Another year has passed.  Thus we have witnessed a spectacular decade of amazing progress in Iskandar. 2017 begins today for the next decade 2017 - 2027.

By then will house prices in Iskandar overtake that of Affluent Singapore? It remains to be seen. But the gap will definitely narrow year after progressive year from here!

Now for the latest updates for Iskandar's Growth Momentum

1.  HSR STATION IN GERBANG NUSAJAYA

All the Lands Around Iskandar Puteri (formerly called Nusajaya) & Medini will continue to appreciate due to its proximity to Growth here! And tens of thousands commute to Singapore for work daily. As of now prices of real estate are still 10% of that in expensive Singapore. (Note: From Japan's experience. All real estates surrounding Shinkansen HSR Station will rise up by 64% in value when Bullet Train Stations are in place.)

2. MRT FROM THOMPSON, SINGAPORE TO BUKIT CHAGAR

This will be connected by a 25 meter high bridge across the sea. Will the old causeway bridge be finally removed one day? So that small ships, ferries & recreational crafts could sail pass this waterway.

If so then Singapore can plan for Round Island Cruise as an added Tourist Itinerary Attraction. And fishes will thrive here leading to Fishing competition in the far future? All things are possible. Singapore might even get an opportunity to start a Sea World Resort  here like that of San Diego with "Killer Whale Shows" to attract tourists from all of Asia!!

3. OPENING OF IKEA IN TEBRAU CITY

By End 2017 Malaysia's Biggest IKEA at over 1.8 MILLION Sq Ft of Shopping space will be open for business. This will be the BIGGEST IKEA STORE in Malaysia.  Expect many Singaporeans bypassing Queenstown & Tampanies Ikea store for a beeline to IKEA TEBRAU CITY Every Weekend from then on.

Now is the best time to buy up single storey, double storey, cluster houses, semi dees and bungalows in Tebrau Austin area all the way to Ulu Tiram. Just like houses in Bandar Utama, KL house prices Shot Up after IKEA Damansara was opened. (Before One Utama & Ikea opened in Damansara area prices of Bandar Utama 2 storey houses were priced at only Rm160,000 a unit. After IKEA Damansara was opened Prices of Bandar Utama 2 storey houses Shot Past Rm1 Million Mark!

And for IKEA Queenstown, Singapore's opening the 5 room HDB Flats in Singapore's Queenstown were among the first ones to cross the S$1 million mark (That' s Rm3.1 Millions for a HDB Flat! One without 24 hour security or swimming pool!!)

(Again please remember to avoid buying any high rise condos in Iskandar as the glut is getting from bad to worst)

4. PASIR GUDANG HIGHWAY (2ND PHASE COMMENCED IN EARNEST)

Unlike First Phase with much delay the progress of 2nd Phase is truly impressive. Soon the PASIR GUDANG HIGHWAY Upgrade from 4 to 6 lanes will be completed - bringing access to Bandar Sri Alam, Taman Megah Ria, Masai, Taman Kota Masai, Taman Nusa Damai, Taman Scientex, Taman Kota Masai, Taman Pasir Putih & Taman Air Biru. All the landed properties here expected to appreciate by another 20% to 30%

5.  FOUR MEGA SHOPPING COMPLEX TAKING SHAPE

SOUTH KEY MEGAMALL

CAPITAL CITY 21

PARADIGM MALL

IKEA TEBRAU CITY

These will draw in more shoppers from Singapore and other parts of Johor

6. LANDED PROPERTY PRICES HOLDING FIRM WHILE HIGH RISE CONDOS FACE HEADWINDS

Since all are building high rise condos to the neglect of landed houses there is now a glut of condos resulting in weaker sale prices or rental prices for this class of building. As lower end landed properties are in short supply (especially single/double storey houses below Rm500,000) prices are holding firm and still moving upward.

7. FOREST CITY IN FULL BOOM

Thousands of China Nationals were among the first to snap up condos here in an exclusive Free Trade Zone. The reason was due to local banks were not yet ready to provide loans. So these China nationals have bought up block after block of these Highrise condos by the million, few millions and even ten million IN CASH! Truly amazing purchasing power!

