The country's overhang situation as a whole is getting better, but the numbers are still very high

 By Sharen Kaur - September 15, 2022 

Malaysia's overall overhang situation is improving, but the statistics are still very high. Developers are advised to construct homes that are both in demand and affordable to homebuyers. Photo/Sharen Kaur

sharen@nst.com.my

The country's overall overhang situation improved in the first half of 2022 (1H2022), with a drop of 7.5 per cent to 34,092 units from 2H2021 in terms of volume and a drop of 4.6 per cent to RM21.73 billion in terms of value, according to the National Property Information Centre's (Napic) semi-annual report.

Napic said the overhang situation for serviced apartments has improved with more than 22,000 units worth RM19.32 billion registered in 1H2022, a 6.7 per cent decrease in numbers compared to the second half of last year.

Roughly 89 per cent of the entire overhang was made up of units priced RM500,000 and above.

According to Napic data, Johor has the largest overhang in the nation at 68 per cent (15,423 units), followed by Kuala Lumpur at 18.9 per cent (4,279 units) and Selangor at 9.9 per cent (2,248 units). Penang came in second with more than 5,000 units valued at RM3.64 billion.

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To minimise mismatch and control the overhang situation in the near future, Datuk Indera Mohd Shahar Abdullah, the deputy finance minister, urged property developers and authorities to pay attention to the overhang data and ensure that houses built were in line with buyers' demand and affordability.

To ensure that the choices made are the right ones and do not contribute to the overhang stock in the future, he also advised stakeholders in the property sector to consult Napic's Unsold Property Enquiry System Malaysia portal before planning new developments and carrying out a comprehensive feasibility study.

Meanwhile, as of the end of June 2022, there were over 24 million square metres of purpose-built office space available countrywide, with an occupancy rate of 77.7 per cent - down from 78.5 per cent the previous year.

Mohd Shahar said the supply situation for purpose-built offices and shopping centres is increasingly challenging.

He advised building owners to consider more cost-effective use choices so that the utilisation of space may be maximised to present a more favourable picture of the country's investment potential, particularly during the era of economic recovery.

The Napic data showed that the performance of shopping centres weakened in 1H2022, with the national occupancy rate falling slightly to 75.7 per cent from 76.37 per cent in 2H2021.

Overall, the local real estate market had over 188,000 transactions totaling RM84 billion in 1H 2022.

According to Mohd Shahar, both the number and value of transactions recorded in the first half grew by more than 30 per cent as compared to the same period the previous year.

He said transaction activities and value increased across the board for all property subsectors, including residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and development land.

Roughly 116,178 transactions totaling RM45.62 billion were registered in the residential subsector. This represented year-over-year growth of 32.2 per cent in value and 26.3 per cent in transaction volume.

Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, and Selangor accounted for 47 per cent of the overall transactions.

Johor also saw the newest residential launches, accounting for nearly 23.8 per cent of all units nationally, or 2,509 units, with a performance rate of sales of 31.8 per cent. Johor was followed by Sabah (1,335 units, or 12.7 per cent share, with 10.6 per cent sales rate), and Perak (1,317 units, or 12.5 per cent share, with 19.4 per cent sales rate).

Terrace houses dominated the new debuts, accounting for 68.2 per cent of the total with a 22 per cent sales rate.

Homebuyers are prioritising location first because of the recent flooding and landslides

 By Kathy B. - September 12, 2022 

Picture for illustration purpose only. Pixabay/Photo

Potential homebuyers are concerned about how flash floods and landslides may affect houses in the long run, according to the findings of PropertyGuru Malaysia's latest Consumer Sentiment Study for H2 2022 (CSS H2 2022).

Nearly 92 per cent of the 801 respondents said floods were their major concern, while 83 per cent were worried about landslides.

With environmental consciousness on the rise, buyers are increasingly looking to sustainable homes and features as major factors when choosing a home, said Sheldon Fernandez, country manager, Malaysia (PropertyGuru.com.my and iProperty.com.my)

Respondents also mentioned that solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and food waste composting are key characteristics to have in the future, and that one-third of respondents in the higher income group are willing to pay more for a property with electric vehicle charging stations.

