Viewing properties: 20 Trees (condo)

This condo development has been in my sights like forever, ever since it was launched. Love the location and the concept - at the time of the launch, it was going for about RM600,000+ (about RM660K if memory serves me correctly). Unfortunately, couldn't afford it then.

A number of years passed and with some cash now, I revisited the place and it is still good.

Sub-sale price of about RM880,000 - some sellers were pushing at close to a million but the agent told me that he felt that was rather overpriced.

Basics of the unit:
 - about 2,000 sq ft
 - 3 bedrooms + 1 utility/maids room
 - master bedroom comes with walk-in wardrobe
 - shared bathroom between the 2 standard bedrooms is huge
 - rectangular layout that is markedly different from the standard condo and maximises space
 - long balcony and glass panel door along (est)  60% of the length of the condo to capitalise on the view of the mountains beyond
 - dry kitchen and wet kitchen
 - dual entrance (lift and back door into car park)

So to break down the pros and cons:
Pro:

1. Clean, modern design
2. Extremely low density for privacy
3. LOVE the private lift entrance
4. Good club house facilities
5. Location in my comfort zone / near family
6. Good, practical layout that is also well designed with luxurious feel
7. Currently, still relatively low maintenance fee at 20 sen per square foot - but this may (will) change in future once the Residents Management Board is set up and the developer hands over the responsibilities to the residents. They will sure find that they need to increase the fees to boost up the sinking fund and to pay for security and maintenance services.

Con:

1. Only 1 car park a unit - the agent insisted otherwise but a quick glance at the numbering on the car park bays outside does seem like it is only 1 bay per unit
2. Car park coverage is very basic and unforgivable that there is a gap between the car shelter roof and the entrance cover - our tropical rain is heavy and you can get drenched even with that small gap.
3. The structure of the building - being built into the slope & the placement of your designated bay - means that you'd end up using the back entrance more than the lift; kind of defeats the purpose of paying so much for a private lift lobby but never using it.
4. Despite being called "20 Trees", it doesn't have a lot of trees - the architectural concept actually reflects the iconic limestone ridge of Bukit Tabur of Melawati - grey & white stone, it's still beautiful but also feels kind of hot and stark. If you visit Ipoh often, you know what I mean about how limestone hills retain heat and makes Ipoh warm even at night.
5. Access road is narrow, feel a bit trapped - I never like developments where one has to pass through small residential roads mainly because I feel sorry for the original residents who have their quiet neighbourhood road turned into the sole access to the new developments inside. I don't want to be party to such an arrangement because it pisses off the old residents, I feel like I'm intruding and finally, (repeat) feel trapped with a single entrance/exit road.

So in the end, I didn't buy it although I was seriously seriously thinking about it.

The reasons were:

• Felt that while the price was commensurate with the build quality and location, it may have reached a peak. I may be wrong, of course, but don't see it growing gangbusters on re-sale price. So not a good investment - a good place to live but not for investment
• Potential runaway cost of maintenance - its cheap now but this situation is not tenable in the long run
• 1 Car park bay.. come on, at this price, you're attracting a customer type who would have at least 2 cars!

I ended up getting a landed property within the same area even though it needs some renovation TLC, still feel that landed property is the way to go.

:)