YOUNG couples made up an unusually large number of visitors who thronged the Star Property Fair 2011 at the ground floor of Gurney Plaza and Level 2, G Hotel.

Many of them, however, were not first-time buyers but were instead looking for property for investment purposes.

Among them were Dr Shahul Hamid Ahmad Shah, 34, and his wife Zafrina Ismail, 32, who were checking out condominiums that were near completion.

“The 1-World 2 project in Bayan Lepas by Ideal Home Properties Sdn Bhd looks appealing. Besides, the location is near my current house,” he said, when met at the developer’s booth yesterday.

He added that they were also looking for a semi-detached house on the island to move into.

“We need more space and a better environment for our two children, aged five and three.”

Another couple, construction company director Lim Wei Pin, 27, and his wife Koh Saw San, 25, a contract executive, said it was their first time at the fair and they were thrilled by the choices and options available.

“The Oasis Condominium by Nusmetro Venture (P) Sdn Bhd looks great. We will also check out a few other property launched by credible developers here,” he said.

Freelance photographer Mike Chan, 32, said he was drawn to the three-storey link house launched by MTT Properties and Development Sdn Bhd in Balik Pulau.

“We love property that are located in the outskirts,” said Chan, who was accompanied by his girlfriend Lynn Seng, 26.

Touted as Penang’s premier property expo, the Star Property Fair, in its ninth edition, is open daily from 10am to 10pm until Sunday.

It is organised by The Star in collaboration with Henry Butcher Malaysia (Penang) Sdn Bhd.

Other exhibitors include IJM Land, Ivory Properties Group, Belleview Group, DNP Land Sdn Bhd, Sunway Grand Sdn Bhd, Mah Sing Group Bhd, Reka Indah Development (Pg) Sdn Bhd, SP Setia, Boon Siew Group (BSG Property) and Plenitude Heights Sdn Bhd.

There are also Triental Land Sdn Bhd, GD Development Sdn Bhd, Lone Pine Group of Companies, ResCom Asia Sdn Bhd, Capitawealth International Sdn Bhd, KPWG International Sdn Bhd, Tambun Indah Development Sdn Bhd, Bukit Kiara Properties Sdn Bhd, E&O Bhd and Jalin Realty.

Henry Butcher is also featuring projects by Magna Putih Sdn Bhd and several properties in Australia and England by various developers.

There is also a series of talks related to property, investment, financing, law, heritage and feng shui. They are being held daily at the stage area at the new wing of Gurney Plaza and in Salon III and IV at G Hotel.

Visitors also stand a chance to win prizes totalling RM30,000 in the ?Surf, Click & Win? contest sponsored by IJM Land. Ten prizes are up for grabs daily, including a 32? Samsung LCD television, Acer Iconia Tabs, Samsung Galaxy Tabs and Parkson vouchers. To participate, simply cut out the ?Surf, Click & Win? coupon in The Star which will appear in the newspaper until Sunday.

There will also be daily cut-out coupons in The Star until Sunday for redemption of a mystery gift each at The Star circulation booth on the ground floor of Gurney Plaza?s new wing on a first-come-first-served basis.

Hong Leong Bank Bhd is sponsoring RM5,000 worth of mystery gifts.

SOURCE: The Star