"While the location has always been one of the key considerations for home seekers in Malaysia, we will now see more people increasingly prioritise this due to the flooding events in the past year. The higher awareness of eco-friendly facilities and features is likely linked to ongoing climate change issues as well. Consumers are now more conscious of current issues and are now making eco-friendly decisions in hopes of making a change.

"With many losing or their homes damaged in the past year, it is evident that these natural disasters have made a lasting impact, as in the CSS H2 2022, 66 per cent of the respondents said they are willing to pay a higher insurance premium on their property for climate change effects as nobody foresees their home being struck by a flood or any natural disaster," he said.

An online questionnaire was used to poll the respondents on the property and property-related topics. The respondents are white-collar professionals, blue-collar workers, and businessmen, with respondents in the mid to high-income segment (68 per cent), and in the low-income segment (25 per cent).

Technology will continue to play a major role in the property market

According to the last Consumer Sentiment Study in H1 2022, two-thirds of Malaysians would be comfortable shortlisting and viewing properties online, while one-fourth would be comfortable signing deals online.

This indicates that consumers have become more tech-savvy as a result of the pandemic's reliance on digital transactions, according to Fernandez.

He said that this tendency is continuing in the most recent CSS H2 2022 poll, as more than half of respondents believe that upcoming technologies such as artificial intelligence, property aggregation platforms, and digital housing societies will be beneficial in their homeownership journey.

This suggests that technology will continue to play a significant role in the property market, and the desire for digital access to property-related decisions will most certainly continue in the coming years, he said.

Fernandez believes that potential homebuyers are beginning to contemplate acquiring property in the metaverse and that this trend is likely to continue because customers have acclimated to digital solutions and platforms more than ever in the last two years.

"We are interested to see how emerging technologies will change and evolve in the industry in the coming years," he said.

Wait-and-see

With the continued recession, inflation, price increases, and an increase in the overnight policy rate (OPR), prospective homeowners are projected to maintain their wait-and-see attitude.

This, according to Fernandez, is to be expected until the total cost of living has stabilised.

"With the Budget 2023 announcement coming up soon, we are hopeful that there will be allocations that can help spur the property market and aid those that are planning to embark on their homeownership journey," he said.

According to the survey, more than 69 per cent of those polled intend to purchase a home if the Home Ownership Campaign is reinstated.

The poll also discovered that potential homebuyers face affordability challenges during their home-buying journey, with 51 per cent of respondents realising that they are ineligible for government affordable housing programmes and are unable to purchase property without financial aid.

Fernandez said that with the OPR increase, on top of the consumer price index climbing to a year-on-year high of 4.4 per cent, potential homeowners may continue to encounter affordability challenges amid concerns about the prolonged global recession and inflation rates.

"About half of the respondents surveyed stated that they do not qualify for government housing schemes and may not be able to afford to purchase a property without assistance," he said.

According to the report, 73 per cent of respondents understand the eligibility requirements for affordable housing, indicating that potential homebuyers will continue to explore alternative government housing initiatives to assist their homeownership journeys.

Mah Sing sells land in Penang to raise money for growth

 By Sharen Kaur - Published in NST Property, September 13, 2022 

sharen@nst.com.my

Mah Sing Group Bhd, one of the biggest property development companies in Malaysia by asset size, intends to use the money raised from the sale of an undeveloped plot of land in Penang to buy more land in the future.

Its wholly owned subsidiary Klassik Tropika Development Sdn Bhd is selling a parcel of land measuring 13,695 square metres in Georgetown's Pykett Avenue off Jalan Burma to Morningjoy Sdn Bhd for RM66.33 million in cash.

Mah Sing said in a stock exchange filing that Klassik Tropika bought the land in 2009 for planned high-end condominium construction.

The land is now unencumbered save for being mostly flat and unoccupied. The land's net book value as of June 30, 2022, is RM61.85 million.

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After deducting all anticipated costs associated with the exercise, Mah Sing anticipates recording a gain of RM1.8 million following the conclusion of the sale in the fourth quarter of this year.

Mah Sing said the disposal of the land is in line with the group's strategy to focus more on its "M-Series" type of residential land for the development of affordable properties that are in line with current market demand.

"Disposal of the land and replacement with M-Series lands with faster turnaround time will help optimise the efficiency of the group's landbank. The proceeds unlocked from monetising the undeveloped land will free up cash for utilisation by the group for future land acquisitions.

