VIDEO has become the most dynamic and powerful tool for marketing PROPERTIES Is video part of your marketing plan? We can help +603-2182 1488 Editor Chief Operating Officer’s Foreword Roshan Kaur Sandhu Writer Reena Kaur Bhatt Head of Creatives Angeline Lim Senior Graphic Designers Jason Kwong Wing Wong Junior Graphic Designer Rechean Soong Ad Operations Executive Nur Alia Ahamd Tamezi Chief Operating Officer - International Arthur Charlaftis Group Finance Director Kenneth A Kent General Manager (Agent Sales) Leon Kong Chief Information Officer Harmit Singh Ready to Embrace 2017! Head of iProperty TV Jonathan Ong 2016 is soon to end and while we are proud of all that we have International Correspondents accomplished, we still have room for improvement. Leslie Lin Just as the years before, we have also taken time to reflect on areas in which we can further improve on. 2016 was undeniably a tough year for the property market, but I’m convinced the best is yet to come. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team for their iProperty.com Malaysia Sdn Bhd (600850-K) continued commitment and all that they do to deliver on our Suite 11.01, Level 11 Menara IGB purpose - to change the way the world experiences property. Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2017 will bring its own mix of successes and challenges, but our Phone: (603) 2264 6888 direction is clear and we know what we must do. Our job is to Fax: (603) 2264 6900 continue to focus intently on how we can make the property search Sales enquiries: [email protected] experience the best it can be for property buyers and to be the Editorial matters: [email protected] most trusted marketing partner for our customers. General enquiries: [email protected] Subscription: [email protected] International Property: [email protected] Along with the rest of the team, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. 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CONTENTS December 2016 2 Featured Property Let’s Talk COO’s foreword 22 28 Albury@Mahkota Hills: Meridin East: A magnificent lake garden 8 A gem in the rough Editor’s note/Happenings 26 30 9 Double joy with Twin S P Setia: The sky’s the limit Palms Happenings Events Points of Interest 10 42 Penang mingling night: An event for the ages High income nation by 2020 a pipe dream, says Gen-Y 12 Johor mingling night: Memorable night down south 14 Industry Insight KL mingling night: Good food, good times, 46 great company! Office market predictions Points of Interest 32 Consumer Managing properties in Awareness the 21st century 48 6 ways to maximize your Industry Insight dining space 16 34 Shifting of mindset is key Cover Story in property management Pick of the month: 16 Cyberjaya: Hampton Damansara: Where else? Upgrading its Industry Highlights landscape 38 In conversation with Dato’ Kevin Woo 49 Highlights of 2016 Cyberjaya makes its mark as a global tech city 20 Dato’ Kevin Woo to steer Mayland Group forward with a hand of experience CONTENTS December 2016 Research Data Consumer Awareness 52 Cyberjaya: Striving 81 towards smart city status The 10 commandments for coping with a small kitchen 81 83 Industry Insight Agent’s Views 56 82 What lies ahead for malls 84 in Malaysia Which DIY jobs should you do yourself? City Crest Realtors: Rising above adversity Points of Interest 83 Agent’s Advice 58 How to keep your Areas you should target storage area organised 86 How to purchase an affordable home in Klang Valley? Experts’ Views 62 87 98 President Trump: What does it spell for Malaysia’s Agents’ spotlight Agency directory property market? Property Know How Regulars 103 Classifieds 88 64 Sr Vicky How Cost management – Part 1 Making or breaking the 64 deal: Putting valuers on the 112 spot Subscription International Section 90 House Buyers’ 72 Association International news HBA’s perspective on Happenings budget 2017 vis-a-vis housing aspects 75 94 International features - Briefs HDB vs bank loan: Which one to opt for? Dato’ Joey Yap Embracing the water element at home 78 Singapore news Happenings EDITOR’S NOTE It is hard for me to believe that 2016 is almost over. gloom and doom and identifies some trends of the Looking back, it has been an amazing year! office market and how they can be leveraged for greater returns. Shopping malls in Malaysia need During this time of year, I always look forward to the to adapt to and harness digital possibilities if they family, the food, and the time. The end of the year want to continue to flourish. Allan Soo, Managing is also always a good time to regroup, re-examine Director of Savills (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd explores this and revisit your strategies and tactics. topic. In this issue, our experts share with us on the We will be facing a new year ongoing hot topic in Malaysia which is property soon, a new set of challenges management. Real estate property management is and opportunities. Let’s hope an essential component of maintaining a property for a more prosperous year and its value in the market, not to mention attracting in 2017. Lastly, I would like to tenants. wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New On page 46, Siva Shanker, Head of Investment, Year! Axis REIT Managers Bhd believes that the property market outlook may not be bullish but its not all Roshan Kaur Sandhu HAPPENINGS Skyworld unveils final tower of Bennington Residences SkyWorld Development Group (SkyWorld) Present during the event, Lee Chee Seng, COO of unveiled its last tower of Bennington Residences at SkyWorld shared, “Setapak is a well-known suburb, Setapak in early November. The event was met with just 15 minutes away from the KLCC. It is a favourite a positive response as it attracted close to 1,000 spot among the locals and students studying guests who showed up to view the units. at Tunku Abdul Rahman University College and nearby University Technology Malaysia as well as Guests, young and old alike, were also treated to the Columbia Hospital. a host of exciting activities such as rock climbing, obstacle inflatable course, velcro dart football and With its strategic location, Setapak is truly a gem sand art paintings. Throughout the day, lucky draws in the making and SkyWorld will transform Setapak such as iPhones, iPads, Samsung phones and Nikon to be the next pulse featuring its modern designer cameras were also given away. towers and unique multi-story state-of-the-art sports facilities.” Bennington Residences - Tower A, consists of 284 units of contemporary suites with built-up “We see the great potential of Setapak. With the ranging from 1,092 sq ft to 1,570 sq ft. Priced from new infrastructure expansion plan - the new 1-km RM610,000, Tower A enjoys a host of amenities flyover from Jalan Genting Kelang into Jalan Ayer and state-of-the-art facilities boasting five new first Jerneh and the 100-feet road widening initiatives features in Malaysia such as the iconic loop pool, along Jalan Ayer Jerneh — this will definitely triplex SkyGym & SkyLounge, rainforest welcome improve the traffic flow and provide the Setapak lounge, four-tier security and rooftop facilities. community easier access to the DUKE Highway”. 8 HAPPENINGS Selangor Dredging promises another exceptional development with its SqWhere serviced apartments Selangor Dredging Berhad (SDB) is delighted to announce that the registration for its new serviced apartment block in SqWhere, Sungai Buloh is now open. Visitors are invited to visit the SDB Gallery in Sungai Buloh to register their interest. Having established its name as one of Malaysia’s most renowned ‘boutique’ property developers, SDB continues to attract purchasers for its upcoming launches due to anticipated capital appreciation post-launch Some of SDB’s developments include Five Stones and Ameera in SS2 Petaling Jaya, and Park Seven and Dedaun in KLCC. a healthy saltwater lap pool, a hydrotherapy pool Phase 1 of SqWhere was the SOVO (small office, as well as a children’s pool for the young to frolic versatile office) tower and retail offices have to in.