Author: Kat
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How to Check Whether a Housing Project Is Progressing or Has Been Abandoned in Malaysia
Buying an under-construction property comes with certain risks. Unlike a completed property, you are putting your money into something that does not physically exist yet. One of the biggest risks is that the developer may run into financial difficulties, leaving the project delayed or, in the worst-case scenario, abandoned. I have come across friends and…
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3 Common Mistakes to Avoid as a First-Time Property Investor in Malaysia
Growing up in a Chinese family in Malaysia, I would often hear my family members and relatives talking about collecting rent or struggling to find good tenants. During Chinese New Year reunions, I heard both success stories and tales of investment failures. Now that I am a full-time real estate agent and a CFA charterholder…
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How to Get a Home Loan Approved in Malaysia: 4 Tips to Improve Your Chances
Getting loan approval is crucial for real estate investors, especially those who plan to use leverage, as well as for home buyers. Based on my professional and personal experience, here are some tips on how to increase your chances of getting a loan approved in Malaysia! 1. Have a good credit score Your credit…
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Buying My First Investment Property in Malaysia: A Step-by-Step Guide to Subsale Properties
After six months of property hunting, researching, and viewing more than 50 properties, I finally found an investment property that meets all my requirements — including positive cash flow. In this article, I’ll share my journey of buying my first investment property in Malaysia and explain how the subsale property buying process works, from viewing…
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How to Buy Japanese Stocks in Malaysia Using IBKR
After exploring stock markets around the world, I still find Japanese stocks particularly appealing. Many Japanese companies have strong balance sheets, relatively low P/E ratios, and diversified revenue sources across different countries and regions. Another advantage for me is familiarity. Having lived in Japan for several years and being able to speak Japanese, I find…
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I Quit Big Bank to Become a Real Estate Agent in Malaysia: Why I Left Banking
I have made the decision to quit my corporate banking job and switch to real estate. This was one of the hardest decisions I have made throughout my career — even harder than deciding to leave Morgan Stanley in Tokyo and return to Malaysia. Changing careers and moving into a completely different industry takes a…
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【Opening a Stockbroker Account to invest in Malaysian Shares】Direct CDS vs Nominee CDS : Differences, Benefits & Which to Choose
After I came back to Malaysia, the most attractive thing I find, in terms of investing, is that there is no capital gain tax and income tax on dividends. In other words, 0% tax on Malaysian-listed shares (with a cap of RM100K on dividend), while foreign stocks will be taxed on foreign countries level only…
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Public Bank Credit Card: How to Set up Auto Debit Payment?
3. Select the card you want to pay. 4. Fill in the pay amount and payment date. 5. Select frequency of your choice. I would suggest monthly, if you card payment is due every month. 6. Insert No. of Occurences – how many times do you want the recurring transactions to…
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Klang Valley Train Station Ridership: A Useful Tool for Property Buyers
Property developers often highlight a property’s walking distance to a train station as a key selling point. As a result, homes located near MRT, LRT, or KTM stations are typically sold at a premium. However, Malaysia remains a car-dependent country, with the majority of people still relying on private vehicles for their daily commute. Although…
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Stocks at Record Highs, Gold at 6-Month Lows: Is an AI Bubble Forming?
The S&P 500, KOSPI, Nikkei 225, all hit record high last few week, driven by the AI boom. Among major markets, South Korea’s KOSPI has been a standout performer, supported by strong gains in semiconductor stocks that are benefiting from growing AI demand. At the same time, unemployment remains low and inflation stays above…