Guide to Real Estate in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia Property Market

Malaysia offers a real estate investment opportunity in one of the fastest growing economies in the world. We believe the following factors make Malaysian real estate an exceptional opportunity.

• Malaysia's strong political stability and stable economy encourages a more than favourable climate for investors locally and from overseas. A high literacy rate and widely spoken English makes the country a preferred choice. Its GDP is expected to grow around 6% per annum in 2007.
• The likely appreciation of the Ringgit: The Malaysian currency is the third most undervalued currency in the world and is 51% undervalued relative to the US Dollar, according to the latest "Big Mac Index" published by 'The Economist'. The Ringgit is widely expected to strengthen as government controls are gradually eased.
• Recent abolishment of property gains taxes: Property gains taxes have been abolished from 1st of April 2007.
• Liberal investment rules relative to other emerging markets: Malaysia has amongst the most liberal property-ownership regulations for foreigners in Asia, with the process of liberalisation continuing.
• High development margins: Development margins are strong due to the increasing real estate requirements of a rapidly growing and increasingly-wealthy population.
• Growing competition between banks driving down lending margins: Decreasing lending margins have a favourable impact on real estate valuations Increasing international interest in Malaysian real estate, particularly from the Middle East.
• Malaysia is the only country in South-East Asia which offers both conventional and Islamic financing.