ABCs of Personal Finance
Based on my income, how much should I allocate for housing?
Based on my income, how much should I allocate for housing?
Based on my income, how much should I allocate for housing?
Which house type has appreciated the most since 2010? Debate of ‘only landed property will increase in price, high-rise units too many.’ Maybe we start
Basic idea behind RPGT is to ensure people do not do the buy and flip which used to be rampant for some time. At the time, everyone thought they are so clever because they can just buy and quickly flip since the market is so hot. Well, many of these smart flippers suddenly have to contend with RPGT. In other words, they can still do flipping but every flip they do now comes with a ‘cost’ in the form of RPGT. So, if they bought a place a year ago and they are now selling for an extra RM50,000 they will not get the full RM50,000 profit anymore. They will get RM50,000 profit minus the corresponding RPGT rate.
Yes, for my first ever property, I used the amount I have in Account 2. It helped because I did not save much and thus, the money comes in handy for the downpayment of 10 percent. It was just a property of RM123,000 but at the time, I have only worked for 5 years. So, the actual amount I have in Account 2 is definitely very small. From the total, 30 percent goes into Account 2 while 70 percent goes into Account 1. That was then, now, it’s 15 percent. We also have an Account 3 which is 10 percent of our the total contribution.
In some countries, to join the top 1 percent group, it could be millions and the millions could be in US$. In Malaysia, we just need RM2.1 million (USD485,000). Haha. Ok, that’s still millions but compare this to US$6.6 million for Switzerland or US$3.5 million for Singapore and suddenly this US$485,000 looks attainable. Well, in Singapore, even owning a fully paid HDB flat with a decent size in a popular neighborhood would already make the owner a millionaire in S$ too. Take a look at some of these transactions. Just note that not all areas are created equal yeah. When it comes to property, the more people want that area, the higher the price goes up.
Juwai IQI: Malaysia property prices to rise 2-4 percent in 2026. If the prediction by Juwai IQI comes true, would you be happy? RM500,000 property
It’s not easy to be a single parent, whether the single parent is a male or female. The reason is a simple one, unavoidable costs such as housing, electricity, car and even food meant that one person has to pay for them all. Thus, once the single person deducts the single income for the few unavoidable costs, especially for property rental or even mortgage, the remaining amount may not be enough for the household to live above the poverty line.
The article outlines ten significant reasons to pursue property investment, based on personal experience since 2002. It emphasizes property as a safe and tangible asset, the potential for attractive returns through leverage, forced savings, and the necessity of home ownership for financial security. The author also touches on market demand and the importance of planning for retirement.
The article discusses property refinancing in Malaysia, highlighting recent regulatory changes by Bank Negara Malaysia. Key points include stricter cash-out refinancing rules, enhanced affordability checks, and greater transparency in loan costs. The article emphasizes that refinancing should be strategically planned to improve financial positions rather than simply providing immediate relief.
In 2026, Malaysia’s mortgage payments may remain unchanged as Bank Negara Malaysia is anticipated to keep the benchmark rate at 2.75 percent. Analysts suggest that despite recent rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve, Malaysia’s monetary policy will remain stable due to stronger domestic demand and favorable external conditions.
The secondary property market offers several advantages over new properties, including immediate availability, a wider variety of choices, and potential savings on renovation costs. Buyers can inspect what they are purchasing, avoid costly new property premiums, and start earning rental income sooner. Ultimately, both secondary and new properties have their merits.
Inspecting your new property is crucial to identify defects before moving in. Gather necessary tools and check walls, ceilings, tiles, floors, doors, windows, fixtures, electrical points, and pipes. The inspection may take 1.5 to 2 hours. Addressing issues early can prevent further complications and ensure a smoother transition to your new home.