Have you been longing for that dream holiday; the latest smartphone or planning to renovate your house, but it has not materialised because you have not saved up enough? Now, this is an opportunity to earn some extra income from the IOI LiVO Referral Programme, by IOI Properties Group.
“Since the launch of the IOI LiVO Customer Loyalty app, we have seen a huge increase in engagement with our loyal customers. They have been actively sharing and promoting their positive experiences with family and friends. In response to this and in light of the current economic environment, we have taken the initiative to reward our loyal customers with the IOI LiVO Referral Programme. This enables them to earn a significant side income. At the same time, it will allow us to expand our sales network.” This is according to Mr. Jason Tie, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of IOI Properties.
To make things more interesting, the programme is open to everyone besides IOI LiVO members. To take part in the programme, you just need to register online as a referrer. Once this is done, you can start to refer purchasers and leave the rest to the IOI Properties’ sales staff. It cannot get easier than this.
Anyone can be a potential customer – family members, friends, even colleagues. You can either accompany them to the respective IOI Galleria located in various IOI Properties townships or they can go on their own. If it is the latter, then all they need to do is to quote the referrer’s name and mobile number to the sales consultant as a verification procedure. After that, there is absolutely nothing else that you will need to do as the sales consultant will take it from there by explaining everything about the property of choice. This will include arranging for site visits and attending to the conclusion of the sale subsequently.
As for the reward, the referrer will be entitled to an incentive for each successful referral as follows:
The potential reward can be quite substantial, up to RM56,000! There is no limit to the number of people you can refer. The more you refer, the more you gain! So, this will be the perfect time to scan through the address book and look for people that you know who may be in the market for buying a new property.
If you’re excited about earning extra money, register yourself immediately and start introducing your relatives, friends and colleagues to us! The IOI LiVO Referral Programme will only be running until 31 December, 2018.
If you need more details or to register as a referrer, just head on down to this link or call the IOI Galleria at the respective township:
IOI Resort City: 03-8947 8899
16 Sierra: 03-8944 9999
Puchong: 03-8060 8833
Bandar Puteri Bangi: 03-8912 3333
Warisan Puteri: 03-8705 9989
There is also a video on the IOI LiVO Referral Programme, which can be viewed here:
Why choose between a house and a car when you can afford both?
The majority of first-time homebuyers buy homes because they are going through a change in the household structure – whether it’s getting married or even starting a family. In many cases, there’s also a growing need to upgrade the household car as well during this same life stage.
It may always be the buyer’s market when it comes to property buying, but with the current economic situation, we are making even more deliberate considerations when making major purchase decisions like buying a house or a car. In fact, it is not unusual to see Malaysians sacrificing one just to make way for another important decision to realize, and life plans keep getting postponed or even put off simply due to financial constraints.
For those who can afford to buy both a house and a car at the same time, it is often a privilege – one that OSK plans to make accessible for regular homebuyers.
The latest project by OSK in Kuantan called TimurBay Seafront Residence thoughtfully caters to new families who have a lot on their plates. It is a fully furnished, freehold property complete with 2 acres of resort-themed facilities. The unique seafront collection has its own private access to Balok Beach, an internationally popular coastal destination for kitesurfing and windsurfing as well as other family recreational activities.
Apart from its attractive offers including 5% bumiputera discount and 0% down payment, OSK gives you an option for your property to be managed by the developer, cutting down the worries of dealing with a third party management. What’s most attractive about this property scheme is that, it comes with a car incentive program (T&C apply) .
After all, what’s the point of going all out to invest in the perfect place to live if you have to skimp on quality and comfort living for your family?
To learn more about the TimurBay development or the Car Incentive Program, head over to Timurbay website
Fancy the comfort on your doorstep? Look no further, Sunsuria Forum in Setia Alam is the place that inspires your living, work and social life. Enjoy the one-stop convenience like no other in an environment featuring a lifestyle mall, retail outlets, corporate offices/ suites as well as the residential tower. The freehold integrated self-sustaining development of RM1.4 billion in gross development value (GDV) is transforming every inch of space to life for the sophisticated urbanites.
Breathe the air of SOHO living excitement
Vibrant, eclectic and cosmopolitan. Take a sip of your favorite coffee and snuggle down in the trendy SOHO suites. The minimalist yet practical design creates an unpretentious atmosphere. Here, you have a free hand on defining your own style of living, work and social life. This is where you connect with people who appreciate the sense of belonging in a dynamic Sunsuria community.
Spice up your life with added synergy in this multifunctional working and living space. Head to the facilities deck on the 9th floor and get energized. Take a dip in the Amarillo Starlight infinity pool while enjoying the refreshing views from the deck. Get fit in style with the built-in street workout installations.
