I was recently approached to market a new property in Tampoi, Malaysia. Being not very pro-Iskandar, I was hesitant in marketing it to my network. However, after having done some analysis, I concluded that this may be a more interesting project to invest in. Here's why:

1. It is a freehold integrated development with hotel, residential and commercial space in the Iskandar Flagship A region.
2. It has a thematic mall, rare in most places. Think Terminal 21 in Bangkok. Each floor of the mall will be decorated based on themes from different countries such as having a "Venetian Gondola Lagoon"
   and "Safari" etc. This will attract locals and tourists going there not just for shopping but for photo opportunities as well.
3. It is located in the heart of a matured residential estate in Tampoi supported by a stable local community for day-to-day sustenance of the mall.
4. It is less than 20 mins from both the Johor Custom & Immigration Quarantine Complex (CIQ) and the 2nd Link check point and within 45 mins from most local attractions. The mall will attract Singaporeans and stopover tourists from Singapore. 
5. It is conveniently located and accessible by 3 major highways: Skudai Highway, Pasir Gudang Highway and Tebrau Highway.
6. It is 5 mins away from the Larkin Bus Terminal where a heavy traffic of Malaysians who work in Singapore transits. There is also plans to build a new bus interchange just across from this development. Some Malaysian may choose to relocated here if they work in Singapore.
7. Tampoi boast as one of the most lucrative commercial rental return area with up to RM65 psf at Plaza Angsana and KIP Mart Tampoi. 
8. There are several new condo development around the mall like Latitude360 and The Aliff, which means a more dense residential population in the near future.
9. 15% guaranteed rental return over 2 years, 7% in the first year and 8% in the second year.

This development will probably be the next go-to place when it's completed!

Who would have thought of associating Fruit and Nuts with property investments? 

I read an interesting article on a property magazine not too long ago on profiling real estate investors by Scottt O. Tolbot and thought it was an interesting concept to share. Here's a quick digested version:

Fruit aka Fruit Shop
You look for the freshest, ripest, most high-quality foodstuffs and place it up on shelf for customer to see. You are obliged quickly sell it before the fruit rot before your eyes. You cash in and want to buy more property. You are in for healthy short term gain.
Pros: You get almost immediate gratification from your investments or money in your pocket.
Cons: You forgo future capital growth and fail to reap full financial benefits. You don't actually own anything end of the day.

Nut aka Squirrel Investors
You get as many nuts as you can and stash them away. You are a hoarder. Your goal is to accumulate wealth rather than gain wealth. Your strategy is to buy and retain property by not selling. You reap your rewards through re-mortgaging.
Pros: You get to reap full capital growth. You own the property and will likely buy more (without selling) with money from re-mortgaging.
Cons: You'll see paper gain but will not get money in your pocket in the short term. You'll also need holding power to reap full financial benefits.        
 
In my opinion, if your are a squirrel, go for freehold. It will be a legacy for your many future generations. For those that are financially strapped, it is not such a bad idea being a Fruit Shop and move on to be a Squirrel once you have gain enough wealth as your foundation.

Either way, you will gain from your investments. It's matter of how soon and how much.

Back then, you may have thought that you were unlucky to get caught by the ABSD announced in December 2011, now you really have to thank the salesperson who urged you to buy then! 
 
It’s really tough for property buyers and salespersons to keep abreast of policy changes relating to real estate. Just not too long ago, on 11 Jan 2013, the Government announced yet another revision - the ABSD rates. This revision will affect purchases or acquisitions of residential properties on or after 12 Jan 2013. 
 
Here’s a snapshot of the changes.

* The consideration or value has to be rounded up to the nearest $100 before applying the rate.
† ABSD is to be rounded down to the  nearest dollar.

Source: IRAS. You can download the full PDF report on the revised ABSD on IRAS’s website here.