BY DAVID TAN, TAN SIN CHOW, CHONG KAH YUAN
Visitors queuing up to try their luck in the Spin & Win contest at StarProperty.my Fair being held at Queensbay Mall. — Photos and video by WAN MOHIZAN WAN HUSSEIN, ZAINUDIN AHAD and CHARLES MARIASOOSAY/The Star
MANY prospective property buyers interviewed at the StarProperty.my Fair 2016 at Queensbay Mall in Penang placed priority on security and safety measures.
Indonesians Jeffry Gani, 24, and Riki Wirawan, 28, who are looking for a property for investment purposes, said they could compromise on location but wanted adequate security measures.
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“Penang has great potential as there are many foreigners who are looking to rent property. A guarded and gated community is a must as it gives peace of mind to the residents and adds value to the property,” he said when met at the fair yesterday.
Professional footballer Mohd Syazwan Mohd Roslan, 27, from Ipoh, said he was looking for his first property in Penang as he expected the property market in the state to grow due to rapid development.
“Security is foremost followed by the location as safety is a priority. Commitment is for decades and I would want to invest in a safe environment and community,” he said.
Student Khaleda Omar, 23, said a gated community would be ideal as she was looking for a property for her elderly relative.
“Security is important, especially since my relative would be staying alone. It would give us peace of mind,” she added.
Software engineer G. Thiruvel, 23, from Perak, echoed similar sentiments, saying that a secured premises, regardless of the additional maintenance fee, would deter petty thefts and criminals.
“I hope to get a landed property which offers more privacy through a guarded community,” he said.
Among the property hunters expected at the four-day fair which began yesterday are those in their late 30s and 40s.
Asia Green Group creative director Mei Tan said those in the late 30s and 40s were usually the ones with families who need to either own a home or upgrade their lifestyle.
“During the fair, we expect to close about RM40mil worth of sales from our QuayWest project in Persiaran Bayan Indah at Queensbay and The Clovers in Sungai Ara.
“Those who buy the properties in QuayWest or The Clovers at the fair will receive a free iPhone 7,” she said.
IJM Land Bhd senior general manager Datuk Toh Chin Leong expected enquiries for a new upcoming project, The Waterside Residence which is part of the second phase of The Light Waterfront project, an integrated scheme with residential and commercial properties.
“Residential units in a commercial precinct are in demand nowadays as they can generate long-term recurring income for investors,” he said.
IJM Land is also promoting awareness on its new property projects like The Terraces Condominiums in Bukit Jambul, the 3 Residence in Karpal Singh Drive and Senjayu in Jawi.
Ideal Property general manager (sales and marketing) Nancy Teo said it would take a longer time for investors to decide what to purchase nowadays as there were a lot of choices in the market.
She also said the island’s south-west district had become the choice location for developers to launch new projects over the past five years due to the cheaper land cost in the area.
“There is a very strong potential upside for the properties in the south-west district as the Penang Transport Master Plan has a proposed LRT line to link Bayan Lepas and Komtar.
Eco World Development Group Bhd general manager Khoo Teck Chong said the group’s Eco Bloom project in Simpang Ampat received overwhelming response.
“The prices, starting from RM388,000, are very attractive. The location is next to Batu Kawan which is being planned as a metropolis,” Khoo said.
The fair is open daily from 10.30am to 10.30pm until Sunday. Admission is free.
More than RM100,000 worth of prizes are up for grabs in the Spin and Win Contest during the four-day event.
Prizes to be given away daily include Samsung Galaxy A9Pro, Samsung Galaxy A3, Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.0, Samsung Galaxy J5 and Parkson shopping vouchers.
