From L-R: AON Hewitt South East Asia CEO Jeremy Andrulis, Khor,  Johan Mahmood Merican and AON Hewitt Malaysia & Brunei managing director Prashant Chadha.

KUALA LUMPUR: S P Setia won the “Best Employer” award for the eighth time at the Aon Best Employers 2017 award ceremony held today. S P Setia president and chief executive officer Datuk Khor Chap Jen received the honour from Economic Planning Unit (EPU) Deputy Director General (human capital) Johan Mahmood Merican.

“We are delighted to receive this award for the eighth time. If there is any single attribute that stands out from our win, I would say it is teamwork. Teamwork is always the hallmark of Setia’s culture,” said Datuk Khor proudly.

S P Setia was awarded one of the Best Employers in Malaysia in 2016, 2015, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2005 and 2003. On top of that, in 2013 and 2011, S P Setia was also named Malaysia’s Best of the Best and Overall Best Employers respectively. The leading property developer was also given a special recognition last year with the ‘Commitment to Engagement’ award, according to a statement.

Relying strongly on its development philosophy LiveLearnWorkPlay, S P Setia takes employees engagement seriously and discusses the results of its annual People’s Pulse Survey in the management’s meetings. The Group understands that its successes are attributed to the loyalty and strength of the team hence various engagement activities, training for talents development, skills and experience enhancing workshops as well as team building activities that strengthen the team are ongoing programs at S P Setia.

“In Setia, 62% of our current employees are from Gen-Y and we have to create good challenges for them to keep them engaged continuously. The Gen-Y group love challenges and excitement. They want their opinion to be heard and they want to be credited for outperformance and excellence. As an employer, it is important for the company to engage with these employees and give credit where credit is due,” said Datuk Khor.

A company that is solidly grounded in its traditions, S P Setia’s annual Family Day and Annual Dinner remains a strong favourite amongst Team Setia in its yearly calendar of activities. During these events, teams from S P Setia’s offices across six countries gather for a day full of fun, friendly competition, performances, food, drinks and much laughter. It creates a great platform for the team to get to know each other and learn to work together to put on a successful event.

Besides getting together to play, a highly engaged team is also a team that happily volunteers their time for S P Setia’s corporate social responsibility activities such as its annual World Environment Day awareness events, festive celebrations with its communities, its Setia Caring School Programme and more. The high number of volunteers at each company event shows the loyalty and commitment of Team Setia to the company’s performance.

“When a property developer is branded as a Best Employer, our customers would expect that we also adopt the best approach in serving them. They will have more confidence in us as well as in our products and services, and remain our loyal supporters,” he added.

The Aon Best Employers program is a global study and was first conducted in 2001. In Asia, it is run in 12 countries which include China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Participation in the program helps define what makes a winning workplace as organisations that are awarded are those that inspire strong commitment and superior performance from its people, drive business results through effective people practices and manage their businesses in ways that build long-term success and sustainability.

Want to contribute articles to StarProperty.my? Email editor@starproperty.my.

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SOME say there is never a right time to buy a house, or rather anytime is a good time to purchase property.

But when house prices are rising, everything seems to be way above your budget. And when the housing market is softening due to economic reasons, you are unsure about buying a house during times of uncertainty.

When it comes to one of the biggest purchases of your life, it still pays to have a proper financial plan and a clear goal to avoid being saddled with a huge loan that you cannot settle.

While most young people still aspire towards home ownership, they should be aware of circumstances that could make purchasing house inadvisable – at least for the time being.

Be mentally prepared

Most young Malaysians would want a place of their own before tying the knot, hence putting pressure on those considering marriage.

In some instances, young people rush into buying a home just before getting married. This may pose an unnecessary burden for newly-weds.

Building a life with your loved one is a long and gradual process. If you are not prepared for home ownership, you could always start by making plans rather than simply jumping on the bandwagon.

Check your finances

The term “Moonlight Clan” has been used to describe young people who live from pay cheque to pay cheque. While it is best to remedy this situation as soon as possible, unstable finances and lack of a steady career among the young are all signs of the times.

To determine if you have sufficient financial resources to buy a house, make sure you have a steady income and that one-third of it covers your monthly loan obligation.

Property comes with responsibilities. If you are not up to the task, your house may end up being auctioned.

Haste makes waste

In this case, the haste to buy a house may result in a waste of opportunity for you to find a more suitable home.

If you are in too much of a hurry to buy a house, you could end up making a wrong choice in terms of the house type, location or budget.

Although house prices are on an upward trend, it is better to be patient when house hunting rather than diving into the market.

Be flexible

Renting a place is usually a commitment of 12 to 24 months, which is a shorter period compared to a housing mortgage of 20 years or more.

Renting offers more flexibility and is a suitable option for those who enjoy a free and easy life who want the option of switching localities.

Starting a business

If you are full of entrepreneurial spirit or in the midst of starting your own business, you need a more flexible cash flow and financial obligations.

Renting a place allows you to divert a portion of your income to paying living expenses or covering the operating cost of a business.

This article was first published in Chinese in Property Trends e-mag. To celebrate the upcoming two-year anniversary of Property Trends, StarProperty.my is holding a movie ticket contest.

Download the latest issue and complete a few steps to become one of the lucky winners of two tickets to Renegades movie preview on Aug 30 at MBO Starling.

The contest ends on Aug 28. For details, visit bit.ly/augpropertytrends.

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The Experiential Luxury Opportunities Start With ‘Confluential’

The ‘Confluential’ art exhibition which runs from 19 August to 18 September 2017 features the ‘Tunefulness’ series by Malaysian artiste Ng Foo Cheong.

KUALA LUMPUR: KSK Land Sdn Bhd (KSK Land), developer of 8 Conlay, in collaboration with contemporary gallery, Art WeMe, is hosting an art exhibition themed ‘Confluential’ from 19 August to 18 September 2017, from 9am to 5pm, at the luxurious 8 Conlay sales gallery.

Comprising 28 works, the exhibition showcases a myriad genres of paintings and sculptures that collectively touch on the power of confluence of Asian cultures. ‘Confluential’ features three celebrated international artists, Sanzi from China, Liao Ying Hsi from Taiwan and Saenkom from Thailand; and notable Malaysian artists, CN Liew, Lok Kerk Hwang and Ng Foo Cheong.

Commenting on the art exhibition, KSK Berhad group CEO and KSK Land managing director Joanne Kua said, “At KSK, we are enthusiastic advocates of luxury experiences. That is why we curated 8 Conlay to be so much more than a refined living space for our residents. Our mission is to inspire a new way of luxury city living in Kuala Lumpur. We want to provide 8 Conlay residents with the opportunities to create their own luxury memories. It is all about bringing their story to life.”

