For the past 7 years, I have been searching and looking around for a quality property to expand my portfolio hoping for both capital appreciation while continue enjoying good rental yield. After 7 years of searching, I feel that there are few properties might be worthwhile to consider if you are thinking of expanding your property portfolio. Bear in mind, all the ideas and reasons is base solely on my own personal view and experience after so many years of understanding KK property market. Normally I will strongly focus on both capital appreciation and rental yield whenever I want to expand my portfolio to ensure Win-Win situation.
Api Api and Marina Court
The only apartment and condominium within city and surrounded by matured shopping mall and commercial centre is Api-Api Apartment and Marina Court. Api-Api Apartment (AAA) is mostly cater for medium and lower end working class people while Marina Court (MC) is catering mostly on tourist and some of the rich holiday homes. Both properties have been appreciated and receiving good rental years all the while. I have been acquiring AAA’s since 2006 & 2007 with the purchase price of less than RM200K per unit and now the value has been appreciated above RM280K with double digit rental yield. MC’s also has been enjoying healthy appreciation with reasonable rental yield despite threat of losing their sea view 3 years from now. The future of AAA & MC will continue to do shine viewing that there is no more development land available nearby Further more with the escalating development cost, by all mean developers will not sell their property at AAA and MC current price. Not only that, if I’m developer I will develop commercial property rather than residential as it will easily fetch higher price of RM2500-RM3000 per sf just like what Centre Point & Wisma Merdeka commanding now.
Indah Court
Another area I’m strongly recommending is known as Indah Court which flooded with good tenant group and rental yield. Indah Court has been appreciated a lot lately especially when all the new developments of condominium and apartment selling for RM280-RM350 per sf while Indah court only fetch around RM 170- RM210 per sf. Base on my experience, Indah Court will be “evergreen” portfolio simply because 70% of the government and private school in KK’s located here with less than 2KM radar or walking distance. With the threat of potential rising petrol cost in the future, a lot of people will continue to purchase nearby city centre property as their dream home to save time and cost over the long term. Further more this is where all potential good tenant like teachers, doctors, government staff and the most important double income family group which assure further the rental repayment capability.
Signal Hill
The most high end property which I didn’t own so far is Signal Hill which is famous of their perfect location with fronting south china view and back by Mount Kinabalu view. The property is sitting above the only hill facing KK city centre. Back in late 1990’s, the developer is having hard time selling the property above RM 200 per sf despite good location and view. The property prices only start to appreciate 5 years ago after foreigner and local professional going in. I remember one foreigner told me that workmanship can be maintain, renovated and repair but you can never repair the view. This group has pushed the price above RM400-RM500 per sf and helps to sustain the rental yield at 7%-10%. That why when the developer start launching their phase 2 (The Peak Suite), it was sold within 3 weeks and now the price has been appreciated not less than 40% even though without Occupancy Certificate. Their another success story is “The Peak Vista”, it was currently build building next to existing block facing south china sea and Likas Bay. The property was sold out within 2 hours with not less than RM360 per sf during their soft launching end of last year. Not only that, the prices been appreciated more than 20% even with current constructions of 40%. Mark my words, Signal Hill will continue to do well in the coming years due to location and fantastic view.
Beverly Hills Apartment
Never come across into my mind that Beverly Hills will do so well when I started my property investment back in years 2004. This property is located about 8KM from KK City Centre with huge numbers of units. Even though the numbers of unit is huge but bear in mind, they are surrounded by matured commercial and industrial activities mainly from Bundusan, Damai, Luyang and Lintas. With the completion of the highway last month, I believe the demand and price will continue to be steady and sustainable. I didn’t own any property here but for those who just started their property investment; this will be a good area to build your investment guts giving low entry cost and low risk while generating good rental yield.
With that I hope, all of you will continue to share with me your experience for better understanding on our property market while building brighter future through property. Happy Investing
You cannot Grow Land.. Ck Wong & KH Wong

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Hi CK & other experienced landlord,
We finally bought a condo unit after searching for about a year. Just want to ask the guru(s) here, the previous owner will only give us the keys when the bank release full amount in 4 months time. Is it normal for the buyer to ask for the keys a month earlier? We just want to touch up the unit so that it is ready for potential tenant to view as soon as the buyer gets the payment.
Another question is – is it better to get an agent to look for tenant or DIY? We are first timer so likely we get an agent to do it for us. TQ!
HI,
It depend on the owner. Normally if can I wil negotiate to get the key early before the loan release so that I can start take up the unit ready for tenant once the bank loan release. But its all depend on the seller. Sometimes you can ask but might not get it. Of course renting for your own will save ur “one month” commission. That what I always do. Happy Investing.
You cannot Grow Land..CK Wong & MY DAD
hi redyoyo,
Try negotiate , by paying the ex-owner , small monthly rental equivalent to the monthly management fee of the condo. well, I guess once renovate/touch-up, you can, try to recoup. If its likas square or marina, maybe you can give daily rental.
i found this one, but looks too cheap and too good, maybe not genuine
http://www.mudah.my/Marina+Court+Penthouse+Unit-6455377.htm
Dear CK,
We have been considering purchasing properties in KK for quite some times now. So, in Jan of this year, we were in KK viewing some properties around the Sutera harbour area. The prices of the units there were quite steep but the quality of the materials used are not up to standard (by naked eyes observation). Our questions is; do you know if it is worth buying? The property name is The Banyan.
Thank you.
P/s. can you recommend any newly constructed/completed condos/apartment that are between 1300sqft – 2000sqft around KK or Likas area please.
HI,
D Banyan is the ONLY location in KK. There is NON such location anymore in the future. The buyer of this market is very niche and very rich. I have no comment on the material and quality of the workmanship but as I mention you and renovated it whenever you want as long as you OWN IT!! Wait for new development at Likas..coming it will be more..from big company like SP Setia and IJM LAND. Happy Investing.
