Retirement Life / 02.01.2025

Retirement Living in Johor Bahru : A Smart Choice for Your Golden Years

Johor Bahru (JB) in southern Malaysia is an Affordable and Peaceful City perfect for Retirees. It offers Modern Facilities, Good Housing, Affordable Healthcare, and a Relaxed Lifestyle.Healthcare in JB is High-Quality and reasonably priced, with Modern Hospitals providing excellent care. Its location near Singapore gives retirees access to international services while enjoying a slower pace of life.The city’s vibrant culture includes delicious Food, Cultural Activities, and Scenic Parks and Beaches. Malaysia’s "My Second Home" (MM2H) Program also makes it easy for foreigners to settle and buy property.JB combines Affordability, great Healthcare, and a Lively Culture, making it an ideal choice for a Happy Retirement.

RTS Impact / 16.01.2025

Impact of the RTS Link on Johor Bahru’s Property Market

The Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link between Johor Bahru and Singapore is set to reshape Johor Bahru’s property market. Expected to complete in 2026, it will cut travel time to just five minutes, attracting more Buyers and Investors to areas near RTS stations.Proximity to the RTS is driving Property Prices upward, especially in Bukit Chagar and nearby neighborhoods. Rental Demand is also expected to rise as Professionals working in Singapore seek more Affordable living options in Johor Bahru.Commercial Developments are poised to benefit too, with growth in Retail, Office Spaces, and Hospitality sectors catering to Commuters and Tourists. However, rising demand may strain Infrastructure and increase Living costs, making thorough research essential for buyers and investors.Overall, the RTS Link is a Game-Changer for Johor Bahru’s property market, creating opportunities for Growth and Investment.

JS-SEZ Resilient Amid Tariffs / 06.02.2025

Gateway to ASEAN Growth

JS-SEZ Still Strong Despite Uncertainty Over US TariffsJOHOR BARU: The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) remains in a strong position to attract foreign investment despite global economic uncertainties sparked by the United States’ recent tariff imposition, says Lee Ting Han.The Johor investment, trade, consumer affairs, and human resources committee chairman said this is because the JS-SEZ serves as a gateway for foreign investors to tap into the ASEAN market.There is uncertainty following the United States’ move to impose high tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China. In my personal view, this could impact the global supply chain.However, it will not immediately impact the JS-SEZ as the zone is a window of opportunity for foreign investors to enter the ASEAN region, which has a population of almost 700 million,” he said yesterday.On Saturday, US President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, and 10% on Chinese goods.Analysts warn that this move could trigger a trade war and cause global economic uncertainty, as the US and China are the world’s two largest economies.Continued Foreign Investments in JS-SEZDespite these concerns, JS-SEZ continues to attract foreign investments, including from the United States.Microsoft recently acquired multiple plots of land in Johor to expand its data centers, reinforcing the state’s role as a tech hubAccording to Forbes, the plot in Nusa Cemerlang Industrial Park was purchased by Microsoft Payments Malaysia for RM119.8 million.This is Microsoft’s fourth land acquisition in Johor, solidifying the region’s reputation as a data center hub.Potential Benefits for MalaysiaLee suggested that could in US tariffsdirectly benefit Malaysia, especially JS-SEZ, but further analysis is required to determine the impact on specific goods.Johor Government’s CommitmentThe state government is closely monitoring the situation to anticipate potential developments.Johor remains committed to attracting high-quality investments that will generate high-income jobs for locals.

Rental Trends / 02.01.2025

Rental Market Trends in Johor Bahru : A 2024 Overview

The Rental Market in Johor Bahru has been changing a lot lately. This change is Mainly due to new Economic Developments and Infrastructure Projects in the Area. One significant project is the Rapid Transit System (RTS), which is halfway completed. Because of this Progress, the demand for Rental Properties has increased by 17% in 2023.This rise shows that more people are interested in living in Johor Bahru.In addition to the increased demand, the Property Market as a whole is growing. In 2023, the total number of Property Transactions, including Residential and Commercial spaces, jumped by 65.3%. This means there were about 30,071 transactions, up from 18,188 in 2022.Such strong growth Highlights Johor Bahru's growing appeal to both Renters and Investors. When it comes to Rental Yields, Johor Bahru is performing well. As of the third quarter of 2024, the Rental Yield ranges from 4.97% to 8.47%. On average, Properties in the City offer a yield of about 6.22%. This makes Johor Bahru an attractive choice for Real Estate Investors.Looking ahead, the Rental Market in Johor Bahru is expected to stay active. Ongoing Infrastructure Projects and the City's Strategic Location will likely continue to attract interest. For both Renters and Investors, it's essential to watch these trends, as they present New Opportunities in the Evolving Rental Landscape.