Property Malaysia

Taman Tasik Prima was launched some 3 years back offering some linkhomes, bungalows and semi-D units, along with apartments. Now these units are almost ready for handover (Lake View and Lake Haven) and the developers are launching the last phase of 2 and a half storey linkhomes called Vista 1 and Vista in the Lake Visa series.

But before that, something about the development. It sits on ex-mining land next to the disused lake. Across the other side, it’s the same lake where Desa Millennia is located. And it’s leasehold. If you can accept these two factors, then read on.

To get to Taman Tasik Prima, you need to turn off at the Puchong Utama interchange of the LDP, then turn left on the dual carriageway that leads to the many new developments like Impiana Puchong, Tekali Puchong, and Puchong Prima. You can see the entrance from the main road, with the decorative masts with huge seashells and starfishes motifs (why? This is a mining lake, and the nearest beach is like 100 miles away…)

The bulk of the 354-acre land is taken up by the great lake (43% of the entire parcel). The last parcel which they are opening for booking now is located near the entrance from the main road. Surrounding this last phase is land earmarked for low-cost apartments, a playground, and few commercial lots yet to be developed. There is also a small town centre as part of the overall development soon to be built nearby.

Out of the 300 plus units in this last phase, they are opening up 4 rows (123 units for booking). There are two types of units for sale, both similar except one is 18’ x 65’ and the other is 2’ wider at 20’ x 65’. Yes, the lot size is small. And they make up for it with an extra floor to make it 2 ½ storey. The build-up 2,046 and 2,283sq.ft respectively. We don’t like 2 ½ storey link homes especially if it has a small footprint, it makes the row of houses look thin and imposingly high. We would have preferred if the developer opted for a larger plot size (at least 20’ x 70’) without the extra floor. You will end up with lesser units overall, but you can sell it at a higher price but may attract a wider spectrum of buyers. But that’s just our opinion…

Because of the tight space, ground floor has only the living, one guest room and dry kitchen, no wet kitchen or yard (okay, a lot of big families may have problems with this already). First floor, there is a master and bedroom 2 with attached bath. At the very top, there are two small rooms and one bath. No family room. The salesperson said that you could extend the half floor at the top to make it a full floor, but we can’t really see how that’s going to happen without eliminating the bathroom. So, renovations to extend the kitchen at the ground floor (like every other Malaysian family…) and renovations at the top floor? (You can almost hear all those renovation contractors going ‘Ka-ching, ka-ching!!”). Plus, the units will end up looking a whole lot like townhouses or lowrise flats…

Price isn’t cheap. Starts at RM280k but the developer is offering a substantial discount. Check with them. The white sand from the mining lake made it extremely hot during daytime. More so than usual.

Bottomline - on the downside, it’s ex-mining land, something we’d really avoid especially if there are so many other alternatives around this place. Also, leasehold. Traffic coming out to LDP is getting heavier by the week. It’s the last phase, so it’s priced on the high side. On the upside, ummm…

Bolton has been in the industry for some time. Some other projects they have are Lavender Heights, Tijani I & II, Taman Midah, D’Mayang Condo.