The Future of
Global Real Estate

Buying a home can be one of the most stressful events in one’s life – especially if it is your first time. Where should you start? Can you really afford your dream home? What about all the legalities and the hidden costs everyone talks about?Yes, it is an extremely stressful time. We understand, and we are here to help with these 10 most asked questions by our readers and fans. These questions are most likely running through your mind as you scroll through hundreds of property listings anyway. Don’t freak out, read on!1. How would I be eligible for housing loan? Housing loan eligibility depends a lot on your monthly income and your existing loan commitments. It can be a personal loan, the dreaded but inseparable credit cards, or various other bank loans including softer ones like ASB.The banks will run a check on your CCRIS report to view all your active loans and your payment status. Thus, it is extremely important to ensure all your loans and credit cards are up to date. Then, the banks will decide how much you are eligible for and your risk as a borrower.To find out how much you need to pay based on the price of a home, you may use this home loan calculator by iMoney Malaysia.2. Should I refinance my home?Many home owners do just that to get some extra cash — though it is very normal, you have friends, relatives and neighbours doing that, don’t do it for the wrong reason!Here are three things you need to know about refinancing your property, according to HSBC Malaysia:You take advantage of your property’s rising value to obtain a larger financing amount.Your refinanced loan pays off your current housing loan.You are free to use the balance as you wish.However, only do it if there is a valid reason why you need the money.3. How do I save up for the down payment?This depends entirely on yourself. Down payments usually make up 10% of the asking price, depending on your margin of finance (the total loan amount you are eligible for).Don’t forget, this 10% can be withdrawn from the Account 2 of your Employee Provident Fund (EPF)! And with EPF’s introduction of the EPF Account 3, you can also consider withdrawing from your Account 3 to help with any costs incurred during the homebuying process.4. How can I get 100% housing loan?If you are unable to save up 10% of the down payment, you can still consider buying a home through various government subsidised schemes, such as:My First Home Scheme or Skim Rumah Pertamaku (SRP) – If your monthly income is RM5,000 and below, you have the option of getting 100% financing for a residential property.And in Budget 2025, the government has also made it clear that they are committed to providing more avenues for first time house buyers with further initiatives and programmes.However, it’s also important to note that you can choose to pay the down payment using money from your EPF Account 2, which allows for withdrawal for homebuying purposes.For this reason, it is imperative that you do your own research, and try to find the best home loan rates in Malaysia.5. How do I value my house?For sub-sale (a pre-owned home), you need to do a house valuation to determine the market value of the property.Former owners may set a price according to the market, but it is always good to have second, third or as many opinions as possible (Careful though, too many will confuse you so stick to reliable sources, or just check the classified sections on online and offline media or talk to a few property agents to get an idea).Valuations are usually done by the banks to gauge the loan amount to offer but you can also do it on your own to determine if the selling price is according to the market value. However, only get the valuation done by an accredited agency for better accuracy. Keep in mind that sometimes your valuation price may not be accurate at all.6. Can I get cash from my home?Your home is your asset as the value of the property will most like go up. However, how good is the home if you can’t get cash out of it when you need it?Be it for your child’s college education or to purchase your second property, you can consider these few ways to free up your home equity, or refinance your home.7. Why would the bank reject my housing loan application?There are various factors banks look into when approving a housing loan application. The factors range from the property’s location, borrower’s income, lack of a credit facilities record (it pays to have a credit card that you pay punctually), bad CCRIS reports, or the debt service ratio (DSR) may be over the maximum limit. Therefore, it is important to keep a clear record by making your existing