Tag Archives: Housing

Orchid View Condos Rentals – 2,500 to 3,000 MYR a month

June 6, 2013condos, Expats, Housing, Living in Johor BahruCBD, condos, Housing, Orchid View Condos, rental condoJohn

Orchid View Condominium is walking distance to CIQ (but it is very awkward to walk as the area was not designed with walking in mind), right next to downtown JB. It is pretty crazy to have designed the area to be so difficult to walk in given it is right downtown next to CIQ – this is exactly where designing a walkable city is most important. The situation at Orchid View shows that there is much more work needed to improve the urban design of downtown JB. See our overview of the Orchid View Condos.

Orchid View Condo, Johor Bahru

The condo offers typical features of the 24 hour gated and guarded condos in Johor Bahru: covered parking, gymnasium, jogging track, playground and swimming pool.

Current listings:

2,800 MYR per month; 1,500 square feet; 3+1 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, fully furnished, corner unit.
3,000 MYR per month; 1,500 square feet; 3+1 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, fully furnished, corner unit.
3,000 MYR per month; 1,500 square feet; 3+1 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, fully furnished, corner unit, facing South (to Singapore).
2,500 MYR per month; 1,500 square feet; 2? bedrooms (I think the listing has this wrong, but maybe it is right), fully furnished, corner unit.
2,500 MYR per month; 1,500 square feet; 3+1 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, unfurnished, corner unit.

I would expect you can bargin down the price a bit, there is a surplus of condo rental units in JB. Remember many units are never even listed online.

Construction Progress for Setia Sky 88 and Twin Galaxy

February 18, 2013condos, Expats, HousingCBD, condos, Housing, Johor Bahru, Setia Sky 88, Twin GalaxyJohn

photo of digging the Setia Sky foundation

Setia Sky construction begins as they prepare the site.

I took these photos over 3 months ago but it looks pretty much the same today. They have seemed busy the whole time with people working and trucks going in and out. My guess is they are digging out to work on the foundation and that really doesn’t give you much to look at as a casual observer.

photo of the Setia Sky site with New York Hotel in background

Setia Sky site (on the left behind the walls) with New York Hotel in background.

Twin Galaxy will be on the right of this photo (closer to the road with the New York Hotel than Setia Sky 88 is).

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Sky Executive Suites @ Bukit Indah, Rent 2,000 to 4,500 MYR a Month

January 20, 2013condos, Housingcondos, expats, Housing, rental condoJohn

The Sky Executive Suites @ Bukit Indah, by Setia, is also known as The Sky. Two 25-story towers hold 364 units with built-up areas ranging from 751 – 2,778 square feet.

Rents range from 2,000 MYR/month to 4,500 MYR/month. Purchase prices range from 450,000 to 800,000 MYR (for 1,516 square feet which is about 500 MYR per square foot).

Current listings offer rentals for delivery approximately March to May 2013:

RM 2,000/month – 1 + 1 bedrooms, 2 bathroom, 826 square feet.
RM 2,800/month – 2 + 1 bedrooms, 2 bathroom, 1,168 square feet.
RM 2,200/month – high floor, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 751 square feet.
RM 2,000/month – 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 751 square feet.

Or you can rent one of the penthouses (south facing) for 8,000 MYR per month which offers: 4 + 1 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms in 2,778 square feet.

Walking distance to Tesco, Giant and Jusco. Hotels nearby include Pariss Hotel, Euro Rich Hotel and Granada Hotel. Approximately 20 minutes to JB city center.

Facilities at The Sky include gated access with 24 hour guards, swimming pool with wading pool, barbecue area, covered parking, gymnasium, jacuzzi, tennis court, sauna and nursery.

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Address: 15 Jalan Indah, Bukit Indah, Johor Bahru, Johor, 81200

Good Johor Real Estate Fair at City Square Mall This Weekend

November 9, 2012condos, HousingCBD, condos, Housing, Living in Johor Bahru, shoppingJohn

I was in City Square mall and they have quite a good real estate fair going on (Friday, today, through Sunday). City Square mall is still under renovation but quite a bit of the renovated space is now open with new places, many more quick dining choices than I remember.

The real estate fair is by far the best I have seen. Quite a large number of Johor developments represented – I would guess over 25. It is amazing how many housing units will be delivered from 2014 – 2016. That is mainly high rise condo (as the lead time for the bungalows and link-houses is usually not that long. I still am worried about 3 things: traffic in JB (given all new housing units – as well as attractions for Singapore visitors), backups between JB and Singapore and the surplus of housing unit to office space being constructed. We will have to see how those issues play out.

