Serini Melawati - new launch

A new condo launch in Melawati by Sime Darby, I didn't know about it but just so happened to drive by the showroom as it was being constructed; then my mum told me that the launch event was on Saturday the 24th.

Didn't have time to go on the 1st day but managed to make it today, the 26th. First impression is that the development seems pretty decent. 

An overview from the brochure:

Here is the location within Melawati:

hehe my scanner truncated it somewhat, the dark green area next to the planned 30 storey apartment is going to be the new Melawati Mall (a Capital Mall project).

And here are the build-up specifications:

Other main information points not in the images above are:

1. Freehold
2. Price per square foot from RM600 to about RM750 for the larger units
3. Maintenance cost is 30 sen per square foot
4. Looks like about 70%-80% booked up by the time I got there around midday today - after just 1 full day + 1 morning of sales.
5. Construction period is about 4 years (2018 completion)

So for the smallest studio which is 600+ sq ft, you're looking at a starting price of about RM360,000++, probably closer to RM400k up to RM1.12 million. 

The largest type has an area of 1,494 square feet and starts from about 900k+.

My thoughts on it are:

Location is good because it is set a little way back from the highway, thus not so noisy like Saville or 3 Residen. It is in fact shielded by the Gaya Apartments next to it. Nonetheless, because it is so high, the noise from the highway could still reach it.

Being close to the upcoming mall is a plus point. 

The International School Primary & Sports Campus is very nearby, so may be popular with small families who want to send their kids there OR to the reputable SRK Melawati which I heard has a good academic record. I know my ex-colleagues sent their children there even though they lived quite a distance in Ampang.

Judging by the crowd at the launch, the would-be residents there are middle & upper middle class, small and young families, a healthy mix of both Malay and Chinese. Saw a couple of rich tai-tai there too, maybe looking for investment opportunities or purchasing for their adult kids.

So is this a BUY or a MISS?

I would say BUY if you are in the market for a fairly decent priced apartment (I would say go for the type B or C which is 830 sf and 1,037 sf respectively which is the mid-range) that is close to town, new and in an established neighbourhood.

I would say if you're going to spend a million or over for a 1,500sf apartment, then skip this because you might as well get a double storey terrace house in the same area for about 900K, do it up to your own specification rather than wait 4 years for a condo unit that is just like everyone else's. OR buy a unit in 20 Trees that is now going for about RM1.03 million because that is just under 2,000 sq ft, low density, free hold and already built. So for the same price, you can move in like within a few months!

The only negatives I would say about this place is:

1. High density at 528 units - but thankfully there are over 1,000 car park bays, else the roads around it will be freaking congested with cars parked on the roadside!
2. The current roads within Tmn Melawati are NOT designed to handle such heavy traffic load. Be prepared for congestion.

An alternative to consider will be Nadayu 62 which has the same price point BUT has a much lower density and situated inside the Nadayu compound which is very very high end bungalows and thus gated and guarded. The only bummers are that it is leasehold and the layout is not optimal compared to Serini.

So it's a balance between practicality (Serini wins) or classy environment (Nadayu wins). Not that Serini is in a slum! Haha it is surrounded by a commercial area, which makes it convenient but will not have a peaceful, residential feel like Nadayu. 

Depends on what you want, really. There is no absolute right or wrong decision in such cases.

As for myself, I'm going to wait for the next launch as indicated by the sales guy which is the single tower, much lower density service apartment that is closer to the mall. It is going to be more expensive but a different concept to Serini. Probably pitched at more affluent, older people, MM2H type residents or retirees who want a smaller unit. I believe Serini is suited for younger families.

So there you go, there are still some units left, reckon you should check it out.