Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by officepw

Put Savings in FD or Principle Repayment

officepw — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 17:32:31 +0800

Hi Sifus,

I have additional savings of RM 100k.
I have a full flexi housing loan around RM 1 mil with interest around 3.95%, do you think it is better to top up principle repayment or subscribe to a FD with 4.05% interest payment? Is it better to put my savings in Fixed Deposit (4.05%) or add to my principle repayment (3.95%)? My loan tenure remains 20 years.

Basic house appliances recommendation

officepw — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 10:36:37 +0800

Dear all,

I am planning to get some electrical equipment / appliances for my house - planning to do a major overhaul. I prefer reliability and good customer service support. If price is reasonable, even better!

Please let me know your advise on below:

Water heater: Panasonic N Series (with jet pump) - Still deciding whether DH-3NP2MS (cheaper) or DH-3NDP1MS (slightly more expensive)
Fridge : Panasonic NR-BX421 2 Door 422L - Cost around 2.7k but still 4 star appliance, I wanted a white coloured fridge...
Air Cond : Panasonic CS/CU-XPU18XKH - R32 Deluxe Air cond with Aerowings
Washing machine: Top Mount washing machine for 3 people usage. Budget below 1.5k. Any advice?
Fan: Currently deciding Deka brand

Kindly let me know your thoughts or recommendation (other alternative product or any competitively priced retail outlet).

Criteria for buying a property as home (Rank it)

officepw — Mon, 23 May 2022 14:23:46 +0800

Hi guys,
What is your list of criteria when buying a property as your own home?
Lets also break down "location, location and location" mantra to several more specifically too.
For me, personally my rank would be:

1. Close to office or working place [Location]
2. Close proximity to family restaurants, malls (for groceries) [Location]
3. Quiet place, away from traffic [Location]
4. Good neighborhood - no sign of extreme poverty, graffiti, rubbish, etc. [Environment]
5. Affordability [Cost]
6. Greens as in Forest [Environment]
7. Strategically located - like in KL sentral (right in the middle to most location in KL) [Location]
8. Low maintenance cost - sinking fund for condos, etc. [Cost]
9. Away from area prone to flooding [Location]
10. Away from religious area - sorry, like mosque, temples and churches to be fair - either will be crowded, or noisy at some point [Location]

How about yours?

Estimate Cost for Kitchen Makeover

officepw — Mon, 23 May 2022 14:10:43 +0800

Dear all.

How much $$ should I prepare for a condo kitchen renovation?
The kitchen is the size of a small room (separate part in the house) and not combined with the living room like many modern condos.
I am interested to know:

1) Estimate on the cost for removing tiles/knocking in kitchen
2) Do you suggest redoing the wiring (the house is 20+ years)? If it's necessary, why? How much does it costs?
3) Replace all the kitchen piping? How much does it cost estimately?
4) Any ideas for kitchen tiles and the wall?

Thank you so much guys,,,

Kitchen Cabinet Installation

officepw — Mon, 23 May 2022 14:04:00 +0800

Hi all. I am planning to do a makeover of my subsales house kitchen.
Went to lots of fair recently and a lot of companies do not offer full installation of the hob & hood, plumbing, sinks, etc.
Most offer to install cabinet only. For hob, hood, have to engage a separate contractor/installer. Similarly goes for wiring and plumbing?
How do you arrange all people from different expertise together for measurement, installation, etc?
Is there any on stop centre at affordable price in KL (def. not signature kitchen - overpriced! I used to work there)?
Any suggestions to handle all these?

MRTA - Purchase outside?

officepw — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 11:07:06 +0800

Hi all.

Just wondering. Can I purchase MRTA separately from third party or it has to be under bank's insurance company?
Bank offered MRTA into the loan so they can offer slightly lower interest rates.

The MRTA quoted by banks differ from 1 bank to another - how can this occur?
Loan officer said the MRTA cost is already generated by system and no discount can be given - is it true?
Some bank's MRTA cost is almost double the MRTA offered by another bank with the cheapest MRTA for same amount of loan.

How to avoid that? And any suggestions or views to get the best out of this situation? I still want MRTA.

Bathroom Renovation Cost Estimate

officepw — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 01:10:40 +0800

Hi Guys.
I am considering to do a full makeover/renovation of my 2 bathrooms in condos I recently purchased.
Bathroom size is average. Each bathroom can fit in a water heater, toilet bowl and sink only.
How much $$ should I set aside for this makeover inclusive of tiles, plumbing, lightings, etc.?
Any tips on how can I save more in this renovation?

Buying Property first time

officepw — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 23:25:11 +0800

Hi Sifus,

I am planning to buy a freehold condo worth RM 600k as a first time buyer and it is a subsales property.

What exemption am I entitled to get? I understood stamp duty exemption is covered only for new project or subsales property below RM 500k.

Can help to provide an estimation and breakdown on all fees (bank charges, legal, etc.) to be paid by me?

Thank you so much..

LHDN: Sole Proprietorship + Working full time

officepw — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 12:34:40 +0800

Hi respected Sifus,

I am currently working full time in a company but I have a dormant (no income) sole proprietorship. My questions:

1) I have to fill up Borang B? Or can I use Borang BE (since no income in my sole proprietorship business, no sales, no expenses)?
2) If use Borang BE, personal income tax deductible is available?

It is my first time, so your helps much appreciated. Thanks!