‘Wish to Fly’ is a series of stainless steel and bronze sculptures by Taiwanese artist, Liao Ying Hsi.

“That is the reason why we decided to partner with Kempinski Hotels, Europe’s oldest luxury hotelier, to conceive the idea of 8 Conlay being a ‘Confluential’ place. ‘Confluential’ represents a marriage of confluence, confidence and influential. It is an extension of KSK Land and Kempinski going beyond material luxury. The exhibition will set in motion our journey, enabling 8 Conlay residents to embrace luxury in different forms, blending high-value arts, travel, designs and bespoke services.”

“The art exhibition is also a tribute to the nation as we come together to celebrate the 60th Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day in September. We chose to commemorate the country with art as the nation reaches another great growth milestone worthy of a big celebration,” she said, according to a statement.

Kua further added, “Confluential aptly describes the unique dialogue of past and present cultures. Malaysia, or specifically Kuala Lumpur, has been a centre of economic growth in the region for decades. Standing at the confluence of new trade roads, being open to the world and welcoming new influences, Kuala Lumpur can be said to be a hub for creative business as well as the melting pot of Asian cultures.”

An artful tribute to Malaysia.
(From left) KSK Berhad group CEO and KSK Land managing director Joanne Kua, Art WeMe Contemporary Gallery director Liew Su Fei and Malaysian artiste Ng Foo Cheong at the launch of KSK Land’s Confluential Art Exhibition. ‘Confluential’ represents a marriage of confluence, confidence and influential.

Due for completion in 2020, 8 Conlay will comprise two branded residence towers called YOO8 serviced by Kempinski, the five-star Kempinski Hotel Kuala Lumpur, and an innovative retail component strategically located in the heart of the Kuala Lumpur city centre. Kempinski will manage the hospitality for the residence towers, providing residents with ala carte hotel services such as housekeeping and general concierge services. In addition to the suites, Kempinski will also operate and manage the Kempinski Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

Specialising in Contemporary Asian Art, Art WeMe is a contemporary gallery committed to showcasing engaging arts by established, mid-career and promising young artists from around Asia.

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By Pau Ling Ng
pauline@thestar.com.my

Datuk Wong Tuck Wai, COO of S P Setia (on bike) in a group picture with the teams of SP Setia and Mobike at the launch event.

PETALING JAYA: SP Setia recently introduced Mobike to Setia Alam and Setia Eco Park at Shah Alam, one of the first dockless smart bike-sharing platform which has ventured into more than 170 cities globally over the past 15 months.

“Smart bike-sharing offers big townships and their residents and visitors many benefits, including reduced traffic congestion, decreased pollution and a simple yet cost-effective urban transportation option,” said SP Setia deputy president and chief operation officer Datuk Wong Tuck Wai at the launch of the Mobike partnership. The event was held at Setia City Convention Centre (SCCC) yesterday.

Furthermore, the launching of Mobike offers alternative transportation option for citizens to solve the “last-mile” challenge in a greener manner, which is in line with Shah Alam City Council’s initiative to turn Shah Alam into a low-carbon city by 2030.

Datuk Wong Tuck Wai, COO of SP Setia, addressing the crowd at the launch.

Recently, bike-sharing service is emerging worldwide in recent years as it built a bridge between cities’ commute gaps to link-up public transportation dead zones.

“Mobike goes beyond the means of moving around. It’s a lifestyle,” said Mobike international expansion vice president Chris Martin. The presence of Mobike helps improve urban mobility in an eco-friendly way, hence making Malaysia a greener world-class tourist destination, which subsequently driving more business to local merchants.

“We are truly excited to partner with S P Setia Bhd, a highly-regarded Malaysian property developer, to bring our customised smart bike-share service to Malaysia, a country which is embarking on an exciting and ambitious path to achieve an efficient, integrated, and sustainable public transport system.

“We envision that Mobike’s dockless and convenient bike-sharing service will grow in tandem with the nation’s push to redefine the transportation sector’s environmental impact for a sustainable and well-connected country,” he added.

With a distinctive silver and orange appearance, Mobike is designed with proprietary high-tech features that benefit both users and partner cities.

Every Mobike is equipped with unique smart-lock technology and built-in GPS connected via the Mobike IoT network. This allows for tracking the location, monitoring the condition of each bike and location-based demands for bikes in real-time, to manage supply and help solve the “last-mile” challenge.

A total of 600 Mobikes will be deployed in designated locations within S P Setia’s flagship townships, Setia Alam and Setia Eco Park.

The bike-sharing service is currently available. To celebrate its launch in Malaysia, Mobike is providing one month of free services in September, with a one-time fully refundable deposit at a promotional rate of RM9. After the promotional period, the deposit will return to RM99, and the price will be set at RM1.50 for every 30 minutes.

Want to ride with Mobike? All you have to do is download Mobike app, scan QR code to unlock the bike and ride away.

After complete the trip, users need only park the bike at any authorised bike parking area near their destination and manually close the lock on the bike.

Want to contribute articles to StarProperty.my? Email editor@starproperty.my.

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By VIKTOR CHONG viktor@mystar.com.my

Kudos to the winners of the StarProperty.my Real Estate Award 2017

THE night of Aug 8 heralded the top players in the real estate industry as they took to the platform to claim their much-deserved recognition.

The StarProperty.my Real Estate Awards Night 2017 (SREA 2017) aimed to showcase the nation’s best agencies, agents and individuals as a way to acknowledge their dedicated service and contribution to the community.

Star Media Group Bhd group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, chief operating officer Calvin Kan and chief revenue officer Lim Bee Leng presented the awards which were divided into three sections, namely agency, negotiator and outstanding personality.

The judges included Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia president Datuk Ter Leong Yap, deputy secretary-general II Michael Chai, Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association past president Datuk Ng Seing Liong, author of property investment books Renesial Leong and StarProperty Sdn Bhd assistant general manager Ernest Towle.

For more information, visit srea.starproperty.my/.

AGENCY

Rising Star Agency

This title crowns the upcoming, new and best agencies that are less than three years in operation and displaying great potential to become a successful performer in the real estate market.

Project Marketing Agency

This award is attributed to firms that shine in the developer-related project marketing regardless of singular project or multitude of projects.

Excellence Agency/Branch

This award recognises the individual or branch of real estate firms that have excellent achievements in the Klang Valley.

Regional Agency

This award recognises external real estate enterprises that have excellent achievements outside the Klang Valley.

PERSONALITY

Influential Individual

This award recognises the non-agent players in the industry who have nonetheless make a huge contribution through visionary leadership and steadfast commitment.

