THE STAR, SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2019

MY AFFORDABLE HOME

Making your dream a reality

The desire to own a home is universal, but many are dissuaded from
settling down in the Klang Valley because of high prices. Fortunately, the
market has options to suit those with a more modest budget.
2 My Affordable Home: Klang Valley
Infusing splendour
into community living
IT can be difficult to find positive signs in a
slow-moving property market. Despite this,
not only is LBS Bina Group Bhd (LBS) on
course to achieve the RM1.5bil sales target it
has set for the year, but the company will
also extend its property sales growth to five
consecutive years.
A key reason for this developer’s success is
its ability to offer potential homebuyers
options that suit their needs. LBS
understands that people are always looking
for landed property to own and live in, one
that ticks the boxes of being in a convenient
location, is easily accessible, has great
facilities in its immediate vicinity and most
importantly, is affordable.
Among the flagship developments that
pass these criteria is LBS Alam Perdana,
which is located in the district of Kuala
Selangor. The first projects to be completed
within the development are the Irama
Perdana double-storey terrace houses and
Simfoni Perdana townhouses – the keys of
which are expected to be handed to
homeowners by the end of the year.
Having already sold more than 96% of
Irama Perdana and Simfoni Perdana units,
LBS is confident that any project built at the
location in the coming years will continue to
be well received and become a popular
choice for people looking for a home.
Property buyers have much to look
forward to with the recent launch of the
Rentak Perdana double-storey terrace
houses and Melodi Perdana apartments, the
second of which is expected to be launched
by the last quarter of this year.
Built to cater to popular need
According to LBS managing director Tan
Sri Lim Hock San, the 470-acre (190ha) LBS
Alam Perdana development holds great
potential, saying, “This is a new growth
location with a huge catchment area.”
Lim provides the example of residents in
the surrounding areas of Kuala Selangor,
Puncak Alam and as far as Subang and
Klang who would be interested in owning a
home in LBS Alam Perdana, as the project is
within reach of many townships and is
affordable.
Located in the north-west of the Klang
Valley, the development is bolstered by
various roads that connect it to established
townships such as Puncak Alam, Meru and
Bukit Jelutong. This network helps residents
reach popular landmarks including UiTM
Puncak Alam and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah
Airport within minutes.
Major highways, including the LATAR
Expressway, Guthrie Corridor Expressway,
North-South Expressway and Damansara-
Shah Alam Elevated Expressway (currently
being built) allow for residents’ easy
LBS Alam Perdana residents can look forward to being greeted by serene parks and abundant greenery when they come home.
accessibility to work and social activities.
The real highlight for LBS Alam Perdana,
however, is that it is a gated-and-guarded
community. Lim says LBS understands how
security is always on the mind of property
buyers and it is important for everybody to
have peace of mind.
“The reason we decided to incorporate a
gated-and-guarded concept in this
development is because residents have a
right to security. Everybody wants to know
the amount of security in the areas they live
in before they can feel safe. This is what we
wanted to achieve.”
A place to call home
Another draw factor is the beautiful
landscaping throughout the development
that makes living in LBS Alam Perdana all
the more enriching. Homeowners will look
forward to being greeted by serene parks
and abundant greenery when they return
from work.
The back lane, aromatic, therapeutic and
mound gardens that spread across the
housing projects, as well as gazebos and lake
park are just some of the many places for
residents to unwind and relax with their
families.
LBS has done an excellent job in making
sure there is something for everyone. While
fitness buffs will appreciate the adult
exercise station, outdoor gym and futsal and
badminton courts, the young and the elderly
will no doubt enjoy spending time in the kite
playing area, reflexology path, bicycle track,
children’s play area and jogging trails.
Places such as the picnic lawn and
barbeque pit encourage togetherness and
are great venues for residents to host social
gatherings with neighbours, friends and
family.
If that is not enough, there are
community centres in each housing project
that cater to the needs of homeowners.
These facilities alone are testament to LBS’
commitment in ensuring the development
lives up to its tagline: Inspired Community
Living.
