Landed in Penang? Be prepared with lots of money
by Charles Tan
When we look at the Penang’s market, we can see the real demand versus supply in real action. The reason I say so is because despite the property transactions declining, the prices of landed properties, especially within the island and especially only in that few hotspots continue to rise. Datuk Jerry Chan, the Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (Penang) said that prices of landed residential properties is rising and there are no signs of distress buyers yet. Land scarcity remains an issue and land prices are moving faster than property prices. Due to this, one can choose to pay EVER HIGHER for prime locations or move away.
Where are some of the ever higher places? According to CH Williams Talhar & Wong’s (WTW) in its 2015 Property Market report, prices of newly launched, landed residential properties in Penang continues to set new benchmark. Older residential units in established neighbourhoods such as Greenland is still very sought after despite the very high asking price. While he did not say but let me say that these more traditionally Penang areas are loved very much by Penangites. It is not necessarily the top choice for the migrants from other states who are working in Penang. For now, majority of landed residential properties are focussed in Seberang Perai due to the much lower land cost in comparison. According to National Property Information Centre, there are only a total of 36,795 units of landed residential in Penang. This simply meant if you own a landed property today, you will do just fine when you need to retire!
From all these reports, one thing is for sure. In Penang, island side remains a great prospect. Within the island, the landed property is even more valuable. If that location is an established one, then that property has now become a hot asset. The simple conclusion for those who just cannot accept high-rise developments and must stay in landed property in an established neighbourhood within Penang island? Be prepared, with lots of money. Happy buying or keeping one today.
>> This opinion article comes courtesy of my friend, Charles, the founder of kopiandproperty.com. He is popular for sharing his thought on property investment mostly based on his own 12 years experience as well as from all the readings and conversations with property gurus in the industry. (Source)
All bullshits , nobody wants Seberang Jaya
with all power cables.
@ Penang 1
Haha … that is true !!
Hi Charles.
What you said reminds me of a colleague almost 20 years ago in Spore, who bought a landed house at the peak of the market during that time. Asian financial crisis swept through all the countries in this region 2 years after that, and he was stuck with something he could barely afford.
His landed house depreciated in value after the crisis, and it took about 10 years for that property to recover to the value he paid before the crisis. Of course, if you factor in interest and opportunity cost, he might have lost money on that deal until today.
No doubt, land is limited in Spore, just like Penang, but the changing preference of the younger generation to condos have resulted in significantly less demand for landed homes.
Young generation may opt for condo but owning a landed property in island will give you prestige among all.
Hi Chuah, I think your friend and many others bought during that particular period would have been those who were terribly unlucky. For the rest who bought during better periods, I think today most of them would be very comfortable if they sell. This may also happen in those hotspots in Malaysia.
@kopiandprop
Well, that I would have to agree with you. There are the lucky times, and the unlucky times. So just because it is landed doesn’t mean it is a sure bet.
In fact, people who bought condos in prime locations in Spore would have outperformed the landed homes.
So, there is no one simple formula of “landed” that will guarantee you good fortunes and prestige. Go and stay in those landed homes facing the tombstones like those in Mt Erskine then see got prestige or not! What about those in Jalan P.Ramlee that are flood prone?
As a matter of fact, they are plenty of landed homes for sale in the market right now, more than demand.
@chuah
In the end, it goes to the fundamental concept Demand vs supply, I partially agreed with you, location play an important factor as preference, nevertheless, if you compare apple to apple in same location between condo vs landed, i am sure that you may see the point how people in Penang or Malaysian would still prefer landed vs condo, in fact, there is also pro and con but i would say that landed has more advantages than condo for majority of Malaysian, of course, we don’t talk about exceptional cases of individual would preference to condo because of security guard and facilities in place, but don’t forget, nowadays, there are landed properties also comes with G & G concept. my 2 cents.
@chuah
Some other parts in Penang also flooded during
not only in Jalan P.Ramlee. In Relau, Patani Rd.
and those roads in and around McCallum St.
But these areas they are selling in millions for
2 storey houses.
@Ang
Of course, there is nothing that fits all. Pros and cons are always there for different things. You will always have people who prefer landed, and people who prefer condos. No doubt.
But what I am trying to say is, in Spore, there is a very evident trend showing more younger people prefer condos to landed. Again, I am not talking about out of 100 young people, all 100 of them prefer condos while zero prefer landed. I am saying statistics show that 97 prefer condos while 3 prefer landed. Needless for long debate about the advantages and disadvantages, because in the end of the day, statistics proved it all.
I still remember 15 years ago, telling old people to live in condos is like asking them to lock themselves in jail. But today, many old people prefer condos due to its cozy size and ease of maintenance.
@Penang 1
If you want to spend millions to live in a house where you’d wake up in the morning to find your furniture all floating on water, there’s pretty much nothing anyone can do. It’s your money after all. Maybe you find that prestigous?..:) I guess not many homes in Penang can claim to have that “facility”.
@chuah
I have been working in singapore for more than 10 years. most younger people perfer condos because they just can’t afford any landed. My colleagues told me that most people has already eliminated landed from their wish list just because it is impossible for them to own one.
Try to ask whoever you know in Singapore. Given if both have the same price tag, would they still choose condo?
