Sunway Pyramid, Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Sunway pyramid is an integrated resort city about 15km from Kuala Lumpur. The integrated city includes big shopping complex, theme park, hotel and spa.

Public transport connection is only via bus and taxi. From KL Sentral you can use Rapid KL to go to the Sunway Pyramid. Another alternative is using Komuter train. From KL Sentral, use Port Klang line and go to the Setia Jaya station. From there you can either walk (20 minute walk) or use taxi. Normally taxi here do not use meter. Bargain first and get reasonable price for less than 5km ride.

Biggest attraction is Sunway Lagoon theme park. The theme park is an outdoor water theme park. More info please surf www.sunway.com.my/lagoon/

Sunway Hotels and Spa entrance

Eateries in Sunway Pyramid

Ice skating in Sunway Pyramid

Christmas light tree in Sunway Pyramid

Home Lighting

One of easiest way to enhance the look and feel of your house is by changing the lighting. A simple decorated ceiling or wall lamp could impress your prospective client. I remember, my first apartment I bought, I put a two RM20 (US$5) wall lamp located in the hall. My first prospective tenant, when he first look at the house, he simply love it and rent the house.

My second project is also an apartment. Before this I rent it but this year I decided to live there. This time I will be more picky and budget is higher. Normally in Europe, decorative light is point upward toward ceiling and the light will be reflected by ceiling to floor. But since the glass is pointing upward, it will be difficult to remove dust later. So I compromise with the light pointing downward. In the end I bought two wall lamp (each RM20), two ceiling lamp (each less than RM 200) and four halogen lamp (each ONLY RM7). Two shops which I consider cheap is a shop at Sg Udang-Ayer Keroh Highway and Seng Hup at Jalan 222, Petaling Jaya.

Lamp inside plaster ceiling. But make sure you knew your plaster ceiling clearance before buying.

I bough one for RM180 (US$50)

I love this clasic design. But it is slightly overbudget

Retro design. I like it but it didn't suit my renaissance style home.
My friend say that classic design never last.



Below are the tips:-

1. Shop around. Buy at the end of the year where sale and warehouse sale is everywhere
2. Go for frosted glass as frosted glass will smoothen the light output
3. Do not over install decorative lighting. For one room, choose either to put wall light or ceiling light.
4. Buy decorative light first before any renovation done. It will cut cost on installation.
   

Dewi Sri Hotel, Kuta, Bali, Indonesia

Cafe

Garden

Hotel area

Swimming pool

In Bali, I stay at Dewi Sri Hotel. Considered as a budget hotel, it suite all my needs. Basically the hotel is strategically located in Kuta town. The hotel is surrounded by shops and disco. But don't worry as you will not hear any noise from the town. Just 15 minute walk from the hotel is Kuta beach.

During my 4 days and 3 night vacation, at night after some rest, I walk along shop in Kuta Town. Early morning before I go to any tourist spot in Bali, I dip myself into the swimming pool. As any other hotel in Bali, the hotel is equipped with an outdoor massage bad beside the swimming pool. But if you prefer more privacy, it's better to visit to spa.

The hotel is safe, clean, have a nice cafe and I love the 24 hour swimming pool. For more info visit http://www.dewisrihotel.com/

Bon Appetit at Bandung, Indonesia

Restaurant at Bandung beside paddy field

Forget about Sirap Bandung. There is no Sirap Bandung in Bandung

Sunda food eat with fresh vegatable and Ikan Gurame.

Normally quite sweet best eat with unsweeten tea (teh tawar)

Padang food. Once you touch the food, you need to pay it.

Finding food is Bandung is easier compared with Bali due to high muslim population. In term of price, a cozy restaurant (sometime with traditional music) could cost you only RM10-RM15 which is quite affordable.

Along the way to Tangkuban Perahu or Ciwidey, you could find many cozy restaurant. One one the restaurant I vist is Balibu (acronym for Bawah Lindungan Bulan or under the moon). Most restaurant situated beside paddy field and cold breasy air of Bandung (as cold as Genting Highland) could increase your appetite.

Popular menu including Ikan Gurame, fresh vegetable, sup sapi (ox tail soup) and a varity of drinks which is nice (quite sweet) which nowhere could be find in Malaysia.

Bon appetit (French for enjoy your meal)

Zen Garden, Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia

Buying Auction House

One of the cheapest but quite tedious way to buy house is by buying auction house. You can see auction house being advertise by agent using billboard of fliyers.