Outstanding Agent

This award recognises the most outstanding estate agent who has gone the extra mile in pursuit of service, ethics and results, as well as demonstrating exemplary management skills with a proven track record.

NEGOTIATOR

All-Star Negotiator

This title is bestowed upon any REN (Real Estate Negotiator) who has shown good qualities as a leader in managing individuals, showing exemplary leadership qualities and reflecting the agency’s best practices to meet industry standards, while achieving substantial achievements in listings, sales, marketing and after-sales.

Rising Star Negotiator

This award is presented to the new Real Estate Negotiator (REN) who has been in practice for less than two years and reflects exemplary leadership, promotes good agency practices and meets industry standards.

Most transacted

This award is presented to the most notable real estate transactions completed by REN. Accomplished REN who have displayed exceptional achievement in the sale or lease transactions are represented by this award.

Deal of the year

This award is handed to the most notable real estate deal completed by a REN. Crafted to highlight accomplished REN, the winners are chosen among those who have displayed exceptional achievement in sales or lease transactions.

Want to contribute articles to StarProperty.my? Email editor@starproperty.my.

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Question: Why is the stadium so cold?
Answer: Because there is a lot of fans.

Why look for a lame joke if you can watch a real comedy show?

Finish the steps to get a chance to win a pair of tickets to “Laugh Die You”, presented by one and only “Phua Chu Kang” Gurmit Singh and his hilarious partners Indi Nadarajah, Kavin Jay and Sulaiman Azmil.

1. Share the StarProperty.my Facebook pinned post to your personal page and add the hashtag #WAHStarProperty.

2. Register at wah.starproperty.my and complete the slogan.

3. Please end the WAH slogan with LDY (stands for Laugh Die You) to join this contest.

Terms and condition:
1. The contest will end on September 27 (Wednesday) at 11.59pm. Only the winners will be contacted through email and phone call.

2. Fifteen (15) winners will be chosen to receive the prize of double Gold tickets to “Laugh Die You”.

3. Each individual is entitled to 1 entry to win 2 tickets only. Please provide the full name and accurate details in the registration, as it will be used to contact the winners.

4. Please set your shared post to public and send us the link to the shared post upon being contacted. The failure to do so will result in disqualification of the participation in the contest.

5. All prizes must be claimed from Sep 29 to Oct 3 (weekday from 10 am to 5 pm) at Menara Star, 15, Jalan 16/11, Phileo Damansara II, 46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

6. Winners are required to bring their valid MyKad for verification purposes.

7. The contest is open to all Malaysians of 18 years old and above.

8. The prizes are final, non-transferable and non-convertible to cash.

9. Taking part in the contest is free of charge.

10. In the event of any dispute, StarProperty.my’s decision is final. No further correspondence will be entertained.

11. StarProperty.my reserves the right to extend, cancel or amend this campaign at any time.

12. StarProperty.my may check whether the entries are valid and can disqualify any entrant for tampering with the entry process, including submitting an entry that breaches these terms and conditions.

Want to contribute articles to StarProperty.my? Email editor@starproperty.my.

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By VIKTOR CHONG viktor@mystar.com.my

Seasoned property agencies come together to showcase their commitment

(Left) Star Media Group Bhd CRO Lim Bee Leng and (right) and COO Calvin Kan with All Star Negotiator Award winners Jeff Lim, Derek Soh, George Loo, Juliana Teh, Ng Hang Wai, Jonathan Lai and Teammy Lee.

DESPITE a storm looming over the property horizon, competitors and collaborators alike were all smiles at the StarProperty.my Real Estates Awards 2017.

Held on Aug 8, the event was organised by StarProperty.my to showcase the unwavering patience, commitment and stellar services provided by agents and agencies of the property market. These seasoned agents came together under one roof to share their tips for success as well as their opinions regarding the current economic climate.

Recipe for success

With experience comes an innate understanding of the crucial aspects 2017of the real estate industry.
Rina Properties Asia Sdn Bhd general manager Morgan Koh believes that the agent’s performance must always be measured.

“Our company’s agents must see numbers as a gauge for results and quality of service. Having satisfied customers will then improve our reputation. When we provide excellent service, customers will come back.”

Koh said his company focuses on training and educating agents to ensure that they have the latest updates, news and information from the market.

“We make sure that our agents are responsible for what they say and do,” he added.

Echoing this sentiment is Gplex Realty Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Christopher Liang. His company provides a 90-day jumpstart programme for new agents as well as weekly training and regular meetings.

Regional Agency Award winners celebrating their achievements with Lim (left). From second left: Vincent Tan, Property Hub (Sabah) Sdn Bhd resident manager Sharon Goh and IQI Realty Sdn Bhd group VP Dave Chong.

“They should have intimate knowledge about real estate after the three-month training programme. Our agents are also given special incentives,” said Liang, who added that with its core value of professionalism, GPLEX aims to change the culture and image of the real estate agency as an average career.

Meanwhile, FLP Realty Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Fallon Loo was excited at winning an award because her company is relatively new in the industry. “Our company invests a huge lot in our people,” said Loo.

Affirm Plus Properties Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Hendry Lee believes that a good work environment is important.

But he said it is more important for agents to keep their promises when dealing with clients.
Mapleland Properties senior negotiator Juliana Teh said agents must have a pleasant disposition and dress well.

“Always serve with a smile and with passion. It is not about the money; it’s building relationship and reputation,” said Teh.

Leadership matters

Homefield Real Estate Sdn Bhd special projects manager Ainal Maryam Zamzuri said that a lead agent must be knowledgeable and always be on the ground.

“Without experience, he cannot lead the team,” he said.

Polygon Properties Sdn Bhd associate partner George Loo reckons that a good leader must also know how to care for his team members. “When they need help, you should be there to teach them.”

Loo added that agents must have integrity and be sincere in their work. “Never hide problems. Some agents tell their customers that furnishing is provided when it is not.”

Star Media Group Bhd group MD and CEO Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai (middle) with winners of Rising Star Negotiator Award (from left) Ainal Maryam Zamzuri, Daniel Chieng, Roshindar Kaur Dhillon and Jenny Liu.

Polygon Properties director Derek Soh said that a supportive group leader is what a real estate negotiator looks for.

He believes that a good leader should bring the agents up to speed regarding their marketing, networking and career paths.

Greenfield Properties senior negotiator Jenny Liu echoed Soh’s comment. “The leader sets a good example from her work so that the team members will be able to emulate the results,” she said.

“What’s important is that we all come together and work hard as a team,” said Total Realty Sdn Bhd co-founder Kho Chng Guan.

The drive of passion

Dreamvest Realty Sdn Bhd co-founder Jeff Ong has faith in his people. “The key factor has always been our negotiators who have given us today’s results. Since we are all selling the same thing, it boils down to quality service to win this competition.”

