I believe MRTA for RHB is optional, ie you can opt not to take it or find one yourself outside, at least it is for me.

Yeah, if you want to finance it into loan, you have to take from the bank. You take MRTA to cover the full tenure of the loan?

Since you don't intend to take out money, full flexi / semi doesn't really matter for you.

Just sharing from my limited experience, you can opt to use the same lawyer for both SPA and loan. Usually can get better discount if 1 lawyer handle both. But you need to inform the bank that you don't want their panel lawyer. I got 55% discount from mine currently for the legal fees. Also on lawyer, ask them to give you detailed quote. Ask them to take out all the disbursement etc, can save a bit on that.

Next is maybe ask bank to waive (unlikely) or discount on valuation fees. On your case, valuation should be 0.25% on 1st 100k, then 0.20% on balance. There's a schedule on board of valuers website that you can check and calculate.

Some agents will ask you to sign up credit card together with loan, use that as bargaining chip for better deal.

Since first property, if it's below 500k, you can apply for 50% discount on stamping. You can only use this for first properly + below 500k. Also if your loan is Islamic, you get 20% off the loan stamping as well.

Hope it helps, just my limited experience.

Have tried talking to RHB to request for lower coverage or shorter tenure of the MRTA to maintain the same loan pricing?

Did you ask RHB why their MRTA so much higher for same amount, same tenure vs MAYBANK? I didn't really pay attention to mine since I'm not taking but most banks quote around the same ballpark figure.

Ya.. Could be due to that. You can request the schedule and compare it side by side. Then see for yourself if the higher surrender value is worth it.

Anyway, unless you plan to stay there for 25 years, no need to take so much MRTA. Average person will sell / upgrade / refinance before that, then your MRTA will burn since it is tagged to the loan (unlike MLTA which will follow you)

All the best in your decision.

If you not taking the MRTA from RHB, then your RHB installment got increment? By how much?

Lol... Bank cannot force you to buy MRTA from them.. Of course normally with MRTA package, bank can offer you a better rate.

If the different is not much, I would suggest you to take the full flexi account.

Take loan from RHB, buy MRTA from Maybank.. 

Suggest you reduce the MRTA tenure, anyway RM30 / mth difference is not that big, and you probably won't service the loan for 35 years, except if for the next 35 years your earning power stay the same, ha ha...

Otherwise just take Maybank.

Tried any other banks? StanChart, PBB, Citibank, HSBC, OCBC, CIMB etc...