1) Check Market Value (MV) of the house
2) Check condition of the house to estimate cost of repairing the house or to determine any problem. Ask neighbour to check any anomaly to the house. Contact maintenance office to print any oustanding payment.
3) Call the agent and you may need to submit your details to get details of the house (house drawing, term and condition of sales etc)
4) Make bank cheque (5%-10% from reserve value) to the bank
5) Set in mind the maximum price you want to bid. Go to auction house and hand over the cheque.
6) At the auction house, beware of any parties that offer you to pay some money in order for them to withdraw the bid. Most of them just want to make easy money just by entering the bid.
7) If you are lucky, you are the only one who bid the house and you will get reserve value.
8) If many people want to bid the house, you are also lucky because it's mean the property you want to bid have high demand thus more valuable
9) At the auction room be calm. (honestly I am quite nervous because need to make very quick decision to raise the bid).
10) Bid until the price is equivalent to the maximum price you already set. Do not bid anymore if it's exceed market value or maximum price you set.
11) If you win the bid, you need to pay additional money to match the downpayment . In my case the reserve value is RM85k (I make bank cheque RM8500). Since I win the bid at RM99k, I need to pay additional RM 1400 (RM 9900-RM8500 = RM 1400)
12) You will get 90-120 days to get bank loans...
13) If you loose, try next time. Collect back the bankers cheque. You will not loose any money.

Good luck.........

Additional cost to consider

1) Cost to repair the house
2) Cost oustanding assesment tax and maintenance (check if bank could pay it)
3) Cost of oustanding water and electricity (normally bank not cover)
4) Cost to lawyer (if possible get Zero Entry Cost - ZEE package. Lawyer will cost thousand of ringgit)
5) Cost of evaluator (Between RM200-500)

Do

1) Maximum bid should lower than market value

Don't

1) Pay any money to someone you did not know to withdraw bid

Bali, Indonesia

Tanah Lot

Kuta

Bali Bomb Monument


Pasar Baru Courtyard

Bali Dance

Bali's girl

Bali is one of the top tourist destination in the world. Bali charm is due to it's unique Hindu culture, architecture, people and the tourist attraction. Visiting Bali remind me of Malay roots 400 years ago before Malay embrace Islam as their religion.

Visiting Bali will be quite expensive if you not pre-book hotels. Cheapest way is via Air Asia website or via http://www.hotelmurahbali.com/. Driving is not recomended. Better rent a car together with driver (supir)

Finding halal food (please refer it as muslim's food to avoid misconception of Hindu Halal) is easier in Kuta and Ngurah Rai by eating at fast food. Other than that, you should ask your guide to find Nasi Padang. At night, I usually eat instant mee (maggi mee).

Bali is relatively safe and the people is polite and Balinese is quite honest (compared to other Indonesian). Bali is also SPA heaven, before you leave Bali, surrender you body to the SPA.

Bring: Maggi, sun block, swim wear, camera etc

Do: Speak Malay, buy painting, swimming, surfing, SPA and visiting tourist attraction

House for sale, Pangsapuri Beringin, Taman Gombak Permai

Swimming pool

24 hour security

Covered car park (2 units)

18 Floor Apartment (unit located in 17th floor)

3 Rooms and 2 bathrooms,

Fully tiled

Covered car park (2 units)

820 square feet

24 hour security, swimming pool

Hillview

Good public transportation, feeder bus to LRT

Near public facilities including mosque school, bank, Giant and Tesco



RM 130K (Neg) - Eliza 0193873983

Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Visiting Kuala Lumpur is not complete if you not visiting Central Market. Local people may refer it as "Pasar Seni" or CM. The fully air-conditioned mall offer a variety of Malaysia handcraft perfect to be souvenir. The mall is clean as safety is good.

Access is easy. Via LRT the nearest station is "Pasar Seni" at Kelana Jaya Line formerly known as Putra Line. At the station, use traffic light crossing to cross the road and the big blue building is central market.

Beside shopping, central market offer you eating places as well as massage to relax your feet.

Do: Buy paintings, make portrait of yourself and buy souvenir.

Finding Good Tenant

A famous book in property investment claim that seeking a good tenant is as difficult as obtaining a good employee. The reason is both tenant and employee is a tool of getting money. Bad tenant is as bad as bad employee. Both could make you loose your money. Below are some tips.



The process of getting good tenant is also similar as getting a good employee. You must advertise (either by small paste up advertisement or via web example http://www.mudah.com.my/). Interview potential tenant (where he work - closer is better, qualification, salary and reasons why he want to seek new house).



Most people believe that women is a good tenant. On some extend it is true but my experience with male tenant is not bad. They stay for a long time, could solve small problem (light, piping etc) and one of them even paint my house (with their own expenses).



My bad experience is with foreign student. The house will become dirty and sometime the payment is late. To compensiate the risk, the rent should be higher than renting to non-student.



