Living in JB

[contra]

Oh the sales guy from Puteri Harbour gave me the wrong info. He said that Danga Island is 99 years.

Anyway it's not surprising to me as I myself would prefer Puteri Harbour to Danga Island. Don't forget that Puteri Harbour has a future CIQ, indoor theme park, Kota Iskandar and Medini(Nusjaya's CBD) just nearby. The feel of the whole surrounding is simply 'brand new city'! But with the opening of Coastal Highway, I believe interest will slowly increase for Danga Island too.

Is Puteri Harbour really freehold? (Medini next door is 99 yrs leasehold).....owner of both same > UEM Land.

 

[contra]

MAS stance is always there. US and Europe is also import a lot from china. Why then do they want their currency to weaken against the yuan? Currency strength is determine by economic growth and government maturity to match global inflation.

Economic growth. If a country A grow faster than country B, naturally the currency of the country A should strengthen over time. Developing country are usually self sufficient at initial stage of growth. As growth pick up, they will need to import talents and technology where it is more costly than exporting low value added electronics and farm products. At one point Malaysia may not have enough resource for themselves. One good example is oil.

Government maturity on global inflation. If every government in the world allow their property to go up 100% in the next 10 years. And our govt allow the prices to stay put. Our people will be happy but (Assuming currency is stable) we will be poorer relative to the world. You need a strong government to implement such unfriendly policies. Weak govt have to make her people happy and as a result make the whole country poorer. Price growth and Appreciating currency is needed to attract investment. If not, nobody will invest in your country if they know their investment is depreciate every year.

In my previous post, I also mention that weak currency only protect inefficient exporters. To up the technology curve, Malaysia need to gradually appreciate its currency to have a balance between not damaging export and gradually making its companies more efficient.

Singapore export almost 70% of global oil rigs and the subsequent repair and maintenance works. But out currency strength against most currencies. Why? Bottom line of competition is still value added and not pricing.
Hope this will give you some in depth thoughts.....

Just sharing what I have learnt from the many people I met.

Cheers,
PH

Hi PH & Investor,

I will share my opinion ; please do not bank on currency appreciation to make a positive return. The Ringgit will never catch up with the SGD unless the two countries merge - wont happen in our lifetime.. Why the Ringgit is weaker is that Malaysia is running a Budget deficit of around 6% of GDP while Singapore has been on much healthier surplus for a much longer time. This is the main driver of fx rates.

Above all else, foreign investors prefer stable currency. Malaysia is blessed with good natural resources to sustain the Ringgit's strength while Singapore is blessed with a good system (from an objective economic point of view, that is). You would have noticed of late both have strengthened against the USD in tandem. 2.4 levels no matter how the USD fluctuated.

So what is positive for investors in Nusajaya then?

1) I will say the relative appreciation of property prices bw Singapore & JB. We can say JB started from its lowest around 3 years ago. It is a laggard vs other parts of Malaysia because of the now-irrelevant political situation that had prevailed for the last dozen years. Interestingly the recent acceleration of JB prop prices has been mirrored by the number of posts in this forum, particularly this year when serious love-making started to happen with the political situation. This appreciation has much more leg to run up, to be sure. (More so than Singapore which is already challenging its own highest). JB is just getting started. But as a word of caution, it is not clear the situation with rental yields as I am trying hard to imagine other than Americans & Students, who else would want to rent in Nusajaya for now? Capital appreciation-wise, I have no doubt.*

2) Property is a hedge against inflation and Malaysia's inflation rate is higher than SIngapore's. Thus prop prices in JB will appreciate faster.


3) Peter Lim (Mr Wilmar, Thomson, MU & McLaren) himself just announced last week his multi-million investment into JB.

4) The MRT to JB and the bullet train to KL - linking KL-JB-Singapore. much like the megapolis of the Pearl River Delta in China.

5) Singaporeans will always compare a HDB vs a freehold beautiful house in JB. This will help maintain the JB prices.

6) I have not yet even mentioned Legoland, Premium outlet, Medini, SILC, Healthcare, Pinewoods, EduCity etc

*We have to take a long term horizon. I read in an early working paper of Iskandar by the authorities themselves & experts to take a view of like 5 to 10 years. Medini will drive Nusajaya. Of course we are enjoying the appreciation now based on expectations. Also as Singaporeans and Malaysians (working in Singapore) age, they would want to live in a relaxing place like JB where the money goes further and have more healthcare facilities).

