Working for about a year full time now, my salary has finally reached RM3,000.00. Minus away EPF, and Tax and I'm left with RM2625 and after paying for my car loan, I'm only left with RM2000. It may not be much but I wanted to start somewhere knowing that my parents first bought their property at Damansara Utama at RM130,000 and now has a sale value of RM700,000. It was not about making money out of it (although if I could it would be good!) but I wanted to buy a property before it goes any higher!



Being under Budget
First up was the Budget I had. Looking at my current situation I could only afford a RM800-1000 loan at most and at that rate I could only get a property at most RM200,000. Viewing a whole lot of properties ranging from Sungai Buluh to Ara Damansara, I wanted something located in Petaling Jaya for the sake that it was closer to home and well... shopping malls. I finally spotted Flora Damansara.

The Flora Damansara Experience
I remember taking a drive there the first time without contacting any property agents to view any units. I enjoyed the drive in until lorries and holes started appearing around the construction areas. As I reached the Flora Damansara entrance, it's sign was covered with shrubs and cars were parked scattered all around! Reaching Block A, I remember telling myself "This is crap! I'm out of here!" and quickly drove off at the end of Block C.

I left disappointed with what I thought to be prime land in Petaling Jaya.

Not being able to find any other properties in that area within my budget, I did my study more on Flora Damansara. Dang! It seemed like a hell hole! With water and electricity being cut, foreigners playground and worse of all I had to google "Flora Damansara Ghost" which lead me to a post in Lowyat.net claiming that Block E & F has ghost sightings after 11pm. Crap.

Despite all that "Crap" I decided to call a property agent and check out a unit. That brought me for the very first time up to Block F & H where I immediately notice a change in atmosphere. It was not as rowdy as the Block A, B, and C but was definitely not heavenly. It felt very much more Kampung-Homey feel. The small mini-market at the bottom of Flora Damansara gave me a little pinch of my childhood as I purchased a "Ice Cream Potong" from them. I told myself "It's not so bad..." despite the horrible double-parking, vandalized wall, stolen life buttons and broken CCTVs.

What really changed my mind was after getting out of the lift at the 22nd floor. Wow! What a view! It was breezy and the view was amazing! Put together with a dizzling weather, I could have thought I went up a trip to Frasers Hill!

I got into a 850sf unit and I loved the layout as it was long and seem spacious! What I loved most about it was the morning sun view coming up on top of the mountains it faced and the amazing night view of the highway.

I decided to buy a unit there.



The Bad
I met a couple from Penang there of which was very friendly. I asked them about the security in the area and they told me their concerns:-

1) Lots of foreigners
A lot of Africans stay there and their lifestyle does not seem to fit that well with us Asians. On my part, I've met both good and bad Africans, but my personal tipping point would be when I had an experience where I was nearly run down by a drunk African few years back. Not that I would like to generalize, but I just feel safer around Malaysians you can say.



2) Poorer Residence
As quoted "There a lot of people who steal things here", and I could see that very clearly. From grills, to elevator buttons to even pipes! This raised a security alarm in my head. I even viewed a home with 14 students living in a 850sf unit. Dang!

3) Poor built quality
I think MK Land contractors must really be having a lot of fun building this place just to see the awkward faces of the home buyers. The tiles were poorly made in Block F, while Block H higher floors where much better made as compared to the lower floor. There seem to be not much of a consistency between each unit built and I would highly encourage you to view the unit inside out before deciding on the purchase.



4) Bad History
Being made famous over the number of issues where waters were cut due to the management not paying the bill. Same goes with electricity. Honestly... who would want to climb up 24 flights of stairs to reach their home at night without electric! I know I would not!


The Better
The couple also mentioned to me "We like it here. It's not like the outside where it's busy and stressful, it's simple here!"

