A "New" Washing Machine

I needed a new washing machine to replace my old one.  Unfortunately, because of the space constraint in the kitchen that is designated for the washing machine, I can only choose top-loaders.
I have had my National washing machine since I first moved into my apartment.  It had to be serviced several times but it is still a hardy, working horse.

My trusted working horse

But now it is time to replace it and we choose the "same" brand again, Panasonic, to match the size closely.
Being an avid property buyer, I have had experience buying used washing machines and learnt that actually some people sell pretty new ones at good prices, because they were moving houses or leaving the country.
So I got mine today which is about 1 year old, at a bargain.

"New" model

Why didn't I just buy a new one?  Because I want to save money to buy a front loader when I move house in 2-3 years' time.
The catch is: we have to transport it on our own.  So I asked Rohaniah Noor, how she also used to transport a washing machine into her rental property. She told us we could transport it by putting it on its side in a car which you could fold down the backseats. That gave us some confidence. And we did it. J and I were the coolies.

Ikea Malaysia Collects Used Light Bulbs

A few years ago, I learnt that we should not throw away used batteries and light bulbs like normal trash because the chemicals that they contain will cause soil and water pollution.
So I started to collect light bulbs, unable to throw them away and unable to do anything because I did not know who would recycle light bulbs.
Then just last month, while taking my used batteries to Ikea, I saw that there was another bin for used light bulbs.  I was very pleased.
So today, after work, I took my collection and went to Ikea.  I was also buying some new light bulbs.

Ikea Sparsam 11W light bulbs cost RM18.90 for 3 pieces, which is about RM6.30 per piece, and that is quite inexpensive compared to various other brands that I use.  So for the new light furnishings at Regalia, I will be using these light bulbs.  Inexpensive and you can take them back to Ikea when there are burnt out.

Lend a Helping Hand 2012

Have you ever read about the plight of poor children or patients needing monetary help to go for medical treatment, because their family cannot afford it?  There are so many unfortunate people who sometimes go through such hard times and when we read about them, we think, I can help 1 or 2, but not all, how helpless we all feel!

That's why this year my blogger friends and I are out to help in one way which we think can benefit a lot of people. Interested property investors who are just starting out can come and spend a day listening to the experience of like-minded people, and all the proceeds of the sharing session will be donated to charity. Last year, we gave it to NSTP fund, to help people with medical needs.  This year it would be to a similar channel.

We cannot do everything, but we can do small things that make a big impact in other people's lives.
If you would like to register your interest in attending this property sharing session, click here to fill in your details.

Venue: Dewan Satu Solution, Bandar Sri Permaisuri, KL
Time: 9am - 6pm

For more information visit PropertyWaltz, Pinjamkan Tangan Anda untuk Tahun Ini.

Regalia Sneak Peek

Finally got the keys to our Regalia studio apartment.  It came partially furnished, so this is the 'Before' pictures. I hope to post the 'After' pictures really soon, but it depends on how fast the developer contractor can rectify the defects.

Comes with induction cooker and hood

Kitchen cabinet

Love the bright unit!

Walking round the gardens

Minor Repairs

A little update on my SD Tiara apartment, where the master bedroom was rented out last month.  After the tenant moved in, he found minor problems with the bed (missing screws and one broken bed support plank) and on the water heater.
As landlord of residential properties, we can only be thankful that sometimes there are minor problems like these to be managed.  So today, J went to the apartment to fix the bed first.  We got the spare parts from Ikea, and the broken bed lade was screwed in with another piece of wood.  The whole procedure took less than an hour.

I am glad that J is such a handyman,  he said it is due to some subject called Kemahiran Hidup in secondary school.  Thank goodness for that.  So if you are a landlord, be prepared that there are some maintenance to be done, now and again.
Water heater remains to be fixed another day.

New Tenant In Domain

This is a post recording my gratitude that my old Japanese tenant moved out this morning, and a new tenant from moved in at night right away.
J and I went to the apartment to hand over the keys and collect the deposits and was flabbergasted to see the condition of the apartment.  It is so dirty!  The students don't clean up.  When my Thai tenant was there, it was so much better, because he acted as the housekeeper.

The apartment was messy like this

Even J, as a guy, couldn't stand the mess and dirt, he cleaned the toilet and mopped the floor. I threw out the trash, picked up the books and drawing tools from the floor, swept the floor and cleaned the kitchen sink.
It was amazing, that in the state that it was in yesterday when the prospective tenant came to view; he agreed to take the room.  Maybe, it was just the right timing and he had no other choice.
Whatever it is, after he settled in a bit, I am going to grant them a one-time maid service to thoroughly clean the apartment.  I think it is the least I can do to make the environment a little more bearable.

Photo used with permission from http://www.wiehanne.com/2009/03/05/talk-about-lazy-housemates/

"0" Cashflow

I am actually very thankful.
I bought a property last year with negative cashflow.  
I bought it because of its good location, potential to appreciate and because of the rarity of properties for sale in that area, which I have been targeting for quite some time.  However, the bad point is I would be in negative cash flow every month.
I calculated the time to expiry of the current tenancy, and decided to bear with it.  So when it expired last August, I raised the rent.  I checked the current market rate and persuaded the tenant to accept it 2 months before expiry, we negotiated back and forth. Thankfully, they accepted it.
So now, I have gone from negative to "0" cashflow.  And my property paper value has appreciated.
So I am thankful!  Yeah!