Running - How to get started?

I learnt this the hard way..

When you start running, don't plan to go too far or too fast right away - doing so is the number one cause of injury among runners. Start by running for 20 minutes at a time, three times per week. Gradually increase the amount of time you're running and the number of days you run, but do not increase either until you feel comfortable completing your current level of training. If 20 minutes is too much, don't be afraid to take walking breaks. Perhaps begin by running for 4 minutes and walking for 1 minute, until you complete the 20 minutes. As you get stronger, begin eliminating the walk breaks. When you're a beginner, it's not necessary to worry about how many miles you are running. Focus on the number of minutes instead. Gradually you'll begin to cover more ground in the same amount of time, and that's when you'll want to increase the duration of your workout.

How sore should I expect to get?

Your legs will be sore in the beginning, but if you keep up the routine, the leg soreness will subside relatively quickly. If you feel acute pain anywhere, stop running for a few days and let your legs recover, to prevent injuries. Shin splints are the most common injury, usually incurred when you overdo your training or wear improper shoes. Be aware of the difference between being tired and being injured, and make sure you're not encouraging overuse injuries.

Happy Running!

Malaysian Mortgage Rate

To fix or to float?

Of course, go for the lower one most will say. Difference of 1.20% will have significant impact on the monthly installments.

Think again. Bank will tie mortgage customers to a minimum of 5 years. A harsh penalty will be imposed if refinancing is done before the 5 year period. In short, you will be locked for 5 years. So, you have to predict what is going to happen in the next 5 years at least. I dare say your prediction is as good as mine. So, why bother?

I suggest you fallback to your Risk Tolerance. If you are a risk adverse borrower, go for the fixed rate and have peace of mind. On the other hand, if your risk tolerance is high then automatically you will be thinking the more risk the more gain.. so go for floating rate.

Just my 2 cents..


An article on getting the right mortgage.

Let's Start Running

We know the importance of exercise. But what form of exercise to choose from? The list is endless. If you have difficulty deciding on which form of exercise to perform, try Running.

Why running?
Does not cost much – just a pair of running shoes
Do it almost anywhere and for FREE - no need specific facilities ie. swiming pool, golf course, basketball, squash or tennis courts
Do it on your own – no need partners or teams. Easy and you don’t have to wait for anyone to start your running.
Offers a good workout just like any other form of exercise.

Running is a great activity for anyone to try, regardless of age or fitness level.
Get started here. 

Property Fair 2009 - KLCC

for more info @ starproperty.my

Property investments – the leverage factor

By TAY HAN CHONG Nov 21, 2009
IS property a good investment? Many Malaysians are likely to respond with a resounding “YES!”
Why is property investing such an investor’s darling? Many die-hard property investors would say that they make money and receive rental income through their property. So investing in a property does indeed sound like a good buy.
However setting aside the benefits, there is one thing that many are generally unclear about: property investing comes with significant leverage benefit – that is, buying a property that is worth a lot more than what is paid at the onset. Most of the time, a property investor does not have to pay 100% of the property price because one would take a property loan from a bank. For example, if you take a loan with a margin of 80%, a RM1mil house would actually cost you RM200,000 upfront. The remaining 80% is paid off through regular mortgage payments.
Using the previous example, let us assume that the price of the property has increased to RM1.2mil in three years. The total investment cost is the initial investment of RM200,000 plus other fixed costs. So the gross profit is RM200,000, or 100% based on the initial upfront payment. Of course, the net profit will be lower, depending on the fixed costs incurred for mortgage interest, legal costs, et cetera.
It is not uncommon for very serious property investors (and speculators) to pay only 10% upfront and take out a loan for the remaining amount. At 10%, the leverage is ten times! This means that if you make a 10% profit on the property value, the leverage would equate to ten multiply by 10% or a total of 100%, before deducting the cost of borrowing. The converse is true, if you have to sell your property at a 10% loss in value, you may not recover enough from the sales proceeds to pay off your outstanding loans. In such cases, you would have effectively lost your initial upfront investments plus all the associated costs.
When dabbling in property investing, it is noteworthy to understand and take note of the leverage factor or loans taken up. The effects are not very different from margin investment. A quick reflection on past market turmoils like the 1997-1998 crisis will enable one to immediately understand that leverage cuts both ways – magnifying the profits and losses.
After all, property investing, like any form of investment, can be profitable and carry risks at the same time.
So before you jump into purchasing your next property, do bear in mind this leverage effect.

read full article @ starproperty.my

My thoughts :

- do not invest unless you are confident that the location is good.

- do not listen to developer / seller.. need to do a lot of research on your own.

- do not invest unless you have the holding power.. force selling more damaging in property than in shares.

2012 - Mayan Calendar

The end?

December 21, 2012 will anything ever happen?

