4 Budget 2020 initiatives home buyers can take advantage of

1. Rent-to-Own Scheme (RTO)

• Financial Institutions will provide RM10 billion financing, in which 30% of RM3 billion is guaranteed by the government.
• Applicable only for properties up to RM500,000
• Applicants can rent up to 5 years, before deciding whether to purchase at an agreed price.
• Exemption on stamp duty for SPA and loan agreement.

RTO caters to aspiring homeowners who find it difficult to come up with the initial 10% downpayment. The scheme is also good for young, working professionals and couples as it gives them some financial cushioning and allows them ample time to save, for 5 years. They can then decide whether to buy or not in the sixth year.

The rent to own scheme biggest selling point is that buyers will be able to lock in the property purchase price based on the current selling price. This means when they do purchase the home after 5 years, the sale price remains unchanged even though the who wish to lock in the purchase price based on the current property value so that when they decide to finally make the purchase, the sale price remains the same even though the property’s current market value is higher due to capital appreciation over the years.

If the property price at that time goes down, they can decide not to buy; but if the price goes up, it’s a win for the buyer.

It is always crucial for homebuyers to do proper financial planning before they commit to buying a property. Some suggestions would be to work part-time jobs in addition to one’s main job to supplement their income – take advantage of the many opportunities like e-hailing cars or food delivery. I spoke to a GRAB driver recently who told me she is driving part-time to earn extra money to buy a house. This is a good example of using resources that you already have to your advantage – in the long run, it would help alleviate financial burdens and help you save more, faster.

Go to Geek Prank and try the online Windows XP simulator, play with the classic Minesweeper and Tetris games or listen to some music.

2. Lowering foreigner’s minimum property purchase price from RM1 million to RM600,000

There are many comments on this new law. Some states it is a good thing while others say it is open for abuse. What do you think? Indefinitely, it is good news for developers. There are still a staggering RM8.3 billion of supply overhang in the property market. It is also great news for foreigners – I recall someone who came up to me at a seminar last year, lamenting that RM1 million is too high for his budget. Now he’s able to grab the lower deal.

According to the government, this only applies for existing, unsold units and not for new projects and will only last for a period of 1 year, from 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020. Additionally, foreigners who will buy these properties will not be given automatic citizenship. The government hopes to reduce the number of overhang units within this period.

One thing to also note is that the government announced the minimum threshold on a national level. So it would depend on each state to implement this as a state prerogative – based on the guideline, RM600,000 is the lowest they can go.

3. Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT) has been revised

Everyone was hoping that the RPGT of 5% ruling for genuine homeowners to be abolished in Budget 2020, as it was said to be actually a tax on inflation. I think the government heard us loud and clear, but unfortunately, it is not abolished.

Instead, the government made a change to the date of the 5% calculation from 1st January 2000 to 1st January 2013. That’s a 13-year revision, and it can be construed as good news. In a Facebook Live commentary on Budget 2020 with WK Ng, a full-time investor, he mentioned that 2013 is a period where we have already surpassed the high increase in property prices.

So the 5% tax is now much lower. But of course, the new law will only come into effect on 1st January 2020, so until then, property sellers may want to hold off any sales for the remaining year.

4. Youth Housing Scheme under BSN

This is another good initiative in helping youths to earn their first home. The scheme which is also widely known as Skim Perumahan Belia (SPB) was extended by BSN to 31st December 2020. It is limited to 10,000 houses and homebuyers will have the luxury to borrow up to 100% of the purchase price and 10% is guaranteed by Cagamas.

I support this initiative, but homebuyers will need to do proper financial planning. The first rule is to buy only what you can afford – so if you can only afford RM200,000, you cannot be buying a RM400,000 property. Grow slowly within your means, you do want to end up bankrupt.

Just to add on, the recent Homeownership Campaign has been extended to 31st December 2019. Take this opportunity as it comes with free stamping fees on SPA and loan. However, not all developers are in the scheme, only those registered with REHDA, SHAREDA and SHEDA qualifies. The campaign has already surpassed its objective of RM3 billion, achieving a whopping RM13.44 billion, which is four times higher. Therefore, it is very unlikely that the scheme will be extended any further.

I hope this will give you a better insight into Budget 2020 and its impact on the property market. Again, let me stress that it is crucial to have proper financial planning before you start your property journey. Best of luck in buying your first property.