FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

● Klang Valley townships are the most searched areas for homes and residential properties

● Semenyih and Rawang, townships on the outskirts of the Klang Valley are gaining traction among Malaysian homebuyers

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 December 2019 ​— As the year comes to a close,​iProperty.com.my has revealed the most searched areas on its website by Malaysian homebuyers in 2019. These areas are ranked according to consumers’ search behaviour data captured by iProperty.com.my’s big data solution, iPropertyiQ.com. These areas have recorded the highest number of searches among homebuyers who visited iProperty.com.my from January-November 2019. The properties are ranked in descending order and the popularity is displayed in terms of percentages (%).

1. Shah Alam ​- Search percentage: 17.14%

The most searched areas on iProperty.com.my are still concentrated in the Klang Valley, with Shah Alam being at the top with 17.14% overall of searches. Shah Alam has now become a top pick for people who want to live in a greener, quieter surroundings and yet still have easy access to multiple amenities. Shah Alam is also an international education hub with many prominent schools such as UITM, MAZ International School, Greenview Islamic International School, Tenby Schools Setia Eco Park and Dwi Emas International School. Apart from the Federal Highway, Shah Alam is accessible via the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), North-South Expressway Central Link (ELITE), Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE) and Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS). In addition, the future LRT 3 Line that connects Bandar Utama to Johan Setia in Klang, will consist of 6 stations in Shah Alam and is expected to be completed in 2024. This is set to boost the capital growth of Shah Alam properties, especially those near the future sites of the train stations.

2. Ara Damansara​ – Percentage of searches: 16.98%

First developed in 1999, Ara Damansara is fast becoming a favourite neighbourhood in Petaling Jaya. This is mainly due to its strategic location right in the middle of several prime locations such as Bandar Utama, Tropicana, Sunway, Glenmarie and Kota Damansara. Accessibility is a major feature of the township which provides convenience for the community. There are two new LRT stations along the Kelana Jaya LRT Extension that started operating in Ara Damansara as well as the six-lane dual carriageway Subang Airport Highway and Subang Kelana-Link interchange. The second access is through the NKVE tunnel via Crimson Condominium to Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP). The eastern portion of Ara Damansara is linked to Persiaran Tropicana by a new access road that passes through Damansara Idaman. In terms of amenities, Ara Damansara is very much a self-sustained neighbourhood. There are amenities such as shopping malls, clinics, cinema, international schools and popular restaurants.

3. Cheras ​- Search percentage: 13.15%

The large geographical footprint of the suburb means property in Cheras can be found at widely different ends of the price spectrum. The area boasts a range of house types and immediate neighbourhood amenities to ensure opportunities and choices for a diverse demographic of homebuyers. There are many developments of infrastructure to cater to its large population, as evident from the MRT stations linked conveniently to shopping malls such as MyTown, IKEA Cheras and Sunway Velocity. Out of the entire 31 stations of MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line there are 11 MRT stations within the Cheras area itself.

4. Bandar Utama​ ​- Percentage of searches: 12.22%

Bandar Utama is a popular residential township located within the Damansara subdivision of the Petaling District, Selangor. It is a thriving residential area that is home to many shopping malls and attractions such as 1Utama, The Curve, IKEA and Ikano Power Centre (IPC). The township is easily accessible via highways and expressways such as the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP), SPRINT Highway, Penchala Link and New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE). There are also the MRT, buses and shuttle services connecting Bandar Utama to other major areas such as TTDI, KL, Subang Jaya and Putrajaya.

5. Semenyih ​- Search percentage: 11.96%

Just 30 minutes away from major townships in the Klang Valley, Semenyih is fast becoming the choice for former city-dwellers seeking a more laid-back area to set up a home near eco-tourist hotspots. Semenyih is an upcoming township that will be the next hotspot for property development growth in the southern corridor of Klang Valley. As for connectivity, the LEKAS Highway has very much benefited the township. The SILK Highway and Pintasan Kajang-Semenyih Bypass connect the township to all major roads heading towards Kajang, Cheras, Seri Kembangan, Bangi and Putrajaya.
While currently there are no train stations located within the township, the nearest train service available is the KTM train station located in Kajang. There are several MRT stations in Kajang that are available for residents from Semenyih to access train services travelling to any part of Klang Valley.

