Traditionally, landed property has been the most by property type for the baby boomers. Given that the more land you had, the higher your status and stability you become in the face of society. The amount of land you had was a sign of wealth. The basis of this traditional thinking was that if you needed cash at hand, you could always sell your land or house. However, in recent times, the development of luxurious high rise has proved to be an advantage especially when new demands and requirements.

With the rise in price and scarcity of land, buying a landed property has become less fitting for young millennial and many groups looking for a place to stay.

THE PROPERTY VALUE

Landed properties have the advantage of a higher capital appreciation of the long term compared to high rise properties, If you have bought land many years ago, you will find that the land value appreciates over the years despite economic conditions. This is because the quantity of land slowly reduces over time as more development starts. This raises the price of land and any available land are quickly acquired and sought after by developers looking to increase their land bank.

Lower range, high rise typically has a lower deposit. This reduces any barriers for anyone looking to own a property. Many who own condos, find that their property value appreciation slows down over time as the condition of the property deteriorates. When the property becomes old, the vacancy rate might increase as people choose to move to emerging areas with higher property values. This leaves you owning a property with lower demand.

PARKING SPACE

If you live in the heart of the city, you will be forgiven if you don’t own a car. Given the convenience and availability of public transportation. Parking in a high rise can be expensive, in some properties, a limited amount of parking pays forces residents to pay a monthly fee to reserve a parking space.

Owning a landed property is different, most landed properties are built with a parking bay in mind given that most Malaysians are car owners. If you have an additional car, road parking is always an option.

REGULATIONS

High rise properties are basically a cluster of strata units all fitted together, with many inhabitants living inside. To ensure less problems and more control, there have been often many strict regulations and rules that must be complied upon signing the agreement.

A different set of regulations is associated with landed properties, these ranges from renovation guidelines to different bylaws governed in the local area.

VIEWING PERSPECTIVES

The view outward is an important factor when one decides the type of property.

One of the reasons why some prefer the high rise lifestyle is the breathtaking view of the city especially at night. Imagine coming home after work and as you settle down with a cup of chamomile tea. You start to gaze at the brightly lit skyline topping it off with the starry night. When purchasing a high rise property, the view of a particular unit can determine if there is demand or not.

On the other hand, Landed properties might be restricted in scope of available views, given the low height of the house, the view may just be limited to your neighbour’s house. However, landed properties situated on the hillside with ample view can fetch a high price tag.

MAINTENANCE

The responsibility in maintenance with Landed properties rests in the hands of the landlord or owner, to maintain the condition and aesthetics of the property, however the tenant must also keep the property in working order. Depending on the size of the property, the maintenance of a landed property may appear higher compared to a high rise.

With high rise properties, a monthly fixed cost is charged to all homeowners to upkeep the maintenance and repairs of common areas and facilities. This ranges from facilities such as the lobby, gym, common walkways, swimming pools and more, it is imperative to hire an experienced management team. The state of common areas and the facilities directly impacts the value of all units in the property.

In a nutshell, it all comes down to your preferences and choice of lifestyle, but it first comes down to your intentions. If you aim to live there, make use that it fits your requirements and let your heart out on the design process. However, if it comes down as an investment choice, ensure that the your budget fits the type of property you choose to manage. High rise units are common investment choices given the low down payment and potential yield. On the other hand with owning land, capital appreciation will rise as the years go by.

CREDIT :bumbung.co

WHAT ARE SUB SALE PROPERTIES?

Sub sale, also known as the secondary market are previously owned property purchased on the market where homeowners and investors interact through buying, selling and renting.

The sub sale market mainly consists of landlords who rent and lease their property out before deciding to sell it. With sub-sale transactions, both parties are free to negotiate any mutually agreed terms of an agreement. Unlike new properties which are governed by specific terms overseen by the housing authority, each sub-sale transaction can be different in nature.

BREAKING IT DOWN

Sub sale properties are known to appreciate slower compared to new properties in the primary market. This is because depreciation, wear and tear, and other factors are incorporated into the valuation procedures.

