Clutter
Some people may like the look of trinkets in every corner but often times, a space filled with too many odds and ends leads to a feeling of chaos. A space filled with simply too much stuff, no matter how attractive they may be, can leave a person feeling disorganized and unable to think as clearly. Some people prefer a minimalist look because of this very reason. The clean lines and surfaces leaves them feeling organized, uplifted, and ready to take on their day to the fullest. But not every home has to have a minimalist look to uplift your sprits and help you feel organized. You just need to figure out the amount of furniture and other pieces that feels comfortable for you, and don’t be afraid to edit.

Colors
Psychologists have known for awhile now that different colors have the power to influence our feelings and moods. The science has been well established and even advertisers and product manufacturers use colors to influence consumers. In a home, different colors in paint, furniture, art and other decorative items can illicit certain moods. For instance, blue can help bring on peace, calm, tranquility, and help bring in a sense of cleanliness. For that reason, people may choose to incorporate more blue color into a bathroom, bedroom or living room where a calming, relaxing environment is desired. Red or orange on the other hand are known to help raise energy and is associated with strength and passion. That’s why people choose these colors for their home offices or, sometimes, kitchen. Yellow can brighten up a space and induce feelings of joy and happiness.

Photos and memories
Nothing can improve mood better than happy memories and meaningful keepsakes. That is why an interior design of a home that incorporates personal touches and remind people of happy memories and the people they love can have the power to substantially improve a person’s mood. Meaningful photos should be incorporated into a space using stylish frames. Other important items collected from special vacations or passed down from family members shouldn’t just be on display, but their layout should be well planned and should fit well in the space to prevent the feeling of clutter. Items don’t have to be obvious. For instance, a very small jar of sand from your favorite beach placed in your bathroom can help make your mornings a little bit easier. Incorporating little touches that you love into your space makes your home feel less like a hotel room and more like a personal sanctuary, which is sure to lift your mood no matter what.

By Richard Hubbard | Feb 22, 2010

Meanwhile in the UK, the market has been growing strong with prices still on the rise. However, many property analysts feel that the better investment opportunities for the UK have passed.

In Europe, France and Germany are expected to have a robust year ahead while other European countries continue to suffer from flat markets where investors remain sidelined.

The outlook on Asia
Property sectors in Asia are expected to grow due to its strong economic recovery with China and India leading the pack.

Singapore is upbeat about its economic outlook in 2010, especially with the soon-to-be-opened casinos and the positive equity market sentiment. It is safe to say that Singapore is set to see an increase in property investment activity in 2010.

Back home in Malaysia, the economy was not spared from the global recession. In the first quarter of 2009, our export hit an all-time low of 6.2% (year over year). However, the market improved in the second half of 2009 yet remained relatively weak when compared to other regional markets such as Hong Kong and Singapore.

For 2010, many industrial players feel that Malaysia’s property market will be performing well because:
1. The interest rate is still very attractive despite its tendency to increase in the near future because of the economy’s improving conditions. Furthermore, finance institutions are moving toward risk-based pricing in determining more sustainable interest rates for the industry.
2. Due to the population growth in Malaysia, the demand for residential properties will remain strong for years to come.
3. The removal of the 30% Bumiputra equity quota for companies seeking to list on Bursa Malaysia will encourage more domestic and foreign direct investment, which will further stimulate the property industry.
4. Developers continue to roll out housing projects with innovative designs, higher quality, 10/90 property financing scheme etc.
5. As the economic condition improves and the household income gradually increases, Malaysians will be prepared to commit to more capital spending such as buying houses.
6. As global economy gradually recovers, foreigners are flocking back to Malaysia to buy properties as we have one of the highest quality and cheapest properties to offer in Asia.

Hopefully, with the government playing a more active role in creating employment opportunities and improving the purchasing power of its citizens, 2010 will be a promising year for property investment

There are many valuable investment properties on sale. Some will need a lot of work, time and effort put into it before it yields a profit.

It is dangerous to follow your gut instinct alone when investing in a property. Make sure you do the proper research; especially on the amount of investment (whether monetary or otherwise) you need before you get your desired outcome. Also, do not forget to check the comparable market value to make sure that the property is correctly priced.