1) Stores at the bottom
I enjoyed my Ice Cream Potong! The stores at the bottom gave me a sense of community where people would go down there despite race or class. There restaurants, laundry, mechanics, cyber cafes, mini marts and even tailors down there which almost guarantees you not needing to leave Flora Damansara.

2) Friendly residence
Other than having a lot of students and foreigners there, the people and families living there are truly friendly. As mentioned, there is this sense of community there which you can rarely find in cities.

3) Cheap
Where on frigging Petaling Jaya can you find a property going from RM160,000 (850sf) - RM200,000 (1080sf)!?

4) New Management
After all the bad press Flora Damansara has been getting throughout the years, Flora Damansara now has a new management which committees are mainly residence of Flora Damansara themselves. It's good to hear that the swimming pool will be back in usable condition in a month or two and that action to better the place is slowly but gradually starting to take place.

5) Location
Once more, where on frigging Petaling Jaya can you find a property at this price and just a 5min drive from The Curve, Ikano, Tesco, and 1Utama? Plus! Put together an astonishing view at night!

5) The Amazing View
I shall attempt not to repeat myself but Flora Damansara really does have an amazing view. At Block H, you can literary see Genting at night. At Block F, you get to see 1 Utama and The Curve which promises a beautiful New Year's Eve.



The Future
I think one of my biggest concerns was the future of this place and would I end up losing money in the first property I've decided to invest in. I did some homework or at least what I assume to be right.

Good to know that Flora Damansara will be getting 3 new multistory car parks and a beautification at Block A, B and C due to the projects in the neighbourhood. I sure hope this is will be maintained once completed.



1) Empire City & Empire Damansara
Once more Damansara's name poised to bring in giants. Two major Empires will be moving in beside Flora Damansara.

2) Forest Hill Damansara
Semi-D's and Banglos starting at the price of RM2mil to 3mil has started being developed at the end of Flora Damansara (after Block C where it has been walled off). I believe this has pushed the facelift to be made so that Forest Hill Damansara would have a proper road to enter instead of a pile of double parked cars.

3) Taylors Lakeside
Mainly said as rumours that Taylor may be building a lakeside campus once more at the pond beside Block F, this could pose as a good source of rental if more "higher end" students start moving in.





I know this is a very long write up. Took me a good 45min to write this, but to summarize this all, I guess my question here would be -


What are your thoughts in investing in Flora Damansara?
Is there a future for this place?

Being my first property purchase, it would be great if any Sifu could help give me some feedback or comments. Hence... here's my cry for help. HELP!!!

This post has been edited by lilac: Jan 27 2013, 07:36 PM

wow very detail. made me interested as well

maintenance of high rises is VERY important for value-keeping to the least.
IMHO, i don't see why walk-up apartments in BSD won't be more expensive than flora in the next 5-10 years.

sad to disappoint u, but the truth is this entire place is like a hustler town.

y?

1. too many units, i cant rem the figure but while passing the 1.60 ldp toll, u look at it, it scares u.

2. no seperation for low cost i.e. block a & b, low-medium cost block d & e and med cost f,g & h. only 1 road leading up and down. road condition like 'kau sai' forever.

3. Never ending water disruption.

4.

5......

list goes on. U been there, you should know

doesnt matter whats coming up around it, empire? pjtc? crest builder? altium? this project is at the far end of all these developments.

argument - for rental? yes - possible rm 750 - 800 for empty 850sf medium cost apt.

for cap appreciation? developer selling $ was 118k (with 1 carpark) back in 2000. 850sf med cost apt. now bank only gives valuation for 130k. 12k over 12yrs.. go figure

taylor ar? i got news that its not taylor though and you might be surprise what it is

How can the sale value be 700k now? -,-!!

700k is for his parents property la at D.U.

affordability wise ok. location good.
investment for rental yield perhaps, capital appreciation i doubt it will be significant.
buying for own stay is a big no.

i like your review, can consider starting a blog and do similar reviews for other condos in KV.