loan payments on time.8. How do I safeguard myself if the OPR increases?Most property loans available in Malaysia are based on the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR), which is currently set at 3%. If you want to understand more about OPR and how it affects your loan, you can read about it here.To safeguard oneself from the volatility of OPR, one can consider a fixed rate home loan.9. Should I get a mortgage life insurance?As the main breadwinner of a household, buying a home for your dependents is just half of the battle. You must ensure that your loved ones are protected as well, in the event you are no longer able to pay the mortgage of your house.This is where mortgage life insurance comes into picture. You can either get a Mortgage Reducing Term Assurance (MRTA) or a Mortgage Level Term Assurance (MLTA) to safeguard your home in the event of death or total permanent disability (TPD). Find out which one suits your needs in our MRTA versus MLTA comparison.10. Should I get a basic term home loan or a flexi home loan?The difference between a conventional home loan and a flexi one lies in the amount you can pay every month. If you are a fixed salaried worker, it makes more sense to go for a basic term loan, as you pay a set amount every month for the full tenure. The drawback is, you won’t be able to save on interest charges in the event you decide to pay a lump sum or more every month.Unlike flexi loan, you can make advance payment to lower your loan interest and withdraw the additional payments you’ve made whenever you like, without the need for complicated procedures. However, usually flexi loans come with a fixed monthly fees (usually RM10 per month) to maintain the current account.Determine the type of loan that is suitable to your income by comparing the basic term, semi-flexi and full-flexi home loan.As a first time home buyer, you will have many questions about buying your first home but these 10 are likely to pop into your head first. With these answered you should have more confidence on getting your first home.This article is a joint effort by iMoney, a leading provider of mortgage loan solutions, and IQI global.Interested in purchasing your very first dream home? Here at IQI, we provide services in purchasing the perfect home, with the right budget. Please leave your details below, and our professional team will assist you. [hubspot portal="5699703" id="85ebae59-f425-419b-a59d-3531ad1df948" type="form"]Continue ReadingB40 and M40: 5 Government Housing Schemes Available For YouNeed Some Tips for Buying A Home in Your 20’s? Learn From These First Home Buyers’ Experiences!15 Things First-Time Homebuyers Wish They Knew Before Buying Their First House

This article is contributed by Shan Saeed, a Global Chief Economist at Juwai IQI, a leading proptech company operating and advising clients in Kuala Lumpur, Indonesia, Dubai, and more.Shan has over 22 years of solid financial market experience in the areas of private banking, risk/compliance management, commodity investments, global economy, branding and business strategy.The Americans has spoken. They have opted to re-elect the 45th President as the 47th President of the United States, aiming to make America great again.  With 312 electoral votes, Donald J. Trump is set to return to the White House. However, with his promises of imposing blanket tariffs up to 20% on imports from various countries and 60% on Chinese goods, what implications does this have for the global real estate market? In Asia, countries with significant trade deficits with the U.S., such as Malaysia and China, may have certain expectations.  But Shan Saeed, Global Chief Economist at Juwai IQI, reassured that the situation may not be as dire as it appears.  /What “America First” Policy Could Really Mean?  Trump's "America First" policies aim to strengthen the U.S. economy by boosting domestic manufacturing, technology, and electric vehicle (EV) industries. He made it clear that he will prioritise the interests of the United States over global considerations, with a strong focus on protecting American jobs, industries, and sovereignty.  While it may sound like bad news for some, Shan highlighted that this focus could shift U.S. investments toward these sectors and simultaneously increase foreign investment in areas tied to global supply chains.  As a result, the U.S. real estate market will remain strong, attracting long-term foreign investment.  How Does This Impact the Global Real Estate Market?  So, the question posed is whether investing in the U.S. real estate market is a smart choice. Will global investors feel more confident or more cautious?   