It is fundamental that you are clear about what you want out of your real estate endeavours. If you invest some money in your property and subsequently increase its value, you have a choice of selling it for a profit or renting it out. Before you do that, it is important to know what the properties in the neighbourhood are going for, not what was the asking price is in the market.

Investing in residential properties
It is quite common for investors to start investing in a residential property as most of us would have experience with it when buying our own home. If you are more interested in residential real estate, ask yourself whether you are planning to invest in a landed property or a high-rise apartment/condominium?

Investing in landed properties is still popular today due to a variety of reasons. One of the strongest reasons is the attractive capital appreciation of these properties.

Landed properties include link houses, townhouses, semi-detached homes, bungalows, cluster homes and the like. Those who invested when a property was still under construction have made handsome returns upon the property’s completion. Having said that, the vital factor for good property selection i.e. location is still a very important consideration.

Some investors believe that landed residential properties make solid investments because they are usually turned into homes, making the investment less speculative.

As for investing in a residential high rise, most would agree that rental returns from these properties far exceed those of landed properties. Typically, the returns can be two to three times more in comparison.

Residential high rise includes apartments, condominiums and service apartments. A residential high rise is also a preferred choice for expatriates, largely due to the facilities within the development, safety issues and convenience.

As with any investment options, there are advantages and disadvantages. While rental returns may be attractive, one has to take into consideration the maintenance cost as this can increase over time. The management of the building could also be an issue. The better managed the property is, the better the value of your investment.

Apart from that, it is uncommon for residential properties to be rented out without furnishing, whether partially or fully. Thus, you can expect to make an initial investment in furnishings and fixtures before renting your property out.

Going commercial
There are several differences between investing in a commercial and residential property as the rules of the game are different.

If you decide to invest in commercial real estate, you would be looking at shop offices, office suites, industrial properties and so on. These investments have the potential to generate a rewarding profit.

Commercial and industrial properties have units for single use, stand alone or with a single tenant. It could also be for multi use with multi tenants such as within office buildings.

Many experienced investors would prefer commercial over residential properties. There are a number of factors for this but one of the main reasons is the ease in managing the investment.

For commercial properties, a tenant would rent the place pretty much on an “as is where is basis”. It also doesn’t matter if the property is bare as the tenant would usually renovate the place to suit his/her needs.

Another plus point for commercial properties is that the tenant will look after the premise well since it is his/her place of business and he/she needs to impress customers to ensure the success of the business.

Industrial properties
Not many venture into industrial property investment. Some of the reasons include the price (usually more expensive) and the understanding of the movement of industries.

Nonetheless, those who invest in industrial properties have received years of steady rental income as the leases are usually for a much longer period. Leases for more than 10 years are quite common, ensuring a sure return on the investment.

All said, as an investor, it is your responsibility to learn about the options that are made available to you. Discussing your choices with other investors and sharing experiences will help you make a better judgment.

Your decision to invest in residential homes or commercial properties entirely depends on your financial goals. Your goals and that of your friend may be entirely different and this will affect your decisions. Assessing the positives and negatives of each type of real estate will lead to a better decision.

1) Get advisors
The saying “no man is an island” also rings true when it comes to buying property. It is advisable for homebuyers to enlist the help of the real estate agent, banker, lawyer and property inspector. However, before you settle on your team of advisors, make sure that they know their stuff.

Even if you have advisors, you should still do your own research. Do not blindly follow what they say as things could get ugly if you do not know what’s going on. In addition, it is also wise to get referrals and listen to the tips and advice of family and friends.

2) Looks can be deceiving
Don’t make your choice based on appearance alone. You may fall for the house at first sight, but please consider whether the house suits your family’s needs and most importantly, whether it is within budget. To avoid this mistake, make a list of what you want and check it against the potential property.

You should also give yourself time to get to know the neighbourhood. Visit the area at different times of the day and week to see how the environment is like. Check out the local schools (even if you don’t have children) to ensure that the home will get you a solid resale value.

3) Get pre-qualified/approved financing
This step helps you determine your budget. When you get pre-qualified, you’ll have a general idea of how much you can borrow. Once the banker or mortgage officer assesses your buying potential, he will be able to advise you on financing strategies, such as the possibility of joint borrowing or lengthening loan tenures.

Meanwhile, when you are pre-approved, your banker would have already agreed to provide you with a specific sum after verifying your information and credit rating. With such knowledge, you will be better equipped when you are shopping for property.

