Rehda’s green rating certification is changing the way buildings are being constructed, renovated and maintained.

While the Malaysian property market continues to face challenges in 2016, Mah Sing Group Bhd remains our top pick. We like Mah Sing’s focus on affordable housing (approximately 50% of financial year 2016 [FY16] launches) in key economic areas, especially the central region.

The highest end of the market will always be in vogue

The impact of the Johor government’s move to freeze new applications for non-landed developments continued to be felt in 1Q2016, says KGV International Property Consultants (Johor) Sdn Bhd executive director Samuel Tan.

Genting Property Sdn Bhd has established a reputation for its well-planned townships and affordable homes. Among its current projects are landed properties such as Kensington, double-storey garden homes, in Genting Indahpura in Kulai, Iskandar, Johor.

The highest relative price growth can be found at Tropika Paradise, with the average price up 32.5% or from RM101psf to reach RM 410 psf in the 12 months to 1Q2015.

OSK Property Holdings Bhd took a step closer towards its vision of becoming a leading integrated property developer after merging with PJ Development Holdings Bhd (PJD) last year. OSK Property CEO Ong Ghee Bin says the enlarged entity is able to offer more diversified, holistic and integrated products.

While the newer properties are becoming more upscale, most of the older projects in USJ are predominantly within the mid-end segment.

The take-up rate for Matrix Concept’s ongoing projects remains encouraging. Suriaman phase 1 and 2’s take-up rates have increased from 58% to 73% quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q), while the recently launched Hijayu 3 saw an encouraging take-up rate above 51%.

Al-Salam REIT is currently assessing a mixed asset (commercial and retail) for acquisition, which could lift its total investment property value above the RM1 billion mark.