The multipurpose hall, shaded pavilion and serene deck add zest to your social gathering and recreation. That’s not all. The community pod, toddler land, yoga/ tai chi deck and terrace Jacuzzi are part of the real deal as well.
Of course, security is a matter of utmost concern. The 24-hour multitier security system combining access card, security patrol and CCTV surveillance provides residents with added peace of mind.
The 653-unit SOHO suites of 441 – 904 sq. ft. in built-ups are housed in a 33-storey tower with attractive prices starting from RM298,000. Be one the privileged owners and experience life with a flair for creativity.
A corporate office that lets you relish work-life balance
This is a full-fledged corporate office with a warm reception. You arrive like an VIP the very moment you walk into its grand double-volume lobby. The classy feel uplifts your spirits instantly. The modern office tower of 346 units will be serviced by eight high-speed lifts for a faster access.
The high standards also include a 24-hour surveillance system with turnstile security for visitors. Each unit is graced with abundant natural lighting and ventilation for a healthy working environment.
From business lounge to meeting rooms, your business needs are taken care of like an honoured guest. Feel free to enjoy the office amenities that Sunsuria Forum has in store for you at the Business Centre.
The 31-storey office tower features varied built-ups of 624 – 14,400 sq. ft. to suit different business preferences. You can be one of the proud owners of this prestigious address for RM526,000 onwards.
A lifestyle mall with a gross floor area of 256,000 sq. ft. adds more vibrancy to this integrated development while the sold-out Boulevard Walk of 61 retail outlets and 172 office lots complements the iconic landmark. The Boulevard Walk will house a number of notable brands in the likes of Village Grocer, Focus Point, Alibaba & Nyonya, Baskin Robbins, Secret Recipe and Subway.
Both the SOHO and corporate office residents will have direct access to the lifestyle facilities on the ninth floor in the likes of refreshing pools and “diamond reflexology trail”. Such integrated components transcend urban sophistication with a holistic approach that boosts your work-life balance for improved productivity and relationships.
You are a proud resident of Sunsuria Forum
The very design of Sunsuria Forum fosters community interaction as evidenced by its connected blocks with open corridors and elevated pedestrian walkways. It promotes the concept of seamless connectivity within development. The outdoor shopping and alfresco dining are two pleasant styles of living. The triple-volume interior space with skylight roof pushes the shop-office ambience to new heights. An engaging experience awaits the young, first-home buyers as Sunsuria Forum is bringing an integrated social living hub to the booming Setia Alam township. Be it for work or family and leisure gathering, it is setting a lofty benchmark.
Comprehensive township planning for all walks of life
The 2,525-acre Setia Alam is a glorious example of excellent master planning. The township of mixed residential and commercial development is forecast to reach a population of 150,000 by 2020, in which Sunsuria Forum is tapping into a catchment area of readily available supporting facilities and institutions.
Excellent learning institutions such as Odyssey The Global Preschool Malaysia, Peninsula International School Australia and Tenby International School are found within the Setia Alam vicinity. Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam is just a short distance away.
KPJ Klang Specialist Hospital, Columbia Asia Hospital and Hospital Shah Alam are prominent hospitals nearby. In addition to Setia City Mall, your shopping destinations include AEON Bukit Raja, i-City and Giant Hypermarket Klang. For other recreational choices, Setia Alam Central Park, Setia City Park, Setia City Convention Centre, Urban Park and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Golf & Country Club top the list.
The feel-good checklist continues with other lifestyle-inspired residential and commercial components such as the affluent Setia Eco Park and Duta Villa, and bustling Setia Taipan.
Located in the International Zone of the Setia Alam township, Sunsuria Forum is directly accessible via Persiaran Setia Alam with highway connectivity in the likes of North Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), North-South Expressway Central Link (ELITE) and Federal Highway, and Jalan Meru.
Cherish community-centric lifestyle
Sunsuria Forum is becoming a preferred address in the Klang Valley to experience the spirited community vibes. It enriches you with lasting aspirations for living, work and social life. It’s a welcoming environment specially built for you to raise a family and live a better life.
Call 011 – 1622 1931 to find out more about Sunsuria Forum. The time-limited offer is up for grabs!
You are in the market for either a residential or commercial property. Normally, this would mean looking at either new launches, or the sub-sale / secondary market. Each has its pros and cons, so which one is best suited for you?
Imagine walking into a brand new property and taking immediate possession just like that. You can see exactly what you’re getting, evaluate its quality, check out your neighbours, and you can literally move in straight away.
