Damansara - Shah Alam Highway (DASH)

Like many other infrastructure projects in our country (MRT included), which suppose to benefit rakyat and stimulate the country's economy will upset some minorities. In the case of DASH, the objections from the residents of Mutiara Damansara is principally based on the fact that the DASH, originally meant to run through the higher-density neighbourhood of Damansara Perdana, where high-density condominiums abound, has now been re-routed to run through the quiet suburb of Mutiara Damansara, an admittedly more upscale neighbourhood..

DASH will connect New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) directly to the Penchala Link, allowing users to bypass the Damansara and Duta toll plazas along the NKVE, which are both prone to traffic build-up during rush hour. It would, therefore, allow Shah Alam residents using the NKVE to exit the NKVE, onto the DASH and onto the Penchala Link to Kuala Lumpur or Petaling Jaya without passing through the Damansara suburban road network.

DASH is set to bring Shah Alam - Puncak Alam Corridor nearer to Damansara / PJ enclave  which contains more facilities like shopping complexes and MNC offices. Residential areas along Jalan Batu Arang (that linking Shah Alam to Puncak Alam) such as Sunway Alam Suria, Cahaya SPK, Alam Budiman, Denai Alam and Perdana Heights will immediately reap the benefits once the highway completed. Property prices in these areas expected to increase further.

Puncak Perdana - Alam Suria - Denai Alam - Kg Melayu Subang - Galaksi - Subang 2 - Subang Airport

Subang Airport - RRIM - Surian - Kenanga - Mutiara Damansara - Penchala

When Shah Alam - Puncak Alam Corridor become so close to Damansara / PJ, I believe many young family or couples (potential upgrader) in Damansara / PJ enclave will not hesitate to live there.

Kajang Hospital to be relocate?

Since last 2 years, there are rumors that Kajang Hospital will be relocated to Semenyih due to capacity issue for the hospital built in 70s. Many speculate that Property Developer King in Kajang, MKH is eying the land as it’s strategically located in town. It’s not difficult to understand because MKH have already own some of the best prime land in Kajang; former Local Council Building (beside Kajang Police Station) and former JKR Building (opposite Hospital Kajang) just to name a few.

The Kajang Hospital is conveniently located on Jalan Kajang- Semenyih in Kajang Town

So far, I didn’t see any news to officially confirm the relocation plan. However, I found some interesting information on http://shafiza8828.blogspot.com/2012/04/general-hospital-selangor.html

According to author, the plan is to relocate Kajang Hospital to Connemara Estate, Baranang. However Health Ministry has yet to approve this plan. According to author, the site for new hospital is 15km away from current location and 7km away from Semenyih Town. In term of travelling time, a journey from KL via LEKAS Highway will take 30 minutes while journey from Kajang will take 20 minutes (but I think this is timing for smooth journey, no traffic congestion at all (^-^)

If this is confirmed, I see 2 things will happen. (i) another commercial development in current hospital’s site (ii) new and modern hospital in Baranang will be booster to property developer in Semenyih. Do update me if anyone out there have more information about this proposal.

Bulletproof your portfolio

In my last article, my advice is watch out for 2013 (and beyond). Please don’t get me wrong, I didn’t mean to stop you from property investing nor selling all or investment properties. However, I think it’s time for property investors to step back and start to bulletproof their portfolio. In my opinion, invest in properties is a sure way to improve your wealth provided you know how.

Legendary investor Jim Rogers once said “If the economy improves I’ll make money because the demand for those assets will increase. On the other side, when governments get in trouble they print more money and when they do that you can protect yourself by owning real assets.”

Here are some of the ideas how you can bulletproof your property portfolio.

Location, location, location  – look for areas that can weather any downturn. A good example is residential properties near colleges and universities that suitable for student housing. Whether economy is good or bad, investment in student housing gives you consistent returns. In fact, when the economy condition is bad, more student prefer to further their studies instead of going out to workforce market. Other that student housing, one can look for areas set to growth with infrastructure investment such as new highways and even more compelling MRT route.

Focus of fundamental – go back to fundamental criteria when evaluate investment property. Ensure the rentability and yield of the properties that you want to invest in. For investors evaluating new property launches, one can “benchmark” the rentability and yield from surrounding properties. Investors also need to consider whether the market can digest when more supplies going to the market. Finally, buy from established developers. To further strengthen your portfolio, one should invest in existing properties on the market because “what you see is what you get”. The rentabilty and yield (of existing properties) are REAL instead of developer’s promise or artist illustrations.

Know what to sell – investors should be selective in deciding which property to keep and sell the less attractive ones. They should consider selling substandard properties handed over by developers, or if the property is not so easy to rent upon completion. Unless you can see long term potential and having huge cash buffer to service the loan, one should consider sell the above mentioned properties.

If you have more idea on bulletproofing property portfolio, feel free to share in comment section. Thanks!