raja Uda, Butterworth, Penang
Property Type : 3-Storey Terrace
Tenure : Freehold
Built-up Area: 3,490 sq.ft. onwards
Land Area: 20′ x 80′ ft. (standard unit)
Developer : Venn Group

GEORGE TOWN: Debenhams, one of Britain’s oldest retailers, is opening its third store in Malaysia amid the region’s fast-growing economy.

To be located at Gurney Paragon, Penang, the store will be Debenhams’ first outlet outside Kuala Lumpur and also its first flagship store for the northern region.

Debenhams Malaysia master franchisee Stellar Retail Sdn Bhd chose Penang as the third location for expansion in the Malaysian retail market after establishing two stores in Kuala Lumpur.

Stellar Retail managing director Andy Jackson said the new 20,000 sq ft store in Gurney Paragon is scheduled to open in July or August next year with construction expected to start in the next few months.

Speaking at a press conference after the signing ceremony between Gurney Paragon and Debenhams on Saturday, Jackson said between RM3 million and RM4 million will be invested for the new store.

Also present were Hunza Properties Bhd executive chairman Datuk Khor Teng Tong and group managing director Datuk Daisy Ooi, Debenhams plc’ head of international business development John Scott and Penang state executive councilor Chow Kon Yeow.

Jackson said Debenhams Malaysia plans to open several stores in Malaysia and outside the Klang Valley, adding that Johor Baru could be an ideal location for the southern region.

Source: Business Times

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Forum has called on the state government to ‘freeze’ the guidelines allowing for 87 housing units per acre (0.4ha) pending public consultation and proper planning.

Its steering committee spokesman said the increased density in residential areas could only be allowed if there was a good public transport system to support it.

“Two years ago, the state government almost tripled the density in residential areas from 30 units per 0.4ha to 87.

“One purpose for this was to allegedly make housing more affordable in Penang but this has not been the case as housing is still expensive,” he said in a statement yesterday.

It was reported in September 2010 that the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) had revised the plot ratio guidelines for high-rise property on the island to allow developers to construct more homes per acre.

The spokesperson said the increased density would result in a drop in the state’s quality of life and livability.

It will put pressure on existing infrastructure such as roads,

electricity and water and drainage systems.

“A proper public transport system and other infrastructure must be put in place before higher density can be allowed,” he added.

The spokesman said the forum also called for a public display of the Local Plan draft which was approved by the MPPP in 2008, but held back for unknown reasons, adding that the public should also be engaged to shape the Local Plan.

The Penang Forum is a coalition

of progressive public interest civil society groups based in Penang.

Source: The Star