Next Property Hot Spot (Part II)

Since I already specified in my previous post that I expect Kajang and Sungai Buloh to be the next hot spot, so I'll concentrate on developments in Sungai Buloh for this post. There are a few projects that interest me in Sungai Buloh and most of them I've visited the area and show houses.

Desa Coalfield
Desa Coalfield is a development by Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (KLK) which is located along Jalan Kuala Selangor about 8 km from Sungai Buloh. The township has been there for quite some time. Currently KLK is launching its Avina Homes. Some info regarding this development:

• big built up 1,941 square feet
• 4 rooms with 4 bathrooms
• title already issued
• show house will only be ready in September 2009
• priced at around RM 250k
• freehold
• about 2 km from Paya Jaras exit on Guthrie Highway
• expected completion date is early 2011

The thing about this area is that there has been complaints that the area is polluted with smells from a chicken farm nearby. If you are around that area, you can actually smell something in the air. Its not very obvious but its certainly there. If you can endure the smell, then it might be a good buy for you.

Another draw back about this township is that there is no school in this area. According to the salesman, they have provided lands for the government to build schools since 2002. Knowing the government, they will only start building whenever the township reaches certain population. Unlike other developers which carry out Corporate Funding Initiatives, KLK does not seem to do that. Even for newly wed couples, there's no guarantee that 7 years from now, the school will be ready for your children first day in school. While it is off importance now, it will certainly be important in the near future. It's better to choose developers which takes responsibility to build amenities for the residents and later hand them over to the government.

Seri Pristana
Seri Pristana is located within the same vicinity of Saujana Utama (read below). It is developed by Pristana Property Group. The developer does not seem to ring a bell to most of us because most of its developments has been in Sabah and Sarawak. It seems this is their first project in Peninsular Malaysia. I haven't had the chance to visit the show house and I don't have too many info on this development. There are phases which are already completed in this area. Currently they are launching Seri Pristana Phase 4, Aristana.

What I can really say about this development is that its well located in Saujana Utama. All amenities has been built by Glomac (developer of Saujana Utama) and Seri Pristana just build their houses. No need to worry about amenities. That all has been taken care of by Glomac. It's a smart move by the developer though. Even from the website, I can't really find a lot of info about this development. In case you are interested, there is a sales booth in Giant, Shah Alam. You can get more info from the guy stationed there. He is a helping hand.

Bukit Saujana
Bukit Saujana is a development by Glomac located in Saujana Utama. Saujana Utama is a township by Glomac which they started developing since middle of 1990's. Completed phases are Saujana Utama 1 (SU1) and Saujana Utama 2 (SU2). Currently they are building Saujana Utama 3 (SU3) which is expected to be completed soon. Bukit Saujana is a new development in Saujana Utama. They launched their Lavender Homes a few months back. Some info regarding this development:

• priced at around RM 260k
• leasehold
• built up area of 1,860 square feet
• expected date of completion is end of 2010
• show house ready

Having been there, I would say that the township is an ideal one. Almost all amenities are already in place. There are petrol station, police station, schools (both primary and secondary), commercial centre and soon to complete SU Mall. Not to forget, Sungai Buloh Country Resort (SBCR) is also located here. What's better is that Metro Bus is already servicing this area.

Furthermore, it's located merely 5 km away from the new UiTM campus in Puncak Alam which is expected to take in their first batch of students in 2009. The campus is expected to house some 50,000 students when fully operational. Developments near institute of higher learning has always been a success and will always appreciate in value. Just look at Shah Alam with UiTM, Skudai with UTM, Bangi with UKM, Seri Iskandar with UTP and UiTM, Kota Samarahan with UNIMAS and UiTM and many more.

People who are familiar with Puncak Alam area will want to argue that there are a lot other developments which are also nearby the new UiTM campus. Nusa Rhu, Alam Damai, Shah Alam 2 and Sunway Kayangan just to name a few. What make Saujana Utama stand up compared to others are its amenities and it's located in between Sungai Buloh and the new UiTM campus. Other developments does not have this direct access to Sungai Buloh except for Seri Pristana of course. And why do I stress on access to Sungai Buloh again? Easy access to Sungai Buloh train station for easier access to reliable public transport.

One drawback (or is it a good thing?) I would say about Lavender Homes is that all 85 units are sold out. However, in case you are interested you might want to keep in touch with their salesman just in case some early birds decided to withdraw from buying the house or they can't get financing. They just launched this house a few months back. So that possibility still exists (trust me). Not too worry though as there are other planned developments for this area. The last time I checked, they are going to launch a Semi-D cluster development priced at around RM 240k somewhere middle this year. Second phase development for Bukit Saujana will also see new launches but quite limited units.

It takes about 15-20 minutes drive from Saujana Utama to Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh. Paya Jaras exit of Guthrie Highway is about 10 minutes away. PLUS Highway Sungai Buloh exit is about 25 minutes away. Proposed new NKVE that will service Puncak Alam area is also on the board. If that is realized, Saujana Utama won't be that badly connected with highways after all.

Out of the three, Saujana Utama certainly tops the list in my book.