Shan assured that the U.S. partnership with Asia in the global real estate market will continue to be attractive.  The global capital is expected to flow into high-potential real estate sectors, benefiting Asian markets with developing economies, rising middle classes, and strong demand for both residential and commercial properties. Other than that, since the Federal Reserve is likely to begin lowering interest rates in 2025, international investors may see the U.S. real estate market as a good long-term investment.   As mortgage rates decrease, there could be a boost in confidence, prompting global investors to explore opportunities in the U.S. real estate market.  Although some may still be careful, the chance of lower borrowing costs might ease worries, making the U.S. a strong and stable investment option in the future. What to Expect for U.S. Global Real Estate Market? In the coming years, U.S. investors are likely to target emerging global real estate markets that exhibit strong demographics and rising income levels.  These growing markets offer the potential for sustained demand and long-term growth, making them attractive for investment.  However, as for capital flow into U.S. commercial real estate, Shan said it is still premature to make definitive predictions.  But many of the changes in capital movement will likely be driven by market conditions and evolving regulations, which will adjust in response to broader economic trends and investor sentiment. Where Is the Room for Improvement?  Addressing the current geopolitics war and events that are happening, experts are predicting that they are room in improvement. Geopolitical events and external factors, such as changes in government and capital control restrictions, are beyond the control of investors, yet they can significantly influence global real estate trends, particularly in relation to U.S. markets.  As economies grow, real estate markets tend to move in tandem, and these global shifts can present both opportunities and challenges. The ongoing events in the Middle East, for example, may have impacted a lot of supply chain business, but real estate markets, particularly those in major hubs, are likely to remain attractive to sophisticated and strategic investors.  However, the situation is highly unpredictable, as per Shan, and investors remain uncertain about the long-term impact of geopolitical risks.  In light of these factors, many would like to see lower interest rates and reduced inflation, as these conditions could help stabilise the market and provide a more favourable environment for investment. Overall, it is still too early to determine the complete outcome, but there is reason to be optimistic, particularly for Asian countries such as China, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Economic experts suggest that the U.S. market has the potential to greatly impact and enhance the stability of global real estate markets and economic partnerships.What say you? Shan Saeed serves as the Global Chief Economist at Juwai IQI, a prominent proptech firm that provides services and advice to clients in locations such as Kuala Lumpur, Indonesia, Dubai, and Italy.With over 22 years of extensive experience in financial markets, he specializes in private banking, risk and compliance management, commodity investments, global economic trends, branding, and business strategy.Residing in Kuala Lumpur, he is also a financial market commentator, frequently featured in media outlets like Al Jazeera TV, Hubbis Hong Kong, CNBC Arabia/Indonesia, Singapore, FT [Deutschland], Channel News Asia Singapore, International New York Times/Malaysian Reserve, The Edge Financial Daily, and several others.If you're excited about the global real estate market and want to dive deeper into international property investment, feel free to reach out to us! We're more than happy to assists you.[hubspot portal="5699703" id="20af712b-48df-4c08-bda1-2e7e0b787dfd" type="form"] /Continue Reading:Why a strong dollar is bad for the Global economy - By Shan Saeed, Chief Economic ConsultantJoe Biden expected to be friendlier to foreign investors, property market observers sayThe Belt & Road Initiative Between Malaysia and ChinaIQI Monthly Newsletter – Real Estate Market June 2020Will Thailand's New Visa Scheme Improve Its Economy?/