Is good to share opinions and honestly. Naysayers and proponents both have contributions.

 

[contra]

Weird thing happened yesterday, mum came to visit and gave me something to keep at home. Apparently she went to a medium recently as she heard from my wife that things were not going well for me. We had to send our helper away as she was always complaining and comparing, even though we gave her tv, etc she still wasn't happy. We had to send her away.

Then my wife's health isn't so good so have been assisting her, worse time especially when her helper is gone. My own work isn't going so well, even working 72 hours straight last week ended up in a bad state.

Some quarrels between relatives were also pretty taxing although i try to be neutral as much as i can, helping whenever i could in between with some advice and 2 cents about their renovation and furniture choices. All are dear to me.
<Shortened version>

I won't even go into details about how a silly contractor i recommended to relatives just doubled his fee when quoting them. I asked my neighbour who recommended him to us, seems like some may have offended him with some unmeant remarks and that sparked it off for him. Just like one that i recommended to Meng asked me within earshot of him, will they steal my parts or tyres? In the end, he still gave them a discount on my account but i really felt bad and bought him a drink.

One thing is for sure, i will just continue to do what i can for my relatives but my candle is really burning out fast.

Now, going back to the conversation with my mum, apparently seems like the medium knew what i have been doing especially in Johore as well and said some pretty embarrasingly kind words and told my mum i will be blessed for what i am doing. I was gladdened by their words but will continue what i am doing, thankless job or not.

To bros who are continually discouraged when doing a good deed even when people suspect you or doubt you?
.

Hi wuqi,
This is sad to hear. We always have a choice.
Sometimes is good to choose to ignore and shut out from your life, people who will poke you even when you have helped unconditionally. Could be a red flag to back off from the situation. When economic cycle dictates that it is the hard times's turn to visit even for a short moment, people like these can be vicious to look for a scapegoat to blame for all their misgivings. You have done so much good for all of us, we wish you will be healthy, wealthy and happy. Not only us, the medium too

 

[mathstub]

Dear Bro Wuqi, I am so sorry to hear what has happened to you. I wish your family and you the best. I totall agree with you one should do what one believes in and not let some mishaps to deter one from carrying out good deeds in the future.

Weird thing happened yesterday, mum came to visit and gave me something to keep at home. Apparently she went to a medium recently as she heard from my wife that things were not going well for me. We had to send our helper away as she was always complaining and comparing, even though we gave her tv, etc she still wasn't happy. We had to send her away.

Then my wife's health isn't so good so have been assisting her, worse time especially when her helper is gone. My own work isn't going so well, even working 72 hours straight last week ended up in a bad state.

Some quarrels between relatives were also pretty taxing although i try to be neutral as much as i can, helping whenever i could in between with some advice and 2 cents about their renovation and furniture choices. All are dear to me.
<Shortened version>

I won't even go into details about how a silly contractor i recommended to relatives just doubled his fee when quoting them. I asked my neighbour who recommended him to us, seems like some may have offended him with some unmeant remarks and that sparked it off for him. Just like one that i recommended to Meng asked me within earshot of him, will they steal my parts or tyres? In the end, he still gave them a discount on my account but i really felt bad and bought him a drink.

One thing is for sure, i will just continue to do what i can for my relatives but my candle is really burning out fast.

Now, going back to the conversation with my mum, apparently seems like the medium knew what i have been doing especially in Johore as well and said some pretty embarrasingly kind words and told my mum i will be blessed for what i am doing. I was gladdened by their words but will continue what i am doing, thankless job or not.

To bros who are continually discouraged when doing a good deed even when people suspect you or doubt you?

Don't stop, i hope this encourages you, continue doing it not just because of them or any rewards but because of what you believe in.
Give money to charity and help others when you see they are in the need, money is just a digit to
most of us but to some, it could be the next meal, education or other things.

Even a relative of mine was helped out once by an Indian gentleman who supported her education.
Though she isn't close (not by any stretch of imagination) to us but felt a tinge of kindness from this
kind gentleman even though i wasn't the one he helped. I hope that he will be blessed.

Good people really exists in this world, please be kind not only to animals, but all sentient beings.

Human beings are actually the most to be pitied as they have to go through more obstacles than most
other beings in life and has more responsibilities than most of them.

