“Buying property in a foreign country can be daunting. This checklist simplifies the process into 5 Essential Steps to ensure your investment is secure, legal, and profitable.”
Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility & Price Thresholds
In Malaysia, property prices for foreigners are regulated at the state level. You must ensure the property meets the minimum price requirement:
✅ Kuala Lumpur: Minimum RM1,000,000.
✅ Selangor: Minimum RM1,000,000 to RM2,000,000 (depending on zone/type).
✅ MM2H Holders: Check for special “lower threshold” zones (some states offer lower entry points for visa holders).
✅ Land Title: Ensure the property is “Foreigner Eligible” (some Malay Reserve or Bumi-only lots are restricted).
Step 2: Choose the Right Investment Vehicle
Decide which program fits your long-term residency goals:
✅ MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home): Ideal for retirees or long-term stayers.
✅ PVIP (Premium Visa Program): For high-net-worth investors and entrepreneurs.
✅ Direct Investment: You can buy property without a long-term visa, but financing terms may differ.
Step 3: Financial & Legal Due Diligence
Don’t skip the “boring” part—this is where your money is protected.
✅ Loan-to-Value (LTV): Most foreigners can get 50% to 70% financing; MM2H holders may get up to 80%.
✅ Solicitor Appointment: Hire an independent lawyer (not just the developer’s lawyer) to review the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA).
✅ State Consent: Your lawyer must apply for “State Authority Consent”—a mandatory step for all foreign buyers.
✅ RPGT Awareness: Understand Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT) if you plan to sell within 5 years.
Step 4: Property Selection Strategy
Does the property match your ROI goals?
✅ Zoning Check: Is it a Commercial-titled Serviced Residence? (Critical if you want to do Airbnb).
✅ Quality Score: Ask for the QLASSIC score (a high score indicates superior construction quality).
✅ Transit Connectivity: Is it a TOD (Transit-Oriented Development)?
✅ Title Status: Is it Freehold or Leasehold? (Freehold is usually preferred for long-term capital preservation).
Step 5: The “Golden Mile” Walkthrough
Before signing the booking form:
✅ Virtual or Physical Tour: Request a 1-to-1 Zoom tour if you are overseas.
✅ Maintenance Fee Review: Check the monthly service charges to ensure they don’t eat your rental yield.
✅ Management Track Record: For branded residences (like Ascott or Sofitel), verify the management contract terms.
Pro-Tip: Use My ROI Tools
Don’t guess your returns. Before you book, use my proprietary tools to confirm the math:
ROI Calculator – Calculate your net yield after fees.
Loan Calculator – See your monthly installments based on current OPR rates.
Need some help? or got this to ask? WhatsApp Eric Lau 
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