Property360Digest E-MAGAZINE Issue#5 | Page 45

WORLD WATCH A Holistic view on the secondary property market Compiled and edited by John Tyler Knight Frank Malaysia Residential Agency suggests solutions to this issue Various incentives have been announced for the purchase of properties at the primary market, but not so for the purchase of properties at the secondary market. This story is looking at the challenges the secondary market is facing and what can be done to solve these challenges. Who better to consult about this matter than the ever-reliable Knight Frank. Here are the insights gathered from Knight Frank Malaysia Residential Agency: Looking at the house buying trend in Malaysia, are there more people buying from the primary or the secondary market? Why? We are unable to access data on the composition of primary / secondary transactions. In the Klang Valley, where are the popular areas for the secondary market? Why? Refer to Question 7 for general commentary. Most incentives announced are for the primary market. What incentives do you think should be given for the purchase of properties at the secondary market? The Home Ownership Campaign (HOC), which ended 31 December 2019, has been revived under the country’s recently announced RM35 billion Short-Term Economic Recovery Plan (PENJANA). Effective 1 June 2020 till 31 May 2021, stamp duty exemptions will be provided on the instruments of transfer and loan agreement for the purchase of residential units priced between RM300,000 and RM2.5 million and limited to the first RM1 million of the home purchase price. In addition, the 70% margin of financing limit applicable to housing loan for the third property, will be uplifted during the period of HOC, subject the financial institution’s risk assessment. These incentives under the revived HOC, indeed, are focused on the primary market. In terms of the secondary market, the initiative is in the form of RPGT exemption for disposal of residential property (limited to three properties per individual) from 1 June 2020 to 31 December 2021. By reducing the cost of property disposal, this incentive will encourage motivated vendors to sell / provide savings to vendors affected by the Covid-19 pandemic who need to liquidate their assets. PROPERTY360DIGEST 45