Most people buying Myvi / Vios / Myvi doesn’t mean that they prefer Local/Japanese care than German cars.
@chuah
Hi Chuah,
Do you know why people is trending toward staying in condo, it is unlikely to be as preference, rather is the factor of affordability concern, of course, this trending is reflecting to statistic data as you mentioned, as a matter of fact, the statistic is always based on majority with the cost of living standard to determine the choice of preference as Singapore is a high cost country.
Anyhow, there is no point to debate about, just ask yourself from the bottom of your heart, if you could afford anything without worrying about financial, what would be your choice by the time? perhaps, it might not be applicable to you but for majority of Malaysian. Let’s face reality, to me, my answer would be landed with G & G and sea view : ) but first of all i need to evaluate my financial before deciding to buy that property, haha.
Ultimately, majority of Malaysian are still in the preference of landed, even for younger couple and no mention about senior citizen even desperate for having landed property. generally, landed would be the choice for those who could really afford that especially for rich one. in fact, it is not the matter of preference rather affordability is the main concern. my 2cents
Hai yah,
Landed Vs Condo never ending debates again.
Penang Vs Spore debates again.
Youngsters Vs Old peoples debates again.
Pls don’t start Mainland Vs Island debates again, ok ?
@Apple
Haha…yeah, the endless debates about preference, pointless right! It’s the most silly discussion I agree…:) But just sharing lah.
@Ang
Good question when you asked “just ask yourself from the bottom of your heart, if you could afford anything without worrying about financial, what would be your choice by the time”.
Well, lets take a RM2mil condo in Quayside/Infinity/Cove/etc vs a landed in say.. Southbay. Hmm, maybe that’s not a good comparison since Southbay landed+G&G is hovering just around maybe RM1.5mil +/-??
Anyway, I think you get the idea. You have people buying multi-million condos every day in Penang, who could more than afford Southbay or those landed homes in dunno what satu,dua,tiga G&G by Ideal. Those are the poeple you should survey, why million dollar condos when they can afford TWO landed homes in south part of island with the same amount of money. Ever wonder??…:)
No G & G concept especially for landed
property and not a must for seaview.
I think landed is not necessary sure bet as it depends on location, surroundings and its conditions too.
Having say that generally landed (freehold) is believed to be able to outperform in this eastern side of island (except few tragic, funny location, foreigner neighbors and surroundings) provided the momentum of economy and jobs in Penang keep steady at the least.
Believed in overall statistics and just cherry pick few unique cases…to make it more useful discussion. In fact if you want I have I even more stories but those are unique and do not represent market. I can say some people failed to do good home works and or bought new via brochures (unless inherited la).
Remember the word “REAL ESTATE”……hence to be real you shall sit on “REAL LAND” of your own…..preferred Freehold in prime location.
Anyway, my proposal is make the discussion more meaningful by asking more specific topic eg. which area would be better for long term and why?
I believed mostly blogger here are from FTZ. So which is better for landed? Bt Maung, Sg Ara, Relau, Sg2, Sg Nibong, Bayan Baru, BJ etc?
I think this topic goin to end here…..when almost reaching climax and hoping to learn more details (rather than same general discussion)……all become diam-diam.
Sien lo
My neighbour at the Cove, husband lives in the Cove because grandsons like the beach, whereas the wife lives in Silverton because the granddaughters love to shop in Gurney Drive. Aiyo, why worry about landed or not landed, suka mah buy lor.
@chuah
“Well, lets take a RM2mil condo in Quayside/Infinity/Cove/etc vs a landed in say.. Southbay. Hmm, maybe that’s not a good comparison since Southbay landed+G&G is hovering just around maybe RM1.5mil +/-??”
looks like u r comparing apple with orange. And u can’t even understand what others said here. Take same location and compare like tanjung bungah landed vs tanjung bungah condo. which movre expensive? If both of them same price, which will you choose? Majority of malaysian will tell u landed.
The case you compare is same price different location. Many still prefer good location when price does matter like u, not bcos of landed and condo (compare to same location)
Get it?
exactly…..topic should be more focus rather than too open and broad la
Shineville Ville launched at RM890k 3yrs ago & today advertise for RM1000k. We don’t see the demand at certain area – so still can get good bargain. It is the AREA that reflex the price appreciation….agreed?
Logically most of the people will consider 3 main things.
1) price/budget (affordable in your range)
2) location (convenient for your own – depend family member, work location and etc)
3) landed or high rise (base on this article, majority prefer landed)
Price/budget > location > property type
When some1 have no issue on 1st and 2nd issue, definitely landed is more preferable.
Ask back Shineville Ville owner, is it because their budget concern and the landed there cheaper compare to other prime area? definitely yes. Thats y those landed there sold out last time.
@ng
Well, maybe your statement is not entirely true.
Just by being landed alone is not enough. That’s why you still have landed properties in Tanjung Bunga area under RM 2 mil, while having buyers for condos above RM 2 mil.
It is actually pointless to dig deeper into this issue, as the deeper you dig, the more you will realize landed actually plays a very minimal role nowadays in home purchasing decision, as other fancy options are being offered to condo living to suit modern lifestyle.