"As the loan facility for the land has been fully settled, the proceeds from the disposal are expected to enhance the cash and bank position of the group," it said.

KPJ to sell vacant land in Australia to a unit of Johor Land for AU$6.5mil

 By Sharen Kaur - Published in NST Property, September 14, 2022 

sharen@nst.com.my

KPJ Healthcare Bhd is selling two plots of unoccupied freehold development land with a total area of 10.94 hectares for AU$6.5 million in Queensland, Australia.

Its subsidiary Jeta Gardens (QLD) Pty Ltd and JLand Australia Pty Ltd entered into a commercial land and buildings (CCLB) contract for the intended sale of the sites as mentioned above on Sept 12.

KPJ said in a filing with the stock exchange yesterday that the parties reached a "willing buyer-willing seller" agreement on the selling price.

It said that Jeta Gardens had commissioned an independent professional valuation on the said lands, which were valued at AU$6.5 million.

Kumpulan Perubatan (Johor) Sdn Bhd, a fully-owned subsidiary of KPJ, owns 57 per cent of Jeta Gardens, which runs elderly care facilities and a retirement village in Bethania, Queensland.

Johor Land Berhad, a unit of Johor Corporation, is the sole owner of JLand Australia.

The filing showed that the directors of KPJ, Khairuddin Jaflus, Rozaini Mohd Sani, and Shamsul Anuar Abd Majid, are also directors of Johor Land.

According to KPJ's statement with the stock exchange, the proposed disposal will allow the group to dispose of its non-core assets as part of carrying out its transformation plan and cost optimisation.

KPJ's president and managing director, Datuk Mohd Shukrie Mohd Salleh, announced in July this year that the group would be selling its operations in Australia and Indonesia during the next 12 to 24 months as part of its rationalisation strategy to promote growth post-Covid-19.

The private healthcare group operates six businesses abroad, including two hospitals in Indonesia, the aged care facilities and the retirement village, and the loss-making Jeta Gardens.

Additionally, KPJ has operations in Thailand and Bangladesh.

Regarding the sale of Jeta Gardens, it was reported in 2018 that KPJ was in discussions with an Australian entity operating in a related industry.

According to Mohd Shukrie, the KPJ board had authorised measures to streamline its overseas activity, which included selling Jeta Gardens and two of its hospitals in Indonesia.

Kerjaya Prospek Property gets RM100mil in green financing from AmBank for a hotel in the Old Klang Road area

 By NST Property - September 8, 2022

A rendering of Bloomsvale with the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel. Image from bloomsvale.com.my

Kerjaya Prospek Property has secured an RM100 million green financing arrangement with AMMB Holdings Bhd (AmBank) to develop the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Bloomsvale, a mixed-use project along Old Klang Road.

Bloomsvale sits on 5.2 acres of freehold land and includes the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, two blocks of serviced apartments, office suites, and a shopping mall. It has a gross development value (GDV) of RM1.2 billion.

The first component of Bloomsvale, a service apartment block, was launched in 2019.

GreenRE will award the project a platinum certification for its residential area and a gold rating for its commercial structures.

The Courtyard by Marriott Hotel is a collaboration between the developer and Luxury Hotels International Management, a subsidiary of Marriott International. This 4-star hotel will have a total of 276 rooms.

Datin Toh Siew Chuon, executive chairman of Kerjaya Prospek Property, said that this green loan demonstrates the company's commitment to incorporate more sustainable projects in its portfolio and to be more responsible in its development and construction.

"We are optimistic about embracing green initiatives and we will be launching more green developments in the near future," she said yesterday after signing the facility agreement with AmBank.

There is increasing demand for green finance this year, says AmBank group chief executive officer Datuk Sulaiman Mohd Tahir. NSTP/File Photo

AmBank group chief executive officer Datuk Sulaiman Mohd Tahir said, there is increasing demand for green finance this year.

He said that AmBank has obtained around RM400 million in green finance loans in the first quarter of its fiscal year 2023 (FY2023).

Last year, the bank disbursed over RM3.7 billion in loans through green financing solutions, one of which is to push green construction.

Sulaiman said AmBank supports this green financing because this is what the group's customers expect. 

