“If you ask me how is the property market in second-tier areas, such as Kedah and Perlis is doing, I would say the worst is over, and we may see (a) slight improvement next year,” said Rehda’s Kedah and Perlis chairman Datuk Rick Cheng Wooi Seong.

The good intentions behind the measures to increase the supply of affordable housing announced in the recently tabled Budget 2017 may be good but they would need effective implementation, said the Selangor branch chairman of the Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association Malaysia (Rehda), Zulkifly Garib.

This is the time for those looking to buy properties to look out for “bargains” as the challenging property market may prompt some developers to lower prices, said Datuk Steve Chong, the Johor branch chairman of the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (Rehda).

The Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (Rehda) deputy secretary general Tan Ching Meng urged the government to extend the zero stamp duty to property transfers worth up to RM500,000 from RM300,000.

“Efforts to bring housing prices down should be done collectively with all stakeholders involved including the government, local authorities, financial institutions, contractors as well as the public,” said Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association Malaysia deputy president Datuk Soam Heng Choon.   

Country Garden Holdings Co Ltd (Country Garden) is looking to sell all the remaining 2,000 high-rise residential units at its Country Garden @ Danga Bay development in Johor by end-2017, said its sales executive Lee Yi Shen.

The Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association Malaysia (Rehda) wants the government to involve the private sector more when it comes to boosting the affordable housing supply and home ownership in the country.

There is a constant race to create and innovate in order to make everyday life easier.

The past 12 months have not been easy for the domestic property market. Transactions have declined and new launches have been scaled back. With Budget 2017 set to be tabled on Oct 21, some property players and experts are hoping for measures that will make it easier for first-time homebuyers to buy and help boost the property market. Read on to find out what they hope to see in the budget.