While this may sound ideal, taking immediate possession of a property also means your full monthly repayments start straight away. With an under construction project, you can at least buy yourself some time in order to better shape your finances while waiting for it to complete.
Before you make up your mind, let us evaluate the pros and cons of each. What really suits you may not be a preferred choice for others. To help you get a clearer picture, let’s make a comparison between a ready-to-move-in property of today and a new launch property due a few years later.
Instant Possession vs Under Construction
Ready-Move-In (Completed)
New Launch (Under Construction)
Pros
Can move in instantly, immediate possession,
no waiting period
What you see is what you get. You can see the actual unit before buying
Easier to plan your fit-outs and ID
Able to directly negotiate with the owner to get a better price
If you’re an investor, you can immediately begin generating yield by renting the unit out
Get to see who your neighbours are
Attractive financing packages from the developer, minimize cash outlay
Potential for price appreciation upon completion
You get to enjoy the latest designs and concepts
Benefit from the customer service of the developer
Developer provides defects liability period, so all defects are taken care of
Cons
No warranty on defects. You may have to fork out quite a bit of money to repair and refurbish the unit to your liking
High cash-outlay. As you have to pay for all legal fees, stamp duties and loan differential sums
Can only move it after a certain period of time. E.g. 2 – 4 years later
You have to bear the interest cost during construction
Unsure about the quality of construction – may be compromised upon delivery
Finished product may not be to your expectation
One size fits all? Not really.
As mentioned earlier, each approach has its benefits and disadvantages. You just have to choose which is best suited for you, disadvantages and all.
For after all, we can’t have the best of both worlds right?
Best of Both Worlds?
Well, we have good news for you, Mah Sing has a solution which offers all the advantages, with none of the disadvantages!
Introducing Mah Sing’s DESIRE campaign, which covers a total of 19 move-in-ready residential and commercial projects nationwide located in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Johor & Sabah. Some of the projects include Lakeville Residence, Icon City, D’Sara Sentral, Ferringhi Residence 2 and Meridin Medini, among others.
Beautifully designed, and bundled with an attractive range of financing & furnishing packages as well as free move-in services, the properties under the DESIRE campaign are perfect for those of you who want to occupy your unit straight away, while still enjoying all the financing packages and perks that buying from a reputable developer such as Mah Sing can bring.
Click here for the complete list of the DESIRE campaign, including project names and locations.
Australia is no stranger to Malaysians. Malaysians would’ve heard of Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Tasmania, Darwin; let alone travelled for holiday or sent their children to further their studies in these cities. With that being said, Australia is also one of the top investment destinations for Malaysians.
No doubt, investing in Australian properties is a different ball game than investing in Malaysian properties. It’ll help in your investment decision to understand the Australian property culture, jargon, terms, and regulations beforehand. Below are some comparisons of how Malaysian properties differ from Australian properties. Below is a teaser of Australian properties 101.
Image source: Reapfield-Meridien Australia Properties
Freehold Titles
Property ownership in Malaysia is divided into two main types of titles:
Freehold
Leasehold (99-years lease)
Australian property laws are comprehensive and protect owners with freehold titles – not leasehold. Homeowners own the property in perpetuity for now and for their future generations. They do not have to lease the land from the government and renew the lease back to 99 years.
House & Land
In Australia, terrace houses are known as townhouses. In Malaysia, townhouses take on a different meaning. A townhouse is literally two houses on top of one and another. For example, a family may share the ground floor and the first half of the first floor. Another family may share the second half of the first floor and the second floor. It serves as a multi-generational home or for two streams of rental income. The similar concept to a Malaysian townhouse is the Dual Living house in Australia. It is two properties in one: a three bedroom family home and a one bedroom unit.
Image source: Reapfield-Meridien Australia Properties
The common type of house in Australia is the House & Land, compared to Malaysia’s terrace house. In Australia, boring is best.
A house & land is basically a free-standing home built on your own plot of land. The size of a house & land is equivalent to the size of an average bungalow in Malaysia. The land size for an Australian house maybe 4000-6000 square feet which is similar to a Malaysian bungalow. Furthermore, an Australian house can be on a land as massive as an acre or more. Therefore, to put it into Malaysian perspective, they’re owning freehold bungalow land in Australia.
Australian houses are generally single-storey. Of course, there are double-storey houses. In Malaysia, the majority of the old and new houses are double-storey. Majority of the land is in the backyard which is the opposite of Malaysian houses in general. Australian houses are fenced all around, except for the front porch. In the summer, Australians will Barbie (Barbecue) with a can of beer and watch football in their backyard. In addition, Malaysian houses have a car porch to park their cars. Australian houses have garages to not only park their cars but to store their junks.
