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Juwai Cambodia: Restructured, Rebranded & Ready for the Future! 

JUWAI IQI is pleased to announce the strategic restructuring and rebranding of our Cambodian operations under a new entity: Juwai Cambodia. This transformation marks an important step toward aligning our presence with future growth opportunities, evolving market demands, and international standards.  Juwai Cambodia is a revitalised platform, designed to better serve the Cambodian real estate sector and cross-border investors through a more focused, agile, and brand-aligned approach. As part of this new chapter, we are seeking a committed and entrepreneurial local partner to lead the newly restructured Juwai Cambodia.  This is more than a business opportunity. It is a chance to co-own and build a strong national brand under a globally recognised name, with full strategic support from the wider Juwai IQI network. We welcome expressions of interest from established professionals or emerging leaders in the Cambodian property or investment space.  We are looking for someone with deep local market knowledge and the ambition to take this brand forward. ? To explore this opportunity in confidence, please reach out to: ? info@iqiglobal.com ? 1800 222 155 ? Click here for the websiteJuwai Cambodia Restructured. Rebranded. Ready for Growth. With the Right Partner. Continue Reading: Can Foreigners Buy Property in Cambodia? A Clear Guide to Laws and RegulationsUnlocking Profits: The Untapped Land Opportunities in Cambodia5 Simple Steps to Invest in Cambodia

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Rents Cool Down in Q1 2025, Easing Pressure on Tenants | Juwai IQI

Malaysia’s rental market is finally showing signs of slowing down after more than a year of rising prices!  According to a new report by real estate group Juwai IQI, average home rents either stayed the same or dropped slightly in the first quarter of 2025. The report shows that the average rent across Malaysia fell from RM2,052 in Q4 2024 to RM2,020 in Q1 2025. This is the first time in over a year that rent prices didn’t go up, which is welcome news for many Malaysians, especially those living in big cities like Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur, which had some of the biggest rent increases last year, is now seeing prices level off.  This means less pressure on renters who have been struggling to keep up with rising living costs. What’s Behind the Change? Juwai IQI Group CEO, Kashif Ansari, explained the trend clearly: “What we’re seeing is a healthy cooling-off period after an aggressive rental surge in late 2024. Economic indicators remain strong, but the market is adjusting as supply and demand find new balance.” He also added,  “Stable rental prices bring predictability. That’s good not just for tenants, but also for developers and property investors looking to plan long-term.” Juwai IQI Group CEO, Kashif AnsariKashif mentioned that while the general rental market is slowing, luxury properties are still in demand, especially in areas like the Klang Valley.  He said, “Economic indicators remain strong, but the market is adjusting... while rents have slowed down, demand in the luxury and high-end rental market remains resilient.” Why This Matters This slowdown in rent growth could help ease the cost of living for many people.  With prices no longer climbing as fast, renters may find it easier to plan their finances and manage other expenses. Looking Ahead Juwai IQI believes this trend could continue through the year, depending on inflation and interest rates.  If the market stays balanced, renters and landlords alike can expect a more stable year ahead. Juwai IQI was featured in The Malaysian Reserve. Juwai IQI is the world-renowned property company that provides insights on property, locally and globallyClick below to get more expert property insights from our blog!MORE INSIGHTS

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Malaysia’s OPR Reduced to 2.75% After Two Years of Stability

Version: CN, MYOPR 2025: Latest updatesAs of 9 July 2025, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) announced its latest revision to the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR), reducing it from 3.00% to 2.75%. This marks the first rate cut in two years.Previously, BNM had maintained the OPR at 3.00% since its 25 basis point hike on 3 May 2023.With this adjustment, the ceiling and floor rates of the OPR corridor are now set at 3.00% and 2.50%, respectively.Overnight Policy Rate (OPR)OPR 2025: Latest updatesWhat is Overnight Policy Rate (OPR)?Why is the OPR system in place?What does this mean to home buyers and businesses?Is This a Good Time To Buy a Home?What is Overnight Policy Rate (OPR)?Before we dive in deeper, let's have a look at what OPR is all about.The Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) is an overnight interest rate set by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), which determines the interest rate for financial institutions to lend funds to one another. Depending on the bank’s lending activities as well as the customers’ deposits and withdrawals, banks have varying levels of cash reserves on a daily basis. Thus, banks with a cash shortage often borrow from banks with larger cash reserves in order to balance the available levels of cash, which in turn ensures a stable banking system.Why is the OPR system in place?Maintaining this balance is crucial to keep financial systems functioning, as well as meet the liquidity requirements set by BNM. To ensure banks have a steady amount of available cash, the interest rates fixed by the OPR provides a structure for monetary direction on a national scale. Due to its significance in banking operations, the OPR can affect the economy in various ways, including employment and inflation.What does this mean to home buyers and businesses?A higher OPR means that the borrowing cost will become more expensive for consumers. Banks will revise the costs following the increase in OPR by BNM, resulting in higher interest rates for home buyers and businesses. The higher cost can limit personal and commercial access to capital.A lower OPR, on the other hand, brings the opposite result. 2020 recorded the lowest OPR rate at 1.75%. Learn how a lower OPR can affect the property market here.The increase in OPR results in:1. Higher monthly installment paymentsThe higher interest rates make the cost of borrowing more expensive, resulting in a hike in monthly installment payments.2. Longer loan tenureThanks to the increase in the monthly installment amount, the repayment period will be extended if the old sum is maintained.Since most housing loans in Malaysia are Full Flexi Loans or Semi Flexi Loans, this means that your monthly payment will fluctuate with the rise and fall of OPR.The chart below shows a rough idea of the changes in monthly payments if OPR increases: Previous interest rate - 3%Current interest rate - 3.2%Future interest rate - 3.5%Monthly installment amount increase RM500KRM1924RM1980RM2066RM56++RM600KRM2309RM2376RM2479RM67++RM700KRM2693RM2772RM2893RM79++Credit: Andy Foong, IQI Real Estate NegotiatorNote that this information is only for reference – interest rates and percentages vary from bank to bank. Please check with your bank for the latest updates.Is This a Good Time To Buy a Home?Rates are expected to hike up by year end as BNM focuses on ensuring a sustainable recovery of the Malaysian economy. Knowing this, it’s safe to say that this is a good time to leverage on this opportunity and start purchasing property before rates start going up again. It's high time we start investing, so if you're interested in getting connected with the experts in the property industry, drop us your details and we will connect you as soon as possible![hubspot portal="5699703" id="85ebae59-f425-419b-a59d-3531ad1df948" version="undefined" type="form"]Continue reading:Bank Negara’s Unchanged OPR Ensures Housing Market Stability Guide To Finding The Right Home Loan: Flexi, Semi-Flexi Or Fixed Term, Which Is The Best For You?Real Estate 101: Navigating Home Financing through Loan-to-Value and DSR Explained