Lim says, “These facilities are a
community need. We believe that with
many such facilities in the development,
people will have everything they need right
where they live, increasing convenience
and comfort.”
Fulfilling individual requirements
With all projects priced below or within
the RM500,000 mark, LBS Alam Perdana
will continue to draw a lot of interest. It is,
after all, the key market for which LBS finds
its strength.
LBS began offering more affordable
housing options since the economic
recession in 1998 and has grown from
strength to strength, building homes that
Simfoni Perdana (townhouse)
Land area: 22ft x 75ft (6.7m x 22.9m)
Layout: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Selling price: From RM379,440 (after 7%
Bumiputera discount)
Total units: 980
Irama Perdana (double-storey terrace)
Land area: 20ft x 60ft (6.1m x 18.3m)
Selling price: From RM464,907 (after 7%
Bumiputera discount
Layout: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Total units: 673
THE STAR, SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2019
fall within the price range of the majority
of potential homeowners.
“Property at LBS Alam Perdana caters to
the middle-income group. Units are
designed to be smaller and more
affordable because that is what people
want in the market. It is not necessary for
a property to always have a fancy design
because people are looking for houses
based on location, accessibility, facilities,
quality and pricing,” explains Lim.
Additionally, civil servants working in
Selangor can potentially benefit even more
should they receive approval under the
Perumahan Penjawat Awam Malaysia
scheme.
LBS Alam Perdana certainly offers much
at its price range and property buyers can
know for a fact that their new property is
backed by a reputable developer that truly
understands everything that is important
in delivering quality homes.
n For more information, call 1700 818 998
or visit www.lbs-alamperdana.com.my
Rentak Perdana (double-storey terrace,
phase 3A and 3B)
Land area: 20ft x 60ft (6.1m x 18.3m)
Gross built-up area: 1,420sq ft (132sq m)
Layout: 4+1 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Selling price: From RM483,507 (after 7%
Bumiputera discount)
Total units: 856
Melodi Perdana (apartment)
Land area: 21.755 acres (8.8ha)
Built-up area: 901sq ft (83.7sq m)
Selling price: From RM344,007 (after 7%
Bumiputera discount)
Total units: 1,520
THE STAR, SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2019 3
4 My Affordable Home: Klang Valley
People-first planning
WITH an ambitious vision, a strong team of
forward-thinkers and its eye set on its lofty
goals, SkyWorld continues to be original and
proactive in carving itself a niche in the
market. Creating value through parcels in
strategic locations, providing the integrated
Sky Living experience with good amenities
and facilities and creating innovative design
and concepts are its three key strengths,
which it commits to in every development.
This year, SkyWorld is slated to launch
SkyAwani 4, the latest in its affordable-
housing SkyAwani series. The SkyAwani
series is a corporate social responsibility
initiative by SkyWorld. Launched in 2015,
the first phase was sold out and handed over
to homebuyers in July last year, an
impressive six months ahead of schedule.
Over the years, the SkyAwani series has
become must-own starter homes for new
fledgling homebuyers, thanks to its
competitive price, practical layout and
condominium-level facilities.
Unique problem-solving
By identifying and clearing up issues that
the modern homeowner in affordable
housing projects face, SkyWorld keeps its
residents satisfied and happy. A creative
approach that focuses on residents’
preferences is key to coming up with a
viable solution, says SkyWorld chief
operating officer Lee Chee Seng.
One such issue is the location of
affordable housing. Many projects, while
accessible via major highways, are still quite
a distance away from the city centre.
SkyWorld has kept its SkyAwani series in
Sentul (SkyAwani 1 and 2) and Setapak
(SkyAwani 3 and 4). Almost 4,000 SkyAwani
units have been launched, with an
additional 1,782 units slated for launch in
November with the upcoming SkyAwani 4.
“Looking at the number of units already
booked, I think the SkyAwani series is a
popular choice because of each project’s
location. It was important for us to focus on
Kuala Lumpur first, and we will continue to
do so for the foreseeable future. However,
after next year, we may consider taking up
opportunities outside KL and even overseas.
