As Malaysia becomes more and more urbanised, stratified or strata properties are becoming increasingly commonplace, and with this progress, comes the need to ensure a harmonious way of living within such shared spaces. Lawyer, Raymond Mah, the managing partner of MahWengKwai & Associates, talk to us about what the Strata Management Act 2013 entails and tackles a listener's query as well.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this day and age, when everything we need is online, some may question whether we actually need a property agent to buy a house. We will be speaking with Tan Kian Aun, President of the Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents, about the relevance of property agents, their responsibilities in today’s house-buying process, and how their roles have evolved over time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the last 167 years, since Kuala Lumpur was founded by a group of tin miners, this muddy confluence has grown into a city of modern skyscrapers, many of which are at least 60 years' old. This means many need to undergo refurbishment, upgrading and modernising. Ar Dato Zulkhairi Md Zain, a director at Multi-Spex Architects and a council member at Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM) and Teoh Tze Ping, Managing Director of lift-makers, KONE Malaysia, talk about the complexities of these...

Goal 11 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) states that cities and human settlements should be made inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said in September that our country excels beyond the global average in achieving the UN’s SDGs. So how is Malaysia progressing on SDG 11? For some thoughts, Natalie Tan will be speaking with Dr. Keith Tan, Associate Professor at the School of Architecture, Building & Design in the...

Budget 2025 turned out to be Malaysia’s largest ever budget at RM421 billion and was focused on revitalising the economy, catalysing transformative change and improving the overall well-being of the people. Sulaiman Akhmady Saheh from property consultants Rahim & Co International helps us unpack what was unveiled and while there weren't many specifics incentives for the real estate sector, some trickle down effect can be expected going forward.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces....

The Malaysia My Second Home Programme has undergone several changes since its introduction in 2002, the latest of which is making it a condition that successful applicants must also purchase a residential property of a certain minimum value. Anthony Liew, president of the MM2H Consultants’ Association shares his insights into this industry for an idea of its demand and challenges faced by applicants. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is ranked top 3 amongst Asian countries for outbound cross-border property investment in the UK, where some factors supporting this trend continue to be significant including our colonial history and the fact that many seeking overseas education tend to look at Britain. Virata Gamany, the Executive Director of CSI Prop International Properties, a property consultant specialised in UK properties has some tips.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Now that the third quarter of 2024 has ended, it is time to take stock of the performance of Malaysia's property sector and to look forward to what the remaining three months of the year has in store. Siva Shanker, CEO of Estate Agency at property consultants, Rahim & Co International, shares his insights as the ringgit stages a rally, the interest rate outlook loos more dovish and with Budget 2025 set to be tabled soon. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Architects are responsible for the overall design and looks of houses, buildings, and other structures. They must ensure that the final product is both attractive and functional. Edric Choo, a Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia council member and the founder of O2 Design Atelier CHOO Poo Liang Architect, shares his experience in getting to where he is today, hoping to inspire the next generation. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Residents' associations have become an important facet of life as we live in communities in which we want to have more say in issues like safety, security as well as sustainability. KLRA+SD's chairperson, Tan Booi Charn, and one of its exco members, Sam Lau, share their experience in setting up an RA as well as their role in ensuring the sustainability of developments in Kuala Lumpur. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has a home ownership rate of 72.5%. Compare this with the US, the UK and Australia which have a rate ranging between 66% and 68%. Dr Suraya Ismail, the director of research at Khazanah Research Institute, delves into this issue along with insights contained in its lates report, "The Financialization of our Lives: Values and Trade-Offs", as well as why a build-then-sell concept for new housing developments might be a better option for Malaysia. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See...

The Board of Valuers, Appraisers, Estate Agents, and Property Managers (BOVAEP), Malaysia’s regulatory body for the real estate sector, periodically warns the public to be aware of scams ranging from unregistered estate agents to people impersonating registered agents. Tan Kian Aun, the president of the Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents and a former board member of BOVAEP shares his experiences in such cases, including tips on how NOT to get duped. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See...

