by Charles Tan

These days whenever my friends told me that they are buying a landed property, my first question is always, ‘Gated and Guarded?’. And their answer would always be, ‘Yes’. Honestly, should you buy a landed property which is not gated and guarded today? For me, no. Reason? My family would be staying there and the extra premiums and maintenance fees that comes with one is well worth it. First of all, it does not mean that gated and guarded would never face potential crime. However, gated and guarded adds one additional security layer. That’s important to me. In terms of gated and guarded, my preference would be for following.

Nope, I am not looking at hot areas. My reason is because I do not wish to pay through my nose for such a property. I would prefer areas which are upcoming or even newer areas. Truth is, if we look at just additional 15 minutes, our option expands tremendously. Let’s face the facts, with the ever reducing prime lands, landed properties have a better capital appreciation potential and since I am staying, sooner or later the prices would go up.

Developer. Sorry, I would not buy from unknown developers or developers with bad reputation. I do not believe in taking risks because with landed property, it is highly likely that I would be paying a premium compared to high rise anyway. For secondary properties however, I am okay to buy from any developer because I would already be able to view it before I buy. Therefore, for this, I am prepared to pay a slight premium for developers that I think is worth that premium.

Design and Space. Between these two, I would rate space higher. Space as in the lanes in the development, parks, playgrounds, lots of trees. Basically I do not wish for the project to feel cramped. As for design, I am taking about the design of the home from outside. If it looks great, then great. if it looks average, I can still accept it as I can still renovate the interior to my liking. How about if it looks truly bad? Haha. Thus far, I have yet to see a design which I dislike so much that I never bothered to look inside.

>> This opinion article comes courtesy of Charles, the founder of kopiandproperty.com. He is popular for sharing his thought on property investment mostly based on his own 11 years experience as well as from all the readings and conversations with property gurus in the industry. (Source)

Mont Residence, a high-rise residential development by VST Group in Mount Erskine, Penang. It is strategically located along Jalan Mount Erskine,  within a short 5-minute drive down to the well developed zone of Fettes Park, Tanjung Tokong, Seri Tanjung Pinang and Gurney Drive.

This development comprises 2 block of 38-storey tower that houses a total of 473 condominium units. Unit size ranging from 827 sq.ft. onwards.

Property Project: Mont Residence
Location : Mount Erskine, Penang
Property Type : Condominium
Tenure : Freehold
No. of Blocks : 2
No. of Storey : 38
Total Units : 473
Built-up Area : 872, 972, 1,072 & 1,226 sq.ft.
Indicative Price : RM 550,000 onwards
Developer : VST Group

Location Map:

According to findings in an online survey, safety and security have become top priorities for potential house buyers.

AS a result of the increasing number of break-ins and the worrying crime rates, there has been a wave of gated and guarded (G&G) housing developments that are putting safety and security on the top of their priority lists. This shift in paradigm matches the demands from the pool of potential buyers in Malaysia who are perceptibly more drawn towards developments with enhanced security features.

In order to understand the market’s sentiments, StarProperty.my recently carried out an online survey to gauge the public’s perception on this issue through a series of questions.

According to the feedback from 546 respondents – comprising 77% male and 23% female aged 20 and above who are mostly professionals, managers and executives – 92% of them have a preference for G&G developments.

G&G developments have been gaining much traction in the world of real estate. Seven-eight per cent believe that this is because such developments offer a greater sense of safety and security.

To echo their stance, the majority of the respondents would expect G&G developments to include several prominent features. Ninety-one per cent of the respondents expect these developments to have 24-hour security patrols in addition to perimeter fencing while 84% expect to have at least one guard house within the surroundings of the development.

A comment that stood out from others came from a respondent who cited “the availability of a management and maintenance team to oversee the upkeep of public areas” as among the important criteria of living in G&G developments.

Exclusivity and privacy are not the only reasons why potential buyers look into G&G developments; “snob appeal” is also cited as part of the charm of owning a G&G development. Homeowners in gated communities have a higher pride of ownership and are more inclined to keep their property in top notch condition.

However, the most common downsides to living in a G&G community are the increased costs (monthly fees), irresponsible and under-qualified security guards as well as difficulty for visitors to gain access.

Based on the respondents’ analysis, the majority of the participants hold the belief that safety and security are fundamental aspects to consider when it comes to purchasing a house. The participants also revealed that exclusivity multiples the appeal of owning a G&G development.

Source: StarProperty.my

Modern homes: Visitors checking out the offerings by Ivory Properties during its recent Merdeka Roadshow at Gurney Plaza.

Ivory Properties Group Bhd will offer special promotional packages for its various developments in Penang during the three-day Malaysia Property Expo (Mapex) 2014 starting on Friday.

These include Tropicana Bay Residences, the first phase of the Penang WorldCity mega waterfront development in Bayan Indah, along with The Wave in Penang Times Square, and The Latitude in Mount Erskine.

Home buyers will also have the choice of assorted units from the developer’s already completed projects at the fair at the Subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition (SPICE) Centre.

Ivory corporate communications manager Ann Tan said they received overwhelming response to the Tropicana Bay Residences in their recent Merdeka Roadshow in Gurney Plaza.

Though the residences’ units come in eight different layouts sized between 455sq ft and 1,950sq ft, the 872sq ft units proved the most popular.

The development’s seafront location and overall concept were also appealing.

“We noticed that most were first-time buyers, newly married young couples or small families looking for homes that are modestly sized, affordable and strategically located,” she noted of the current trend.

The residences will be housed in six blocks of 22-storey towers and priced from RM458,000 to RM1.3mil, with an average rate of RM867 psf.

Conceptualised by an international architect, they are designed to foster healthy outdoor living, and feature resort-style amenities like an overhanging pool, tennis court, saunas and gymnasium, among others.

Visitors may also consider The Wave, whose unique design won it a ‘highly commended’ accolade in the ‘Residential High-rise Architecture, Malaysia’ category of the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2014-15 recently.

Tan said the revolutionary concept of The Wave, which is Phase Three of Penang Times Square in George Town, would make it one of the most sought-after addresses in the city.

“Its exterior features sun protection stripes over a glazed glass facade that appears to be in different colours when viewed from different angles and times of the day, creating the impression that waves are rhythmically lapping over the building,” she said

Inside, the 27-storey tower — which sits on an 11-storey facilities, retail and car park podium — will house 312 corner, intermediate, penthouse and duplex units ranging from 1,205 sq ft to 2,905 sq ft.

Those seeking a place to run businesses are catered to with the commercial units of The Latitude, sized at 1,390 sq ft and priced affordably at around RM600 psf.

“They are ideally located in a densely populated area with over 1,500 residential units in the vicinity,” Tan pointed out.

To find out more, visit Ivory’s booths at Mapex 2014, which is on from 10am to 9pm daily.

Source: StarProperty.my

Raintree Park 1, the latest addition to Pearl City township development by Tambun Indah. This is a gated and guarded development surrounded by choices of learning institutions, supermarkets, shops, and other facilities. It is mere minutes drive to the North-South Highway, Penang Science Park and the Penang Second Link and Up-Coming Pearl City Mall.

Types of property:

• Luxurious Duplex Villas
• 2 Storey Luxurious Terrace House
• 2 Storey Luxurious Link Semi-D

Property Project : Raintree Park
Location : Pearl City, Simpang Ampat, Penang
Property Type : Duplex Villas, 2-Storey Terrace & Semi-Detached
Tenure : Freehold
Developer : Tambun Indah
Indicative Price: RM 450,000 onwards