Megaharta Real Estate Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Clement Ong says that quality is defined by the agency’s ability to create value. “We see the real estate agency as half business and half professional. A successful agency creates value for its staff and for the market at large,” said Ong.

Most of the winners attributed their success to the key factors of passion, integrity and discipline.

“You have to love this field if you want to last long,” said Homefield Real Estate Sdn Bhd director Munirah Mohammad who has been in the industry for over 28 years.

Lim (left) presenting the Outstanding Agent Award to Homefield Real Estate Sdn Bhd director Munirah Mohammad.

Huttons One World Sdn Bhd executive director Amenny Chua and Property Exchange negotiator Daniel Chieng expressed the importance of discipline and commitment.

“The team must keep on learning,” said Chua.

According to CBD Properties Sdn Bhd senior negotiator Jonathan Lai, a successful agent must be able to combine passion, perseverance and a healthy mindset in order to provide quality service.

“With focus and innovation, we will achieve good results,” said Property Hub Sdn Bhd senior vice president

Benjamin Tee who believes that the agency is more than a business because it also serves the community.

Optimism against all odds

Vivahomes Realty Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Alvin Foo sees most of the challenges coming from stiff competition among agencies for market share.

“The price per sq ft of properties is stable but the number of transactions has decreased,” he said.

Acknowledging that the market trend is going down, Foo believes that commissions should not be given out to win deals.

Vivahomes Realty Sdn Bhd senior negotiator Ng Hang Wai talks about having the right people.

“During a recession, we should focus on moveable products. In good times, we can get five out of 10 people to close the deal. In bad times, we can only get two out of 10 people. The fundamental importance is in getting the right person. You will have a higher chance of closing the deal,” said Ng.

Tech Realtors Properties Sdn Bhd director KT Chua says there is always a market for buyer and seller because everyone needs a roof over their heads.

The winners of Excellence Agency Award celebrating their achievement with Star Media Group CRO Lim Bee Leng (third from right). From left: Cornerstone Realty director of sales marketing Wong Yau Long, Tech Realtors Properties Sdn Bhd director KT Chua, Affirm Plus Properties Sdn Bhd CEO Hendry Lee, Tech Real Estate Sdn Bhd founder Alex Lee Hong Boon and IQI Realty Sdn Bhd group VP Aaron Siow.

“Many buyers are still making transactions, irrespective of commercial or residential properties, or even land for agricultural use. The best time to buy is when the market is soft; sell when the market is on a bull run,” said Chua.

Sharing this optimism is Gather Properties Sdn Bhd managing director Vincent Tan, who thinks that the market is not soft.

He explains: “It is just that the bank loan is a little tight at present. We need to filter through the customers and get the quality buyers.”

IQI Realty Sdn Bhd senior negotiator Jeff Lim commented on the surplus of buyers looking for a good deal. He said:

“Agents need to have a complete listing on hand so that we can give the customers more choices.”

CBD Properties Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Adrian Wang, however, advised caution. “Always adapt to the current environment. We need to change, train and gain knowledge to upgrade ourselves.”

He stressed the importance of cash flow as well as to be mindful of spending. “Spend on advertising to bring attention to the firm,” said Wang.

Supporting Wang’s statement, Tech Real Estate Sdn Bhd founder Alex Lee said: “If we can’t change the market, we change ourselves. That is what I tell my agents.”

Cornerstone Realty director of sales and marketing Wong Yau Long said: “In this challenging market, we stay ahead of the competition by coming out with creative ideas.

IQI Realty Sdn Bhd group vice-president Chen Tse Ping believes that there are certain aspects which are crucial to the agencies’ survival.

“If we are capable of combining good products, mindset and quality people, we can survive the bad market,” said Chen.

IQI Realty Sdn Bhd team members choosing props at the photo booth.

Upholding the industry standard

Property Hub Sdn Bhd negotiator Roshindar Kaur Dhillon is concerned about the issue of illegal agents. “The biggest problem that we have now is illegal agents. Companies who are in it for the long term must make sure that their agents are registered first,” she said.

CBD Properties Sdn Bhd team leader Sebastian Sam said the agent’s job is to help smoothen the way and close the transaction. “If the vendor is a little difficult to get through, we need to negotiate in such a way that both parties win,” he added.

In agreeing with Sam, Terence Tih of Tech Real Estate Sdn Bhd shares this learning curve: “There will be times when the client wants something. After complying with his request, the client will say that he wants something else. It is all about different clients and how to manage them,” said Tih.

“Never give up when you fail. Be persistent and try again. You will finally succeed,” said GS Realty Sdn Bhd negotiator Teammy Lee.

Some photos of the glamourous night

Want to contribute articles to StarProperty.my? Email editor@starproperty.my.

The post Beacons of inspiration appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

Potential home owners registering to view the new show unit of Mercury @Setia Eco Cascadia.

JOHOR BAHRU: Boasting an exterior design inspired by the Morning Star, with abstract shapes and gradation of sunburst colours ranging from shades of orange to yellow, the Mercury eco home collection sits idyllically within the Setia Eco Cascadia township in Johor Bahru.

“The Mercury double-storey terrace houses in the Aurora precinct offers ample living space for comfort and privacy. Besides a lifestyle-designed kitchen with views of the park, each unit opens up to 20ft of back land rear gardens offering refreshing walkways where residents can take quiet, tranquil walks and enjoy the natural greenery,” said S P Setia Berhad general manager Saniman Amat Yusof.

“We have a brand new vibrant show unit and we are happy to note that so many interested purchasers have given us positive feedback after visiting it. Many would like to adopt similar designs to maximize the 1969 sq. ft. built up each unit offers,” added Saniman in a statement.

More than 200 potential home owners turned up for a delightful Tea Party held in conjunction with the launch of the new show unit and joined in the many fun-filled activities held for the whole family such as hat decorating for young kids, mug-painting as well as recycling of popsicle sticks to make reusable items like photo frames and containers.

The Mercury double-storey houses collection in the Aurora precinct offers ample living space for comfort and privacy.

Located on 33 acres within Setia Eco Cascadia, the Mercury collection stays true to its tagline of ‘Living in Nature’s Miracle’. With four bedrooms plus three bathrooms in each unit which has a land size of 20’ x 75’, the homes are targeted to those who prefer living an ‘eco-concept’ lifestyle in one of the most unique eco townships in the country. The majestic waterfalls around the development paint picturesque scenes that are simply breath-taking with 15 percent of the total land area of Setia Eco Cascadia being reserved for the cultivation of flora.