Image source: Reapfield-Meridien Australia Properties
Gated & Guarded?
Due to the spike in crime and snatch thefts, local residents took the initiative to secure their tamans (neighbourhoods). Today, we’ve gated and guarded communities in Malaysia. Sections of neighbourhoods are fenced, gated, and guarded by community-hired security guards.
In Australia, the term gated and guarded community does not apply. Even if it does, it only applies to the super-rich bungalow communities and not the average, common neighbourhoods. The communities and the houses in them are not gated and guarded. If a house is gated; it’s probably an Asian (or Malaysian) owner.
Full Turn-Key Package
New housing developments in Malaysia generally have three types of furnishing options:
Fully furnished and move-in condition
Partially furnished with fixtures and fittings
Unfurnished or bare unit
The developer determines the furnishing package. New houses are usually unfurnished. New service residences are either one furnishing choice only or a combination of the multiple options above.
In Australia, new houses and apartments are built partially furnished. They are known as full turn-key packages with nothing more to spend. This generally includes:
Stone bench tops to kitchen and bathrooms
Reverse cycle A/C unit
Fans to bedrooms and pavilion
Tiles to all living, wet areas, pavilion, and portico
Carpet to all bedrooms
Roller blinds to all windows and sliding doors
Landscaping including driveway and paths
In Malaysia, owners have to further furnish their new houses and apartments with air conditioning, fans, lights, kitchen cabinets, curtains, etc.
Contracts to purchase
When buyers buy a newly completed house in Malaysia, the selling price is quoted as a whole. Buyers only sign one contract for the house – the Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA). Buyers pay one price for both the land and the building.
Its different in Australia. The price for the land and the price for the building are separate. For example, the total price of a house may be AUD$589,904. Of the AUD$600,000, the price of the land is AUD$308,400 and the price of the building is AUD$281,504.
Buyers sign a split contract, whereby there’s a contract for the land and a separate contract for the building. The stamp duty is only based on the land, not the building.
Image source: Reapfield-Meridien Australia Properties
Construction Time
New residential developments in Malaysia take years to complete. New service residences take three to four years to construct. New houses take two to three years to complete.
In Australia, developers release plots of land in stages. A buyer purchases a plot of land from a developer. The builder then goes about building the house on the purchased plot of land. Construction takes an average of six months to complete!
Body Corporate Fees
In Malaysia, apartment and condominium owners are subject to maintenance fees with a sinking fund. For example, the monthly maintenance charges may be RM0.30 per square feet plus 10% sinking fund (RM0.03) which equates to RM0.33 per square foot. If a unit is 1000 square feet, the owner is subjected to a monthly maintenance fee of RM330. The apartment and condominium’s management collects the maintenance fees from the owners to maintain the building and the facilities in it.
In Australia, it is called Body Corporate fees. The body corporate fee is calculated on a per annum basis and then divided into weekly payments. Unlike Malaysia which is paid monthly, the fees are paid weekly in Australia.
Square Feet vs Square Meters
In the property industry, Malaysians and Australians use different measurement systems. Properties in Malaysia are measured in square feet (sq. ft.); whereas properties in Australia are measured in square meters (sq.m.).
Rent weekly and not monthly
For property investors, upon vacant possession, the next step will be to rent out the house. In Malaysia, the rental is calculated monthly. In Australia, the rental is calculated weekly. Collecting rent weekly allows an investor to earn approximately 8% more than collecting monthly.
Assuming the monthly rental is RM1,200 per month. Per annum, the investor earns RM14,400. However, if the RM1,200 was divided by four, it’ll be RM300 per week on average. There are 52 weeks in a year. If the rental is collected weekly instead, the investor stands to earn RM15,600 per annum! That’s one week more of rental, as compared to renting it on a monthly basis.
Entry and exit strategies
As a foreigner buying a property in Malaysia, there are a few barriers to entry. In Kuala Lumpur, the property value has to be at least RM1,000,000. In Selangor, the property value has to be at least RM2,000,000 and with strata-title. Different states have different threshold levels and restrictions.
Foreigners can purchase a Malaysian property by borrowing from a Malaysian bank. Generally, foreigners have a 70% margin of finance or they can only borrow up to 70% of the purchase price.
Source: propertyupdatebyannpaul
In terms of an exit strategy and selling the property in Malaysia, the foreign owner can sell to anybody – Malaysians and non-Malaysians alike. Nonetheless, the foreign owner is also subject to the Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT) upon selling his or her property.
