Video thumbnail for Episode 62 - JBCC Property Battle of the Year 2025: EXSIM CIQ versus R&F Princess Cove Phase 3

JB Property Hot Picks 2025: EXSIM CIQ vs R&F Princess Cove (RTS Guide!)

Summary

Quick Abstract

Thinking of investing in Johor Bahru property? Get the inside scoop on two HUGE projects battling for supremacy in JB City Centre this June: XMCQ and RNF Princess Cove Phase 3! This summary compares these titans head-to-head, revealing key differences that could influence your investment.

Quick Takeaways:

  • Both projects are freehold and foreigner-eligible, bypassing the RM1 million minimum price.

  • XMCQ boasts a shorter walk to the RTS station, while RNF offers larger unit sizes.

  • RNF emphasizes sports facilities & connects to a large existing mall.

  • XMCQ has a resort-style design and potential Airbnb management.

  • RNF units have indicative price lower than XMCQ's

Learn about location, amenities, design concepts, floor plans, developer reputations, and, of course, pricing. Discover which project aligns with your investment goals and take advantage of the upcoming Rapid Transit System (RTS) link to Singapore!

Introduction

Good day everyone! Welcome to episode 62 of my YouTube video series. Today, we're diving into an exciting topic - the Johor Bahru (JB) city center fight night. In June this month, two major projects in JB city center are launching, and they're like giants competing head-to-head. I've created a poster inspired by Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul to represent this intense competition. These projects are sure to be the talk of the town for months and years to come, especially for those considering buying property in JB city center.

Before we start, I'd like to share a bit about what I've been up to. I'm currently on holiday in Cherating, Pahang, on the east coast of Malaysia, with my family. It's a great place to visit, with beautiful beaches. Tonight, we're going to see turtles hatching eggs on the beach, which is a unique experience. This is something you can do in the east coast of Malaysia, and it's a great activity for families.

About Me

My name is Ryan Coup. I'm a Malaysian and a Singapore Permanent Resident. I've been in Singapore since 2009, and my children are Singaporean, while my wife is Singaporean. I'm a property investor and a property agent in Singapore. I'm known for speaking about Malaysian properties and have written two books on property in Malaysia. I own multiple properties in both Malaysia and Singapore and earn a good rental income from them.

The Two Projects: XMCQ vs RNF Phase 3

The two projects launching in June are XMCQ and RNF Phase 3. These are significant projects in JB city center, and they're both important for several reasons.

Johor Bahru City Center

JB city center is a small but crucial area in JB. As an investor, I'm particularly focused on this location, which I call the "super tier" or "S tier." This area is important because it's where the Rapid Transit System (RTS) will be located. The RTS is an MRT line that will connect Woodlands in Singapore to JB city center. Construction of the RTS is already underway, and it's set to be completed in December 2026, which is about 18 months from now. Once the RTS is operational, it will make JB property more attractive to investors and retirees alike.

Foreigner Eligibility

One of the reasons these two projects are in competition is because they're both relatively foreigner-friendly. In Malaysia, foreigners typically need to pay a minimum of 1 million ringgit to buy property. However, XMCQ and RNF Phase 3 have exceptions. XMCQ allows foreigners to buy at 600,000 ringgit, while RNF Phase 3 allows foreigners to buy at 500,000 ringgit. This makes these projects more accessible to foreign buyers, especially Singaporeans.

Project Comparison

Let's compare the two projects in terms of several factors:

Location

  • XMCQ: Located in a triangular-shaped piece of land that is currently a car park. It's surrounded by some older buildings and condos. XMCQ is technically a bit nearer to the RTS station, with an estimated walking distance of about 600 meters via a proposed link bridge.

  • RNF Phase 3: The largest of the three phases of RNF Princess Cove. It's located near the water, and two towers have a sea view. The walking distance from RNF Phase 3 to the RTS station is about 850 meters via a link bridge.

Amenities and Facilities

  • RNF Phase 3: Focuses on sports facilities, with a 50-meter lap pool, tennis court, badminton court, and basketball court. It also has standard amenities like a jacuzzi, children's pool, barbecue area, mini golf course, gym, multi-purpose room, and wine cigar room.

  • XMCQ: Has a resort-style design with an ocean and forest concept. It features a river-like swimming pool, hidden cabanas, a lot of trees, and a sky garden on top of the tower.

Retail Components

  • RNF Phase 3: Will sell retail lots, and it's connected to the large RNF mall in Phase 1, which is about 800,000 square feet.

  • XMCQ: Will have two floors of retail space, which the developer will keep and lease out. They plan to have at least one supermarket, some F&B outlets, and convenience stores.

Unique Selling Points (USPs)

  • XMCQ: Will have two towers that will be run as Airbnb towers, with an operator to manage the rentals. This is an interesting option for investors.

  • RNF Phase 3: Has two towers with a sea view, which is a plus point as sea views are not easy to come by in JB city center.

Floor Plans

  • RNF Phase 3: Offers a variety of floor plans, including one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom, and dual-key designs. The layouts are generally quite spacious.

  • XMCQ: Has smaller floor plans compared to RNF Phase 3, but some units have a foyer and a yard. Only the three-bedroom and larger units have a balcony.

Specifications

  • Legal Fees: Both projects offer a legal fee package that includes SPA and loan legal fees if you take a loan.

  • State Consent Fee: Foreigners need to pay a state consent fee of 2% or 20,000 ringgit, whichever is higher.

  • Furnishings: Both projects provide air-conditioning and kitchen cabinets. XMCQ also provides a wardrobe, while RNF Phase 3 does not. XMCQ gives a microwave, while RNF Phase 3 gives an oven. XMCQ also provides a two-in-one washer-dryer and a fridge, which are not commonly provided in Malaysian projects.

  • Car Parks: XMCQ offers two car parks for three-bedroom and larger units, while RNF Phase 3 offers one car park for all units.

Developer

  • XMCQ: A Malaysian developer that is well-known in Kuala Lumpur. They have a good track record of completing many projects in Malaysia.

  • RNF: A Chinese developer that is one of the biggest in China. They are most well-known for the RNF Princess Cove projects in JB, which have been popular among Singaporean buyers.

Pricing

  • XMCQ: The units are smaller in size, but the price per square foot is higher, ranging from about 1,200 to 1,300 ringgit per square foot.

  • RNF Phase 3: The units are larger, and the price per square foot is lower, around 1,000 ringgit per square foot.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both XMCQ and RNF Phase 3 are good projects with their own pros and cons. It really depends on your personal preferences and investment goals. If you're interested in learning more about these projects, I invite you to contact me. I can provide you with more detailed information and arrange for a viewing of the sales galleries. Remember, the middle of June is a critical time if you want to be an early bird buyer, as prices may go up after the launch.

If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below or WhatsApp me at 81261626 (Singapore number) or 0122591876 (Malaysian number). I'm happy to answer your questions and help you make an informed decision.

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to my YouTube channel if you found this video helpful. I hope to reach 10,000 followers this year. And please share this video with your friends and family who are interested in buying property in JB. These two projects are highly recommended for anyone looking to invest in JB city center this year.

Thank you very much for watching, and I'll see you in the next video!

Was this summary helpful?

Quick Actions

Watch on YouTube

Summarize a New YouTube Video

Enter a YouTube video URL below to get a quick summary and key takeaways.