KL mulls over Dibs for first-time home buyers

Kuala Lumpur

THE Developer Bearing Interest Scheme or Dibs could be allowed back into Malaysia's property scene - albeit in a restricted form - if a balance can be found between the needs of first-time home buyers and developers that continue to push for the easy financing scheme amid a real estate slump.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Wahid Omar revealed over the weekend that Putrajaya was considering the relaxation of buying guidelines for first-time house buyers but is concerned whether they can shoulder loan payments once the house is completed. "As much as we want to promote home ownership, it is important that we make sure that home ownership comes with the ability to service the loans."