You cannot Grow Land..CK Wong & MY DAD
Thank you for your reply and suggestion. Do you think SP Setia and IJM will start building anytime soon…like this year or next year perhaps?
HI,
I expecting them to sell their condo more than RM500 psf. I heard SP setia going to sell their 6 storey office block for more than RM6M. Both of the developer expected to launch their project within the next 12 month. Happy Investing.
You cannot Grow Land..CK Wong & MY DAD
Hi mike,
I saw the same ad too, thought it was a gem..
marina penthouse selling for 660k (550+150k). Seller must be really desperate to let go. I think someone bought it the very same day.
The concept is a bit different, macam ‘ kereta sambung loan’ , when we couldn’t service our monthly installment, we just have to let go fast.- one of the fallback of property investment- over gearing.
Hi,
To avoid all this you must plan your investment in more rightful way. A design of reccession proof portfolio will be the best way. Happy Investing.
You cannot Grow Land..CK Wong & MY DAD
“design of reccession proof portfolio will be the best way”
Maybe you can enlighten us on the principles of designing one?
Thks
HI,
I have been sharing all the while. Digest more all information which I have shared here. Happy Investing.
You cannot Grow Land..CK Wong & MY DAD
Here is the website to look for basic sabah land law;
http://www.borneobooks.com/blog/2001/10/31/an-introduction-to-sabah-land-law-conveyancing/
“recession proof portfolio”- even at recession, your portfolio won’t go down the drain and you will continue to thrive.
Good location, high demand, easily rentable, positive cash flow… just some of the features. Anymore to add?
Hi,
Hi,
Different asset class also will help ie:
1. Vacant land
2. Commercial
3. Residential – ie landed and non landed
4. Cash
5. Ever ready bank facility to back you up whever crisis is coming.
Happy Investing.
You cannot Grow Land..CK Wong & MY DAD
Am thinking of investing in 1Sulaman condos – would this be a good investment as the selling price is around RM225,000 (for a 900sqft unit) ? Just sold my Beverley Hills 3 Apartment and looking for another property to invest.
Hi,
Beverly Hills lately was sold very hot and highly in demand due to the maturity of the project. I think 1 Sulaman might took another 3 years after completion to really matured like Beverly Hills. Risk is more on the completion as I mention ealier. Happy Investing.
You cannot Grow Land..CK Wong & MY DAD
Hi CK,plan to buy single storey house in putatan for my own stay and plan to sale or rent it,next 5years.what is your opinion about petagas and putatan?
HI,
Landed property is highly in demand now in view of higher land cost of purchasing condo. Anyway I cant predict how far more it will go up..but one thing for sure..you wont loss money!! Happy Investing.
You cannot Grow Land..CK Wong & MY DAD
Hi CK,
Appreciated your views in the previous comment that I post quite sometime ago. Would like to know what do you think of the new Duta Garden project? The developer is new, is it ok to purchase one of the unit as compared to Luyang Perdana which is in matured residence as the developer is launching phase 2? I had heard of a lot of abandoned projects especially by new developers but would not want the investment money went down to the drain.
Or would it better to buy one landed property instead of this gated community(1 1/2 sty) with strata title or condo? What will the appreciation value like for these properties? I heard this is “hot” especially in West Malaysia.
Thanks.
HI,
Lately mostly developer will deliver what they have promise to their buyer. So I dont think Duta Garden Phase 2 will face such problem. Matured residential definetly better as they are more steady in term of capital appreciation and rental. Luyang Perdana town house has been appreciated from RM208K to RM350K lately..I think the appreciation might be stable down at this level. You might think of buying it for steady rental collection only. Happy Investing.
You cannot Grow Land..CK Wong & MY DAD
Hi CK,
What do you think of investing in a high-end gated/guarded community residential houses e.g. D’Banyan in Sutera? Do you think it is worth investing over here? I heard that similar type of development over in KL is very well accepted, but it is not so yet over here. Would appreciate your comment.
HI,
D’Banyan going to be the ONLY high-end gated community with less than 5 minutes driving to town. I dont think you can find any other pieces similar to this. Happy Investing.
You cannot Grow Land..CK Wong & MY DAD
Hi CK, a gated landed property versus condominium, which one has more potential to grow in value, assuming both located at the same prime location, say 5 year from now? Thanks
HI,
I cannot assure you which one will be appreciate higher in terms of the value..but I think both also will have good opportunity to make money. Happy Investing.
You cannot Grow Land..CK Wong & MY DAD
Hi CK,
Thanks for your comment. Will think it over first. Is not easy to break even these days with raising BLR rates so I think its the best to invest both for rental and capital appreciation so its still win-win at both ends.
Hi CK,
What do you think of Taman Salut Perdana. Thinking of buying a property there (2 storey link house). Published price is below 300k but the building specs not so good. Like they provide carpetted flooring on all bedrooms instead of tiles and plywood flush door instead of timber. Please advice your thoughts
Regards
mary
HI,
So far Taman Salut Perdana is the only housing area developed at this area. So you have not much choices unless you are going down abit to Tmn Bukit Sepanggar. Been the only housing area is good as the rental might hold more steady as its surrounded by KKIP, Sepanggar Port and some five star resort. Happy Investing.
You cannot Grow Land..CK Wong & MY DAD
Hi Ck,
how about lok kawi area?Sri maya apartment,price rm170k 1000sqft.
Next 5 years,plan to rent or sale.what is ur opinion
HI,
I still prefer KK area apartment and condo. You can budget around RM220k as the appreciation and rental yield is more stable. Lokawi market is still very young. Happy Investing.
You cannot Grow Land..CK Wong & MY DAD
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