4) Over borrowing
To borrow more than you need is tempting, but you have to ask yourself whether you can afford to pay it back. It is simple: borrowing more = higher monthly installments – all this, even before considering the cost of improvements such as renovation and furnishings.

To avoid this mistake, analyse your monthly expenses: food, transportation, entertainment, car loan and other commitments. Then budget for the closing costs (typically 2% – 5% of the purchase price), moving costs as well as maintenance. Also, don’t forget that apart from mortgage payments, you’ll have to fork out money for insurance as well. The main idea here is to be able to continue with your lifestyle after making the investment.

5) Put it in writing
Protect yourself by putting your requirements and/or conditions in writing. Written agreements almost always trump verbal ones. It is not unusual for a condition to be missed, even after you’ve made a request to the seller or his agent. For example, if you ask for a toilet or a chipped tile to be repaired, don’t simply take the seller’s word for it. Put it in the purchase contract.

Without a written statement, you could get into an ugly “he said, she said” situation. Remember, once the property is transferred to your name, any problems or issues that arise will now be your responsibility. Don’t let miscommunication or broken promises ruin your home-buying experience and put all commitments – whether big or small – in writing.

6) Read the fine print
Now that you have written agreements, make the effort to review them before you sign on the dotted line. Ask for the documents in advance so you will have time to read them and ask questions, if necessary. Real estate contracts are long and dense but you need to know what you are getting into. Look out for wrong assumptions and poorly-written or missing clauses, as any matter overlooked could lead to higher costs or a void contract.

7) Smart investing
Are you getting a fair offer on the house? To make sure you are not being fleeced, ask your real estate agent to check the selling prices that have been recently fetched by other similar homes in the neighbourhood. The listing should also show how long the house was on the market, its condition as well as size. Do remember that your house value is influenced by the other houses in the neighbourhood . The value of the most expensive house may be weighed down by its cheaper counterparts while a low-end house will benefit from the more posh properties.

House inspection
We don’t mean doing it yourself, but getting a professional for the job. A House Inspector knows what to look out for and will give you advice on the state of the house so that you are made aware of additional expenses, if any.

The House Inspector will inspect the home’s wiring, plumbing and general structure and come up with a report of what needs to be done. This report holds weight as a negotiating tool when asking the seller to make repairs. Make sure that any last-minute items arising from the inspection is in writing and completed before you take ownership of the property. If the seller agrees to make repairs, get your inspector to verify the work that was done.

If you’re buying a house straight from the developer, they will offer you the Defect Liability Period upon Vacant Possession where they will rectify problems, if any, during the handover.

9) Perfection
No location is perfect and no matter how many precautions you take before purchasing a home, there will always be one or two surprises. However, you should not let a few initial bumps ruin your house-buying experience.

Apart from that, don’t overlook a great investment while waiting for the perfect one. The general rule of thumb is to do your homework and when you come across something that really suits you, don’t let it get away.

From the Kelana Jaya station, the line will run towards Subang Jaya and the first local stop will be at the KTM Komuter station. The LRT line will run along Jalan Jengka through Subang Jaya and Persiaran Kewajipan through USJ. After USJ, the line will head towards Putra Heights. An interchange at the final station in Putra Heights allows a connection to the Ampang line with links to Puchong, Kinrara, KL, etc.

The estimated total distance for the new extension is 17km, with 13 stations, including 7 stations located within Subang Jaya/USJ. (All stations will have facilities such as lifts, escalators and other public amenities, including facilities for the physically disabled.)

Work is expected to begin in 2010 and is targeted for completion and commissioning in 2013.
Details of proposed LRT route and station details are now on display for public viewing/comments at:

Venue: Lobby, MPSJ Complex in USJ5, Subang Jaya.

Platform Type:        ISLAND

Park & Ride:                        YES

Station No.5             (Persiaran Jengka @ SS15/SS17)

Platform Type:        ISLAND

Park & Ride:                        NO

Station No.6             (Persiaran Jengka @ SS14/SS18)

Platform Type:        ISLAND

Park & Ride:            NO

Station No.7             (Persiaran Kewajipan @ Goodyear Court 2)

Platform Type:        ISLAND

Park & Ride:            YES

Station No.8             (Persiaran Kewajipan @ Goodyear Court 3)

Platform Type:        SIDE

Park & Ride:            NO

Station No.9             (Persiaran Kewajipan @ Wawasan School)

Platform Type:        SIDE

Park & Ride:            NO

Station No.10           (Persiaran Kewajipan @ USJ21)

Platform Type:        SIDE

Park & Ride:            YES

NIECON Development aims to sell about a fifth of its A$850 million (RM2.4 billion) luxury twin-tower apartment project in Australia’s Gold Coast, dubbed “The Oracle”, to Malaysian investors.