Unlike Malaysia, there is no minimum threshold in Australia. However, foreigners can only purchase new projects or under-construction properties. Foreigners are then subject to an entry-level tax – Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). There’s the FIRB Fee by the Australian federal government. In addition, each state charges its own FIRB surcharge and stamp duty. In Malaysia, the stamp duty is established by the federal government as a whole.
When selling the property in Australia, the foreign owner can only sell back to Australians only. The owner is also subject to paying capital gains tax on the sale.
Things you’ve learnt about Australian properties
In summary, we’ve learnt how Malaysian properties differ from Australian properties by way of home ownership, housing, security, contract to purchase, construction, maintenance, measurement, rental collection, and investment strategies.
Comment in the section below additional interesting things you’ve learnt about Australian properties, investment, and culture as compared to in Malaysia or in your own country?
Last week, we went up into the sky to view a Bungalow in the Sky. Today, let’s look at landed bungalows.
What is a bungalow? There are differing real estate definitions for bungalow; but in Malaysia, a bungalow is basically a house built in the middle of a plot of land.
Often, we real estate agents get a lot of enquiries from clients who want to buy a bungalow. There are many and different types of bungalows in the market. We’ve to filter the buyer’s requirements and match the buyer with the right bungalow.
Basic / Renovated Bungalow
A basic bungalow usually maintains its original structure. The first owner or the seller did not renovate or extended the bungalow; therefore earning the term “basic bungalow”. Buyers can tear down the building and rebuild from bottom-up. Or they can maintain the structure internally, and then renovate and extend around the structure.
Basic Bungalow in Petaling Jaya (click picture to learn more)
Modern Bungalow in Damansara Heights (click picture to learn more)
Renovations and extensions involve additional expenditure. Usually in a suitable to move in condition as is. But sometimes, the bungalow may not be renovated to buyer’s taste.
Modern Vs. Tropical
How then do you differentiate a modern bungalow from a tropical bungalow? From my many bungalow viewings, a modern bungalow tends to emphasise on the colour white, glass panel windows, and spacious living. A tropical or Balinese style bungalow emphasises on nature, solid timber flooring, brown window frames, and beige walls.
3-sty Modern Bungalow in Damansara Heights (click picture to learn more)
4-sty Modern Tropical Bungalow in Damansara Heights (Click picture to learn more)
Swimming Pool & Private Lift
Some bungalows come with many additional features (just to name a few): swimming pool, private lift, basement, garage, sauna, wine cellar, and squash court! Nonetheless, the features that get the most attention from buyers are swimming pool and private lift. Some buyers prefer to have a swimming pool because it’s a water feature, while other buyers don’t prefer to have a swimming pool because of the maintenance costs associated with it.
For bungalows with three or more floors; the feature that separates a three-storey bungalow from another three-storey bungalow is the private lift. Imagine walking down three or four storeys up and down daily in your own home. Good cardio exercise! Generally, buyers who show an interest in bungalows with private lifts indicates that they want to buy a bungalow that is wheelchair-friendly and/or they have an elderly family member(s).
Space Vs. View
The bungalow is not without its land as defined in the beginning. The ideal bungalow is one built on flat land. Even if the bungalow is constructed on flat land, the next question is the amount of available space on the land. Some bungalows take up a lot of space on the land that there is very little or no garden. There are also bungalows with a big garden and a lot of land for future expansion.
Sometimes, that’s not the case from Mother Nature. There are bungalows built on the hill.
Buyers have to sacrifice the space for the view. Bungalows built on a hill present magnificent views from top-down and surround. Wake up every day to a beautiful view!
Bungalow with a view
Bungalow on flat land (Click picture to learn more)
Similar Yet Different
Some neighbourhoods may have bungalows with a variety of individual designs. Along the same road, buyers can find a basic 2-storey bungalow, a modern 3-storey bungalow, a modern 3-storey bungalow with a swimming pool, a tropical 4-storey bungalow with lift, etc.
On the other hand, there are bungalows built in a gated and guarded, master-planned community. All the bungalows in the community have similar layouts and interior designs. The bungalows are not built by individual homeowners but by a master developer.
Summary
Throughout my real estate career thus far, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to view and learn about the many different types of bungalows in Damansara Heights, Bangsar, Bukit Tunku (Kenny Hills), Country Heights Damansara, Petaling Jaya, etc.
Each bungalow has its own unique interior design, feel, build, and story to tell. I’m a real estate agent for anyone who wants to purchase or rent a bungalow in Petaling Jaya or Kuala Lumpur. I would also like to invite your good self to respond if you are interested to sell or rent out your bungalow in Petaling Jaya or Kuala Lumpur.
You can call me on my mobile 0123447550 or Whatsapp me.