The Housing & Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming plans to table the Urban Renewal Act in Parliament next year with the aim to restore the vibrancy and attractiveness of old areas, provide affordable living spaces, enhance public facilities and revitalise architecture. Adriana Abu, the legal advisor at the National House Buyers' Association, shares her thoughts on how this new piece of legislation might impact existing homeowners. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See...

If you feel you have a good eye for designs and a talent to be able to create beautiful and functional indoor spaces by drawing on architectural training, you might want to consider a career in interior design. Ooi Boon Seong, president of the Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers shares some insights into how to embark on that career path. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sustainability is increasingly becoming a buzzword as awareness about how our climate is changing grows along with the increasing cost of utility bills. PropertyGuru says the real estate sector is responsible for about 40% of global CO2 emissions, and it has a significant role to play in climate action. Kenneth Soh, Country Manager - Malaysia for PropertyGuru and iProperty, shares the company's initiatives to become more sustainable along with tips we as homeowners can employ to do our...

There has been an increasing number of cases where homeowners hoping to renovate their properties end up getting scammed because they had fallen for the allure of pretty online advertisements. Teresa Kok, the MP for Seputeh, recounts some of these complaints from amongst her constituents, while Ooi Boon Seong, the president of the Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers, shares some tips on how we can be more vigilant. Image Credit: House Construction Site Concept / freepik.com See...

The Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents is 50 years' old this year and has a new president at its helm. Tan Kian Aun talks to us about MIEA's history, its achievements and the challenges its members and indeed, the real estate agency sector faces in this age of technology. Image Credit: Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents Facebook page See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you are a school leaver or just simply thinking of a change in career at whatever stage in your life, becoming a real estate agent or a real estate negotiator might be a career path worth considering, if you have the right stuff. Chan Ai Cheng, the former president of the Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents, as well as the principal at SKB Real Estate, and also consulting for Reapfield Properties, shares her tips on how to get started and how to be successful - spoiler alert: the key is...

Malaysia's international green building benchmark, the Green Building Index, is 15 years' old this year and was the brainchild of Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia and the Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia. Dr Tan Loke Mun, a former president of the Malaysian Institute of Architects, played an important role in introducing the GBI, and he joins us to talk about its genesis, its evolution and where it is headed next. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

A termite infestation in your home is one of the worst things to happen and every home is at risk of it because these tiny insects, can find food wherever there is wood or wood-based products - think discarded cardboard boxes, old books, even banknotes. To understand these creatures better and what we can do to address this problem we speak to entomologist Lim Say Piau and Regine Lim, the president of the Malaysia Pest Management Association. Image Credit: macrovector / freepik.com See...

Global professional services company Turner & Townsend recently released its report on Malaysia's construction sector. It projects this country's construction tender prices to grow by 3% this year, compared to 2023. Leo Leow, Turner & Townsend's Malaysia director, helps us dissect what this means.Image Credit: freestockcenter / Freepik.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buying your first home is simultaneously exciting and intimidating because this is very likely going to be the biggest purchase you will ever make, with very real tangible commitments that will last you your whole lifetime. Linnet Lee, the Director at Resolute Planning, and the former CEO of the Financial Planning Association of Malaysia, shares her advice along with some very beneficial personal experiences. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to a report by the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, hotels need to reduce their absolute carbon emissions by 66% by 2030, and 90% by 2050 to ensure industry growth doesn’t lead to higher emissions. How are large hotel players like Club Med making their buildings and property operations green? We find out from Rachael Harding, CEO for East and South Asia & Pacific and Gregory Lanter, Chief Development and Construction Officer of Club Med. Image Credit: LiTsai /...

Many homeowners today are considering opting for a rooftop solar energy generating system as a way to reduce their electricity bill. And with so many options to choose from plus the fact that there are incentives from the government to encourage renewable energy use, how do we navigate this. Davis Chong, the president of the Malaysian Photovoltaic Industry Association shares his tips from a service provider's perspective, while Kim Lim is a homeowner who has already done so since 2021, shares...

Real estate technology company Juwai-IQI recently released their first quarter residential sales market report for Malaysia, which compiles data of actual transactions. Its group CEO and co-founder Kashif Ansari helps us dissect the information derived from the reports findings and the expectation for what the rest of 2024 might bring for Malaysia's real estate market.Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.