Chinese metaphysics consultant Datuk Joey Yap expects the property sector to continue to be slow as the market belongs to “earth” element industry, which should be weak in the Year of the Fire Monkey.

“In general, the market of course is slow, because the earth element is very weak this year, just like I said earlier this year, and I expect it to continue to be weak,” Yap told TheEdgeProperty.com during a break in his “Thriving In Turbulent Times: The Art of Qi Men Feng Shui” seminar here today.

He expected the real estate market to only improve in 2019 or 2020, but he also added that the market still has a lot of opportunities for the savvy investor.

“The market will slow, but it does not stop you from getting great deals,” he said.

Yap suggested that the public should look for good environment, building, time and people (developer) when they are buying property.

“In the longer term, property in Penang, Johor and Kuala Lumpur will perform well, but more importantly, we need to look at which developer is doing the job,” he pointed out.“If you get a developer who really puts effort into it, the project’s success rate and quality will be better.”

“Feng Shui facilitates a developer’s vision, so you have to got good vision first,” Yap added.

On the other hand, good environment which contains mountain dragon, mountain and water features can bring positive impact to the property and owner, he said.

Yap also encouraged the public to learn Feng Shui, if possible, as this will help them to forecast the market in the next five to six years, and guide them in their property investments.

“There are opportunities out there, but you have to try to make things happen, instead of just waiting the market to get better,” he said.