Condos and serviced apartments in Malaysia

Both are strata homes in a high-rise, but they usually sit on different land titles. A condominium is normally built on residential land; a serviced apartment is usually built on commercial land. The title affects more than the name:

• Utility and maintenance rates. Units on a commercial title are often billed water and electricity at commercial rates, and maintenance fees tend to be higher. Ask for the current figures before you offer.
• Financing. Most banks lend on both, but some apply different margins or rates to units on a commercial title.
• Foreign buyers. The state minimum price for foreigners applies to both. Many new serviced apartments are priced below it, so only the larger units qualify.
• Completed or new launch. A completed unit can be viewed and rented out straight away and has a transaction history; a new launch is bought off plan with progress payments under the Housing Development Act.

Each project page states the title type, the developer, the completion date on record and what is still unknown.