KOTA KINABALU: The four-day ProPEX 2012, which came to a close yesterday, recorded RM650 million of confirmed and intended sales involving 1,500 units of property.
Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) president Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen said the confirmed and intended sales were close to 25 per cent of the total properties exhibited, as well as around five per cent more compared to last year.
This year’s exhibition showcased more than 6,000 units of properties with a total value of more than RM2.6 billion, ranging from terrace houses, sem-detached houses, bungalows, apartments, luxury condominiums, hotel suits, office lots, retail units, commercial shops as well as industrial workshops.
Prices of the properties at the exhibition were between RM150,000 to RM9 million for a condominium penthouse.
“It proves that our ProPEX event is well organized with branding and we have strong support by our exhibitors with complete range of properties which really serve as a one-stop centre and well received by the people.
“It also proves that Sabah property market is still strong and resilient,” she said at the closing cermony which was graced by Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.
Earlier, Susan told The Borneo Post that the ProPEX 2012 is expected to record higher sales than last year, judging from the strong take-up rate for all types of properties.
He disclosed that some of the developers had even sold out all their properties on offer at the event..
“Some have sold 90 percent of their properties while one who was selling RM1.6 million per unit worth of housing property sold all the 28 units on the opening day,” she said, adding she was surprised by the terrific response from house buyers visiting the expo this year.
“I thought there was no market for high-end properties. Surprisingly, there are people buying these. And there are also people buying affordable properties. I am glad because it shows that the market is still resilient. I think this year’s sales will be better than last year,” she said.
Susan believed Sabah’s charm was working on property buyers to invest in the state.
“Sabah is rich in natural resources and we have a stable and business friendly government. That is why big companies are coming to invest in the state, and competing with local developers. But as long as Sabah is progressing steadily, everyone is happy,” she said.
She said ProPEX has grown over the years into a brand name that is well known as a one-stop venue to buy and showcase properties.
“I remember when we started, we began with only 70 booths. Even then, we had to beg people to come in and showcase their properties. But our reputation grew and this year, instead of begging people to come, we had to turn down several who came in last minutes because there was no more space available. We hope to have a bigger venue next year so that we can accommodate more developers to showcase their properties,” she said.
Susan said people were attracted to come to ProPEX because the developers made a lot of efforts to design their booths and lure customers.
“Some spent up to RM50,000 for the design of their booths for the exposition which will only be a few days. They made the effort and as a result, we have that ambiance that is attractive to buyers,” she said.
Meanwhile, Susan reiterated her call for the construction of more roads so that developers could start focusing on development projects outside of the urban areas and move inland.
She said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman had promised that the government was going to construct more roads.
“I hope it will be soon because that will really make a difference. It is now very difficult for developers to find land in the urban area, but if there are good road connections outside of the urban places, people will be more than willing to purchase houses there,” she said.