The world of “Lights! Camera! Action!” and paparazzi may seem incongruous with property investment but not for Malaysia’s enterprising young stars. Some of them have already invested in real estate while others are scouting around for good buys.

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.

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.

When comfort or decadence no longer excites and enthralls, it is time for travellers to look for a unique and unforgettable experience

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian residential property is presently at its most affordable, said Minister of Finance II Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.

Affordability has never been better as banks continue to support the market with very attractive mortgage rates to as low as BLR -2.4% in some cases.

KUALA LUMPUR: Giant, a hypermarket retailer under GCH Retail (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, is set to open a store in Sibu, by the middle of next year.

The ground breaking for the RM12 million hypermarket project will be held Saturday Jan 23 and is expected to be ready in June next year. It will be the first Giant hypermarket in Sarawak.

KUALA LUMPUR: Ho Hup Construction Co.

XIAN (China): Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd has signed on Golden Harvest Cinema as its first anchor tenant for VivoCity Xian, its first retail mall in China.

Mapletree’s chief executive officer Hiew Yoon Khong said Golden Harvest Cinema would be taking up a total of 2,317 sq metres of space, which will constitute close to 6 % of the total lettable space.

KUALA LUMPUR: Global average occupancy costs per workstation saw a 4% decline in 2009, and the overall global average costs are projected to show moderate annual growth of 1.7% till 2013, said a DTZ Research report entitled Global Occupancy Costs – Offices 2010.