For example the hotel service suites were totally SOLD OUT DUE TO OVERWHELMING DEMAND.

This exceptional tropical paradise called FOREST CITY is now the hottest spot in Malaysia - all due to China's hot monies!!

8. PENGERANG RAPID COMMAND THE HIGHEST PRICES & RENTAL

Due to the ongoing boom in Pengerang's Oil & Gas venture there are not enough rental properties here. So the cost of rental for a house is 4 times more than other places in Iskandar. So great is the demand that investors have rented raw lands. Built multiple dwellings and tenanted them out for 2 to 3 years duration. Will their gamble pay off? It remains to be seen. But this is for sure. Pengerang's RAPID will add manifold to Iskandar's economic boom for years to come.

9. AMAZING DISCREPANCY IN ISKANDAR'S HOUSE PRICES COMPARED TO THOSE OF KL, SELANGOR AND PENANG

Very amazing indeed! In spite of these few years' of ever increasing price rises for landed houses in Iskandar the prices compared to KL & Penang are still at 30% to 40% of KL/Penang. Why is it so?

It's like this:

During the GoGo years before the Asia Financial Crisis house prices in Johor, KL & Penang went up in tandem.

But because people in Johor over leveraged on the boom by over investment & over expansion by over powering optimism & greed when Crisis hit house prices of KL & Penang fell down from the coconut tree top to the ground. For Johor things were exacerbated by its intensity of collapse! So Johor fell from coconut tree top to the ground and from the ground it fell all the way to the bottom of the well. It was a double whammy for Johor!

So after KL & Penang prices recovered from the crisis they have climbed back up the coconut tree top from the ground level.

As for Johor/Iskandar prices have recovered from the bottom of the well to ground level only. So there is STILL VAST ROOM FOR PRICES TO RISE FROM GROUND LEVEL TO THE TREE TOP (While KL & Penang are now toppish with little more upside)

A single storey house in Penang Island now is worth Rm1 million while a similar house in KL is worth Rm700,000 (For single storey house in Bangsar Park the price is Rm1 million).

By comparison a single storey house in Iskandar can still be found for only Rm300,000

See this house below just sold for only Rm255,000 only.

3-room, 2-bath, 1540 sq ft.  22 feet wide frontage.

Close to amenities. KIP Mart. Today Mart. KFC & McDonald. Public Bank & MayBank.

Located within 3 minutes walk to MASAI BUS INTERCHANGE & TAXI STAND.  Buses going to all parts on Malaysia including JB CBD, Plentong Giant & All the way to KL, Ipoh, Penang & the border of Thailand.

Whole house Terrazo & The Hall is Marble.

Great Bargain Value Rm268,000  (Sold for Rm255,000 only!)

So this is the Best of Times to Sell Those Single Storey Houses in Penang & Move to Iskandar. You can buy 3 similar houses (3 x  Rm300k) plus extra Rm100k surplus cash to buy a spare car. You can opt to stay in one house and rent out 2

For the next decade prices of houses in Johor will rise up to match those of KL & Penang just like Shenzhen in China.

10. FOR ALL SINGAPOREANS WITH JUST ANY HDB FLATS

IF YOU MAKE THIS DRASTIC MOVE YOU CAN ALREADY RETIRE COMFORTABLY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!

How?

One Sing Dollar is now worth Rm3.10

So an HDB flat if sold is worth S350,000

Now convert to ringgit

S$350,000 x 3.10 = Rm1.08 MILLION!

WHOA! EVERY SINGAPOREAN WHO OWNS A HDB FLAT INTENDING TO RETIRE IN WORLD CLASS MEDINI HAS HIT MILLION RINGGIT JACKPOT IF THEY SELL NOW AND MOVE TO ISKANDAR!!

With the very low cost of rental among Highrise condos now (these are far better than any old HDB flats) and many food items being under price control anyone can retire with a VERY COMFORTABLE LIFESTYLE IN ISKANDAR.