Potential good tenant

1. Small family (2-4 children)
2. Young executive (minimum with diploma)

Potential bad tenant

1. Foreign student
   
   

Cameron Highland, Pahang, Malaysia

Hibiscus flower at Cactus Valley
Cameron Highland Resort

Road heading to Equatorial Hotel

BOH tea plantation

One of my favourite place to relax in Malaysia is Cameron Highland. Cameron Highland located 4 hours driving from Kuala Lumpur. Since I am nature loving, I love Cameoron Highland more than Genting Highland. Cameron Highland is hillside resort located in Pahang. The air is cool and fresh.

Activity in Cameron Highland including visiting BOH tea plantation in Sungai Palas, visiting cactus valley and strawberry park. If you are more adventureos, you could go hiking into rainforest.

Where to stay? Cameron Highland offers a variety of luxury hotel. My favourite is Equatorial Hotel. The hotel located in Brinchang, one of the tallest place in Cameron. Breakfast is variety and surrounding area is great. I love the heated indoor swimming pool.

Cameron Highland also has a number of private apartment or bungalows. If you bring your familiy, is cheaper to rent the whole apartment or bungalows.

Driving tips: Before drive, check your coolant. Buy and top up before climbing hills. Makesure your fuel is almost full because all the way up from highway exit, there are no fuel station. In Cameron Highland, there are several fuel station. Before you going back, top up your fuel. Is cheaper to buy fuel in cool climate. Switch on light in mist. Do not use hazard light.

For easy driving, use North-South Highway exit Simpang Pulai to go to Cameron Highland (more info visit http://www.cameron-highland-destination.com/highlands-getting-there.html).

Do: Bring light warm cloth, buy fresh vegetables and flowers and visit BOH plantation.

Don't: Sun bathing (it's cool there).

House Renovation

Hai saya Andre. Kalau ada cewek Malaysia mahu berkenalan bolehlah nelpon sama saya.

Renovating a house is often more complex than buying the house. You need to blend the new structure with existing structure safely but elegantly. At the same time, it must fit your budget and in-line with local housing regulation. Here are some tips:-

1. Plan the drawing. Discuss with your wife, cats, friends... Get "pelukis plan" to draw drawing and submit drawing to local authority (Those majlis ex: MPPJ, MPM etc)
2. Get quotation from contractors as many as you like. Request the to write the details including type of beam and piling, how many pillars, what type of construction material (ex: sand brick or mud brick).
3. Once selected write a simple contract. Start payment and building construction progress. But always visit the construction site (it's your house anyway)
4. During construction maybe you want to insert something in the house structure for example salt to woo away mites or maybe evil spirit.... if you believe on that.

Do: Get local authority approval. pay with cheque and write everything in contract

Don't: Don't quarrel with contractor, pay lump sump or huge percentage during early stages of construction (always pay in stages as agreed and reserve 5-10% and pay after 2-4 weeks after construction complete)

Tangkuban Perahu, Bandung, Indonesia

Tangkuban Perahu, Bandung, Indonesia is a breath taking place. The scenary is wonderful, air is cool and walking above a live volcano, hot rock and boiling water is experience you could never forget.

But beware with people who self proclaim hiking guide. They (many of them) will make you lose million of Rupiah for their fee and selling cheap but very expensive souvineer. Politely ignore them, take picture and :-) get out from there.

Better you spend your money somewhere else. Spending for food and going to the Spa is a better option.

Do: Take picture and dip leg into hot volcano mud

Don't: Go hiking (just ignore people who offer you to sighseeing)

Property Investment

Mentari Court Aparment, Sunway. Near Komuter, 6 Swimming pool (3 adult and 3 child pool)and 24 hours security.

One of the simplest way to generate passive income is by property investment.

1) Buy a cheap but strategic appartment
- Near public transport, school etc

2) Clean the house, paint if neccesary. Put some WOW factor such as tiles and cheap but beautifull lamp.

3) Advertise to get a good tenant

4) Don't forget to insured your house


5) Sell or refinance the house when the price is up

Air Asia

If you are from Asia or Australia, one of the option to fly is using Air Asia. Air Asia is a no frills airline that is cheap, comfortable and safe. I personally use the Air Asia and I am satisfied with the service (of course comparable with the low price offered). Air Asia ticket can be purchase online via http://www.airasia.com/. Make sure you print out your ticket and bring the ticket along with you. The ticket price is depend on the demand. If the demand is high, the price will be increase. To increase your chances getting low price is by travelling on weekdays. If possible, avoid weekend and school holidays (normally in Disember). Air Asia operated using new Airbus A320 fleet (which is slighly bigger than B737). For long haul flight, Air Asia operated using A330. Air Asia operated in Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT), Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The cheapest way to travel to Kuala Lumpur is by Airport Bus. Right in front of arrival entrance, there are red bus line up. Before you board the bus, makesure the bus destination is KL Sentral. The cost is around RM10. KL Sentral is transporatation hub of Kuala Lumpur. International and local train as well as Light Rapid Transit (LRT) and monorail is connected in KL Sentral. So, log on to Air Asia and start packing your bags....