Butterworth, Penang • Serviced Residence
Rubica is a freehold serviced residence in Butterworth, Penang by OSK. Market reference RM 484K-690K for 946-1335 sqft, 230 units, completion Q2 2026. Lewis can help you compare the latest package,…
Foreign buyers judge value in the units they buy at home. Convert the asking price and the price per unit of area.
Price from
S$151,492
Price per unit of area
S$160.14 / sq ft
Indicative only, at rates as of 12 August 2026 · Bank Negara Malaysia and market mid-rates
The short answer first — then dig into photos, price and risk below.
Rubica is a freehold serviced residence in Butterworth, Penang, by OSK, priced from RM 484,000 (946-1335 sqft), completing Q2 2026, with an estimated gross rental yield of 3.4%–4.0%. Lewis Chong rates it 6.6/10 — not currently recommended. Only consider if the price, package or personal use-case is unusually strong.
First-Time Buyer. Long-term holding / Entry budget.
Check the floor plans first, then use the photos to judge facade, facilities and surroundings before you commit to a viewing.
Request current layout options, size range, facing, floor level, and available unit stack.
Check the practical details first before reading the deeper investment view.
Cross-check these details against the developer's brochure before you book a viewing.
Project Name
Location
Developer
Tenure
Completion Year
Price From
Built-up Range
Bedrooms
Maintenance Fee
Total Units
| Project Name | Rubica |
|---|---|
| Location | Butterworth, Penang |
| Developer | OSK |
| Tenure | Freehold |
| Completion Year | Q2 2026 |
| Price From | RM 484K-690K |
| Built-up Range | 946-1335 sqft |
| Bedrooms | 3-4 |
| Maintenance Fee | RM0.3/psf |
| Total Units | 230 |
A clean first scan of the project before you compare package, layout and risk.
Use these numbers as a shortlist guide for unit comparison.
A simple stress test factoring in vacancy buffer, rental guide and monthly holding guide.
Scenario
Monthly Rent
Cash Gap
Gross Yield
Vacancy Buffer
Monthly Holding
What it means
Scenario
Monthly Rent
Cash Gap
Gross Yield
Vacancy Buffer
Monthly Holding
What it means
Scenario
Monthly Rent
Cash Gap
Gross Yield
Vacancy Buffer
Monthly Holding
What it means
| Scenario | Monthly Rent | Gross Yield | Vacancy Buffer | Monthly Holding | Cash Gap | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | RM 1,350 | 3.3% | 2 months / year | RM 2,425 | -RM 1,300 | Stress-test case. Use this when you want more buffer for vacancy, furnishing and rental competition. |
| Balanced | RM 1,500 | 3.7% | 1 month / year | RM 2,425 | -RM 1,050 | Base planning case. Useful for checking whether the project still feels comfortable after normal vacancy buffer. |
| Optimistic | RM 1,600 | 4.0% | 0.5 month / year | RM 2,425 | -RM 892 | Upside case. Only use after checking strong furnished rental evidence and tenant demand. |
This is a decision guide, not a guaranteed return. It excludes personal tax, insurance, special assessment and future rate changes.
Rent figures are benchmark estimates pending verification against current nearby listings and Brickz / EdgeProp / NAPIC transaction evidence — this site does not invent transacted prices.
Confirm nett price, rebate and booking terms before paying.
RM 48,400 down payment + RM 33,880 upfront buffers
The cash buffer figure shown in the calculator below already includes these upfront buffers.
Instalment assumes 90% margin, 4.2% p.a., 35 years — indicative of the current Bank Negara OPR environment; confirm actual rates with your bank.
Quick guide only. Lewis can help check a more realistic bank package before you book.
Estimated instalment
RM 1,981
Maintenance guide
RM 331
Sinking fund guide
RM 33
Assessment & quit rent guide
RM 80
Monthly holding guide
RM 2,425
Cash buffer guide
RM 70,180
Instalment assumes 90% margin, 4.2% p.a., 35 years — indicative of the current Bank Negara OPR environment; confirm actual rates with your bank.
