Sime Darby Property's New Website

Sime Darby Property recently launched the new website, designed by XiMnet Malaysia.

The administrative backend is powered by XTOPIA, that provide Sime Darby Property with better sales tracking response system and customer rating.

What do you think of the new website? Do send the feedback to Sime Darby Property, or you can write to XiMnet Malaysia, too.

Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)

For the foreigners who wants to buy property in Malaysia, it is good to read about Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program.

Since buying properties in Malaysia requires a lot of research, the MM2H program will help to clarify the questions.

REHDA (Real Estate And Housing Developers' Association Malaysia)

I was browsing through REHDA (Real Estate And Housing Developers' Association Malaysia) or in Bahasa Malaysia - Persatuan Pemaju Hartanah Dan Perumahan Malaysia, and this is what they do:
"REHDA represents 1,000 property development companies and is involved in governance and advocacy for the delivery of housing and real estate to the nation, working with the Government and other stakeholders to enhance the wellbeing and housing of the nation. Our aim is to be responsive, respected, responsible and relevant in partnering the Government in its national and state policies."

I think they are in serious need to redesign their website. Some of their information is not updated, and I think their members would appreciate the free publicity on REHDA's website if they can post the latest property launches.

Malaysia Property Award™ 2010

Full article at http://www.fiabci.com.my/component/content/article/25-announcement/76-malaysia-property-award-2010.html

• Hotel Development – The Westin Langkawi Resort and Spa, Langkawi, Kedah by The Westin Langkawi Resort and Spa
• Master Plan Category – Sunway Ipoh City, Perak by Sunway City Berhad
• Office Development – Quill 7, KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur by Quill Group of Companies
• Public Sector Category – Kota Iskandar – Phase 1, Johor by Cahaya Jauhar Sdn Bhd
• Residential Development (High Rise) – Springtide Residences, Penang by Coronation Spring Sdn Bhd
• Residential Development (Low Rise) – Precinct 3, Setia Eco Park, Selangor by S P Setia Berhad Group
• Resort Development – Bunga Raya Island Resort and Spa, Sabah by Gloharta (M) Sdn Bhd
• Retail Development – Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall Expansion, Selangor by Sunway City Berhad
• Special Award for National Contribution – SMART Tunnel, Kuala Lumpur by MMC Gamuda Joint Venture

The Star: Lease extensions to 99 years

KUALA LUMPUR: State governments can approve applications for renewal or extension of leasehold land for a period of not more than 99 years unless they require the land for public purposes.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said all state governments had agreed to adhere to the new policy.

"The implementation of this policy would fulfill the needs of the rakyat who are worried about losing their land titles," he told reporters after chairing the 66th National Land Council meeting here yesterday.

Read the full news at The Star.

I personally think the leasehold land's extension should be 299 years or to be converted into freehold if it's been renewed for more than 3 times since we are living in the property on the said land.

What do you look for when buying property in malaysia?

There are some criterias to consider when you want to buy property in Malaysia, and myself have a personal list as below:

1. Location (very important factor, because this will impact the value of your property in the future)
2. Price (with the current news about properties in Malaysia is out of reach for a lot of Malaysian, you will need lots of financial advises)
3. Land status (freehold or leasehold?)
4. Type of property (bungalow, semi-D, condo?)
5. No. of rooms and bathroom (very important to me because I have a lot of relatives coming for visits, haha)
6. Amenities in the township or development

CSR Malaysia 2010 Overall Winner: Sunway Group

Just saw today in The Star's paper, a full page advertisement about the Prime Minister's CSR Award 2010 winners list. Sunway Group is the overall winner, taking the Education award too.

When I visited the website at http://www.anugerahcsrmalaysia.org/, the 2010 winners' list is not up yet. Maybe the list will be updated soon?

Which website/portal you use to search for properties in Malaysia?

What type are you when it comes to search for property: goes directly into the property developer's website, or to property portals (e.g. iProperty) to search for your dream home?

Malaysia's popular property developers list

I am currently looking for a landed property in Klang Valley, preferably those in Puchong, Bukit Jalil, Serdang and CyberJaya, Malaysia. If it's built by any of the top developers in Malaysia as listed in The Edge's Top Developers 2010, I'll definately get one house for myself.

Let's see how many property developers you can think of in 10 seconds?

1. Sime Darby Property
2. Sunway City Berhad
3. SP Setia
4. Mah Sing
5. See Hoy Chan
6. Ireka
7. IJM