I am also a REN, properties can work well as a shortcut to make returns based on leveraging if the purchasers brought the properties right.. I agreed to the extend that most of the REN who are saying a property good for investment does not really know the criteria of choosing a property from acknowledging the future trends, pricing, rental yield and to the other extend as well.

I as a REN ensures that the information is transparent. Why many people still lose money in the property market is because of poor research of the buyers and relied too much on the REN in giving input.

Sometimes when we try to tell the customers about the investment, the mind has been "brainwashed" and they seem like got the feeling that their decision is very accurate even though the calculations and analysis is pointing south. And also most of the purchasers made loss because they buy property based on their preference not the market acceptance.

I was being confronted by one or two agents who wanted to recruit me. I asked about their knowledge on the Sarawak Strata on the leasehold and the renewal part, and it was quite surprising that their answers shocked me.

I went to Land and Survey and Sheda to check on the knowledge on the Sarawak Strata. Although I am not making a lot because I did not really focus on strata title properties in Sarawak, but I felt happy to share about the information to those people.

However, I felt bad for those purchasers who 100% trusted the agents in making their big time purchases. Not to say that I wanted to curse the decisions made, but based on my knowledge, even as an investor, the property is basically a "liability" instead of an "asset" in the long run.

Anyway, its good to have REN like you in the market. Bravo..

To answer this, most of the projects with the HOC one which I come across usually the sales quite slow one.. Those without the HOC package, usually are the ones with consistent sales performance.

I have come across some funny cases whereby the price in the pricelist was inflated to give the perception that the price has been deducted 10% from the pricelist. However, based on the pricelist given before the HOC, which was deemed as HOC price is certainly an 'overvalued pricelist' which i dont think the banks are going to accept it as the valuation point of the project.

By the way, it in turns become a very effective marketing tool to promote the property. But there are still developers who have market it right then those funny cases that I believe is quite misleading.

Apparently the developers have 2 sets of pricelist, one was for the marketing of the properties indicating the price has been marked up before deduction of the 10% which was the one I mention that the banks will not approve based on the pricelist. Another one was given to the bank which is for the purpose of approving the End Financing facility for the project.

For those who wanted to be safe, definitely properties which are completed with Occupation Permit as it will be subject the more thorough valuation by the valuers. And my advice like you have mentioned also, be proactive with the appointed banker, sometimes the vendor overprice the properties and denied that it was their problem then suddenly blame that the buyer loan got issue which was quite bad.

For me, it based on what type of purpose you are buying the property for.

Be extra careful in handling these renovations as some property owners have overspend on the renovation and ended up in liquidity problems. At the end of the day, went they try to sell, sometimes its difficult than the original structure especially when the extension is not preferred by the new prospect.

If cash limited, would suggest take each petty step and not to rush for it.

Welcome and no worries.

Just sharing on the real life lessons learnt by the other customers.. Really felt for them..

I would suggest you to do some homework online and what to avoid and understand the area that you are looking for.

If you found the property agent with no bias, and well experience, its ok but I think better to equip yourself with the knowledge.

When it comes to buying a property, better to be self prepared and know all the things before jumping to a decision.

Anyone of you ever heard news saying that there is some chances that Bank Negara Malaysia will review the current Margin of Finance (MoF) for mortgage?

I heard from 2 property sifus mentioning about that. Could be due to the high household debt that link to this decision.

Just want to ask if any of you come across this statement? Anyway, its not confirmed but I just ask since I heard of it.

Yes, agreed 100%...