For your information

One elderly Malay Singaporean couple just retired here in Taman Perling. They paid 18 months Cash rental upfront for a corner single storey house for Rm1.1k monthly rental ( About S$350 rental). The house has 2 new aircond & new water heater. Near walking distance to CW6 Bus which will go to Jurong Point, Singapore direct.

THIS IS THEIR HAPPIEST MOVE.

Warmest Regards,

Calvin Tan

Note:

MALAYSIA IS THE NO. 1 TOP RETIREMENT BUDGET DESTINATION IN ASIA.

JOHOR BARU: The year may just be turning, but for some families the focus is already on the traditional reunion dinner on the eve of Chinese New Year, which falls on Jan 27.

Many families have made restaurant bookings for that day, with many outlets reporting a huge number of customers coming from China.

Despite the economic slowdown, checks at popular seafood restaurants here showed that most of their slots for reunion meals had been filled, with some already reporting a full house.

Kong Inn Seafood Restaurant owner Aun Chin Poh said its slots were already 70% booked, adding that its set menu ranged from RM988 to more than RM2,000.

“I also noticed a huge increase in customers from China, perhaps by more than half. They are probably brought in by Chinese developers who have ongoing projects in Johor,” he said in an interview.

Grand Straits Garden executive director John Ang also found that its reunion meals had been booked by Chinese nationals who had settled in Johor Baru after purchasing properties here.

“We will be hosting a number of Chinese tour groups for the reunion dinner too as they wanted to take the opportunity while on holiday to see how the Lunar New Year is celebrated in Malaysia,” said Ang, who is also the Johor Chefs Association chairman.

He said the Grand Straits Garden seafood restaurant was already fully booked while his other outlet, Grand Bayview, was about 80% full, with both places having a total of more than 200 tables.

He said that as with previous years, the popular dishes were abalone, fresh prawns and fish since families were generally willing to spend on food for the occasion. The set menus are priced from RM1,000.

The proprietor of Mei Du Seafood Restaurant in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Tan Chiak Moh, said his two branches were offering the reunion dinner at 5pm, 6.30pm and 7pm slots, with more than 260 tables in total.

All slots had already been snapped up since last week, he said.

“Some of our customers said they had estimated the expenses of cooking at home and found that they prefer to spend a little more to eat at restaurants to save the time and hassle of preparing the dishes themselves and washing up afterwards,” he said.

Tan said despite the economic slowdown, his business was not affected because Chinese New Year is a time when families usually go all out to celebrate the important annual occasion.

STOP PRESS!

Additional 2 More Good News! Uploaded on Chinese New Year Day 28 January 2017

Good news No 1

Due to the Super Boom in Pengerang's RAPID the houses in Sungai Rengit now rent for Rm4,000 a month.

It was going for only a few hundred ringgit before RAPID was launched. With the unexpected windfall fortunes in this once sleepy fishing village happy owners are renting out their houses at Rm4,000 a month & moving to Johor City and rent similar houses at only Rm1,000

With the extra Rm3,000 suplus every month they are able to retire comfortably if they opt for a simple quiet lifestyle.

Good news No. 2

With One  Mighty Sing Dollar now equals to Rm3.10 many Singaporeans who own HDB Flats can just retire immediately. How?

They could rent out their HDB Flats between S$2,000 to S$2,500 a month (about Rm6,000 to Rm7,500) and rent a landed house or similar Apartment in JB for Rm1,000. And with the Rm5,000 to Rm6,500 surplus they could retire instantly in Johor!!

So with retirees coming in from Singapore & people moving in for cheaper lodging from expensive Pengerang there is a huge surge of people & cars in Johor City!

Many Johoreans are now complaining about traffic jams everywhere!!   Clear signs of boom & demand!!

This same scenario is a repetition of the Shenzhen Boom when 11 million people migrated from Yunnan & all other parts of China in the 1980s & 1990s - causing real estate prices to skyrocket in Shenzhen and overtaking those of Beijing & Shanghai today!