Let’s go viewing: 2+1 bedroom apartment for RM350K in Damansara Damai
By Chee Su-Lin | sulin.chee@thestar.com.my
The listing on StarProperty.my
For anyone interested in the “Damansara” area (keeping in mind the definition of Damansara has expanded towards Sungai Buloh), Damansara Damai is considered a good bet, if you want a newer property that isn’t a shoebox, isn’t low-cost, and is priced under RM400,000.
As it is, conventional double storey link Bandar Sri Damansara houses are already being marketed up to RM950,000!
One reason for the lower prices is that even though Damansara Damai is technically in Petaling Jaya, with street names such as Jalan PJU and with a PJ postcode, it is in the northernmost reaches.
To get there, you would have to pay RM1.60 toll after The Curve on Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP) then head westwards on Jalan Kuala Selangor, or go through the NKVE, exiting at Sungai Buloh.
The property
Block A of One Damansara was handed over in March.
One example of an “affordable” home here is this apartment in One Damansara condo, and listed in www.StarPoperty.my. Its built-up area is 986 sq ft and priced at RM360,000, making it about RM365 per sq ft.
It is developed by MK Land, which some might feel circumspection towards, due to late delivery issues in previous projects. In terms of quality, I’ve been inside only one other MK Land project, Armanee Terrace in Damansara Perdana. Here, the carpark area is especially basic although the Balinese-style pool area is splendid and always looks enjoyed by its residents.
With One Damansara as well, the carpark area is rough around the edges, although the pool area is large and impressive with well landscaped lawns and playgrounds.
Other than that, it is a high density development, with over 20 units per floor (sharing four lifts), with 20 floors per block. All together, both blocks make up 899 units. Currently, it does not feel congested because Block A is sparsely occupied (the units were handed over in March) while Block B is only due to be completed at the end of the year.
The unit itself is pleasant: bright with large glossy tiles. It’s impressive how 2+1 rooms and two bathrooms are fit into less than 1,000 sq ft. The entrance opens to a basic open-plan kitchen which leads to an internal balcony/yard.
Market trends
The unit is pleasant and bright with a view on to the pool deck.
According to estate agent Terry Khaw from Best World Realty, these units were launched in 2009 at around RM220,000. Since he began marketing units here after handover three months ago, he has sold three units.
These 986 sq ft units are valued by the bank at RM350,000, says Khaw. “But now I think they can go up to RM360,000 or RM370,000, especially for those with two car parking spaces.” The one we are viewing is on the market for RM350,000 and has an allocation for one parking space.
“People who bought here are aged about 30-plus,” he adds. “These were two families and one single person, working in Kota Damansara.”
For Block B, there are a few developer units left on the first floor. These 1,576 sq ft units which include “private gardens” are priced from RM464,000 to RM469,000 (excluding 3% discount), ie about RM290 per sq ft.
The neighbourhood
One of the main streets of Damansara Damai is Jalan PJU 10/1, which is serviced by a RapidKL bus route.
When it comes to Damansara Damai as a whole, master developer MK Land Holdings Bhd built several low- and medium-cost flats here in the early years, such as the Harmoni, Idaman and Permai apartments.
One wedge of land in the south, near the NKVE, was bought up by OSK (and other partners) which is developing its high-end Sutera Damansara neighbourhood there. Here they’ve created what looks like a separate world, with its own shops, wider roads and better landscaping. It would be interesting to see whether Sutera Damansara would have a gentrifying effect on the rest of Damansara Damai over time.
Many have commented about traffic congestion, given that there is only one access road into Damansara Damai. Coming back during the evening rush hour, I found the traffic to be average, however. While it was busy on the main road of Jalan Kuala Selangor, with several heavy vehicles too, the traffic was moving.
Otherwise, besides several potholes encountered on the roads, Damansara Damai is a lovely location, slightly elevated with much original vegetation intact, including even pine trees. The neighbourhood has two urban parks with jungle trails. The town centre is also thriving with most shops occupied.
In fact, Damansara Damai reminds me a bit of Bandar Sri Damansara, an up-and-coming neighbourhood laid out in a circular pattern, with several parcels still undeveloped. It seems to have quite some potential, especially if the green areas are left that way.
A show house for OSK’s The Vale project within Sutera Damansara in Damansara Damai
For more Damansara Damai properties on the market, StarProperty.my has 62 listings to choose from.
The view of One Damansara from its entrance on Jalan PJU 10/10b is dominated by the second block, which is due to be completed by year end.
Address PJU10, 47830 Petaling Jaya
Tenure Leasehold, strata title
Built-up area 986 sqft
Completed Mar 2013
Selling price RM360,000
Selling price psf About RM365 per sq ft
Deposit required RM36,000
Monthly loan instalments (90% loan, 4.5% interest, 30 years) RM1,660
Potential rental RM1300, according to agent
Bedrooms 2 + 1
Bathrooms 2 (attached master bathroom and shared bathroom)
Developer MK Land
Maintenance and sinking fund RM180 per month
CARES ratings (based on five Local Info reviews of Damansara Damai PJU 10, Petaling Jaya, Selangor)
Convenience (CARES rating: 3.5 out of 5)
The commercial centre of Damansara Damai is flanked by a McDonald’s restaurant, a Shell petrol station and a standalone 7-Eleven convenience store.
Offices: Offices and factories along Jalan Kuala Selangor
Schools/colleges: SK Damansara Damai, SMK Damansara Damai, ELC International School, UiTM Sungai Buloh
Hospitals/medical centres: Hospital Sungai Buloh
Shopping: Tesco Mutiara Damansara, upcoming Courts Megastore in 8trium, Bandar Sri Damansara, upcoming Empire City mall across from Damansara Perdana
F&B: McDonald’s, Malay stalls, Chinese restaurants, etc.
Accessibility (3/5)
Distance by car to Parlimen Malaysia: 19 km, or 18 minutes without traffic jam via NKVE and PLUS (Jln Duta) with toll at Jalan Duta (RM1.90)Public transport: RapidKL bus U8 connects to Central Market, KL, KTM Komuter station and potential MRT station at Sungai BulohRecreational Activities (2.5/5)
The spacious facilities podium even has a water slide for kids.
Condo swimming pools, playground, tennis courts and gym.
Entertainment (1.5/5)
Various outlets at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara.
Security (2.5/5)
Access cards into carpark and lift lobby, with security guards.
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