Modernising Real Estate Management And Investment With Technology
CSX Holdings' Charles Tsao shares on how they manage to incorporate technology in property management
CSX Holdings Sdn. Bhd., a real estate investment group and a property management company, captures the heart of the developers and property investors’ with its technology-integrated management system that helps property owners to better manage and market their properties, and provides short-stay and long-stay options to meet the convenience of the locals and visitors in Sabah.
The company’s existing strength as a Taiwan-based IT company and a logistic company, has given Charles Tsao – Chairman of CSX Holdings, the idea to curate a more holistic and personalised property managing system that distinguishes the company from other property management and real estate investment companies. Investors and buyers can understand the potential growth of the properties invested through CSX’s marketing plans to draw investment returns via property rentals and the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme. The company has also recently launched ZUBA, a hotel and homestay platform that works closely with local merchants to provide better deals and services for the local tourism sector.
“The difference between us and other property companies is we utilise our strength as an IT company incorporating technology into creating a platform to manage properties. With the data that we collect, it helps us analyse and curate a personalised marketing direction and management to meet the market’s supply and demand,”
Charles Tsao, Chairman of CSX Holdings
Charles Tsao, Chairman of CSX Holdings
CSX also runs different divisions in other countries, managing the properties according market needs, such as short-stay programmes for visitors, or long-stay for foreigners who intend to co-own or fully own a property in the country.
In Sabah, short-term stay programmes are prioritized due to the state's status as a tourist destination, whereas in Kuala Lumpur, it is mixed (short-term and long-term) due to the higher rate of expatriates and travelers. Post-pandemic changes have also provided CSX Holdings with new insights and strategies when it comes to promoting their properties. These insights has led the company to not only develop tourist-centric short-stay programmes but to also be actively collaborating with property developers to build up commercial units that can benefit investors seeking rental returns.
Pushing Boundaries
“Hotels are often fully booked as the number of tourists has surged after COVID-19. Seeing the rising demand for short-stay accommodation in Sabah, this has given us the idea to evolve from a technology and real estate investment company to becoming a property management company as well. This has further enriched the services our company can offer.”
From left: Lily Wong (Business Manager), Anson Ng Choon Sin (Managing Director), Calvern Ng Soon Yong (Executive Director), Charles Tsao (Chairman), Tan Yeah Yein (Business Manager)
From left: Lily Wong (Business Manager), Anson Ng Choon Sin (Managing Director), Calvern Ng Soon Yong (Executive Director), Charles Tsao (Chairman), Tan Yeah Yein (Business Manager)
CSX Holdings is also now in constant talks with local developers and have received proposals to expand their services into a new sector, namely industrial properties. Charles believes that such joint ventures will only open up more opportunities for the group in the long run. Exploring in this sector may lead to increased efficiency when it comes to warehousing and logistics facilities, which in turn will mean a lower rate for goods transportation in Sabah. Armed with the awareness that there is a demand for warehouses, the company's potential foray into the industrial sector will draw more foreign vendors to engage with local warehouses when selling their goods as it is cheaper to have their items shipped locally.
The daily data generated from their system and programmes provide the company and investors with a daily revenue run rate that gives them a better understanding of their properties' performance. This gives CSX Holdings the confidence to drive planning and decisions daily, forming a strong foundation for them to expand. These transparent data is the base from which the company can root and expand in the property investment and IPO arena.
CSX Holdings aims to have a wider spectrum of property investments under their portfolio and to be public-listed in the next 5 years.
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