Mont Kiara is always under the investor's radar, so properties that are 10-15 per cent lower than the market rate are snapped up right away to add to their investment portfolio.

While some condos have proven to be crisis-resistant as prices remain unaffected throughout the pandemic period, such as Mont Kiara Damai Condominium and Residensi 22 Condominium, prices have appreciated steadily pre- and post-pandemic.

Landed house prices in Mont Kiara are on an uptrend, especially those close to amenities like Villa Mont Kiara. Before the pandemic, the linked bungalow was transacted for around RM4.4 million and now buyers need to pay around RM6 million for the same property.

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"Rental prices have remained stable in Mont Kiara, both pre-and post-pandemic, due to the strong demand and its status as a preferred area by expats due to the international schools, conveniences within the area, and amenities. This is likely because expatriates appreciate community living, especially during the pandemic," notes Lim.

For instance, rental prices for a partially furnished 3,700 sq ft, 4+1 rooms unit in Mont Kiara 10 Condominium pre-pandemic were around RM10,000. During the pandemic period, rental prices remained the same, and now tenants have to pay around RM11,000 to RM12,000 to secure a unit in Mont Kiara 10 Condominium, and supply is limited.

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During and after the pandemic, Lim has observed a significant increase in demand for larger-sized condominiums and landed properties. People are moving to bigger spaces, preferring larger units to enjoy more common space, especially an extra room as a home office with the option of working from home these days. People are also moving to landed properties to enjoy peace and space within their own compound, as the transactions taking place during and post-pandemic have shown a significant surge.  

As a result, Lim concludes that the Mont Kiara property market will remain resilient and perform well thanks to the strong demand from both local and expatriate buyers: "We foresee upcoming projects with family-sized units ranging from 2,000 sq ft or bigger to continuously receive popular demand from home buyers and investors."

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According to Knight Frank Property Hub associate director Irene Leow, a property in Bangsar is a stable investment. The property market for this affluent Kuala Lumpur suburb has remained relatively stable despite the pandemic, with a high demand for sale and rental properties.

"Although the rental demand experienced a 10-20 per cent drop during the pandemic, it has since bounced back to pre-pandemic levels due to the low supply of larger units in Bangsar and Damansara Heights," states Leow.

"For instance, a 3,200 sq ft, 3+1 rooms unit in One Menerung was rented between RM10,000 to RM13,000 pre-pandemic and some prime units were rented below RM10,000 during the pandemic."

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Since then, Leow notes that the rental market has gradually recovered, and some properties are being snapped up quickly due to the high demand for properties with larger living spaces.

Sales prices have remained relatively stable, with slight decreases in some developments during the pandemic. However, as the borders in Malaysia gradually reopen, there has been an increase in asking prices and higher transacted prices in the property market since 2021 till now.

Leow concludes that the pandemic has caused a shift in priorities for many, with the demand for larger properties with more outdoor space and proximity to amenities such as malls and grocery stores becoming more important. As a result, there has been an increased demand for landed properties with larger compounds and swimming pools, especially in Bangsar.

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KLCC is the central business district of Kuala Lumpur and is home to many expats who work in the area, making it a popular choice for property investment.

However, Leow reports that the pandemic resulted in a slowdown in the property market in KLCC, with fewer transactions and a decrease in property prices. The demand for rental properties in KLCC has also been affected, with landlords offering incentives and discounts to attract tenants.

Additionally, there has been a shift in demand towards fully furnished properties, as many companies do not offer shipment allowances for their staff. Shorter tenancies have become more popular compared to typical two-year tenancies.

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"Despite the slowdown, developers have been creative and aggressive in attracting buyers, offering attractive packages that have appealed to local buyers, and this may continue to be a trend in the future," Leow observes. "Only one new project has been launched since Covid-19, Skylon in Bukit Ceylon, which has all units with balconies in their layout."

Investors and landlords should be aware of these changes and take them into account when making decisions about buying or renting properties in the city. She concludes: "As the pandemic continues to shift the priorities of tenants and buyers, property developers and investors must remain nimble to capitalise on new trends and meet the evolving demands of the market."

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