Favourable odds for property investors

Nov 09, 2012 | Comments 0

Months of preparation went into this year’s iProperty EXPO 2012 and with 40 stands showcasing a wide range of property sector businesses at MBS last weekend, the planning paid off.

This year, Malaysia was flavour of the month, hogging the limelight with over a dozen developers that had travelled to Singapore to showcase new developments, concepts and to excite the potential investor audience. Malaysian developers showcased a whole host of projects, but one that particularly  caught my eye was Bayou Creek, just 15 minutes from Singapore in Iskandar Malaysia. The project offers luxury canal fronting bungalows and semi-Ds for as little as S$750,000 (US$600,000). Malaysian Southern Gateway’s Grey Stones project was also attracting a lot of attention with its affordable luxury living concept, while Tropicana Danga Bay Berhad drew in the crowds with its Danga Bay waterfront complex, Tropez Residences.  There were several developers tapping into Malaysia’s fast-developing capital, Kuala Lumpur, too. Malaysian Mah Sing Group BHD was inviting visitors to consider its premier lifestyle development, M City. Boasting the first ever multi-level thematic hanging gardens in Malaysia the property offers a tropical sanctuary, sky garden, lagoon park and bamboo grove. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Elite Forward Sdn’s The Elements @ Ampang was promoting tranquility through its prime city condo in KL.

Malaysia, however, wasn’t an isolated hit at the show, Joel Tan from Singapore property developers, Trillion, informed me that things are also going well “We sold over 20 properties in a weekend,” he said, referring to an independent event in which Trillion showcased a number of properties in Bangkok the previous week.

It was exciting to see the impact that Asian investors now have on a global scale. Australian developer, Salvo Property Group is keen to showcase its extensive portfolio of off-plan projects in Melbourne. A city, which, according to Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Livability Survey, is the most “livable” in the world. It’s the second year that Melbourne has claimed the prized top-spot – so definitely a market to watch.   “There are plenty of exciting developments in Melbourne, given Australia’s colourful heritage,” Scott O.Talbot, Salvo Property Group’s marketing manager told me. “It’s of no surprise that people from all around the world chose Australia as a second home or to relocate,” he added. The Platinum development, with its 52 floors of elegance, luxury and stunning views is also strategically located next to a casino, while another casino friendly offering was also present at the show – Turnberry Towers, with its 9ft ceilings and sparkling finishes was catching the interest of those looking at investment in the USA.
Malaysia is also making headway at this year’s MIPIM Asia conference in Hong Kong. Many developers have taken the opportunity to showcase their projects, Emkay  Group is busy showing off one of its latest projects in Malaysia, Belum Rainforest Resort. Being set in a natural rainforest, the extensive development offers nature-loving holidaymakers the ultimate in luxury. Award winning international firm Benoy is sponsoring MIPIM this year and has a lot to share with major developments around the world and increasingly in Asia. In comparison to iProperty Expo, MIPIM Asia seems to be a lot more industry led, the footfall isn’t significant, but the quality of delegates is. At MIPIM, developments in Mainland China and South Korea are also making a mark with large-scale developments, reports and condos.

The range of properties on offer at the both the iProperty Expo and MIPIM have provided investors with plenty of opportunity to hedge their bets in the global property market.