Where u get the news Taylor's will be here
If yes, next time got good rental

Googled and found this:
http://www.horlic.com/taylors-university-n...iara-damansara/

I love this review.

It's not about sharing how you bought The Troika at the age 18 with some help from your rich parents. This is about how you came to realisation that buying property should start early and will be a stepping stone to work your way up.

Some here who has countless properties in KLCC and Bukit Bintang will baulk upon seeing the condo condition. But I totally get what you are trying to convey. Even many in your position of monthly income wouldn't bother to think like you did. Kudos.

Keep it up bro!

This post has been edited by my44: May 15 2012, 01:56 PM

May I ask 130k 850sq feet more details please?
Car parks, furnishing, rental

But price ok to me

Good price for Flora Damansara.

well done lilac. good to know u went to that place, view the unit and get to know the details of the area and prop. kudos to u. as many taiko here will say. few issue with Flora Damansara which i dun wan to repeat it from other taiko point of view.

since u like something nearby, why not consider some other condo nearby. maybe Ritz Perdana 1 or maybe a bit further, Plaza Medan Putra which is located in Manjalara. no doubt u need to pay RM 1.6 toll but the toll is not there forever. you might need to do more research and not limit to 1 particular area. sometimes you'll find something better.

anyway, keep up the good work.

it is still a news, seriously. dont be like those cases (as usual people are people being greedy) where they expect things like LRT got go through those places but in the end didnt, ending up the people cant sell out, in fact got loses)

I am not very familiar with this areas but when i try to put "flora damansara " in iproperty. I saw very long list sales listing.

If so many people wanted to sell it. Can I say no no buy?

who is gonna do a review for Venice Hill now?

130k is for the med cost blocks i.e. e, f & h.

try to go for block h as its the newest block.

what u get is bare 850sf unit and 1 covered carpark. 2+1r 2b

expect rental to be between 700 to 800, depending on level, condition and etc.

gd luck!

This post has been edited by runflat: May 15 2012, 02:31 PM

There's nothing close to Flora price within the radius of 50km (except Lagoon Perdana). Rits Perdana 1, Plaza Medan Putra are all above 200k.

For people from lower income group looking for a property, I guess that's the only choice.

Investor point of view:
- it is the benchmark for cheapest property in PJ, the next cheapest property is above 200k
- easy to rent out with 6-7% return (basic unit)
- close to major highways, shopping malls
- Bank value RM160,000.00

Just a share of tots!

This post has been edited by simply red: May 15 2012, 02:59 PM

Thanks rachel_xxx! Good to hear that my write up gave you some interest

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Added on May 15, 2012, 10:54 pmMaintenance is really an issue here in Flora Damansara tho. I really do hope they buck up.


You're right. Actually I've checked out some BSD areas as well. Some slightly over my budget as well.. and by the looks of it BSD could really grow at the rate they are putting the title "Damansara" everywhere.

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Added on May 15, 2012, 10:56 pmDo correct me if I'm wrong but Forest Hill Damansara will be behind Flora Damansara. Hence they are currently forcing to build a better entrance for Flora Damansara. Once more... I can't say if it'd be maintained or even be there but I'll keep my fingers crossed

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Added on May 15, 2012, 10:56 pmThanks Sikit2JadiBukit, I sure hope this prop goes well. I'll have to live on a tight budget this coming year after the purchase.

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Added on May 15, 2012, 10:58 pmAhh.. as I PMed you earlier as well. Thanks for informing that Empire also bought the land to build a new high end condo. At the same time, I heard that kinda before the Taylors stories came about. I'm honestly do not know which is true, but either way... It's good to know at least there are some development there.

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Added on May 15, 2012, 10:59 pmYes, it was from an article in The Sun.

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Added on May 15, 2012, 11:01 pmThanks man! I'm sure it's not much but it's all I can afford

This post has been edited by lilac: May 15 2012, 11:01 PM