“One unique feature of the Mercury unit is the en-suite bedroom on the Ground Floor which provides convenience to the home owners especially families with senior citizens. Besides living in a 24-hours gated and guarded community, the township is also easily accessible via the North-South Expressway (NSE), Eastern Dispersal Link Expressway (EDL) and the Tebrau as well as the Pasir Gudang highways,” said Saniman while pointing out that each precinct in the township has a private clubhouse and playground, amongst other facilities.

Setia Eco Cascadia is certainly a preferred choice for new homeowners as the township has won a number of awards including Honour Awards at Malaysia Landscape Architectural Awards (MLAA) 2016 and the MLAA Merit Awards for Metamorphosis Park (2015) and Waterfall & Recreational Pond (2012).

Mercury @ Setia Eco Cascadia units are priced from RM693,000 onwards. Interested purchasers can call 07-3512255 or email sec-sales@spsetia.com to obtain more information.

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By SHALINI KATESSAN
shalini@mystar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: Sunway Group proudly announced its new mid-market hotel development at Cheras.

Sunway Velocity Hotel, offering 351 rooms, is a transit-oriented, integrated hotel within the Cheras vicinity. It will be ready for operation on Sep 20.

The joint venture project between Sunway Bhd and Fawanis Sdn Bhd has a gross development cost (GDC) of RM146mil.

“We are confident that we will be able to operate at about 75% occupancy in the first year of the hotel opening due to consideration of integration, connectivity, market size and our competitive pricing,” said Sunway Hotels & Resorts operation cluster director Kelly Leong.

“We anticipate about 60% corporate and 40% leisure base. In 2017 and 2018, we are expecting Malaysian to constitute 60% of our guest with the balance coming from Singapore, China and guests residing in the Asia Pacific region,” said Leong.

“The hotel is synergistic to the now 96% occupied Sunway Velocity Mall, which is welcoming 1.5 million visitations a month currently.

“Our guests will have access to over 500 retail stores, 150 food and beverage outlets, as well as a host of entertainment centres and recreational facilities, making it an ideal destination for a traveller who prizes conveniences,” he added.

The hotel is linked to Light Rapid Transit (LRT) and two underground Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations.

The guest will have easy access to Bukit Bintang shopping district and KL Sentral, as well as other attractions nearby.

The upcoming medical centre is scheduled to be open in 2019.

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PETALING JAYA: The youth division of the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (Rehda Youth) conducted a forum on the coexistence of technology, sustainability and property industry that brought together speakers from various parts of the world.

The event, held in partnership with Nippon Paint, is titled “Future Forward Forum 2017- Trends: Insite”.

Ho & Partners Architects, Engineers & Development Consultant Ltd (Hong Kong) deputy managing director Nicholas Ho touched on the “One Belt One Road” project and the upcoming New Manila Bay City of Pearl in his talk titled “How SMART can you AFFORD to be?”

Another speaker who graced the forum is the IKEA Southeast Asia head of sustainability Dr Lee Hui Mien.

The event also featured SPARK Architects (Singapore) director Stephen Pimbley, Builk Asia Co Ltd (Thailand) principal and chief executive officer Patai Paduntin, Shanghai Distrii Technology Development Co Ltd (China) founder and chief executive officer Dr Hu Jing and Panasonic Malaysia strategic B2B development general manager Tan Chee Hon.

Want to contribute articles to StarProperty.my? Email editor@starproperty.my.

The post Merging sustainability, technology and property industry appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

PETALING JAYA: Laugh Die You is back with a bang. The highly famous comedy show will be hosted by the one and only Phua Chu Kang, Gurmit Singh.

The audience can expect to be drenched with quirky political satire and all things Malaysian in this event which will be held on Oct 5 (Thursday) at the HGH Convention Centre, Sentul at 7.30pm.

Revolving around the theme ‘Road to Putrajaya’, Gurmit Singh will be accompanied by Indi Nadarajah of Comedy Court’s fame, Kavin Jay who does grumpy the funny way, as well as Sulaiman Azmil the lawyer-cum-comedian. With a lawyer in the house, it sure is going to be an amusing evening of laughing at politics.

If you have been wrinkling your brows at politics thus far, it is high time you straighten them up with a guffaw. The internationally recognised comedians will take politics into their hands and you have to witness it yourself.

Apart from political satires and comedies, Laugh Die You will also showcase the band Hydra for the pre-event warm up and post-event cool down.

The tickets are priced at RM300 for VIP, RM250 for GOLD, RM200 for UPPER GOLD and SILVER. The tickets are available at www.ticketpro.com.my or better still, you could win a double GOLD ticket worth RM500 and have a great evening laughing at politics.

So, how about trying your luck to grab those free double GOLD tickets?

StarProperty.my is organising the WAH contest, in which participants are eligible to win one of the 15 double GOLD tickets to the Laugh Die You comedy show.

All you have to do is:

1. Share the StarProperty.my Facebook pinned post to your personal page and add the hashtag #WAHStarProperty.
2. Register at wah.starproperty.my and complete the slogan.
3. Please end the WAH slogan with LDY (stands for Laugh Die You).

All Malaysians who are 18 years and above are eligible to join this contest. The contest will end on Sep 27 (Wednesday) at 11.59pm.

For more information, visit http://www.starproperty.my/index.php/articles/events/win-2-tickets-to-comedy-show-with-wah/.

Want to contribute articles to StarProperty.my? Email editor@starproperty.my.

The post Win 2 tickets to a night of laughter with WAH appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

Experts share insights at Elmina Sales Gallery on Saturday

By Viktor Chong
viktor@mystar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: StarProperty.my will be organising a forum titled “How to identify an exemplary township” at Elmina Sales Gallery, Shah Alam.

The event will be held on Sept 16, Saturday from 1pm to 5.30pm.

The forum will feature speakers who will address topics such as investment strategies for the middle-income group, portfolio building and the identification of a good township.

Seasoned property investor and blogger Ken Teo will discuss the strategies that the middle-income citizen could adapt to invest in property in his talk titled “Real Estate Investment Strategy For Middle Class”.

Teo said his sharing would be based on analysis that is supported by facts and historical data.

Founder of Leveragelab Bhd Jeevan Sahadevan will speak about protection of investor’s value through his topic “How Does Property Act as a Buffer in Your Investment Portfolio.” From his talk, the audience will glean about the steps to create a fantastic financial portfolio as well as to leverage it to protect wealth during a bad economy.

On the other hand, AJC Planning Consultants Bhd director Mahani Mohd Yasin will focus on sustainable development through her talk “Sustainable Planning Increases Township Values.”

She said that the intrinsic values of a township should not be overlooked by property buyers and investors alike.

Registration is free. All participants will be entitled to free flower tea.