The sub sale market is attractive to investors looking to strike a deal on a potentially profitable property. When new properties are leased out or sold, they are listed and transacted through the secondary market.

An experience investor or homeowner will know when to exit the market based on economic, political and time varying conditions.

WHY SUB SALE?

Sub sale properties in the secondary market have the option for a house viewing before buying the property. Rather than imagining what it may look like from the models and brochures, you get to see the property as it is.

Being located in established neighbourhood is an added advantage as there are historical figures one can use to evaluate an area. Does the area have all the amenities you need and are they convenient to access?

Sub sale properties are ready for staying, allowing the buyer to move in shortly after the transaction has been completed less any damages or renovation required. Remember to check out if the property matches your requirements and if any existing damages is recoverable and worth the cost.

When viewing the house, you get the opportunity to feel and imagine yourself living there. Take a deep breath and ask yourself if living there is really what you want for you and your family. Sub sale properties ,relieves some of the risk of staying in a new area and regretting the decision. Allowing more options to choose from is a liberating feeling during your property search.

Existing fixtures and fittings are an added value to some. Sub sale properties are normally fitted with old or used goods such as shoe racks, gardening tools, cleaning equipment and more. This leaves you a smaller shoestring budget before renting it out. Additionally, it may already be fully or partially furnished, leaving you the hassle of furnishing the property.

One of the reasons for buying a sub-sale property is the lower price tag. New properties can be sold at a premium price as the property gains traction and demand. You may be able to negotiate for a good deal. House flipping old properties in the secondary market can bring in a good payout.

Sub sale properties are considered less of a risk compared to new development units launched in the primary market. Off plan units sold by developers are considered risky due to the uncertainty it brings. Sub sale property has a lesser risk overall and no development risk.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

There are many incidents of sellers claiming to sell the particular unit, but they turn out to be a fraud and the buyer is left feeling cheated of their deposit. Make sure to verify that the property title belongs to the seller and there is no third party having an interest in the same property. You can personally check this by visiting the land office based on its attached district.

When considering investing in sub sale properties, you will have to take into account the taxes, depreciation and interest. These factors heavily affect the profitability of the properties.

With the sub sale market comprising the bulk of property transactions, there is plenty of information needed to make a buying decision. Are you passionate about turning old homes into breathtaking airbnbs? Do you love to renovate houses and putting a little bit of personal touch? Do you love the challenge of turning old houses into beautiful masterpieces? Then sub-sale properties might be suitable for you.

CREDIT : BUMBUNG.CO

These sub type terms are interchangeably used within Malaysia’s property talks whether you are inquiring from a developer or dealing with an agent or speaking with friends on a specific property type. It’s important to know the difference between them and critically evaluate the use of each one of them.

CORNER LOT

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As the name suggests, corner lots are properties located at the corner of the row with additional land or large gardens next to them.

If you love spending time outdoors in the garden or hosting barbeque parties, the corner lot is for you. It is important to really consider what you plan to use the additional land for. If you love gardening, it is certainly a yes, but if you don’t it could mean higher maintenance and more work. Have you seen those corner lots with uncut grass with weeds growing everywhere?

You don’t want your house to end up like that.

Due to the benefit of additional land, corner lots have a higher price point compared to the other sub types.

If you are a concerned with the exposure to sunlight, a corner unit might be ideal choice, after considering the direction of the sun and the placement of the house.

One trait of owning a corner terrace house, it’s the availability of land for expansion. If your corner unit is next to a road, you are allowed to extend your building up to the boundary of your external wall. This gives more flexibility to home owners looking to upgrade and renovate their house.

END LOT

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End lots are properties that are similarly designed and located at the end of the housing row.

Depending on the development and design, end lots have additional windows on the side of the house, allowing more light to shine through and keeping the house ventilated and bright. Pricing wise, end lots can command a premium over the usual intermediate lots.

One of the factors that deter people from purchasing an end lot is the perception that and lots are the first and the easiest units for thieves to break into.

This is mainly because some end units are located next to a walkway or wall that allows ease of access and a quick getaway.