In addition, we are currently in talks of
starting a project in Vietnam,” says Lee.
Furthermore, where parking overflow is
usually a problem around high-rise
residences, SkyAwani 4 tackles this by
providing more carpark lots than
required. Recognising that residents
of the SkyAwani series are more
likely to own motorcycles,
SkyWorld has allocated
motorcycle parking lots for half
the units, instead of the usual
industry practice of providing lots
for only 30% of the total number of
units.
Security and safety are
of utmost importance to
THE STAR, SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2019
Our affordable housing
projects are treated with
the same due diligence as
our higher-end projects. All
our products come from the
heart. I believe that each
homebuyer deserves the
same attention to quality
whether he purchases an
affordable home or a luxury
home. With the SkyAwani
series, you get well-planned,
carefully designed spaces
that are designed with
your safety, comfort and
peace in mind.
residents, so of course they are important to
SkyWorld, as well. Among other measures,
SkyAwani 3 and 4 feature separate access
card-enabled ingress/egress lanes for
motorcycles. According to Lee, this amenity
is for the convenience of motorcyclists, but is
also expected to deter petty crimes.
To facilitate communication between
management and residents, SkyWorld
invested RM1mil to develop the SkyWorld
Connects app, where residents can register
visitors, book facilities, access the online
bulletin board and residence management
system, submit feedback and enjoy direct
communication with the management.
Scale model
of SkyAwani 4.
More than just a property
“There’s no point in sweeping things
under the rug,” says Lee. “Quality is
important in all aspects of our projects, from displays are invisible to the naked eye, but SkySanctuary master township development.
the carpark to each corner of every unit. We we show visitors what a regulation- SkyAwani 4 is situated beside a 1-acre
keep the residents in mind at every stage of compliant home looks like. (0.4ha) blossom park that lends the project
the process to create a product of value for “Some may say it is a risk for us to expose its luxurious green surroundings. It is easily
them.” quality issues that the average homeowner accessible from the Duta-Ulu Kelang
To this end, the company established the cannot detect, but this is the benchmark we Expressway and Middle Ring Road 2
SkyWorld Quality Centre. The first of its kind hold ourselves to and this is the kind of and is only 5km away from the KL City
in Malaysia, the centre acts as a quality attention to quality we provide to our Centre.
benchmark for the company and aims to buyers,” says Lee. Its location in Setapak itself is a plus point,
train and educate SkyWorld staff as well In line with its meticulous processes in as the town is a mature neighbourhood with
as consultants, students, prospective quality assurance, all of SkyWorld’s projects additional amenities and facilities just within
homebuyers and interested members are compliant with QLASSIC standards set by reach, such as:
of the public who want to know more the Construction Industry Development l Schools
about best practices in construction. Board (CIDB) Malaysia. Each are targeted to - SJK (C) Wangsa Maju
“SkyWorld Quality Centre hosts receive a QLASSIC rating of more than 70%. - SK Marian Convent
45-minute tours, during which visitors SkyAwani 1 achieved a QLASSIC rating of - SMK (P) Air Panas
are shown mock room displays 76%, making it the first Residensi Wilayah - SMK Tinggi Setapak
with various issues, which (formerly RUMAWIP) to be recognised by - Sri Utama International School
we explain how to detect. QLASSIC. - Tunku Abdul Rahman University College
The defects in some Under the Residensi Wilayah scheme,
Malaysians who earn less than RM10,000 a l Healthcare
month can apply to own a home in certain - Columbia Asia Hospital
projects, including SkyAwani 4. Those aged - Hospital Kuala Lumpur
18 and above may apply and priority is - KPJ Tawakkal Specialist Hospital
given to first-time homebuyers who live,
work or were born in KL. For more l Shopping malls
information on SkyAwani 4 units available - Setapak Central
under Residensi Wilayah, visit - Giant Hypermarket
residensiwilayah.kwp.gov.my. - AEON Alpha Angle
“Our affordable housing projects are - AEON Big
treated with the same due diligence as our - Wangsa Walk Mall
higher-end projects. All our products come
from the heart. I believe that each l LRT stations
homebuyer deserves the same attention to - Wangsa Maju (KJ3)
quality whether he purchases an affordable - Sri Rampai (KJ4)
home or a luxury home. With the SkyAwani
series, you get well-planned, carefully SkyAwani 4 itself hosts an indoor gym,
designed spaces that are designed with your swimming pool, multipurpose hall, BBQ
safety, comfort and peace in mind,” area, jogging path, management office and
emphasises Lee. convenience store. In its periphery, there are
SkyWorld chief also an outdoor gym and jogging track.
