GEORGE TOWN: Asas Dunia Bhd is launching 1,356 units of landed properties worth approximately RM300mil in gross development value in Seberang Prai from now until the end of 2013, due to the growing interest to invest in properties in Seberang Prai.

The properties comprise largely single- and double-storey properties, priced between RM200,000 to RM600,000.

“We are launching more properties because on top of the trend to buy properties to stay in Seberang Prai, we are also seeing more people buying properties on the mainland for investment.

“They are gradually realising the investment potential of properties in Seberang Prai, as the second bridge is scheduled to be completed soon, and more investments are coming into the industrial park of south Seberang Prai.

“The state government will probably need to expand the Penang Science Park in Bukit Minyak and the industrial estate in Batu Kawan, as there are more small and medium enterprises from Singapore coming into the country,” group managing director Datuk Jerry Chan said after the company’s AGM.

As a result of the demand for properties in Seberang Prai, the price for a double-storey semi-detached house in Bukit Mertajam, for example, has increased to RM1mil from about RM500,000 three years ago.

The price of a double-storey terraced house in Bukit Mertajam town is now about RM450,000, approximately 70% higher than the price three years ago.

“But the RM1mil price for a semi-detached house in Bukit Mertajam is still more attractive than that of a semi-detached property on the island, which is priced between RM2.5mil to RM3.5mil.

“The price of a vacant land per sq ft is between RM20 to RM50 per sq ft, double of what it was two years ago, depending on the location,” he said. For the first quarter ended March 31 2012, the group posted pre-tax profit of RM12mil on the back of RM36.4mil revenue, compared with RM8.6mil and RM29.8mil achieved in the corresponding period the previous year.

Source: The Star