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What Is Loan-to-Value (LTV) and How It Affects Home Loans in Malaysia

If you're planning to buy a home in Malaysia, Loan-to-Value (LTV) is one of the most important terms you'll come across. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking to invest in property, knowing how much banks are willing to lend compared to the property's value can help you plan smarter.All you need to know about Loan-to-ValueWhat Is LTV?Loan-to-Value Formula:LTV Limits in MalaysiaWhy LTV MattersLower LTV (e.g., 70–80%):Higher LTV (e.g., 90% or more):What About DSR (Debt Service Ratio)?DSR Formula:Aisha’s Story: A Simple LTV + DSR ExampleWhich Banks in Malaysia Offer the Best Terms?How to Improve Your Approval OddsSummary: LTV at a GlanceTips to Improve Your LTV & Loan OutcomeWhat Is LTV?LTV stands for Loan-to-Value, and it's a percentage that shows how much of the property price the bank will finance. The rest is your responsibility—usually paid as a down payment.Loan-to-Value Formula: ? Loan-to-Value (LTV) Formula Formula: LTV (%) = (Loan Amount ÷ Property Value) × 100 Example: If you borrow RM450,000 for a home valued at RM500,000, LTV = (450,000 ÷ 500,000) × 100 = 90% LTV Limits in MalaysiaFirst & Second Homes: Up to 90% LTVThird Home Onwards: Maximum 70% LTV (per Bank Negara’s policy to curb speculation)The more homes you own, the lower your allowable LTV, meaning you’ll need to pay more upfront.Why LTV MattersLTV doesn’t just affect how much you can borrow—it also affects your interest rate, loan approval, and whether you’ll need mortgage insurance.Lower LTV (e.g., 70–80%):Seen as lower risk by banksCan qualify for better interest ratesOften doesn’t require insuranceHigher LTV (e.g., 90% or more):Higher risk for banksMay come with higher interest ratesMay require insurance or stricter approval conditionsWhat About DSR (Debt Service Ratio)?While LTV measures how much you can borrow based on property value, DSR (Debt-Service Ratio) measures how much you can borrow based on your income and existing commitments.DSR Formula: ? Debt-Service Ratio (DSR) Formula Formula: DSR (%) = (Total Monthly Debt Obligations ÷ Monthly Income) × 100 Example: If you earn RM10,000 and have total debts of RM3,000 per month, DSR = (3,000 ÷ 10,000) × 100 = 30% Banks use this to ensure you won’t be overwhelmed by debt after your loan is approved.Aisha’s Story: A Simple LTV + DSR ExampleAisha found her dream apartment for RM500,000. With a 90% LTV, she could borrow RM450,000. But the bank also looked at her DSR:Monthly income: RM10,000Other debt (car loan + personal loan): RM3,000DSR = (3,000 ÷ 10,000) × 100 = 30%The bank allowed a 50% max DSR, so she had 20% (RM2,000) room left for her home loan.Result? Although LTV allowed a RM450,000 loan, her DSR only supported about RM400,000 in monthly repayments—so she adjusted her budget.Which Banks in Malaysia Offer the Best Terms?Maybank: Great for tools and DSR/LTV calculators onlinePublic Bank: Known for low-interest rates and stable lending practicesCIMB, RHB, and Hong Leong: Often offer seasonal promos and flexible packages? Tip: Compare rates and LTV policies from at least 3 banks. Also check whether you're eligible for first-time homebuyer incentives.How to Improve Your Approval OddsBefore applying for a home loan:✅ Do❌ Don’tPay all bills and loans on timeApply for too many loans at onceCheck your CCRIS reportMax out credit cardsReduce existing debtsBe a guarantor unless necessarySummary: LTV at a GlanceTermDescriptionLTVHow much the bank will lend vs. property valueHigh LTVLower down payment, higher riskLow LTVHigher equity, better interest rateDSRMonthly debt obligations vs. monthly incomeBest PracticeBalance LTV and DSR for approval successTips to Improve Your LTV & Loan OutcomeBoost your down payment — lower LTV = better interest rate.Reduce debts — improves both your DSR & loan approval chances.Keep an eye on CLTV — especially if you plan a second mortgage or home equity line.Compare lenders— Maybank and Public Bank frequently have flexible LTV/DSR calculators, while promos from CIMB, RHB, and Hong Leong may offer attractive rates.Looking for advice or help on your home loan application? We want to hear from you by submitting your info down below, our agent will guide you step by step![custom_blog_form]Continue reading:What is Debt-To-Service Ratio (DSR) in Malaysia & How It Affects Your Home LoanWhat can you do if your home loan is rejected?Is purchasing a home during the COVID-19 crisis the right decision?

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