Property valuers and developers expect the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project to have significant impact on the prices of residential and commercial properties along the MRT route. Those properties within a 500-metre radius of stations are expected to appreciate the most.

Eric Oii, a member of the board of valuers, appraisers and estate agents said property prices - commercial and residential - along the MRT route could appreciate by 15% to 25% depending on the location of the property to the stations.

“We expect generally properties within a 500-metre radius of the MRT stations to have the most appreciation in value,” he told StarBiz yesterday.

Oii, who is also managing director of property consultancy firm Knight Frank Ooi said MRT linked to a network of lines integrated with the LRT, monorail, KTM Komuter and intra-intercity buses city would help ease traffic congestion and cut the cost of travelling.


However, Oii said in the short term, especially when the MRT was being built, it might cause inconvenience to some people especially those living or working close to the stations.

“The impact of building the MRT is expected to be more physiological to the community,” he said, adding that any major structural developments were expected to impact a certain group of individuals negatively.

There was an outcry by some residents in some suburbs (where the MRT stations are earmarked to be built) including those in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, who had criticised the development, claiming that the MRT station would cause traffic congestion, and possibly lower the value of their properties.

Ho Chin Soon Research Sdn Bhd director Ho Chin Soon concurred with Oii that there would be some disgruntled individuals who opposed the MRT project but in the long run it would benefit the majority of people, especially the lower income group that depended on public transport.

Ho Chin Soon Research is a local mapping and property research based company.

Based on the company's compilation of data on MRT stations in various countries, it can be concluded that they would help raise property prices.

“Properties close to the MRT stations can expect better appreciation once the station is built. And those very close to the station are likely to benefit also. In certain circumstances, some properties very close to the station may be impacted too resulting in a fall in prices,” he said, adding that such cases would be an exception rather than a rule.

Ho also said it would be reasonable to conclude that properties around a 500-meter radius to a MRT station would appreciate value once the station was built.

“Those within walking distance would still appreciate from its proximity to the station. Our tropical climate makes it not very conducive to walk longer than 10 minutes to a station,” he noted.

Ho also said a 15% to 25% upside in property prices (depending on locations) was be a reasonable level of appreciation for properties close to the MRT route, especially to the stations.

“We can also expect the MRT integration with other trasports lines like the LRT to further enhance the property prices of those especially in the Kuala Lumpur Golden Triangle as it would improve inner city connectivity.

An established property developer said many developers were looking to strategically build properties. especially condominiums close to the MRT stations.

“We want our property projects to be located within walking distance from a MRT station as we believe it would be a a major factor to potential home buyers. It is also easier to rent a property that is close to a station. All these factors should help boost the property value,” said the developer.

Information on the first stretch of the MRT route that connects Sungai Buloh to Kajang is available to the public at six designated location from Feb 14 to May 14.

They are Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, Bangsar LRT Station, Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya, Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam, Majlis Perbandaran Kajang, Majlis Perbandaran Selayang and Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat.

The Sungai Buloh to Kajang MRT line is a 51km, of which 9.5km is underground.

The line will have 35 stations and is expected to have a ridership of over 400,000 passengers per day when completed.

Work on the line is targeted to commence in July and is expected to be completed in 2016.o