@dreamer101,
I see no harm for TS (he said he has the $) to start investing in a property. From what I read, it doesn't look like he has intentions to shift into this new property - but should he decide that he wants to in future, he can

@choice,
I think if u come across something u think u like (and willing to live there) and have the $ to buy the property, I don't see Y u should hesitate. You could always sell or rent the property out and if u do decide to shift in at a later time, u could too!

If ur getting it purely for investment purposes, U should check the 2ndhand market as well as the rental market in the area too.

Unlike the rest here, my vote is to go for it - having said that, make sure u still have some cash at hand for emergency purposes

This post has been edited by tinkerbel: Apr 12 2008, 12:03 PM

@choice,
If ur income is not stable, U need to make sure u are going to be able to support the monthly loan instalments, or buy the property in cash or u might find urself in a sticky situation.

dreamer101 has a valid point about needs for moving in. If u intend to get a studio apartment and contemplating moving in 5 years later, that particular apartment might not be suitable for ur future needs; studio apartments are mainly catered for the 'yuppies' and not family. Though it might be cheap, I find the 2ndhand market for it rather small - same goes for a 1 bedroom apartment/condominium. It's easier to dispose off a 3 bedroom apartment as compared to a studio/1 bedroom/2 bedroom apartment [again, obviously price and location makes all the difference but U have a bigger net if u have 3 rooms as it is able to accommodate a family of more than just husband and wife]

I'd recently purchased a property - unlike the considerations dreamer101 stated, I have up to this point no idea what I'm going to do with it; I definitely have no idea of moving out on my own at the current moment but have left that option open. I can also opt to sell it off or rent it out when it's completed should I decide not to move in.

@choice,
In that case U should look at the location U like and then check if there are any properties available in ur budget

@dreamer101,
I don't have a lot of $ and the S&P i'm about to sign for this property I booked last year is really my 1st property, not 2nd, 3rd or 4th.

Well, am sure the area u live in will give capital gains in years to come, just need to survive through it now - Ur neighbour must have thought about it before spending RM100k on reno works.

@Greybear,
I think he meant savings of about 25% equal to downpayment of house. That means, 25% on 500k = RM125k

This post has been edited by tinkerbel: May 22 2008, 09:36 PM

@KooHei,
Don't offer when U've no intentions of offering it It shows lack of class [no wonder people aren't impressed at the lil Kancil U drive around in ]

Tsk Tsk.. First, it was no class. Now it's no grammar !!

@GreyBear,
20% downpayment is considered high. Most people I hear takes up max 90%. I too am looking at putting 20% down and taking a 80% loan.

I can take a 75% loan but I'm keeping that 5% as a cushion. At least if I lose my job, I still have at least 6 months of reserve in the bank. Am also planning to go back to school so I might need to recalculate some cost due to RM0 income for 18 months *gulps*

@KooHei,
Err.. and what ssssssssskill might that be?

@lwb,
U haf a point re the forgone opportunity cost vs the need for an education advancement esp since in my line, education is not seen as a criteria in climbing the ladder [I'm sure U know what I mean] but I'm getting a little tired running the rat race hence am considering taking a short break.

Within my industry, there's an annual scholarship offered in conjunction with Astro and our local Association and I'm aiming for that scholarship. Assuming if I get it, I probably can afford to leave the rat race for 12-18 months. There's a pretty interesting course related to my field of work at RMIT and with my current qualifications, I should be able to complete the 18 month accelerated course within 12 months. The only thing that stopped me from going in 2008 was my failure in being awarded the scholarship. I probably try for it again this year. Assuming I get it, I probably will go otherwise I will just stick around. There are just too few courses available locally to pick from

I also have this passion for education hence it might lead me to a different field altogether but if I had to advise someone, I would ask him to consider ROI. I was speaking to a friend and we both feel it's not worth investing RM98k on the Manchester Business School MBA especially in MY as most employers are not willing to pay the kinda salary unlike in the West.

As to buying of the property, I certainly do not have 50% of the property price, just 28% but am going ahead to get it. Am still considering my application for the 2008 scholarship as I don't want to deplete my savings!!! *grins* Ah well.. perhaps it's high time I find a man. What say U? *grins*

Yes it is important to evaluate ROI before taking on the MBA if the purpose is for U to make more $ - as I've mentioned, it's v difficult to justify spending RM100k on an MBA as it will take probably a decade before that ROI is met; unlike in the West where it's about 2-3 years [I got this from a survey except I no longer have the URL, sorry]

U haf one/any to introduce?

This post has been edited by tinkerbel: May 25 2008, 03:41 PM

@jchong,
Yea - please don't turn this into some Kopitiam thread In any case, am I going to be able to view his resume?

@jchong,
HmMm... bank officers do get special home loan interest [Eh..at least I'm tying this back to the topic *grins*]. If he's so 'hot' Y is he still available?

@yewkhuay,
Of course U aren't dead; Ur just not mine

@jchong,
Perhaps U should check if he's looking before U make that recommendation. I don't take rejections too easily

@ah_suknat,
I definitely won't be able to make ends meet if I paid for the course on my own hence the scholarship It doesn't mean I'll get it if I apply for it; I didn't get it the previous time

@ah_suknat,
It is not a 'public' scholarship which is opened to the entire world; just for industry members and it is only valid for post graduate studies. From what I see, I don't think any of those applicants were 'needy' last year. If at all there are any this year I might just opt out - I afterall have a disadvantage as this would be my 2nd Masters.

@jchong,
So when U gonna start doing something instead of just talking?

I think we're totally going OT so let's get back to it!

This post has been edited by tinkerbel: May 26 2008, 10:30 AM