Most of our anger comes from sadness and disappointment especially from within ourselves, be kind to others
but remember to be gentle to ourselves.

 

[mathstub]

Dear Bros and Sis here, when getting your property in JB and getting MRTA, have you got an experience in being asked to fill in a form called Foreigner Questionnaire sent by MRTA insurance company such as Prudential?

Some of the questions being asked:

i. Agent name and number: well, I got MRTA through the agent from the bank who helped me apply for the mortgage loan. I suppose she is the agent. Well, wait a minute. Maybe some agent from the insurance company? To be honest, I don't know who he or she is.
ii. When did you arrive in Malaysia? (the first time I went to Malaysia?)
iii. How long do you intend to stay in Malaysia? (forever or as soon as the social pass allows?)
iv. Official status in Malaysia? (social pass? since same as many Bros and Sis here, we don't need a visa to go to Malaysia)
v. Why do you need a Malaysia class policy? (to protect my family in case blah blah blah...)

 

[Puteri harbour]

Great Input... Personally I think that it is going to be 10-15years. Maybe the Malaysia govt will proof me wrong this round as the speed of progress over the last 1 year was impressive.

Cheers,
PH

Hi PH & Investor,

I will share my opinion ; please do not bank on currency appreciation to make a positive return. The Ringgit will never catch up with the SGD unless the two countries merge - wont happen in our lifetime.. Why the Ringgit is weaker is that Malaysia is running a Budget deficit of around 6% of GDP while Singapore has been on much healthier surplus for a much longer time. This is the main driver of fx rates.

Above all else, foreign investors prefer stable currency. Malaysia is blessed with good natural resources to sustain the Ringgit's strength while Singapore is blessed with a good system (from an objective economic point of view, that is). You would have noticed of late both have strengthened against the USD in tandem. 2.4 levels no matter how the USD fluctuated.

So what is positive for investors in Nusajaya then?

1) I will say the relative appreciation of property prices bw Singapore & JB. We can say JB started from its lowest around 3 years ago. It is a laggard vs other parts of Malaysia because of the now-irrelevant political situation that had prevailed for the last dozen years. Interestingly the recent acceleration of JB prop prices has been mirrored by the number of posts in this forum, particularly this year when serious love-making started to happen with the political situation. This appreciation has much more leg to run up, to be sure. (More so than Singapore which is already challenging its own highest). JB is just getting started. But as a word of caution, it is not clear the situation with rental yields as I am trying hard to imagine other than Americans & Students, who else would want to rent in Nusajaya for now? Capital appreciation-wise, I have no doubt.*

2) Property is a hedge against inflation and Malaysia's inflation rate is higher than SIngapore's. Thus prop prices in JB will appreciate faster.


3) Peter Lim (Mr Wilmar, Thomson, MU & McLaren) himself just announced last week his multi-million investment into JB.

4) The MRT to JB and the bullet train to KL - linking KL-JB-Singapore. much like the megapolis of the Pearl River Delta in China.

5) Singaporeans will always compare a HDB vs a freehold beautiful house in JB. This will help maintain the JB prices.

6) I have not yet even mentioned Legoland, Premium outlet, Medini, SILC, Healthcare, Pinewoods, EduCity etc

*We have to take a long term horizon. I read in an early working paper of Iskandar by the authorities themselves & experts to take a view of like 5 to 10 years. Medini will drive Nusajaya. Of course we are enjoying the appreciation now based on expectations. Also as Singaporeans and Malaysians (working in Singapore) age, they would want to live in a relaxing place like JB where the money goes further and have more healthcare facilities).

Is good to share opinions and honestly. Naysayers and proponents both have contributions.

 

[yonglip]

Dear Bros and Sis here, when getting your property in JB and getting MRTA, have you got an experience in being asked to fill in a form called Foreigner Questionnaire sent by MRTA insurance company such as Prudential?

Some of the questions being asked:

i. Agent name and number: well, I got MRTA through the agent from the bank who helped me apply for the mortgage loan. I suppose she is the agent. Well, wait a minute. Maybe some agent from the insurance company? To be honest, I don't know who he or she is.
ii. When did you arrive in Malaysia? (the first time I went to Malaysia?)
iii. How long do you intend to stay in Malaysia? (forever or as soon as the social pass allows?)
iv. Official status in Malaysia? (social pass? since same as many Bros and Sis here, we don't need a visa to go to Malaysia)
v. Why do you need a Malaysia class policy? (to protect my family in case blah blah blah...)

yep. its routine.

