Finding a property in Labuan

Finding a house in Labuan can be very daunting. Not only the information is not readily available, you can only find it if you happen to know "someone" who is "willing" to share the news with you. After months of searching (through notice board and asking around), finally we have come closer to finding our dream home.
Then there is always good and bad side to every property. Either the location is way too far, or design of the house is simply flawed, or the price is killer (RM700k+ for a 3 rooms apartment in town facing seaview), whether it will take another 4-5 years to complete or it is simply haunted. Of course buying a property is never easy, where you got to make sure it has the potential to appreciate in value and it is something that other people is willing to buy.
Now that we are down to few choices, as we are looking for a place where we can move in within 1 year, so we have cross out all the houses which have not even get government approval. We are also looking for preferably newer and good condition house. Doesn't matter if it is apartment or landed property as long as the potential is good. We have manage to come down to few choices.
Then it is getting loan, going to lawyer to sort out stamp duty and other administrative stuff. Which bank is good? What types of loans is best suited to us? What else do we need to know? How about renovation and furniture? How much will it cost? So many more things to sort out with limited information. I wonder if I will be broke after buying a house? Will I be tied down for my entire life just to pay the installment? I dare not think too far ahead, but know that hundreds and thousands of people just like me have manage to buy and stay in their property and still manage to survive. So I think it shouldn't be too much of different for me.