THE call by the PM for developers to build houses first before selling them should be lauded. It is time the Government introduced it to protect house buyers.

Cases of incomplete houses being abandoned by developers, leaving buyers stranded, will be things of the past if this concept is the norm.

Not only is the practice of build first and sell later being followed in many countries, I know of a local developer who requires only a payment of 10 per cent upon signing the Sales & Purchase Agreement while the balance of 90 per cent is due only upon completion of the house.

With the progress payment method, it is the consumer who is financing the construction of the house even before he or she can gain possession of the house. To be fair to consumers, the onus of bridging finance should be on the developers and the financial institutions, not the consumers.

This move will ensure that only the good and capable developers survive to serve the consumer.

A.R.O.
Kuala Lumpur