I am also a bit concerned at so many units being delivered with, I believe, very large leverage currently (people not having to put hardly anything down on these units under development. That is a risky recipe historically. But there are many good indications about Johor economically looking forward so maybe it will work out.

But for those interested in real estate in Johor state this is quite a good fair to visit. I picked up some news in my visit:
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Twin Galaxy Condos in the CBD

October 26, 2012condos, Expats, Housing, Living in Johor BahruCBD, condos, Housing, Twin GalaxyJohn

Twin Galaxy started construction in late 2012. As with all new condos in Johor Bahru recently the developers are aiming for the high end of the market. Twin Galaxy’s 2 towers will be 35 stories. The development includes integrated shops and restaurants along with recreation areas for residents (pools, game rooms, library, kid’s play room).

The location is nice, next to Hotel Selesa and across the street from, the also under construction, Setia Sky 88 condos and near the New York Hotel.

Plaza Penagi is just 4 blocks away. KSL Mall is 1 km away.

Condo options include: studio (560 square feet) – this has to be aimed at the Singapore market, 2-bedroom (936 square feet), 3-bedroom (1163 sf), 4-bedrrom (1701 sf) and Penthouse with private garden. They offer to attach a “studio” to the 2 or 3 bedroom which adds 560 square feet (they make that into the master bedroom).

The CIQ and causeway are 5-10 minutes (2 km) away assuming any sensible driving and traffic load. It is a bit worrisome what will happen to the traffic flows with all the high rises being build in a close area, but this is a worry for the whole area.

I can’t find any details on the delivery time frame on their website. I don’t understand how such basic information is left off.

D’esplanade Residence @ KSL Mall

September 8, 2012condos, HousingCBD, condos, HousingJohn

The D’esplanade Residence condos at KSL mall in downtown Johor Bahru should be ready soon (I would guess in late 2012 or early 2013). The official site has little no sales information but does have some floor plans.

I believe the closest tower is the hotel, the tower on the left has offices and the back tower is the condos. I took the photo last month.

The condos sit atop the KSL Mall and next to the KSL hotel.

Units for sale include:

RM 879,000; 1,465 square feet; 11th floor; 3 bedrooms; 3 baths.
RM 980,000; 1,700 square feet; 3 + 1 bedrooms; 2 bathrooms, swimming pool view.
RM 1,124,000; 8th floor; 1,874 square feet; 4 bedrooms; 3 baths

Price per square foot on units is close to RM 600.

The hotel is already open. They seem to like calling it an “integrated resort” – as far as I can tell that just means it has a spa attached to it. I have seen rates from RM 200-300. The closet tower is the hotel, I think.

Setia Sky 88

August 28, 2012condos, HousingCBD, condos, HousingJohn

Setia Sky 88 is a new condo just getting set for construction to start. I haven’t seen when delivery of units is anticipated for, but one article says completed in 4 years. I find it hard to understand how they are going to take so long, but since the website fails to have any information at all I guess the best current guess is for delivery in 2016. I still find that so slow that I can’t believe they will really take that long but until I get updated information that is the only date with some evidence backing it up. As with all new condos planned for the CBD of Johor Bahru recently the developers are aiming for high priced units.

The location is nice, across the street from the New York Hotel. There is another highrise condo being built right next to the Setia Sky 88 (across the street – between the Sky 88 and Hotel Selesa), which is also just in the beginning stages of construction.

I would imagine the car washes that line part of the street now will be replaced with more upscale retail shops, but we will see.

Plaza Penagi is just 4 blocks away and the wonderful Chez Papa (French cuisine) is just 6 blocks away. KSL Mall is within 2 km. The KSL condos are getting close to being completed (also very high prices on these).

I am not really sure why they have to exaggerate (saying the CIQ is 2 minutes away), the causeway is 5-10 minutes away assuming any sensible driving and traffic load, in my opinion.

I think the nearest existing condo would be the Wadihana Condo which is likely between 1 and 2 km away.

What is a Reasonable Expectation for Service?

August 10, 2012condos, Housingcondos, Housing, rental condo, rentalsJohn

Moving to a new country offers many things you have to figure out and get used to. Really the idea of exotic locals is largely outdated. Most things are basically the same everywhere. It is the details that get a bit tricky.