 

[ShawnLow]

Thanks every one who shared their opinions and experience~learnt alot! =)

 

[KittyMeow]

Bro i've looked at danga island for a year. No progress. I dont think it's going anywhere soon.

Is Puteri Harbour really freehold? (Medini next door is 99 yrs leasehold).....owner of both same > UEM Land.

 

[checkers]

Lots of SG BMWs at The Seed today when i passed by there. Later when i passed by again, two more BMWs are there. Seen a lot of these cars lately, whether at Adda Heights or elsewhere.

You judge people by the cars they drive?

 

[wuqi256]

To be fair, Botak Security chap has been doing very good job of keeping unwanted pests out of HH Gateway for some time.

However his personal attitude and finances need to be improved. He has apparently borrowed money ( up to thousands ) from many residents like me who treated him like a personal friend.

One fine day, he mysteriously go AWOL and never to be seen again. The management is left with no choice but to fire him. The management will be testing out new security firm ( currently in the Hills ) from next year onward.

Lets hope the security of Gateway and Golf improves with the new security!

Thats a bit scary, didn't know he borrowed money from people, he was working in SATS security previously. He was a pretty strict chap and pretty helpful. We used to give him lifts several times up to the guardhouse whenever we saw him. Its sad that it ended that way.

I have brought up the issues about contractor renovation, etc to the township and understand some people have already went as well to them with references to the Encik i told them to check with. Ms Teo is no longer with them as of Friday.

The existing security firms contract will be expiring end of this year so next year it should hopefully be better.

I haven't seen any 3 wheelers before especially in my immediate area but i did see some micro/pocket bikes around.

 

[wuqi256]

You judge people by the cars they drive?

They are people I know who don't drive flashy cars but own properties here and overseas. One does not work...he collects rent for a living

Please don't be mistaken, i sincerely apologise if it sounded that way, i am one who doesn't drive flashy cars. I used to in SG but no longer driving them. These days, i just drive cars no one would look at. I would rather spend more money on houses than on cars but thats just my humble opinion.
Its just so funny that so many same makes from SG was there at the same time. As if they were all from the same car club or something. Imagine, at least 5-6 cars all of same make lined up together.

 

[wuqi256]

Thanks for your kind words Contra and Mathstub. Its been pretty trying times lately.
Surprisingly it has an unexpected twist to it.

 

[wuqi256]

Bro i've looked at danga island for a year. No progress. I dont think it's going anywhere soon.

Only saw a couple of houses there, it has potential but i am not sure the private jetty they were promised is ever going to materialise.
I know of one gentleman in Casa Almyra who has a private jetty, he is looking at 2.4m though else being someone who loves fishing
(catch & release type) i would definitely be keen.

Some updates for Casa Almyra, seems once the new road is up, this place is worth another look.
Even the long standing defects were being looked in and although it still has some issues, at least
there is more progress versus some other developments.

 

[wuqi256]

I am mentioning this for a 2nd time and i also remembered another bro mentioning this but where is bro AP? I hope he is fine. Missed his wry humor and comments.

Me too actually. Tips on gardening too.

 

[wuqi256]

Wuqi, Yes, the price includes most of the fittings in the show flat.except Fridge, oven and water heaters. But everything else is provided which was another plus point.
I didnt pay that much as I took a 3 rm pool facing unit from the lower block. There werent many left..but the taller block was asking for more psf. In any case, its a good buy for me as the location, size and costs suited my needs. Sorry for late reply as I was away over the last few days. Think they had a launch party/viewing event this weekend -got an invite from UEM in the email.

I am glad to hear that, welcome to the neighbourhood.
With the area fast developing, with even the Mydin mart opening, i think you will enjoy living here.

 

[Investor]

Hi PH & Investor,

I will share my opinion ; please do not bank on currency appreciation to make a positive return. The Ringgit will never catch up with the SGD unless the two countries merge - wont happen in our lifetime.. Why the Ringgit is weaker is that Malaysia is running a Budget deficit of around 6% of GDP while Singapore has been on much healthier surplus for a much longer time. This is the main driver of fx rates.

