(Real estate investment trust) REIT company are now targeting property investor in the northern region, particularly the high net-worth individuals and “men on the street.” Anther words said “Affordable homes making a comeback”.

From OSK Investment Bank Bhd (equity capital markets) director, Gan Kim Khoon; there were over RM354bil in fixed deposits and savings of individuals in the country waiting for REIT companies to tap. REITS companies looking at various opportunities for Property In Malaysia.

On REITs-Investors Outreach Programme, they telling about hope to channel some of these funds into REITs, which are high yielding and low risk in nature. The REIT companies from Kuala Lumpur that took part in the event included Axis REIT Managers Bhd, AmFirst ARA REIT Managers and AmanahRaya-JMF Asset Management.

Outside Kuala Lumpur, REITs have little exposure from large companies, and participation by individual investors is also small. There were not many players and the challenge was how to attract more REIT players and property investors into the Property Investment Market. Read more »

Who should you speak to when you call your lender for modification loan? If you are having problems making your mortgage payments, the first thing you should do is speak to your lender so that you can work out some sort of agreement. Unfortunately, many borrowers do not follow this rule.

Studies show that at least fifty percent of borrowers who have defaulted on their mortgage loans or missed a payment never even contact their Lender.

Banks are not in the business of property investment or property management. They do not want to “take back” your property! They are more inclined to work out an agreement with you so that they can receive mortgage payments and you can stay in your home, rather than go through the foreclosure process which can be costly and expensive.

Although it seems overwhelming, you must make that first phone call to your mortgage company so you can find out what your options are and what you should do for next. But what department do you speak to? Who do you ask for? The first thing is to understand how Banks and servicing companies work and what department you need to concentrate your efforts on. This will depend on what stage of the default process you are in.
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Property developer SP Setia Bhd’s sales hit RM1.04bil at June 30, well before its financial year ending Oct 31. President and chief executive officer Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin attributed the success to the company’s 5/95 program which gave various incentives to home buyers and really benefits to first time home buyer.

Due to the overwhelming success of the program, SP Setia Home Loan package have extended it for another three months. As per SP Setia management, SP Setia Home Loan package will not extend the package when it ends. The program started Jan 19 and ends July 19.

The home loan package allows a buyer to pay only an initial 5% of the house price. All legal fees and stamp duties on the sales and purchase agreement are borne by the company (property developer). SP Setia would not extend the package when it ended on July 19.

SP Setia will stop launching new products for a couple of months to focus on building more quality homes. The 5/95 program was initiated by SP Setia but had now been adopted by other property developers into property investment market. Read more »

Malaysia has become the preferred listing destination for Sunway City Bhd’s (SunCity) proposed real estate investment trust (REIT) although it is not ruling out other proposals for reverse takeovers in Singapore and Australia.

From SunCity executive director Datuk Jeffrey Ng, the authorities in Malaysia are very proactive and doing their level best to get the more established companies to list in Malaysia. Malaysia is definitely a preferred destination by SunCity but they are looking to other opportunities as well.

Industry sources added that companies also had a more positive view following the revamp of main and second boards into a unified board, further improvement in processes and procedures as well as liberalisation of the 30% bumiputra quota in 27 service sub-sectors.

If something very firm comes up, SunCity will study it in the best interests of shareholders, how to buying investment property can generate profit. One of which is GIC (Government of Singapore Investment Corp). Early last year, SunCity was reported to be more keen on listing in Singapore where the tax regime is more attractive to REIT investors in relation to withholding tax.

However, the global financial crisis, which erupted in the later part of last year, has changed the scenario and investors turned risk averse. In terms of mandate, this represents a fresh opportunity to select possibly new parties that can give the best terms. Under the old mandate, the global investment banks were Goldman Sachs and UBS while the local investment banks were CIMB Investment Bank and RHB Investment Bank. Read more »