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.

WCT Bhd is a latecomer to the Vietnam property market — and that may be a very good thing.

In the Vietnam property market game, it is the unusual case of better late than early, rather than the other way round, as many players who flocked there earlier have found out.

TOPEKA, Kansas (Jan 27): In July 2009, Roy and Sheila Bowers refinanced the mortgage on their suburban ranch home in Topeka. The couple wanted to take advantage of the low interest rates that were all the rage at the time.

JACKSONVILLE, Florida (Jan 27): Republicans presidential candidates have taken a hands-off policy on the US housing crisis. At a debate on Thursday in Florida, it devolved into finger pointing.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 27): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said on Friday he hopes that the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) will expedite the issuing of the certificate of fitness (CF) for the Alam Prima apartment project in Shah Alam.