Viewing properties: The Veo, Desa Melawati

So I toddled along to the sales gallery for the launch of the Veo which is a high-rise condo in Desa Melawati - north of Taman Melawati proper, it would actually face Tmn Melati across from the MRR2, hence it is close to the exit into the Karak Highway.

The developer is Sime Darby and they've launch Tower B (a calculated move) which is set slightly back from the main highway, in front of it is the planned Tower A (with better KLCC views, higher price later natch!) and the delayed Quarza project which is a commercial development - all by Sime Darby.

Onto the Veo itself, it is a mixed bag... lots of 1-bedrooms, posh-ish studio type units at around 700+ square feet going for around RM0.5 million.

Then there are the much larger units around 2,000++ square feet including one layout that has the very in-trend dual entrance for the main family unit plus granny flat / bachelor or bachelorette pad, it is a good concept. Priced from RM1.4 million.

There is a mid-size layout of 1,400 square feet for just under a million but limited units for this type. Kind of like having two extremes for this tower when everything else is either a small, hip studio or a mega condo unit for multiple generation living.

Maintenance fee is expected to be around 30-35 sen per square foot.

Oh yeah, Freehold - a plus point.

So my thoughts on this project:

• Being the launch of the first phase, you can expect the upcoming Tower A to be even more expensive. And to live with construction if Tower A and Quarza is being built after you get your key.
• The studio units have been snapped up, by the time I went on the 2nd day of the launch. Only a few units left, so I guess that should be enough financing to ensure that the project will be completed. The big units are probably gravy ie their pure profit. 
• Location wise, it has good access to the MRR2, the DUKE and Karak highways and the stretch of the MRR2 in this vicinity is not very congested most times.
• However, as with 3Residen, expect the noise from the highway to be very constant. It is just not far back enough for the noise to fade. Perhaps not as loud as compared to 3Residen as it is set slightly farther back.
• Design-wise is simple and luxe, not too "out there" - geared towards mainstream appeal, I guess
• Overall, at 600-700 psf and 35 sen psf maintenance, this is definately on the higher end for Desa Melawati which has, up till now, been an unknown adjunct to Tmn Melawati, notorious for being the location of the fire-bombed church when the Allah-in-the-BM-bible controversy broke. Previously it was like the unknown part with some low cost flats, a dead commercial area and some decent but tucked away terrace houses next to Kampung Klang Gates (I think possibly the only kampung in the country with a part-English name perhaps??)
• Nonetheless, it is a good buy for own stay for the bigger units - if you like the area, need to work in town or work in PJ (using the Duke). I don't think it is good for rental investment, maybe for rich foreign students attending UIA, but some capital appreciation can be expected, however not in any big jump. Can't really imagine the studios going for 1k psf upon completion, but I may be wrong. Depends on lending rates and the economy in 2016.