Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (SHAREDA) is expecting a record crowd at PropEX 2018 exhibition that will be held on 19-21 October at the Sabah Trade Centre due to the numerous attractions at the event.

Benny Ng, Organizing Chairman cum SHAREDA council member highlights some of the attractions that will be at the exhibition, saying, "A VR (virtual reality) showroom, urban farming garden featuring potted vegetables, 3D printing technology for housing exhibition booth, mural walls exhibition, photography exhibition, historical photo exhibition, hologram talk series and Kota Kinabalu masterplan model. In addition, there would also be a lucky draw for visitors."

As for the properties on show at the exhibition, Benny says that 97% makes up residential housing and of which of 93% is affordable housing with prices ranging from RM200,000 to RM700,000. He added that the total value of properties at the 2018 PropEX exhibition is valued up to RM35 billion.

"I believe we can attract a huge crowd this year because some of the developers are building cheaper housing than the government housing. So we expect a big crowd to come," Benny says, adding that developers have moved from luxury properties and focusing on more affordable options at this juncture. He goes on to say that developers are aware of the lack of housing products in the market with an estimated shortage of 100,000 affordable housing in the state of Sabah.

"Developers have to be sensitive to the market or else they cannot survive. So we know what is the price range that people will buy. That is why developers have to come up with innovative ways to bring down the prices," Benny added.

SHAREDA will be attempting to break into the Malaysia Book of Records at PropEX 2018 by conducting the first hologram talk series in Malaysia and the longest hologram talk series. Property industry personalities who will feature in the talks include Chris Tan. Daniele Gambero, Richard Oon, Shereen Wong and Miichael Yeoh. The public is encouraged to come down and check out the properties on show, learn from the talks and check out the interesting attraction at the event. The guest of honour for the exhibition will be Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Local Government and Housing Dato Dr Jaujan Sambakong.