Find out more about this event or register at starproperty.my/forum.

Want to contribute articles to StarProperty.my? Email editor@starproperty.my.

The post StarProperty.my forum on housing and wealthy generation appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

PETALING JAYA: Build Eco Xpo (BEX) Asia is a three-day event of knowledge building, information exchange and dialogue on the latest in green building and energy-efficient technologies.

Taking place from Sep 12 to 14 (Tuesday to Thursday), Build Eco Expo (BEX) Asia is co-located with Mostra Convegno Expocomfort (MCE) Asia. Over 450 international solution providers will come together to showcase their innovations at the two events.

“BEX and MCE Asia are the ideal platforms to galvanise the Asian green building, HVAC-R, water, energy and heating communities into action towards sustainable development,” said the World Green Building Council’s (WorldGBC) Board of Directors Chair, Tai Lee Siang in a statement.

“Though green building adoption is accelerating in Asia, the rate of change is not fast enough as the average green building penetration rate is only 10%. The green building industry, governments, and consumers need to join hands to tackle the problem of climate change quickly and decisively,” elaborated Tai.

An array of innovations

The trade floor will showcase an exciting range of innovative development amongst Asia’s building developers, engineers and architects.

An innovative curated feature by Surbana Jurong, titled Life in the Time of Climate Change, will highlight how sustainability is not just a buzzword, but a lifestyle. The feature will integrate building and sustainable innovations in a house. Within the house, participating companies will demonstrate the contribution of smart technologies towards improving the environment.

Smart and intelligent systems will take centerstage throughout the show floor with solutions such as
Internet of Things-enabled devices and systems, autonomous sensors, applications and software.

Furthering knowledge exchange

BEX and MCE Asia will both feature series of complementary seminars, Green View and Mostra Xchange, comprising 40 expert speakers.

BEX Asia’s Green View seminars will focus on issues pertinent to the green building industry followed by discussions that will be led by experts from renowned organisations across the world. The key session highlights and speakers will touch on issues such as innovative HVAC strategies, smart lighting technologies and their value-added applications, iconic green buildings in Asia as well as perspectives and strategies for creating sustainable, functional and aesthetic living spaces.

Seminars at Mostra Xchange will focus on HVAC-R, water and solar energy industries. Discussions at Mostra Xchange will be led by experts and cover issues such as energy-saving hospitals, air filtration technology, challenges of energy-efficient buildings, and computer air filter performance simulation.

BEX Asia will be running from Sep 12 to 14(Tuesday to Thursday) at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre during the Singapore Green Building Week (SGBW) 2017. The event expects to attract green building experts, industry professionals, policymakers and end-users.

For more information, visit www.bex-asia.com.

Want to contribute articles to StarProperty.my? Email editor@starproperty.my.

The post BEX and MCE Asia 2017 changing the game for sustainable building appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

PETALING JAYA:  Visitors from 50 countries were treated to some of the latest innovations and insights into the Asian green building, HVAC-R, water, energy and heating industries at the recently held Build Eco Xpo (BEX) Asia.

Mostra Convegno Expocomfort (MCE) Asia and BEX were held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre from Sep 12 to 14. The two events showcased the latest green building and energy-efficient technologies that focus on smart devices.

“It is a great opportunity for us to share HalioTM, our smart-tinting glass that brings active glass technology into the market to deliver powerful and responsive natural light management,” said AGC Asia Pacific Pte Ltd marketing manager David Yim.

Companies such as AL-SUS Technologies, Ariston, Belimo, KANSAI Paint Singapore and Lumani debuted their products to bring sustainability closer to the people.

BEX also featured Future Home curated by Surbana Jurong Consultants Pte Ltd. This feature brought sustainability right into the house with products that cater to the concept of sustainability from AGC Asia Pacific, Cityneon, Ecosoftt, Greenology, Hubble, Hydrabath, Mobike, SoundEye, Waldmann Lighting and Whiteblack – Greenblue.

BEX also carved the way for the introduction of international products to the Asian markets with the participation of global companies such as AET Flexible Space (the United Kingdom), iG3 Industry (Netherlands) and TapHome (Slovakia).

The Green View and Mostra Xchange seminars incorporated Interior Design Confederation of Singapore (IDCS) Forum, which explored strategies for sustainable living spaces.

“Through our intensive R&D efforts over the years, ST Electronics has garnered broad insights into energy conservation that does not compromise user experience,” said ST Electronics (Satcom & Sensor Systems) Ptd Ltd’s Principal Engineer Chan Chow Fong.

Also featured were En-trak Hong Kong Ltd chief executive officer, Vincent Chow who talked on “How to Reduce Lighting Energy Wastage Using One Simple App”, Anacle System Ltd chief executive officer Alex Lau who touched on “A Bold Vision for Energy Management in the Age of IOT” and Camfil Singapore product & project management office director Jayant Kaushal who gave a talk titled “Air Filtration Types and its Correct Applications”.

Want to contribute articles to StarProperty.my? Email editor@starproperty.my.

The post BEX and MCE Asia 2017 brought in international sustainable products appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

By THARMINI KENAS
tharmini@thestar.com.my

WHEN it comes to buying a house, knowledge and information are vital in making an informed decision.

StarProperty.my will be organising a property fair at the ground floor of IOI Mall, Puchong this week where homebuyers will be able to scout for some of the latest offerings in the housing market.

Among the developments that will be showcased in the fair include genKL, a joint development by CapitaLand Commercial (M) Sdn Bhd and Juta Asia Corporation Sdn Bhd.

Situated on a hill off Jalan Kelang Lama, genKL is suitable for those who are looking for a spacious and practical property for small families and extended families.

It is a low-density development, offering 332 units with a built-up space from 1,150 to 1,894 sq ft.

There will be more than 30 lifestyle facilities, including a 50m infinity lap pool and tropical garden walk.

Residents will also be able to enjoy security features such as anti-climb walls, dedicated access card system, three-tier security system and perimeter CCTVs.

On the other hand, Paramount Property will be presenting Sejati Residences at Cyberjaya and Sekitar26 Enterprise at Shah Alam.

Sejati Residences is a gated-and-guarded freehold development with family-friendly facilities such as an 8km cycling and jogging track.

Meanwhile, Sekitar26 Enterprise is a 12ha freehold, integrated development that caters to the investors and business users.

Other exhibitors include Eco World Development Group Bhd, Gamuda Land, IJM Land Bhd, IOI Properties Group, Matrix Concepts Holdings Bhd, OIB, Setia Haruman Sdn Bhd, Sime Darby Brunsfield Holding Sdn Bhd, S P Setia Bhd, Sunsuria Bhd and Symphony Life.