Or will it be just another "Thank God It's Friday"?

There is zero scientific evidence that anything will happen, but there are numerous things that could easily threaten the human species in the year 2012, such as a geomagnetic reversal, asteroid strike or supernova. Or something more intimate, like a flu pandemic, or a nuclear war.

We welcome your thoughts and comments below :

Setia Alam Forum

A great place for owners, residents, future residents and public to mingle and share information.

Check out Setia Alam & Setia Eco Park latest happenings @...

http://www.setiaalam.net/sara/

Happy Family

I'll never forget seeing my mother’s tears when my angry father kept on shouting. I just hid at the corner and did nothing. I have no idea of what was happening. As I was just a little kid, the anxiety and fear are overwhelming. Incidents like this happened almost every week… …
Why my parents always quarrel? How can I stop them from arguing? I wish they could spend more time to pamper me……

A new study conducted by researchers at the universities of Rochester, Syracuse and Notre Dame, confirmed that children upset by quarrelling parents tend to encounter problems at school, because they are unable to concentrate on allotted tasks, due to the children’s concerns about their parents’ relationship.
In time of stress, we really need to figure out how to handle our emotions carefully to avoid argument especially in front of our children. Efforts to identify and navigate around the notorious argument trigger zones within daily family life are important.

Below are the Tips to the Happy Family path taken from
Article Source: Adwina D. Jackson
Who doesn’t want a happy family? Everyone is longing for that, beyond anything. Yet, there are some who fail during the process. However, those who fail must have missed these tips—the quickest ways possible to maintain a happy family—:

• Mom-Dad relationship
Mom, Dad, it all starts with you. Yes, the central point of a happy family is in the relationship between mother and father, husband and wife. So, if you plan to live a happy life with your family, try to ensure that you have a beautiful connection with your spouse.

• Bring laughter to your family

Spend more time with your kids. Get them to play with you, watch funny children movies, or simply tickle each other. Laughter is a great way to create connection among family members. Do you know that a family spending cheerful and quality time together helps lessen possibility of needless conflicts?

• Avoid financial problems
Try very hard not to cause your family suffer from any financial issue. Balance the income and expense. If the income is less than the expense, then no argue about it. Instead, find ways or solution to solve the problem. Arguing is getting you nowhere. It even might cause another problem with your children.

• Raise your children happily
Don’t ever think that the children are a burden. Yes, it’s true that they are your responsibility. But, they are not a burden. They are a blessing. There are many couples out there dying to have children of their own. And, it is not wise to look at your children as a burden. To have happy children, you must raise them in a happy way.

• Focus on your blessings
In this life, it is impossible that you, or you family, have no misfortune. Yet, why should you focus on that? Instead, why don’t you concentrate on your blessings? It is easier if you wish a happy life, a happy family. Encourage all members of your family to be thankful for what they have. As a result, everyone will be happy.

Isn’t it easy having a happy family? So, what’s the waiting for? Start now, for your happy lovely family!

Toddler Behaviour

As a newbie in parenting, I find it difficult to get my boy to listen. I have to yell or hit him and sometimes both to stop his misbehaviour. However, it works only for that moment. Subsequent to that, he will repeat again. The worse is, he mimics my action. Whenever he is not happy with something, he will hit at anything around him and mumble “beat..beat” or “ta..ta”….
Then only I became aware. I am not showing a good example! Things change when I started to portray my good behavior in front of him.
This saying is really true… The character of your children tomorrow depends on what you put into their hearts today.

Malaysian Mortgage Rates tipped to Rise

Banks are ending the mortgage price wars. It was just weeks ago that some banks offer mortgage rate for as low as BLR -2.4%. Today the market rate ranges from BLR -1.5% to -1.9%. Furthermore, some banks have ceased to offer Zero Entry Cost packages.
With the economy showing signs that it will be coming back on its feet next year, there is also a looming possibility that BLR may increase. BLR is at a historic low now at 5.55%.
Borrowers pay close attention! If you have a good piece of property that you are planning to buy, please hasten the process. Seize whatever that is left from the aftermath of the mortgage war.

As the saying goes... Don’t wait to buy property, Buy property and wait.

WWW

Wet Wet Wednesday

Its raining again....

Flood alert level has been raised from yellow to orange.
Those staying in low areas and near riverbanks beware.

Government may rethink real property gains tax (RPGT)

Well, I certainly hope so! And do it quickly.
What a lousy timing to announce the reintroduction of RPGT. With the economy barely out of recession and the road ahead beginning to look less winding, suddenly we see a road block in front of us.
Some may say RPGT of 5% is not a big issue. Let’s look at the implications. In April 2007, RPGT was exempted. After just two and a half years, this exemption was lifted. This potrays inconsistency and uncertainty. Taboo to investors. What’s next? A sudden increase of RPGT to 30% without any warning… yes, it might happen.
Back to lousy timing… the reintroduction of RPGT will take effect in January 2010. There is too little time to react. Even if one sells the property immediately, it takes time for the transaction to go thru and RPGT will be imposed. Why not give us the time to react, say starts in July 2010 or even better January 2011?