"As an entity that provides loans, we want to make sure that businesses are a part of our initiatives, to reduce Co2 emissions and that there is a measure to it," he told reporters.

Sulaiman said that the bank is happy with Kerjaya Prospek Property's achievement in adopting environmentally friendly decisions for Bloomsvale.

He said that this project is in keeping with AmBank's efforts to strengthen and optimise its financing facilities in order to provide a better experience for clients as part of the group's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) sustainability drive.

"We are pleased to support Kerjaya Prospek Property in the green endeavours and we look forward to the endless possibilities that this partnership might bring in the future," added Sulaiman.

The Linc KL now has new retailers

 By Sharen Kaur - Published in NST Property, September 9, 2022 

SOULed Out Ampang @ The LINC KL opened in May this year

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The LINC KL, a nature-inspired mall on the corner of Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Ampang in Kuala Lumpur that opened its doors in November 2018, is extending its retail offerings.

The mall will welcome Ascen Pharmacy, which is expected to open before the end of the year on Level 1.

Huckleberry Café, a well-known food and beverage establishment, is set to debut on the ground level in the first quarter of next year. This neighbourhood artisan bakery and café will offer fresh pastries, bread, rustic cakes, and various tasty cuisine and drinks.

In the following months, Beard Bear Barbershop will also open its doors to shoppers on Level 2.

"Despite the challenges of the last two years, we are optimistic that The LINC KL will continue to thrive and carve its path as a unique lifestyle community hub," said Low Eng Hooi, chief executive officer of PPB Properties.

The LINC KL is managed by PPB Properties, the property subsidiary of PPB Group Bhd.

The mall has recently attracted several new tenants, including SOULed Out Ampang. Since its opening in May 2022, this popular restaurant has experienced a steady stream of customers, making it one of the area's newest hotspots.

The mall is intended to provide visitors with a more well-rounded shopping experience with the current batch of intriguing new tenants. This adds to the mall's unique tenant mix, with over 40 per cent more local F&B choices and a 7.2 per cent rise in health and beauty offerings.

The two-story mall has a net lettable area of 133,085 square feet and was designed to retain seven enormous pre-existing trees on the 3.67-acre site.

The LINC KL has a current occupancy rate of 96.2 per cent, Hooi said.

Lagenda aims to dispel the myth that houses in Selangor are out of reach for the average person

 By Sharen Kaur - Published in NST Property, September 9, 2022 

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Lagenda Properties Bhd seeks to dispel the impression that landed properties in Selangor are out of reach for the general people with its latest development in Bernam Jaya, says its managing director, Datuk Jimmy Doh.

The company will develop a 77.3ha tract of development land in Bernam Jaya, after winning a competitive selection process carried out by Kumpulan Hartanah Selangor Bhd (KHSB).

It intends to construct roughly 2,300 units of single-storey terraced houses and semi-detached homes costing below RM250,000, Doh told NST Property when contacted.

The estimated gross development value is about RM550 million.

"Conscious of the urgent need for more affordable homes within Selangor, given its high population, we intend to provide landed homes that are not only affordable but also a part of a sustainable and well-planned township," Doh said.

In a statement recently, Lagenda said that its wholly-owned unit, Blossom Eastland Sdn Bhd, has formed a partnership with KHSB, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Selangor government, to develop the land in the Bernam Jaya township.

This is the company's first venture into Selangor, adding to its foothold in Perak, Kedah, Johor, and Pahang.

According to Doh, Lagenda picked Selangor because of the state's vast population and lack of affordable housing.

"We believe that once people have the security of owning their home, it enables them to alleviate home ownership concerns and plan their future with more confidence and optimism," he said.

The property is around 75 kilometres from the city centre of Kuala Lumpur and is easily accessible via the North-South Expressway.

It is expected to promote the northern corridor's socioeconomic progress.

Doh hoped to begin development in stages in the fourth quarter of next year.

"As we continue to roll out more affordable townships nationwide, we believe that the partnership is a crucial step towards cementing its reputation of being at the forefront of affordable housing.

"We genuinely care about making a difference, changing lives for the better, and enabling Malaysians to realise their home ownership dreams. Our continued growth through established partnerships with like-minded organisations enables us to provide everyone with an opportunity to own their own home," he said.