operating officer
Lee Chee Seng. Building a community, not just a Each unit is priced at RM300,000 with no
additional premium on unit orientation and
home floor level. The built-up size is 800sq ft
(74.3sq m), with three bedrooms and two
Affordable, fully equipped and featuring bathrooms.
all the trappings of condominium living,
SkyAwani 4 boasts a homely, comfortable n For more information, call 03-2727 7448 or
environment encapsulated within the larger register at www.skyawani4.my
THE STAR, SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2019 5
6 My Affordable Home: Klang Valley
Luxury in the heart of nature
WHETHER you are looking for a
quiet town to raise a family, or a
place near your workplace to kick
back and relax at the end of the
day, Selangor State Development
Corporation (PKNS) has two
offerings that are sure to pique
your interest through its new
housing developments in Ijok,
Kuala Selangor and Antara Gapi,
Serendah.
Targeted at young families and
working adults, these
developments are built with
affordability and comfort in mind,
while still embracing community
living and transportation
convenience.
Peacefulness of a princess’
garden
In the town of Kota Puteri, Ijok,
all foundations for raising a family
have been laid out. An existing
housing area with a multiracial
and multicultural flavour, it is an
epitome of what Malaysia is as a
nation. Plans for public primary
and secondary schools, in addition
to religious schools, will ensure
your children grow up in a healthy
and academically enriched
environment.
Plans for this 2,000-acre
(8,009ha) township includes
existing and planned construction
of commercial areas, a community
centre, mosque and surau. There
are also plans for a police station to
better ensure the safety of its
residents.
Families would find Kota Puteri
suitable for their university-going
children. Located near higher
learning institutions such as
UNISEL Bestari Jaya, UiTM Puncak
Alam and UiTM Puncak Perdana,
parents need not worry for their
child’s safety and accommodation,
and also save a sizeable amount on
living cost and transportation.
While the Kuala Selangor district
may be considered out of the way,
the LATAR Expressway, Guthrie
Corridor Expressway and Jalan
Batu Arang provide residents with
easy access to Kuala Lumpur and
all points north and south while
still allowing them to kick back and
soak in the peacefulness of Hulu
Selangor.
Interested buyers are spoiled for
choice as PKNS offers three types
of projects to choose from – Puteri
PKNS’ housing developments, which embrace community living and feature amazing connectivity, are targeted at young families.
PKNS’ Kota Puteri developments, including Puteri Elaisha, are built with affordability and comfort in mind.
Elaisha, Puteri Daffina 2 and Puteri
Daffina 3.
For the urban nature-lover
If you are someone who cannot
live without the bustle of city life
but still crave being surrounded by
nature, the Antara Gapi township
in Serendah is perfect for you.
Consisting of six sections, the
392ha development is shrouded
with greenery. Surrounded by
breathtaking views, Antara Gapi
provides your family with a
peaceful sanctuary after the stress
of work and school.
The convenience of having
schools and shops nearby
completes the white-picket-fence
experience, and the planned
construction of a mosque,
educational institute and vibrant
town centre looks to fulfil your
every need.
The Greater Klang Valley is a
short driveaway via the Rawang
bypass, while the nearby Serendah
Project name Type of home
Puteri Elaisha Two-storey link home
Puteri Daffina 2 Two-storey link home
Puteri Daffina 3 Two-storey link home
KTM commuter station is just a
stone’s throw away, enhancing its
connectivity options.