6. Petaling Jaya ​- Percentage of searches: 7.91%

Petaling Jaya is a satellite town of Kuala Lumpur. Covering 97.2 square kilometres and is known as a self-sustainable city, Petaling Jaya was granted city status on 20 June 2006. The reason PJ makes it into the list year after year is because of its proximity to KL and the endless amenities and countless shopping malls readily available in the area. In fact, PJ topped the chart for the most searched areas to rent in Klang Valley in 2019 too. PJ residents tend to resist going to KL unless they have to because as far as shopping is concerned, there are plenty of malls to visit. Major highways such as the LDP, Federal Highway, Sprint and DUKE all offer easy access to Kuala Lumpur and other parts of Selangor.

7. Rawang ​- Search percentage: 5.50%

Rawang may not have been on the top of the list in the eyes of homebuyers years ago, but it seems times have changed. Rawang has now become a hotspot with new projects seen all over and selling at good prices. It started as a township offering a place to work and live. Rawang now offers more job opportunities with entertainment elements, transforming itself into a self-sustained township. This had led to buyers becoming less hesitant to the idea of moving to Rawang.
Though the only integrated railway system available in the area is the KTM, it is now easier for people to commute to KL. Simply stop at the Sungai Buloh station and switch to MRT for easy access to KL. Other than that, the KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway (LATAR Expressway) links Kuala Lumpur at Templer’s Park with the township of Ijok, creating an alternative link road. The expressway has successfully shortened the travel distance between KL, Rawang, and Ijok, making it more feasible for Rawang residents to work elsewhere, and vice versa.

8. Subang Jaya​ – Search percentage: 5.19%

A booming and well-connected area, Subang Jaya is a popular area for homebuyers because of its constant growing development. Easily connected to KL through major highways and ample residential, commercial, and recreational facilities make Subang Jaya the perfect choice for those who want a work-life balance but with the benefits of a major urban centre. Subang Jaya is also home to many tertiary education institutions such as INTI International College Subang, SEGi College Subang, Taylor’s University and Monash University. It is estimated that the number of residents here will rise to over 1.5 million by 2035. The population growth means ongoing investments in infrastructure is a key part of Subang Jaya’s future.

9. Johor Bahru ​- Search percentage: 5.16%

As the only township on this list that is outside of the Klang Valley, Johor Bahru’s increasing popularity among homebuyers has been the city’s ever-evolving connectivity. Johor Bahru remains an attractive choice due to its geographical location near Singapore. The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS), which is slated for completion in 2024, will bring many impactful changes with positive multiplier effects such as more job opportunities, increase in state economic growth and positive tourism growth. Additionally, this rail line will help to reduce traffic congestion along the Johor Causeway by up to 15%.
Existing townships as well as new ones that are located just outside of Johor Bahru could benefit from the RTS ripple effect. The older townships could see a spike in value, while the newer ones which were built or completed before the arrival of RTS in 2024 could see growth in interest, demand and value. For example, Taman Desa Tebrau is located merely 15km away from Bukit Chagar, where the first RTS station in Johor will be located.

10. Puchong ​- Search percentage: 4.79%

A good reason why Puchong is the preferred choice is its strategic location between Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur. It is easily connected via several major highways such as the Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS) and Damansara Puchong Highway (LDP). There are plenty of amenities such as shopping malls, F&B outlets, eateries, supermarkets and entertainment hubs. As one of the most established locations in the Klang Valley, Puchong is also considered by many due to its easy connectivity. Bandar Kinrara, IOI Mall, Bandar Puteri, and Pusat Bandar Puchong are the main LRT stations that have secured Puchong’s promise of easy accessibility.

Explore your desired neighbourhood with iProperty.com.my’s Point-of-Interest feature

One thing in common that these areas share are their easy accessibility to countless amenities such as shopping malls, hospitals, schools, transportation systems and thriving economic activities. iProperty.com.my offers a feature which helps homebuyers to find out what key amenities are around their chosen properties. This customised Point-of-Interest feature is integrated into the maps of the searched property to help homebuyers make better decisions in terms of how convenient it is to access, for example, the nearest hospitals, schools and shopping malls. Homebuyers are able to view the distance and route to these amenities surrounding their desired property, all in one convenient view.
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