Visitors will be eligible for special promotional packages from these property developers at the fair.

Those who pre-register at fair.starproperty.my can enjoy free subscription of The Star ePaper for three months while visitors will also receive a mystery gift upon showing proof of registration.

The fair will also feature Win A Home (WAH) contest, in which participants will get a chance to win a PJ Midtown serviced suit worth over RM550,000.

Homebuyers at the fair will have a higher chance of winning the contest.

Visitors can also take part in various fun and exciting activities. The fair will be held from Oct 5 to 8 from 10am to 10pm.

For details, visit fair.starproperty.my

Want to contribute articles to StarProperty.my? Email editor@starproperty.my.

The post Special promotional packages up for grabs from property developers at four-day fair appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

An amalgamation of nature and architecture

From (left) Gamuda Land head of sales and marketing GG Kam Lee Lan, Ngan and general manager Wong Yik Fong

PETALING JAYA: Gamuda Gardens launched 134 units of double-storey link homes in its second phase on last Saturday at the Gamuda Gardens Sales Gallery.

Phase two is located next to the village square by the waterfront, the lifestyle hub of the town. This launch followed the good response for the first phase of link homes which were entirely taken up.

The 52-acre Phase two comes with a gross development value (GDV) of RM233mil. The homes feature built-ups ranging from 2,114 to 2,800 sq ft and are expected to be completed by the year 2019. The units will have four bedrooms + three bathrooms and four bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms respectively with the selling price starting from RM750,000.

Homes at Gamuda Gardens come with linear gardens and paved with trees and flowers. The newly launched two-storey link homes are closest to the 50-acre central park at Gamuda Gardens. Within a short stroll from this precinct also lies the retail village and facilities that are exclusive to residents.

“At Gamuda Gardens, we are creating a place where town and country living come together in harmony. Just as you can ride a bike to the town square, you can walk and escape through the trails that take you into the woods,” said Gamuda Land chief operating officer Ngan Chee Meng.

“Another key appeal of Gamuda Gardens is its location and easy accessibility. We are willing to invest upfront in our infrastructure to make sure the town is easy to access by everyone. Details like these are important to make the town work,” he said.

This development is located at the confluence of three major highways, LATAR Expressway, Guthrie and North-South Expressways. It is a short drive from the city with the Kuang Elevated Interchange System that provides direct access from the North-South Expressway (NSE) right into Gamuda Gardens.

Gamuda Gardens also features five cascading waterfalls, a mixed-terrain jogging and cycling trails as well as various theme parks.

“For our next project, we are likely to roll out some affordable apartments, somewhere around the third quarter of next year. The price range will be around RM350,000 to RM500,000. The houses will be at the lower end and located near the lake,” Ngan said.

Want to contribute articles to StarProperty.my? Email editor@starproperty.my.

The post Gamuda Land launches the second phase of Gamuda Gardens appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

Property investment should be seen as a viable way to earn extra income

By MUHAMMAD HAKIM HASSAN
hakim@thestar.com.my

WHILE 68% of middle-income earners depend on the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) as their only source of income after retirement, there are those who look at alternative ways to wealth building besides fixed deposits, personal savings and insurance.

According to property investor Ken Teo, property investment should be seen as a viable way to earn extra income.

Quoting Department of Statistics figures, he said that workers who earn RM3,800 to RM8,300 may have to work even after retirement due to low amount of savings.

Teo said that it is important for young people to invest in something viable such as property rather than indulging themselves. The number of young people who fell into credit card debt or went bankrupt has been increasing.

Property investment may be overwhelming for some people but Teo reckons it is achievable with the right effort.

“You need background knowledge of the properties you are looking at. Timing plays a part but you must also analyse reviews before taking the plunge to buy a property,” he said in a talk titled “Real Estate Investment Strategy For Middle Class” at the recently held StarProperty. my Forum 2017.

During the event, three persons well-versed in the property business were invited to give their insights to help property owners and first-time buyers to grow their portfolio.

Besides Teo, the others were AJC Planning Consultants Sdn Bhd director Mahani Mohd Yasin and Leveragelab Sdn Bhd founder Jeevan Sahadevan.

Mahani spoke on “Sustainable planning increases township values”.

She mentioned that for a township to be much sought after, it has to adhere to certain criteria that attract potential buyers such as the facilities provided.

Mahani also said that although older properties situated closer to city centres would be popular with investors and homebuyers due to accessibility, properties that are on the outskirts of the Klang Valley would be a great investment because of the potential for value appreciation.

“For example, City of Elmina will be connected via the Damansara- Shah Alam Expressway (Dash), which can raise the value of the property on completion,” she said.

Jeevan spoke about protecting the investor’s value in his topic “How does property act as a buffer in your investment portfolio”.

The investment coach underlined the key factors that prospective investors could look into to grow their investment portfolio, including changing their behaviour such as being more diligent in order to improve their business acumen.

He said that understanding the context of the market is key to avoid blindly embarking on property investment.

The forum, sponsored by Sime Darby Property, was held at one of the developer’s latest townships, City of Elmina.

Want to contribute articles to StarProperty.my? Email editor@starproperty.my.

The post EPF and savings alone may not be enough appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

Do you own a house of your own? Do you intend to buy your own home in near future? What do you think are the challenges when it comes to homeownership?

Tell us more by joining the StarProperty.my Buyers’ Sentiment Survey 2017 and stand a chance to win one of the prizes worth over RM7,000.

Some of the amazing gifts are powerbank, USB Flash Drive, Travel Luggage and Samsung P355 Galaxy Tab A 16GB worth RM1399!

Moreover, you are entitled to one-year free subscription of The Star e-paper by completing this survey.

All you need to do is:

1. Click this link bit.ly/spbuyersurvey
2. Complete the questionnaire
3. Wait for the results announcement
4. Claim your mystery gifts

The amazing gifts will be given out in several rounds and winners will be announced after each round on StarProperty.my Facebook page . Like and follow our page to keep up-to-date with the winner announcements.

Terms & Conditions

1. The entry is open to all Malaysians of 18 years old and above.
2. Each individual is entitled to 1 entry.
3. Only the winners will be notified.
4. StarProperty.my may check whether entries are valid and can disqualify any entrant for tampering with the entry process, including submitting an entry that breaches these terms and conditions.
5. The prizes won are not transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
6. All columns must be filled in to gain be qualified for participation. The winners will be informed via email or SMS.
7. In the event of any dispute, StarProperty.my’s decision is final. No further correspondence will be entertained.
8. StarProperty.my reserves the right to extend, cancel or amend this survey at any time.
9. If the winner is unable to collect the prize in person or through authorized individual within 10 working days of notification, StarProperty.my reserves the right to select another winner for the prize.
10. StarProperty.my will be presenting the prize as it is and will not be responsible for any damages on the prizes.