The Antara Gapi housing
development utilises modern and
contemporary designs to satisfy
household essentials while
creating a peaceful and
comfortable environment. It
comes in the form of the Azhara
and Cassia developments and
within these categories are
various specifications for all
preferences and budgets.
The Azhara development
consists of two-storey
semi-detached
homes with
two urban
THE STAR, SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2019
Artist’s impression.
Area size Starting price
From 1,993sq ft (185sq m) RM505,000
From 2,038sq ft (189sq m) RM508,000
From 2,066sq ft (192sq m) RM517,000
designs. Starting from RM835,000,
it boasts spacious houses of more
than 2,714sq ft (252sq m) with
dimensions of 40ft x 80ft (12.2m Be it living in a small
x 24.4m) and 40ft x 90ft (12.2m x
27.4m) to choose from. township or an urban
If you are looking for a unique community, PKNS has
home closer to nature, the Cassia
development may be what you a range of choices for
and your family are looking for. anyone who wishes
Surrounded by lush foliage, the
54 units of two-storey semi- to own a home.
detached houses sports a unique The Kota Puteri
dual-frontage design, engineered
specifically to give you privacy development presents
and spaciousness in contrast a quiet and serene
with the cramped city.
The 4+1 bedroom
environment for young
homes provide children to enjoy their
you and your
family with just
childhood.
the right amount
of space for
a growing family, a 40ft x 80ft (12.2m x 24.4m) space
while its with an area of about 2,375sq ft
community- (221sq m), while the Cassia B
centric layout “Step-up” version possesses similar
encourages dimensions but is slightly larger,
healthy at 2,615sq ft (243sq m).
living and
time spent
outdoors. The
The choice is yours
Cassia A “Flat” Be it living in a small township
version spans or an urban community, PKNS has
a range of choices for anyone who
wishes to own a home. The Kota
Puteri development presents a
quiet and serene environment for
young children to enjoy their
childhood.
On the other hand, being ideally
placed near main highways and its
proximity to the rapidly expanding
Anjung Utara, the Antara Gapi
development makes for an ideal
investment.
Place your booking now to
embark on this new venture in
your life.
n For more information, call
019-303 4342/013-342 1098.
THE STAR, SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2019 7
8 My Affordable Home: Klang Valley THE STAR, SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2019

Living the Malaysian dream

MANY Malaysians harbour goals of getting
a stable job, buying a house and raising a
family. However, hopes are dashed when
the majority of job opportunities are located
in the city, where living costs and property
prices can be more than some can afford to
pay.
According to a Statistics Department
report titled Median house price in Malaysia,
2010 – Q1 2019, median housing prices
nationwide have increased from
RM158,000 in 2010 to RM303,000 in 2017
and has dropped only slightly to RM268,000
in the first quarter of the year.
These high numbers are made worse in
the cities. The All House Price Index (MPHI)
by state Q1 2019, which ranks by highest
average of all house prices by state, shows
that houses in Selangor are priced at
RM477,816 and the Federal Territory at
RM779, 488.

A mismatch of interests
The sky-high prices of property and the
inability of B40 and M40 households to
purchase them do not deter developers
from building even more similar properties.
The Malaysia’s property stock Q1 2019
report states there are currently 5,611,673
unsold units in Malaysia with the planned
construction of another 447,636 units. These
do not include the numbers of small office-
home office (SOHO) and service apartments
as well.
This poses a problem of property glut, as
can be seen in the Transaction Data
(Demand) vs Stock Data (Supply) as at Q1
2019 where only 52,199 units were bought
in the first quarter of 2019 as opposed to the
number of existing units.
Nevertheless, this is not an issue of
demand, but more a mismatch of demand
and supply on the side of both buyers and
developers. The Residential Transaction
Data 2019 reported that out of 12,884 units
bought in Selangor, 62.2% are priced below
RM300,000. This is in contrast to the race by
developers to build higher end homes of
just under RM1mil and between RM250,000
to RM500,000 instead of lower to medium
price-range houses.
