#The Edge Forum* New infrastructure expected to create new hotspots

PETALING JAYA: As the infrastructure networks are being put into place, properties within close proximity to the mass rapid transit (MRT) and light rail transit stations, and those that will be serviced by new highways are expected to see an increase in value and demand.

“When it comes to property investment, follow the infrastructure,” said Ho Chin Soon, director of Ho Chin Soon Research Sdn Bhd.  He was presenting at The Edge Investment Forum on Real Estate 2013 held on May 11. His presentation, entitled Looking below the radar: Emerging hot spots, explored new and emerging areas for investments now and in the near future.

Within the Klang Valley, Ho highlighted several areas that are still under the investors’ radar but have strong potential for real estate growth.

Ho believes that the proposed Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Expressway (DASH) will change the property market in Shah Alam North. The 20.1km, three-lane dual carriageway DASH will start from an Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP) interchange at Puncak Perdana in Shah Alam and end at Penchala link along the SPRINT highway.

Cheras South, which is already seeing new developments such as Selangor Dredging Bhd’s RM431 million luxury Windows on The Park being built, will benefit from the Sungai Buloh-Kajang  MRT line, said Ho.

“A lot of people still don’t know much about Cheras South except for those who live there. But there is an upgraders market in the area,” said Ho.

He also believes that the proposed IOI Vivo City by IOI Properties Bhd could take Bandar Kinrara’s place as the new centre of gravity as a property hotspot in Puchong. Two LRT stations will be placed near the 80-acre mixed development.

“One more interesting development is the bus rapid transit (BRT) Sunway line, which will link up areas in Sunway and Subang Jaya with seven stations. One of the key beneficiaries will be Sunway South Quay,” said Ho.

Sunway South Quay is an integrated township with an 28-arce lake in Sunway Resort City. BRT is a transit system that uses separated bus ways with feeder services, rapid boarding, high service frequency and pedestrian access.

Other areas investors should look into are Pekan Ampang, which Ho believes will house one of the stations in the future MRT Circle line; and Dataran Sunway in Kota Damansara. Outside of the Klang Valley, Iskandar in Johor remains a hotspot.

In Penang, Ho notes that areas surrounding the proposed 6.5km undersea tunnel from Gurney Drive to Bagam Ajam in Butterworth; the 4.2km expressway bypass from Pesiaran Gurney to Persiaran Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu; the 4.6km expressway from Persiaran Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu to Bandar Baru Air Itam and the 12km road linking Tanjung Bungah with Teluk Bahang will see favorable impact from the projects.

“In time, there will new hotspots that rival some of the popular areas like Bukit Bintang. Once infrastructure construction starts, property values will escalate,” said Ho.

The forum organised by The Edge Malaysia was sponsored by Malaysia Building Society Bhd and supported by Sunway Bhd.