Version: EN再度扩张！IQI 宣布在位于南欧的马耳他开设新办事处。此前，IQI也已在阿布扎比、意大利、冰岛和塞浦路斯设立了新办事处。尽管马耳他国土面积不大，但它是欧洲最受欢迎的国际房地产投资目的地之一，提供地中海式生活方式、强劲的经济、优惠的税收、居住和公民制度、欧盟成员资格以及强大的房地产市场。与其他欧洲国家相比，马耳他的经济增长迅速。2023年GDP增长了5.6%，预计2024年将继续增长4.6%。外国买家目前占该国所有房地产交易的 20% 左右。投资者们对斯利马、圣朱利安和瓦莱塔等地区的豪宅有着明显的偏好。 IQI 马耳他将针对这日益增长的需求，为客户提供优质的房地产投资机会。居外 IQI 联合创始人兼集团首席执行官卡希夫·安萨里（Kashif Ansari）表示，由于马耳他有来自国际和本地买家的强烈需求，因此团队对该地的房地产市场持有乐观态度。过去十年，马耳他的房价飙升了 61%，却仅在去年就上涨了 5.5%。今年1 月，马耳他的房地产交易额增长了 30%，达到创纪录的 4.26 亿欧元，高于去年同期的 3.28 亿欧元。我们将这增长视为对市场高度信心的表现。马耳他的投资签证深受外国投资者青睐，吸引他们购买当地房地产以申请签证。该签证的优势之一是在申根区内可享受免签旅行。优越的签证和税收政策也让马耳他成为全球投资者和高收入移民的热门目的地。拥有良好气候和优美环境的马耳他成为海外人士首要或第二居所的理想选择。马耳他位于欧洲、中东和亚洲的中心位置，因此可以从世界各地轻松到达。马耳他房地产价格指数来源：Mondaq居外 IQI 联合创始人兼集团董事总经理 Daniel Ho表示，很高兴能与 Chris Cachia 及在 The Place 的本地专家团队合作。Cachia 的团队中有多名精通华语的成员，他本人是马耳他房地产市场的顶尖业绩创造者之一。IQI Malta 将提供与房地产、税收、居住权和公民身份相关的全套服务。我们会给予全球网络和科技平台的支持，尤其是为中介提供的 Atlas 超级应用程序。IQI Malta 新任负责人 Chris Cachia 拥有 30 多年的房地产企业家经验，是 The Place 的创始人兼董事。Cachia 的公司专注于住宅和商业房地产，并通过授权合作伙伴协助相关服务领域，如为客户提供业务设置支持和税务建议。加入 IQI 使我们能更容易接触到马耳他房地产及相关服务（如居住和商业支持）。我们的目标是与该地区的房产中介建立牢固的合作关系，促进客户推荐，从而确保我们能够高效地满足他们的需求。你是否也对投资房地产充满兴趣？选择 IQI，让我们为你提供专业资讯，帮助你在投资之路上更加顺利，做出明智决策！[hubspot portal="5699703" id="85ebae59-f425-419b-a59d-3531ad1df948" type="form"]延伸阅读：1. IQI印度尼西亚签署两项重要协议，进一步推动万隆西部繁荣！2. IQI全球布局再升级！阿布扎比办事处盛大开业！3. 亚洲办事处再添一国！IQI韩国办事处正式成立！

Version: CNIQI, a global real estate network with agents across 29 countries and a member of Juwai IQI, is excited to announce the opening of its new office in Malta! This launch marks the latest step in the company’s global expansion. It comes soon after other new launches in Abu Dhabi, Italy, Iceland, and Cyprus. Though small in size, Malta stands out as one of Europe’s most popular destinations for international real estate investment.  The country boasts lavish Mediterranean lifestyle, a robust economy, a favourable tax, residency and citizenship regime, EU membership and a strong property market.When compared to other European countries, Malta's economy is experiencing rapid growth, with GDP increasing by 5.6% in 2023 and projected to grow by 4.6% in 2024. Juwai IQI Co-Founder and Group CEO, Kashif Ansari, is confident on the company’s decision to debut in Malta. He said that the team have a positive outlook for Malta’s home market due to its strong international and local demand. Property transactions in Malta increased by 30% to a new record of €426 million in January, up from €328 million a year earlier. We see the growth as a sign of high confidence in the market”  Kashif AnsariKashif elaborated that Malta's investment visa attracts foreign investors by promoting real estate investments through its property investment option.  The advantages include visa-free access to the Schengen Area. With its pleasant climate and appealing surroundings, Malta is a perfect choice for both permanent and vacation residences.  Its strategic location in relation to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia also ensures convenient travel from nearly any destination. On top of that, the favourable visa and tax regulations have contributed to making it one of the world’s top destinations for investment and high-income migration.Malta's Property Price Index. Source: MondaqDaniel Ho, Juwai IQI’s Co-Founder and Group Managing Director, also expressed his excitement about IQI's new local partners. IQI Malta will offer a full suite of services related to property, tax, residency, and citizenship. They will be supported by our global network and cutting-edge technology platform, especially our Atlas super-app for agents.” Daniel HoIQI Malta will be led by Chris Cachia as Country Head of IQI Malta and his expert local team at The Place.  Cachia’s company specialises in residential and commercial real estate and works through licensed partners to assist in related service areas, like business setup support and tax advice for clients. Chris is highly client-focused, has a team of Mandarin-speakers and is one of the top producers in the Maltese market.  We are excited to partner with IQI due to the increasing demand from the Asian market for purchases, rentals, residency, and citizenship. Chris CachiaIQI's choice to expand its global footprint in Malta is expected to enhance the collaboration between the Asian and European real estate markets.  The company's extensive global network and advanced technology, such as the Atlas super-app for agents, will be crucial in assisting buyers and investors seeking comprehensive services in property, tax, residency, and citizenship.  Excited about investing in Malta property? Get expert advice from our professional real estate negotiators, who can provide you with the best market insights![hubspot portal="5699703" id="2380afe3-ad4c-4cfa-9abf-d3947e377bf2" type="form"]Continue Reading: IQI Indonesia Welcomes Hengky Kurniawan To Sign MOU With PT Kerja Bersama BahagiaIQI Launches Second UAE Office In Abu Dhabi To Boost Foreign InvestmentIQI Further Expands into Europe with New IQI Italy Office