Klang Sentral Developement

Klang Sentral , one of the hidden gems has yet to shine. KS has the potential to be Klang’s transportation hub.

Located just in front of Jalan Meru and surrounded by SP Setia crown project Setia Alam, award wining project Setia Eco Park, Mah Sing project Aman Perdana and Sime Property project Bandar Bukit Raja, KS can tap into the population growth of this area. There is no restriction on any legal business undertaking within this zone. Accessibility is a breeze as KS is connected by various expressways. MacDonald’s 24hour which is located nearby, has opened its doors.

Despite the above, KS still looks like a ghost town today. It may become a white elephant. Why?

Klang Sentral Bus Terminal is the key.

Please continue here: http://hubpages.com/hub/Klang-Sentral-Developement

Investment Decision

If you are relying on the valuer to value your property that you are thinking of buying, don’t buy. Do your homework, study the market more, until you feel you know much more than the valuer about your target market. Then make that commitment.

How true? I think valuer can only indicate the general price of property in the area or at least be relatively acurate to that extend. Beyond that you have to check the individual traits of the property. For example, to some people the property facing direction is important. Other factors are the address number, lot number, history of the property, tenant next door and suitability for its intended purpose.

Even properties that are side by side have vast different in prices due to the factors above. Key to pick a good investment is to know what the market wants.

SP Setia builds on winning formula

By EUGENE MAHALINGAM
CEO: Key to a project’s success is to give what customers want

PETALING JAYA: The annual International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) Malaysia Property Award (MPA) has, over the years, highlighted some of the best developments the local property sector has to offer.
One project that stands out is SP Setia Bhd’s Setia Eco Gardens mixed “green” township in Johor, which won the MPA 2008 (Master Plan category) and FIABCI Prix d’Excellence Award 2009 (Best Master Plan Development) category.
President and chief executive officer Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin said the philosophy, or “masterplan” behind the success of the eco-themed development was to “give what customers want.”
“To be a leader in property development, you need to come up with something innovative. But to do that, you must first know what your customers want,” he told StarBiz.
Inspired by its Setia Eco Park development in Shah Alam, the 379.2ha freehold Setia Eco Gardens is located in the heart of Iskandar Malaysia.
With a gross development value of RM3.5bil, the project was being developed in phases and would take a decade to complete, said Liew. Up to September 2009, SP Setia had sold 362 of the 369 units launched, raking in sales totalling RM92mil.
Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin: ‘To be a leader in property development, you need to come up with something innovative.’
Liew said 98% of the buyers were local and the remainder comprised Singaporeans. He added that the development was like “living in a modern world but with natural surroundings.”
“It’s a place where nature and man can co-exist side by side,” he said.
In preserving the environment, SP Setia set aside more than 14% of the land for green zones, double the 7% required for a standard mixed development.
The green zones comprise an 7.4ha Eco park, a 6.4ha rainforest, lush greenery, smaller landscaped parks as well as water features that include rivers, lakes and well-manicured canals.
All retention ponds were also converted into waterways and canals.
Energy conservation initiatives such as rainwater harvesting, water recycling system, water efficient fittings and photovoltaic solar panel are among the common features of the eco homes and eco villas.
Liew said the biggest challenge in developing an eco-based project was turning a barren piece of terrain into an ecological wonderland.
“Property development is about land and returns. It’s how to turn the land into a return on investment. It’s about having the right ecosystem for the project. We are blessed with a country that has a lot of rainfall and sunshine. Everything will grow.
“But the challenge is finding the right formula. Everybody can make char kuey teow but some do it better than others. That’s because they have the right ingredients,” he said.
Liew said that while it was always an honour to win awards, the business of property development was not about winning accolades.
“We don’t go about planning to win an award. We’re in business. We need to come up with something that can differentiate ourselves from other developers or what we think the customers will want to buy from us.
“But along the way if we win an award, we’re thankful but it’s not our major purpose,” he said.
Fiabci Malaysia will be organising the 2009 MPA on Nov 16 in Kuala Lumpur, with Malayan Banking Bhd as the official sponsor. The emphasis for this year’s award is Intrinsic Value in Holistic Living.
The categories that will be contested are: Property CEO of the Year, Master Plan, Residential Development (low rise and high rise), Retail Development, Office Development and Purpose-Built Project. The event will be graced by the Sultan of Selangor.

from
http://biz.thestar.com.my

Learning the Ropes

We have just created our first blog. You are looking at it right now!
Will have more to share... soon.