Johor Bahru Property Newshttps://johorbahrupropertyforu.com/news/Policy and market updates for Singaporean, foreign and Malaysian buyers of Johor Bahru property.en Wed, 04 Nov 2026 19:50:33 +0800 Budget 2027: first-home stamp duty relief widened to RM750,000https://johorbahrupropertyforu.com/news/budget-2027-first-home-stamp-duty-rm750k/https://johorbahrupropertyforu.com/news/budget-2027-first-home-stamp-duty-rm750k/Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0800Budget 2027 keeps full stamp duty exemption for first-time buyers of homes up to RM500,000. For homes up to RM750,000, the first RM500,000 is fully exempt and the balance gets 50% relief, for SPAs signed from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2030.

Budget 2027 keeps full stamp duty exemption for first-time buyers of homes up to RM500,000. For homes up to RM750,000, the first RM500,000 is fully exempt and the balance gets 50% relief, for SPAs signed from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2030.

9 Oct 2026 · Source：Berita Harian / Bernama

What it means for buyers

Malaysian first-time buyers of RM500k–RM750k homes save thousands of ringgit. Not available to foreigners. Related: First-home stamp duty

]]> RTS Link now expected to open in February 2027https://johorbahrupropertyforu.com/news/rts-link-expected-february-2027/https://johorbahrupropertyforu.com/news/rts-link-expected-february-2027/Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0800Passenger service on RTS Link between Bukit Chagar in JB and Woodlands North in Singapore is now expected to start in February 2027, about two months after the original end-2026 target; system tests and trial runs are targeted for completion by 31 December 2026.

Passenger service on RTS Link between Bukit Chagar in JB and Woodlands North in Singapore is now expected to start in February 2027, about two months after the original end-2026 target; system tests and trial runs are targeted for completion by 31 December 2026.

2 Oct 2026 · Source：Mothership

What it means for buyers

For buyers and owners working in Singapore, projects within walking distance of Bukit Chagar benefit most directly. If you're buying for RTS, build the new date into your move-in or rental plans. Related: RTS & JS-SEZ impact

]]> Bank Negara holds OPR at 2.75%; next meeting 5 Novemberhttps://johorbahrupropertyforu.com/news/opr-held-2-75-september-2026/https://johorbahrupropertyforu.com/news/opr-held-2-75-september-2026/Thu, 17 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0800Bank Negara Malaysia kept the Overnight Policy Rate at 2.75% at its September meeting. The next Monetary Policy Committee meeting is scheduled for 5 November 2026.

Bank Negara Malaysia kept the Overnight Policy Rate at 2.75% at its September meeting. The next Monetary Policy Committee meeting is scheduled for 5 November 2026.

17 Sep 2026 · Source：Malay Mail

What it means for buyers

With the OPR unchanged, floating-rate home loan instalments stay the same for now. Singaporeans with ringgit loans should also watch the exchange rate. Related: Rates, lock-in & refinancing

]]> Foreign buyers' stamp duty on homes rises to a flat 8% from 2026https://johorbahrupropertyforu.com/news/foreigner-stamp-duty-8-percent-2026/https://johorbahrupropertyforu.com/news/foreigner-stamp-duty-8-percent-2026/Thu, 01 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0800Under amendments in the Finance Act 2025, from 1 January 2026 foreigners (excluding Malaysian permanent residents) buying residential property pay a flat 8% transfer stamp duty, up from 4%. Commercial property stays at 4%.

Under amendments in the Finance Act 2025, from 1 January 2026 foreigners (excluding Malaysian permanent residents) buying residential property pay a flat 8% transfer stamp duty, up from 4%. Commercial property stays at 4%.

1 Jan 2026 · Source：Skrine

What it means for buyers

For Singaporean and foreign buyers, duty on an RM1.2m condo rises from RM48,000 to RM96,000. Have your lawyer calculate under the latest rules. Related: Complete foreigner guide

]]> Johor raises foreign-buyer levy to 3% (minimum RM30,000)https://johorbahrupropertyforu.com/news/johor-foreign-levy-3-percent/https://johorbahrupropertyforu.com/news/johor-foreign-levy-3-percent/Fri, 27 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0800Johor reportedly raised its levy on foreign property purchases from 2% (minimum RM20,000) to 3% (minimum RM30,000) from 1 July 2025, with deals signed before the deadline and filed on time keeping the old rate.

Johor reportedly raised its levy on foreign property purchases from 2% (minimum RM20,000) to 3% (minimum RM30,000) from 1 July 2025, with deals signed before the deadline and filed on time keeping the old rate.

27 Jun 2025 · Source：Batam News Asia

What it means for buyers

Another cost for foreign buyers: about RM36,000 on an RM1.2m condo. Your lawyer and the state confirm the exact amount. Related: State consent & levy

]]> Malaysia and Singapore sign the Johor–Singapore SEZ agreementhttps://johorbahrupropertyforu.com/news/js-sez-agreement-signed/https://johorbahrupropertyforu.com/news/js-sez-agreement-signed/Tue, 07 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0800The JS-SEZ agreement was exchanged at the 11th Malaysia–Singapore Leaders' Retreat, witnessed by Prime Ministers Anwar Ibrahim and Lawrence Wong. It targets 50 projects and 20,000 skilled jobs in five years; Malaysia later announced incentives including 15% personal tax for qualifying knowledge workers.

The JS-SEZ agreement was exchanged at the 11th Malaysia–Singapore Leaders' Retreat, witnessed by Prime Ministers Anwar Ibrahim and Lawrence Wong. It targets 50 projects and 20,000 skilled jobs in five years; Malaysia later announced incentives including 15% personal tax for qualifying knowledge workers.

7 Jan 2025 · Source：EDB Singapore

What it means for buyers

Long-term support for jobs and housing demand, especially around Iskandar Puteri, JB city and Pasir Gudang. Related: RTS & JS-SEZ impact

]]>