Compare asking prices of nearby new launches in the same area and state for market context.
| Project | Property Type | Tenure | Price From |
|---|---|---|---|
| RubicaCurrent | Serviced Residence | Freehold | RM 484,000 |
| Marina Residence | Condominium | Freehold | RM 546,000 |
| Bayu Residence | Condominium | Freehold | RM 600,000 |
| Orange Melur | Condominium | Freehold | RM 800,000 |
| Seiras Residences @ Batu Kawan | Condominium | Freehold | RM 485,000 |
Use this as a viewing checklist. Confirm exact travel time with Google Maps or Waze on your actual viewing day.
Lewis's honest take: overall score, realistic rental yield, the main risks, and which alternatives to compare before you decide.
Only consider if the price, package or personal use-case is unusually strong.
Suitable for
Avoid if
May not suit buyers who need confirmed walking distance to rail transit.
May not suit buyers who need to move in immediately or inspect the exact completed unit.
May not suit families who prioritise school and park convenience above all else.
Risk
Medium-High
Holding Period
5-8 years
Confidence
6.8/10
Lewis's screening model
6.6/10
Scored by the same model across every project on this site — price, tenure, location and rental demand. A screening aid, not a personal valuation.
Relative Value
Whether the entry price is justified by location quality, rental support, supply risk control and resale audience.
6.3/10
Location Score
Area strength, amenity depth, maturity and daily convenience.
6.4/10
Rental Demand
Tenant depth from jobs, lifestyle, education, medical, rail and city demand.
6.1/10
Accessibility
Rail, road, commute and practical access signals from public information and maps.
6.0/10
Future Growth
Infrastructure, commercial development, township maturity and growth catalysts.
6.6/10
Supply Risk Control
Higher score means healthier control against nearby competing supply.
7.7/10
Liquidity
Estimated resale audience depth and ability to exit later.
7.1/10
Score is a value-first Lewis framework using brochure facts, public map/infrastructure signals, rental-source checks, supply-risk control and market-source verification. A low price alone does not create a high score.
The score is not a decoration. Each factor points to what must be verified before booking.
Factor
Score
Why it matters
What to verify next
Factor
Score
Why it matters
What to verify next
Factor
Score
Why it matters
What to verify next
Factor
Score
Why it matters
What to verify next
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Score
Why it matters
What to verify next
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Score
Why it matters
What to verify next
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Score
Why it matters
What to verify next
| Factor | Score | Why it matters | What to verify next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relative Value | 6.3/10 | Whether the entry price is justified by location quality, rental support, supply risk control and resale audience. | Compare price against location quality, rent support, supply risk and resale audience before treating it as a good deal. |
| Location Score | 6.4/10 | Area strength, amenity depth, maturity and daily convenience. | Check daily route, surrounding amenities, road access and actual neighbourhood feel. |
| Rental Demand | 6.1/10 | Tenant depth from jobs, lifestyle, education, medical, rail and city demand. | Compare current PropertyGuru, iProperty and SPEEDHOME rental listings before relying on the estimate. |
| Accessibility | 6.0/10 | Rail, road, commute and practical access signals from public information and maps. | Verify Google Maps or Waze travel time during peak hour, not only brochure distance. |
| Future Growth | 6.6/10 | Infrastructure, commercial development, township maturity and growth catalysts. | Check MRT Corp, DBKL, developer masterplans and latest area development news. |
| Supply Risk Control | 7.7/10 | Higher score means healthier control against nearby competing supply. | Compare nearby launches, completed stock, rental competition and density before booking. |
| Liquidity | 7.1/10 | Estimated resale audience depth and ability to exit later. | Check Brickz, EdgeProp and comparable resale supply so the exit audience is realistic. |
Expected rental
RM 1,350 - RM 1,600
Estimated yield
3.4% - 4.0%
Tenant profile
First-Time Buyer
Estimate only. Confirm current furnished rent, vacancy buffer, maintenance fee and competing completed supply before booking. Updated: September 2026 · brochure completion reference: Q2 2026.
