HONG KONG: Property sales may total HK$518 billion (US$67 billion) this year, approaching the level of 2007, thanks to a weaker dollar, a massive inflow of money from China and low interest rates, Bloomberg says Dec 26 quoting a Ming Pao Daily News report.

BEIJING: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said the government will cool property prices, resist pressure for the yuan to appreciate and keep inflation at “reasonable” levels.

The world of “Lights! Camera! Action!” and paparazzi may seem incongruous with property investment but not for Malaysia’s enterprising young stars.

Describe your dream homeYun: Perhaps a landed property surrounded by trees, single-storey, high ceiling and lots of space. I prefer to have many windows and an open concept.Yap: I would love a beach house. Doesn’t have to be big or lavish or expensively decorated; I believe the best decorations in a house are the people.

Describe your dream home Aishah: A big colonial-style 1-storey bungalow on a big plot of land in Malaysia. I would love to live in the outskirts of the city, where there are still a lot of trees around. It’s all white on the outside and lots of big windows and French doors.

Describe your dream homeChai: Perhaps I watched too many romantic movies as a child, but I’ve always loved the idea of a long driveway surrounded by many trees that leads you to a house with large gardens. I’m not sure where exactly I will ‘settle down’ but I know it will definitely be somewhere in Asia.

Yun: Resting in my living room and working on my laptop.
Yap: Doing nothing; just sitting back and relaxing. I travel a lot for work, so my best holiday vacation is spent at home.

The year 2009 is coming to a close, and what a rollercoaster ride it has been for the local bourse and the real estate scene. Sentiment picked up towards the second half of the year. Bank Negara Malaysia data show that loans approved for the purchase of residential property for October 2009 rose 60.7% to RM6.87 billion, from RM4.27 billion a year ago.

The year 2009 began on a gloomy note around the globe but as it comes to a close, some property markets have begun showing signs of recovery from the global economic turmoil although some property experts remain cautiously optimistic on the outlook for 2010.Most property consultancies in the Asia Pacific, the UK and the US contacted by City & Country say they expect growth in 2010 b

After years of travelling for business and leisure, it is understandable that the seasoned travelbug ceases to be awed by the beauty and luxury of his or her surroundings.