The 515-apartment project, located on Broadbeach, Gold Coast, is 83 per cent sold with prices averaging A$1.4 million per unit (RM4.11 million).

The bulk of the buyers are Australians and the rest from Malaysia, Singapore, China, Russia and the UK.

Chief executive officer of Jalin Realty International Pte Ltd, the exclusive marketing agent for Niecon in Malaysia, Ian T.K. Chen, said although the apartments are expensive and the market is soft, the units were sold in six months from its launch.

The Oracle is one of the most prestigious projects in Australia and interest is strong as it is close to Jupiter’s casino and the Gold Coast Convention Centre.

Launched in early 2008, it features 510 units of 1-3 bedroom apartments ranging from 850 sq ft to 3,000 sq ft, worth A$690,000 to A$3 million (RM2.2 million to RM8.8 million).

The two duplexes are worth up to A$5 million (RM14.7 million) each, and three penthouses for over A$9 million (RM26.46 million) apiece.

Chen said one penthouse was recently sold for A$9.6 million (RM28.22 million), smashing the Gold Coast record for highest penthouse value transacted.

“Australians are relatively wealthy and people are buying into The Oracle because it is an iconic building with beach frontage,” Chen said in an interview in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

The Oracle is being developed on 8,000 sq m of offices and 4,500 sq m of retail space, making its appeal more attractive to buyers. The whole development, which will be completed by end-2010, is worth A$1 billion (RM2.94 billion).

Chen added that Gold Coast is the fastest growing regional city in Australia currently.

He said since The Oracle was launched, the value of the apartments have appreciated by 10 per cent and he expects the trend to continue year-on-year, as it has for other properties in the region.

“We aim to sell the remaining 77 units of the 1-3-bedroom apartments to high networth individuals in Malaysia within the next three months. We have a long list of potential buyers,” Chen said.

The units will be launched tomorrow at Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Malaysia ranked 10th in terms of top investors in Queensland in 2008.

“Malaysians spent A$22 million (RM64.68 million) to buy residential properties, a bulk of which are in Gold Coast. So we are confident of sales here,” Chen said

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Market returns for million-dollar mansions

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Where to now for first-time buyers?

NOW some of the grants have been scaled back and mortgage interest rates are on the way up again, what is the future for first-home buyers?

Identity thieves take out mortgages

THERE is an increase in houses being mortgaged without their owners’ knowledge, police say.

“The state government recently decided to increase the density to 280,000 sq ft in built-up area from 90,000 sq ft per 100,000 sq ft of land.The decision to increase density will allow developers to build more, hence giving consumers more choices.

“It will also help arrest the escalation of property prices over the next few years,” he said at a company briefing for the media, analysts and bankers.

On the group’s projects on the island, Khor said Hunza would finalise the design plans for a “green” apartment building project on a 4ha site soon.

The apartments would have built-up areas ranging between 1,300 and 1,800 sq ft

The project was expected to contribute strongly to the bottom line of the group for the financial years ending 2011 and 2012, Khor said.

On the Gurney Paragon project, Khor said the designs and plans for the shopping mall had been finalised and submitted to the relevant authorities for approval.

“We hope to start work by early 2010,” he said.

The seven-storey shopping mall will have a gross built-up area of 1 million sq ft, of which 650,000 to 700,000 sq ft would be lettable.

On the property market in Penang, Khor said property was currently in short supply.

“The shortage of supply is mainly due to a slowdown by developers. Not many new housing projects have started in the past one year.

“Furthermore, work on projects in the state has to stop at 6pm, which will delay the delivery of units, resulting in lower supply and the increase of property prices,” he said, adding that the local authorities needed to speed up approvals for new housing projects to meet market demand.

For the fiscal year ended June 30 (FY09), the group posted RM27.6mil net profit on revenue of RM91.8mil compared with RM48.4mil and RM245mil respectively in FY08.