Disclaimer

By submitting this registration form, you hereby agree to provide your consent to StarProperty.my to collect, use and disclose your personal data, as provided in this registration form for the following purposes in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 and our data protection policy

(a) for the processing of this registration application;
(b) for the administration of the registration; and
(c) to send me marketing, advertising and promotional information about products/services by StarProperty.my

Create your own user feedback survey

Want to contribute articles to StarProperty.my? Email editor@starproperty.my.

The post Do a survey to win gifts over RM7,000 appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

By Aisyah Suwardi aisyahs@thestar.com.my

OFTEN we heard about the story of a successful property investor earning a passive income and wouldn’t need to hold a day job.

However, for those that need a 9 to 5 job to support their daily expenses, there are always ways to boost one’s income and strive towards financial empowerments.

At the upcoming StarProperty.my Fair at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre at Nov 11 and 12 (Saturday and Sunday), Mark Chua, an experienced corporate worker and the author of “WHO SAYS You Can’t be Rich Working a 9 to 5 Job?” will be giving a talk titled “7 simple ways to boost your income and property portfolio”.

What are the ways to boost your income?

Chua: There are two types of income, namely earned and passive income. Earned income comes from the monthly salary of your 9 to 5 jobs while passive income is from your investment such as in property or stocks.

Many people have the preconception that passive income is sexy, and would try their best to have it while neglecting their earned income.

I find this to be a problem as I think that the more you earned, the more you can invest and leverage more efficiently. Never underestimate your earned income.

In an ideal world, people would want to quit their job in six days and buy six properties in six minutes. But we all know in reality, it doesn’t work that way.

What I did was, I built a progressive career and channelled my increasing income towards my investment portfolio. That way, I utilised my earned income and gained a passive income. It’s a win-win situation.

What are the features of well-diversified property portfolio?

Chua: The word diversification itself is a misnomer. I like a saying from the American business magnate Warren Buffet that says, “Diversification is only suited to those that do not know what they’re doing.”

Jokes aside, I do not like having ten baskets of wealth which are diluted. I prefer having two or three baskets, being an expert in them and watching them like a hawk.

Do you believe that the current Malaysian economy is conducive for property investment?

Chua: Property investment is a long-term game. For the last 17 years, property prices went up by about 5.4%. Even recently in 2016, when things were deemed “slow”, prices went up by 7%.

I don’t have advice on how to time the market but I would advise on being data-driven.

For example, currently, the average price of a property in KL is about RM570,000. According to Khazanah Research, for property prices to be deemed “affordable”, it should be three times your median income, which is RM279,000.

Unless the country is going through some recessions, I do not see prices falling by 51%. And if that happens, we would have more problems as well, such as slow consumer spending and massive unemployment.

In short, know your target areas and do your research. Afterwards, make your decision based on the data that you have collected. Then buy the property and wait.

Never wait to buy a property. There is no such thing as the perfect timing.

What are the conventional trappings when it comes to property investments?

Chua: People are usually conflicted between deciding whether cash flow or capital appreciation plays are more important.

For me, both are equally valuable. It’s like being asked whether food or water are more important to your survival when we know both are vital.

In today’s market, getting a positive cash flow property of RM500 per month is quite challenging. Even if you have ten units, you will only get RM,5000.

Instead, the appreciation in your properties from RM2mil to RM6mil over ten years will set you free.

Take note, however, that the RM5000 cash flow will require you to have HOLDING POWER over ten years.

Imagine if you were having a negative cash flow of RM20,000. Chances are, you won’t even be able to hold your properties over ten years.

In conclusion, both cash flow and capital appreciation are essential ingredients to the success of your property portfolio.

Time would be your best friend because building wealth takes time and should be boring. Like watching a fungus grow.

What can your audience gain from your sharing?

Chua: I am proud to say that I have a weird and different way of thinking. So during the KLCC Fair, I’ll be sharing on how a progressive income and career can help people to become a better investor. I will also enlighten people on how to get a consistent raise and promotions in their job.

On the property side, I would like to challenge the audiences thought process. I’ll be discussing on whether a location is the most critical concept in real estate, how “boring” properties that appreciate by 2% per year can still earn you money, and how to make your units stand out and be rented out efficiently.

For more information, visit fair.starproperty.my.

Want to contribute articles to StarProperty.my? Email editor@starproperty.my.

The post Leverage your income for financial empowerment appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.

StarProperty.my Buyers’ Sentiment Survey is approaching the end of Round 1.

Do you know that the grand prize of phase 1 is a Samsung Galaxy Tab worth RM1,399?

The tab will be given away at the StarProperty.my Fair which will be held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Nov 11 and 12 (Saturday and Sunday). Respondents can send in their surveys until Nov 11 to be eligible to win the phone.

All you need to do is:

1. Click this link bit.ly/spbuyersurvey
2. Complete the questionnaire
3. Wait for the announcement
4. Claim your winnings

You could also visit the fair to fill in the survey and grab the chance to win the tab.

Some of the other fabulous gifts are power bank, travel luggage and USBs and USB flash drive.

The fantastic gifts will be given out in several rounds and winners will be announced after each round on StarProperty.my Facebook page. Like and follow our page to keep up-to-date with the winner announcements.

Terms & Conditions

1. The entry is open to all Malaysians of 18 years old and above.
2. Each is entitled to 1 entry.
3. Only the winners will be notified.
4. StarProperty.my may check whether entries are valid and can disqualify any entrant for tampering with the entry process, including submitting an entry that breaches these terms and conditions.
5. The prizes won are not transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
6. All columns must be filled in to gain be qualified for participation. The winners will be informed via email or SMS.
7. In the event of any dispute, StarProperty.my’s decision is final. No further correspondence will be entertained.
8. StarProperty.my reserves the right to extend, cancel or amend this survey at any time.
9. If the winner is unable to collect the prize in person or through authorised individual within ten working days of notification, StarProperty.my reserves the right to select another winner for the prize.
10. StarProperty.my will be presenting the prize as it is and will not be responsible for any damages on the prizes.

Disclaimer

By submitting this registration form, you hereby agree to provide your consent to StarProperty.my to collect, use and disclose your personal data, as provided in this registration form for the following purposes in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 and our data protection policy

(a) for the processing of this registration application;

(b) for the administration of the registration; and

(c) to send me marketing, advertising and promotional information about products/services by StarProperty.my

Want to contribute articles to StarProperty.my? Email editor@starproperty.my.

The post SP Survey phase 1 to end with tablet giveaway appeared first on Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal.