HONG KONG (Jan 31): The lack of home sales recorded in Beijing over the week-long Lunar New Year holiday was the result of a technical issue and concern over the issue is misplaced, Deutsche Bank AG said in a research note on Tuesday.

SINGAPORE (Jan 31): Located in an exclusive neighbourhood near Singapore's Orchard Road shopping district, Nassim Hill condominium boasts 16 luxury triplex apartments with private rooftop pools and gardens.

ALOR SETAR (Jan 31): Fire destroyed three business premises located in a three storey building in Jalan Teluk Wan Jah here early on Tuesday.

The fire at about 4am destroyed an electrical appliance shop, a beauty centre and an insurance office.

JOHOR BAHRU (Jan 30): Seri Alam Properties Sdn Bhd (SAP), a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Malayan Land Bhd (UMLand), has opened its new corporate office and sales gallery in Bandar Seri Alam, Johor, named Galleria Seri Alam.

PENANG: Penang Island's residential sector retained the lion's share of transactions in the property market in terms of total value and volume in 2011 and real estate consultancy Henry Butcher Malaysia (Penang) Sdn Bhd expects a more "cautiously optimistic" outlook for the sector this year.

BEIJING (Jan 30): Chinese banks extended a total of 1.26 trillion yuan (RM608.27 billion) in new loans to property developers and home buyers in 2011, down 38% from 2010, the central bank said in a statement on its website on Monday.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 30): The two major construction projects that were recently awarded to IJM Corp Bhd will bode well for the company and provide it with earnings visibility for the next two to three years, say analysts.

Last Thursday, IJM received the green light to proceed with the West Coast Expressway (WCE), a project that has been delayed for more than 10 years.

Stable Aussie economy and government a big draw

The land beneath the wind — that was how Sabah was widely described in the 1990s. Less than three hours by plane from Kuala Lumpur, the East Malaysian state is famous for more than one reason, including its tourist attractions and rapid development.

More mainlanders are now living in urban areas than in the countryside, according to a report released by a government think tank last week. The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences report also sheds light on a new social group —  “pseudo” city dwellers.