Complicated hidden costs
Only blaming developers for the housing
glut issue in Malaysia is not a reasonable
thing to do. This is because building
construction is still a business, in an
industry that employs thousands of people
and a substantial amount of money to carry
out.
The Edge Markets explains that there are
far fewer launches for houses priced under
RM150,000 for a simple reason – financial
feasibility. There is a minimum cost to
building a house. These costs include the
price of land, materials and construction, as
well as compliance and regulatory
expenses.
“For quality housing with facilities and a
Everyone desires homes with good connectivity but not many can afford the premium price
these homes command.
Living in the city is a dream for many and the Government should work to ensure that dream is realised for as many people as possible.
Am I eligible for help?
Every good thing comes with its terms
and conditions. Affordable housing
programmes are targeted towards low-
and middle-income households.
Therefore, check to see if you fulfil the
criteria to apply for these housing
programmes in the Klang Valley:
Rumah SelangorKu (Selangor)
l Malaysian citizen
l Over 18 years of age
l Resident of Selangor
l Must not already own property
l Maximum household income
of RM10,000
minimum of 850sq ft (79sq m) at reasonable
locations and includes amenities such as
connectivity, parks and shops, it will be
difficult to see prices fall below RM280,000
in the Klang Valley,” it said in a report.
One example given was that construction
l One application per household
l Single applicants with dependents
may apply
Residensi Wilayah (Federal
Territories)
l Malaysian citizen
l At least 21 years of age at time of
application
l Born in, living in or working in the
Federal Territory
l Maximum household income of
RM10,000 a month (single) or RM15,000 a
month (husband and wife).
costs alone account for slightly less than half
the sale price of a medium-cost apartment
(priced at RM300,000). Land cost is roughly
15%, or RM45,000. Another 13%, or
approximately RM40,000, goes to associated
and soft costs, such as finance, legal, utilities
and architecture. This leaves about 24% for
sales and marketing costs and gross profits.
Seeking the win-win solution
In order to ensure that all its citizens who
want to own a house can do so, but also
prevent income loss for the construction
industry, both Federal and state
governments have come up with affordable
housing programmes to alleviate the
financial burden on both sides.
The Rumah Selangorku initiative is led by
Lembaga Perumahan dan Hartanah
Selangor (LPHS), which is tasked with
delivering affordable homes to qualifying
citizens of the state. With the motto “One
Family, One Perfect Home”, the scheme
promotes a variety of unit types, depending
on preference and income levels.
Split into categories A, B, C, D, and E
homes, there are different eligibility criteria
depending on an applicant’s household
income:
l Type A: Maximum RM3,000 per month
household income
l Type B, C, D, E: Maximum RM3,001 –
For quality housing with
facilities and a minimum
of 850sqft at reasonable
locations and includes
amenities such as
connectivity, parks and shops,
it will be difficult to see prices
fall below RM280,000 in the
Klang Valley.
RM10,000 per month household income
For those planning to live in the capital,
the “Residensi Wilayah” programme may be
the answer to your prayers. In January, the
Federal Territories Ministry announced
“Residensi Wilayah,” its affordable housing
programme for low to middle income
families living in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya
and Labuan. 10,000 houses are targeted to be
built over three years.
Done in cooperation with the private
sector, the houses will measure 900sq ft with
a population density of 800 people per acre
and will be sold at a price not exceeding
RM300,000 per unit.
Slow but steady progress
Through these government initiatives by
the state, the financial burden in owning
houses for citizens are slightly lifted, while
the housing glut issue in Malaysia can
hopefully be eradicated.
Nevertheless, effort must still be made to
move housing demand and supply towards
an equilibrium. Continuous research must
be done to tackle the financial feasibility of
construction in addition to the rising cost of
living and stagnant household income. This
is to ensure that all Malaysians, regardless of
background will one day be able to have a
home under their own name.