A COUPLE drove all the way from Ipoh just to check out the selection of top property at the Star Property Fair 2012 at Gurney Plaza and G Hotel in Penang.

Casino operations assistant ma-nager Ng Boon Ping, 42, and his wife Chow Yeng Yeng, 40, did not mind driving the distance as long as they could secure a dream home in Penang.

“We are looking for a unit, either landed or high-rise, to invest in. We were told the prices for property in Penang could escalate real fast.

“We hope to own a home here. We can then either rent it out or make it a holiday home for us,” said Chow who also brought along their two-year-old son Lysander.

Another visitor was Shaik Sindamadar Sahul Hamid, 60, who said he did not want to miss the chance to check out the property on offer.

“I plan to buy a new home,” said the pensioner.

Businessman Lee Han Mow, 22, came in search of a dream home with his girlfriend Soo Ilya, 23.

Both of them were looking for a condominium priced at about RM500,000.

“We were told that we could get almost everything here, from landed homes, bungalows, condominiums to shop offices.

“The exhibitors here are also renowned developers. We feel safe and secure to make our purchase here,” Lee said.

Meanwhile, exhibitors had put up eye-catching and inventive displays at their booths to woo visitors.

A giant arch could be seen welcoming visitors at the booths of SP Setia Bhd.

Its sales and marketing property division (north) senior executive Agnes Chua said the arch provided a “grand” feel for visitors.

IJM Land senior manager (sales and marketing) Patsy Lee said they spent about RM35,000 to decorate their booths, including putting up artificial greens and flooring of a maze garden.

“We wanted to emphasise impressive landscaping and lush greenery in our property projects.

“In fact, one of our projects has a durian orchard,” she said.

Asia Green Group director Tan Li Mei said they adopted a green concept for the design and layout of their booths.

Star Publications (M) Bhd executive director Tan Sri Kamal Hashim was among those who visited the fair yesterday.

Kamal said the response to be part of the fair was so overwhelming that they had to turn away some of those who wanted to be exhibitors due to space limitation.

“We apologise for that. This only shows that the major industry players have great confidence in our event,” he said.

Fifty exhibitors, including financial institutions and investment companies, are participating in the four-day fair which is touted as Malaysia’s premier showcase for stylish living.

For contest buffs, three Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 and other attractive prizes are up for grabs daily over the four days in the IJM-The Star Property Fair Contest.

There are also daily talks on various topics.

The fair, which is organised by The Star for the 10th year, is open from 10am and 10pm daily until Sunday. Admission is free.

Source: The Star