DURING an international conference on quantity surveying in Penang last week where she was invited to deliver a keynote address, former International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz continued to be in her element. The feisty former minister, who earned the nickname “Iron Lady of Malaysia”, did not ... Read More

HERE are some pointers for those considering a property investment in the near term: Valuer and managing director of Khong & Jaafar Elvin Fernandez “The global environment is changing. Strictly speaking, an upgrader sells the old house to buy the new. If he is going to hang on to the ... Read More

Balancing the need for affordable housing with property market speculation SHANKAR, a 27-year old law degree holder, works as a paralegal with a law firm in Kuala Lumpur and earns below RM2,000 a month. He is currently studying part-time for his Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP). Shankar and his fiancee, ... Read More

THE signs of the times are here, and they are not unique to Malaysia. The concerns about the global economy are real. Whether one is an avid property watcher or a young person considering a downpayment on one’s first home, there are certain things to take into account. Says property ... Read More

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia does not foresee a property asset bubble in the near future unlike China, Hong Kong and Singapore, which have such concerns. Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung said that many local developers were still rushing to submit their applications for various projects. “No, I don't think ... Read More

Orange Villa is a gated and guarded development, a prime residential enclave beckons with its 124 units of terraces, 16 semi-detached and two bungalows. This housing scheme is located just off the ever bustling Jalan Song Ban Kheng, Bukit Mertajam.  Within walking distance to schools and other public amenities, and a ... Read More

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) has officially re-zoned four localities on the island from residential to commercial status. Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) planning committee alternate chairman Felix Ooi Keat Hin said that be- tween 2009 and last year, MPPP had completed its study on the re-zoning of Gurney ... Read More

With the supply of land-bank getting scarce in the Klang Valley, it’s not surprising to see developers expanding their presence in “not-so-prime” locations. This was evidenced as recently as last week, when SP Setia announced it was acquiring a RM381.2mil plot of land in Rinching, located mid-way between Semenyih and ... Read More

OPPORTUNITY may present itself for house buyers looking for properties in the secondary market especially in prime areas, with the property market going through a soft patch, dampening sentiments of speculators. “We have not detected any downward trend in prices yet, in fact prices are still on an upward trend ... Read More

 Affordable housing: Filepic of low-cost homes in Kepala Batas. THE Government?s move to help first-time house buyers to purchase homes priced up to RM400,000 will prompt developers to introduce more affordable housing. Under the Budget?s proposal, first-time buyers with a combined in-come of about RM6,000 will be eligible for loans ... Read More