Above all else, foreign investors prefer stable currency. Malaysia is blessed with good natural resources to sustain the Ringgit's strength while Singapore is blessed with a good system (from an objective economic point of view, that is). You would have noticed of late both have strengthened against the USD in tandem. 2.4 levels no matter how the USD fluctuated.

So what is positive for investors in Nusajaya then?

1) I will say the relative appreciation of property prices bw Singapore & JB. We can say JB started from its lowest around 3 years ago. It is a laggard vs other parts of Malaysia because of the now-irrelevant political situation that had prevailed for the last dozen years. Interestingly the recent acceleration of JB prop prices has been mirrored by the number of posts in this forum, particularly this year when serious love-making started to happen with the political situation. This appreciation has much more leg to run up, to be sure. (More so than Singapore which is already challenging its own highest). JB is just getting started. But as a word of caution, it is not clear the situation with rental yields as I am trying hard to imagine other than Americans & Students, who else would want to rent in Nusajaya for now? Capital appreciation-wise, I have no doubt.*

2) Property is a hedge against inflation and Malaysia's inflation rate is higher than SIngapore's. Thus prop prices in JB will appreciate faster.


3) Peter Lim (Mr Wilmar, Thomson, MU & McLaren) himself just announced last week his multi-million investment into JB.

4) The MRT to JB and the bullet train to KL - linking KL-JB-Singapore. much like the megapolis of the Pearl River Delta in China.

5) Singaporeans will always compare a HDB vs a freehold beautiful house in JB. This will help maintain the JB prices.

6) I have not yet even mentioned Legoland, Premium outlet, Medini, SILC, Healthcare, Pinewoods, EduCity etc

*We have to take a long term horizon. I read in an early working paper of Iskandar by the authorities themselves & experts to take a view of like 5 to 10 years. Medini will drive Nusajaya. Of course we are enjoying the appreciation now based on expectations. Also as Singaporeans and Malaysians (working in Singapore) age, they would want to live in a relaxing place like JB where the money goes further and have more healthcare facilities).

Is good to share opinions and honestly. Naysayers and proponents both have contributions.

While others were thinking, 'Where is AP?' I was wondering, 'Where is Contra?' Haha welcome back
Thanks for sharing your knowledge about FX and I've learnt a great deal from you, PH, Lastresort, Wuqi, Yonglip and others who contributed in just the last 2-3 pages

Just like you, I didn't bet on rental yield(Lastresort should know that thru our PM ) I was only betting on capital appreciation since last year.

But you might have mistaken that I'm betting on appreciation of ringgit. I know nothing about FX and factors which affect it so I've never bet on ringgit.
My bets are almost just the same as you guys, the bullish and ambitious ones here, other than some points which I didn't see but you guys did.
So thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge.

 

[lastresort]

To be fair, Botak Security chap has been doing very good job of keeping unwanted pests out of HH Gateway for some time.

However his personal attitude and finances need to be improved. He has apparently borrowed money ( up to thousands ) from many residents like me who treated him like a personal friend.

One fine day, he mysteriously go AWOL and never to be seen again. The management is left with no choice but to fire him. The management will be testing out new security firm ( currently in the Hills ) from next year onward.

Lets hope the security of Gateway and Golf improves with the new security!

I hope they will continually review the security firm so the firm will not get too complacent. More competition for the contract is good!

 

[ShawnLow]

I heard that there is a guard caught sleeping during his shift by resident in HH, the guard not appear again anymore the next day. The management so efficient xD

 

[Puteri harbour]

My honour..... Hope that you all will not find the essay type post too heavy..... Ha ha.....
Nice knowing all of you and the great views....

Cheers,
PH

While others were thinking, 'Where is AP?' I was wondering, 'Where is Contra?' Haha welcome back
Thanks for sharing your knowledge about FX and I've learnt a great deal from you, PH, Lastresort, Wuqi, Yonglip and others who contributed in just the last 2-3 pages

Just like you, I didn't bet on rental yield(Lastresort should know that thru our PM ) I was only betting on capital appreciation since last year.

But you might have mistaken that I'm betting on appreciation of ringgit. I know nothing about FX and factors which affect it so I've never bet on ringgit.
My bet are almost just the same as you guys, the bullish and ambitious ones here other than some points which I didn't see but you guys did.
So thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge.