Frequent property investment question: what is the property price and rental?

Frequent property investment question was how much is the property and what is the rental to determine whether it is worth investing and able to generate positive cash flow. In addition, we were always told to buy property below market price but the question is what is market price and rental of the property we are interested to invest?

The property price and rental information contained in the Property Market Report 2008 from JPPH Ministry of Finance Malaysia which the data presented by state was based on actual 2008 transactions done is useful as a guide to to these questions even though some of the properties price and rental might have already increased by now 2009.

I listed sample data with top 10 transactions (Penang Island) in the report below.
Apartment
-N-Park s/s:24 140-177k (+4.4% compared to 2007)
-Ratu Mutiara s/s: 20 228-398k (-7.6%)
-Sunny Ville s/s:20 170-270k (+7.8%)
-Putra place s/s:200-260k (+8.0%)
-Desa Permata s/s:17 115-130k (stable)
-E-Park s/s:15 180-245k (-1.2%)
-Villa Emas s/s:15 198-250k (4.4%)
-Taman Desa Relau II s/s:15 130-150k (+3.5%)
-Desa Green s/s:14 98-134k (2.3%)
-Pearl Garden s/s:13 218-285k (+2.8%)

Double storey terrace prices range
-Taman Sunway Bayan s/s:11 480-582k (11.4%)
-Taman Tunas Damai s/s:9 515-545k (ND)
-Island Glades s/s:8 435-600k (+11.8%)
-Island Park s/s:7 468-550k (+13.9%)
-Taman Sri Nibong s/s:6 550-600k (+13.3%)
-Taman Desa Ara s/s:5 405-500k (+18.6%)

Based on example above, landed double storey appreciated a double digit (>10%) while apartment appreaciated in single digit. Big sample size data happened in Bayan Baru areas.

Sample of Penang Island Apartment rental data:
-Desa Permata 420-450RM (stable)
-E-Park 950-1200RM (stable)
-Ratu Mutiara 1500-1600 (stable)
-Sunny Ville 1000-1200 (stable)
-Putra Place 1000 (+5.3%)