I knew this so paid extra for my rental with the expectation that the extra payment meant I got the higher level of service expats expected. This made sense to me. It sure seems like I get as bad a service as could possibly be tolerated. I can’t imagine there is a level lower than this.

I don’t know if I am just being taken advantage of by my agent. Or if this is just the state of “customer service.” The condo had many issues to be addressed (it was known it had issues and hadn’t been rented out for years). I said I would go to Thailand for 2 weeks and return when we agreed the items would be taken care of. I returned, nothing had been done.

Numerous follow ups by me were required to get the minimum to finally be done to let me move in. The entire time I have had to ask 3-6 times for things to be done. Repeated request for status always failed to get a response.

People would not show up when they were suppose to, to fix stuff, again I had to manage this as the agent was missing in action. If people didn’t show up at all again the agent was missing in action and I had to tell him. This has repeated for everything. No matter what, I have to ask multiple times (actually there were maybe 3 times when I didn’t have to do so, but by and large I have had to).

Two of the ACs didn’t work (remember the house was not used for years prior). The one in my bedroom I got fixed. Another one I only tested and it seemed to blow out cold air so I went on. A few months later I started using that room and the AC doesn’t work (probably the freon is out – but maybe it is just broken). So it never worked, and they said I can pay to fix the AC that never worked in this unit they assured me was more expensive because they would provide good service and assure things were at an “expat level.” Again this seems like they are just either taking advantage of me of have a very poor standard of service but maybe my expectations are wrong.

The fridge has never been good, but I didn’t care that much. Now the ancient fridge died, ruining all my food. I told the agent. They said he would arrange for someone to fix it. So I cancelled my plans for the day and skipped lunch as I couldn’t leave… Noone came. After lunch I left a message asking what was going on. Still today, no response. As typical, failure of expected functions followed by requiring multiple contact by me. Lousy communication provided by agent. Leaving me stranded with no one showing up. Leaving me stranded without functioning equipment.

Is this just lousy service and response. Or is this typical?

Should I just go buy a new fridge and deduct that from my next rent payment?

I did know I was taking a risk believing the claims of the agent that they would provide good service. They seemed capable and seemed to have a business based upon service clients that would expect good service (so had a reason to build a business that provided it). And I was really tired and just wanted to be through looking for a place (I probably was a fool to just give in, but I did it so I have to live with it).

Paragon Residences @ Straits View

July 16, 2012condos, Housingcondos, Danga Bay, Housing, Paragon ResidencesJohn

New condo developments are being built and delivered with great frequency in Johor Bahru these days. The Paragon Residences are new luxury condos being built in the Danga Bay area.

Not only are many whole new condos being built, both Straits View and Molek Pine have been adding a tower in the last year.

I am not sure on when these units are suppose to be delivered. My best guess would be sometime in 2013.

Plenty of Good Rental Options in Horizon Hills

June 14, 2012Expats, Housing, Living in Johor Bahrubungalow, Housing, Iskandar, Living in Johor Bahru, Nusajaya, rentalsJohn

The sales market for housing in Nusajaya, Johor is hot. Horizon Hills is one of the most popular housing estates in Nusajaya (part of Iskandar in Johor, Malaysia).

Given the positive feeling many have about the future of Nusajaya many investors continue to buy. The demand by investors exceeds the demand of renters so, renters can get some good deals. The biggest thing that will change this market dynamic is more high paying jobs being created in Johor increasing the demand from renters.

I would expect you can get discounts on the listed prices (if they won’t budge talk to others offering rentals – there is a surplus supply). Above asking price of RM 3,500 discounts are even more likely.

There are variety of rental options in Horizon Hills, Johor, including:

Link house, RM 2,800/month, 4+1 Bedrooms, Un-furnished (I think).
Cluster house, RM 3,500/month, 2,600 square feet, 4+1 bedroom, 3 bathrooms, Partly Furnished.
Link house, RM 2,400/month, 2,100 square feet, 4+1 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, unfurnished?
Link house, RM 2,900, 2280 square feet built up, 4+1 bedroom, 3 bathroom, partly Furnished.
RM 7,000, 3500 square feet built-up, 4+1 bedrooms, 4 baths, Partly Furnished.
RM 3,650, 2500 square feet built-up, 4+1 bedrooms, 3 baths, Partly Furnished.