Some walls located next to end units are densely covered with trees and shrubs giving robbers an edge to climb on and ease to avoid detection in the dark.

Given that end lots are located next to a motorway or pedestrian walkway, there is no surprise that these units have a higher probability for peeping and glancing. End lots are commonly known to be less privacy friendly in comparison to other units.

INTERMEDIATE LOT

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Intermediate Lots more commonly known as semi-d’s are houses that are built in between other houses.Intermediate units are more commonly traded in the property market given its supply volume.

The advantage of this is the number of ready buyers looking for an intermediate unit therefore you will have less of a hassle finding a buyer in contrast to selling a corner unit.

It’s good to know that the capital appreciation for intermediate lots tend to appreciate faster than other sub types.

The tendency to match your valuation figures given by your valuer is more likely with the sheer number of similar transacted comparable in the area. This means that your valuated price will be less likely to be perceived inaccurately in the eyes of a buyer.

It can be argued by some parties perceive semi-d’s to be of a higher property class and corner lots to be reserved for kindergarten playhouses.

Frankly, it all comes down to your motive and plan for the particular property. Some people love the extra land that comes with corner lots while others perceive semi-d’s to be better despite the smaller land size. Some people tend to favour end lots with less traffic noise. It’s important to consider the sub type of the property you’re interested in but it’s even more important to take into consideration the location.

CREDIT : Bumbung.co

Property Taxes in Malaysia can be quite a challenge to a first time buyer or investor. You might be shocked to find out the different taxes imposed on you when you purchase or even own a property. The following are the property taxes that you should know before a major property decision.

TAXES INCURRED WITH OWNING AND MANAGING REAL ESTATE

QUIT RENT (CUKAI TANAH)

Commonly known as cukai tanah, this tax that is relevant to anyone owning a property. Essentially, it is the price you pay for owning a land in Malaysia and yearly income to the state government. The price you pay for quick rent varies in accordance to the land size and property asset category. You will have to pay quit rent on an annual basis regardless of whether the property is freehold and leasehold or whether it is a strata titled property. The quit rent rate depends on the each state government’s decision to set and amend.

ASSESSMENT TAX (CUKAI TAKSIRAN / PINTU)

If your property is located within a local authority (Majlis Pembandaran), you will be required to pay an assessment tax based on the annual rental value. The final sum is calculated based on the property type, location and multiplied by a set of routes. For residential properties, it is levied at a flat rate of 6% and can be paid in 2 instalments.

TAXES INCURRED WHEN ACQUIRING AND TRANSACTING REAL ESTATE

STAMP DUTY

During the completion of a property transaction, the legal documents such as the SPA and Loan agreement needs to be recognized and notified to the government.  Stamp duties must be paid for any property transfer related documents to be legally recognised. The amount of stamp duty required is levied in proportion of the property’s value.

REAL PROPERTY GAINS TAX (RPGT)

Since the abolishment of capital gains tax in 2007, capital gains through property transfers are no longer subjected to income tax laws. There is, however, the real property gains tax, which is levied on any disposal of real property or shares of property companies. RPGT is a type of capital gains tax that charges you based on your profit gained through property transactions. One reason why RPGT was introduced is to discourage flipping properties where people renovate old properties and mark up prices. This is to prevent property prices from greatly increasing above market value as a result of speculation. As the names suggest, you are only taxed through any profits gained from the disposal of the property, hence no taxes need to be paid if there is a break even or a loss.

GOODS AND SERVICE TAX (GST)

If you are renting out or selling a residential property, your income generated will be exempted from GST. However, the income gained through commercial properties are taxable by means of letting out or even disposing of commercial properties in some circumstances. To have commercial property to be taxable under the 6% GST, the homeowner must own 2 or more commercial properties or a commercial property valued at more than RM 2 million. Alternatively, the homeowner may own a land larger than 1 acre or earn more than RM 500,000 through yields from the properties.

Conclusion

Property taxes can be troublesome and unwelcoming to an average homeowner. With the different property taxes around limiting and shifting your decisions, it is important to take each of them into consideration as it can add up additional costs to your property portfolio

CREDIT : bumbung.co