SINGAPORE: A man’s social media post sparked a discussion among Singaporeans about the pros and cons of buying property in Johor Bahru (JB).
The man took to r/askSingapore and asked, “Has anyone here recently bought houses in Johor Bahru? Is it possible for you to share your experience with me?”
He mentioned that he would like to buy a plot of land or a house in a gated community in JB that he can visit on weekends and not for investment purposes, as long as the price does not exceed RM1,000,000. He also shared that he does not have a car in Singapore but lives near Woodland Checkpoint. “Any suggestions on areas to buy would be very welcome,” he said.
However, the majority of online Singaporeans were against the idea, warning that buying property in JB could also have disadvantages. One commenter called it “a nightmare” if you don’t rent it out. Others said buying property in Kuala Lumpur could be a better choice.
One commenter said, “Yes, it sounds like fun at first. But after a few times, you’ll probably get sick and go less often. That means you’ll have to brush more each time.”
Another commenter noted that traveling between Singapore and JB without a car should be considered. “Are you willing to travel 3-4 hours back and forth every weekend? AirBNB is a much better option, at least you can choose the location, no maintenance and no worries about Burglaries.“
Many users also pointed out that buying a property in JB could be a risky investment, with one commenter noting, “You will lose money. Hard to sell, and not to mention the ringgit is losing value like crazy.” Others, however, noted that properties within the RM1,000,000 budget may be located further away from central JB.
Some suggested that a high-end condo might be a better choice than a lot. “From the sounds of it, you should probably consider an upscale condo. It’s gated and guarded, with card access to each floor. Some condos are built above or very close to shopping centers and attractions, so you might be able to get by without a car,” one user advised.
One commenter who inherited a property in JB warned others of the downsides of a similar purchase, despite being lucky with the inheritance herself. “Don’t do it unless you plan to rent it out. The total cost of owning a property is not low. Apart from the mortgage, you have to pay the developer a monthly fee for road maintenance, security guard salary, etc.,” she wrote.
She recounted the problems she faced, pointing out that since she only comes on weekends, repairmen tend to charge more, making repairs costly. Furniture needs to be cleaned regularly, the lawn needs mowing, and even in gated communities, break-ins can still happen.
Another commenter added: “My sister did this and it eventually became a source of headaches for her. She bought a property 20-30 minutes from KSL, I can’t remember the street name. It was pretty cool at first, she had huge parties but the thrill of having a second home abroad wore off after 1-2 years. Imagine having to clean and maintain the house (which is much bigger) in addition to your own house in SG.” She shared that with all the necessary maintenance it eventually became tiring and they are now trying to sell the property.
A user who owns a property in Kuala Lumpur said that the apartment is much better compared to JB, although she still plans to sell it. “I have an apartment in KL that I bought when I was posted there for work and I’ve kept it until now. I go there every few months for their food and alcohol. In my opinion, it’s much better than JB, but still a hassle. I plan to sell it once I don’t have to go to KL so often.” /TISG
Also read: Thinking about real estate investment and wanting to enter the rental market in JB? Good or bad news for investors?
Featured image from Depositphotos
