Title & Finance

Title

Malaysia inherited a strong and robust legal system, including land laws, from the British. It is rare that, in this region, foreign buyers can actually purchase properties and have deeds/ titles to the properties whereas in neighboring countries such as Thailand and Indonesia they cannot. This is critical in more ways than just security of ownership; it means that local banks can finance foreign buyers with the properties as collateral, which is not the case elsewhere in SE Asia.

Mortgages

Government policy to encourage foreigners to become resident under the “Malaysia My Second Home” has provided the backdrop against which banks are willing to provide mortgages to foreigners, of up to 60% (perhaps more in certain cases). This is a further incentive for buyers. For pure “investors” the ability to obtain debt in the local market serves to reduce the capital investment required, and consequently increase the yield on the investment.