Butterworth, Penang location Freehold tenure Serviced Residence project
Butterworth, Penang location
Freehold tenure
Serviced Residence project
RM 484K-690K
Built-up: 946-1335 sqft
May not suit buyers who need confirmed walking distance to rail transit.
Traffic and actual travel time should be checked during weekday peak hour.
Final package, rebate, car park allocation and legal fee support can change without notice.
Rental estimate should be checked against current completed supply nearby.
Construction timeline and VP date should be reconfirmed with the developer.
Likely target audience: local own-stay families, upgraders or practical renters in the surrounding area.
Common buyer questions, related projects and a shorter enquiry form for next-step checks.
The current market reference lists OSK as the developer. Rubica is in Butterworth, Penang with completion reference Q2 2026.
Rubica may suit buyers comparing serviced residence options in Butterworth from RM 484K-690K with 946-1335 sqft built-ups and 3-4 bedroom layouts. Lewis can help compare the latest package, layout, rental angle and holding cost before you decide.
Rubica is a freehold serviced residence in Butterworth, Penang, by OSK, priced from RM 484,000 (946-1335 sqft), completing Q2 2026, with an estimated gross rental yield of 3.4%–4.0%. Lewis Chong rates it 6.6/10 — not currently recommended. NO. Only consider if the price, package or personal use-case is unusually strong.
Rubica has a Lewis Investment Score of 6.6/10 based on relative value, rental demand, supply risk control, liquidity, location quality, accessibility and future growth. Low price alone does not make a project top tier.
Ask Lewis to verify current nearby rental listings as the starting rental check, then compare maintenance, vacancy and furnishing cost before making an investment decision.
The current framework labels the project risk as Medium-High. The final risk depends on latest nett price, unit selection, competing supply and rental evidence.
Rubica is most suitable for First-Time Buyer.
Rubica may not suit Short-Term Flipper, Buyer needing immediate move-in.
The exit strategy is to buy a unit with clear resale audience, practical layout, sensible entry price and rental demand that can still compete with nearby completed projects.
Buyers comparing Rubica usually also look at Marina Residence (from RM 546,000), Bayu Residence (from RM 600,000) and Orange Melur (from RM 800,000). The better choice depends on budget, area and purpose — compare by Lewis Score, commute, rent evidence, maintenance and layout.
Check Brickz, EdgeProp and NAPIC evidence for actual transaction range, completed comparable prices and supply trend before relying on asking price.
The suggested holding period is 5-8 years, subject to loan comfort, vacancy buffer, market cycle and personal exit plan.
Partially — the Penang Mainland foreign-buyer minimum is RM 500,000, so foreign buyers must choose units priced at or above that level; entry units from RM 484,000 are below it. State Authority Consent and the flat 8% foreign stamp duty still apply.
Foreign buyers pay a flat 8% stamp duty on the purchase price (effective 1 January 2026 under Budget 2025/2026, replacing the graduated 1%–4% citizen scale) — on an entry price of RM 484,000 that is roughly RM 38,720. Malaysian permanent residents (PR) continue to enjoy standard citizen rates.
Rubica can suit own-stay buyers comparing Butterworth because it offers serviced residence options RM 484K-690K, with freehold tenure and layouts around 946-1335 sqft.
For investment, compare Rubica against nearby completed rental supply, realistic furnishing cost, maintenance fee and tenant demand before booking.
Ask for latest nett price, rebate, package validity, available unit stack, car park allocation, maintenance estimate, floor plan and loan comfort check.
Lewis Chong, REN 69566 under IQI Global, can help compare latest package, floor plan, loan comfort, rental logic and alternatives.
WhatsApp Lewis to verify the nearest MRT/LRT station and walking distance. Confirm actual walking distance and any covered link before relying on transit access.
WhatsApp Lewis to verify the nearest mall and everyday amenities, along with Butterworth and Penang. Confirm current retail, school and healthcare access before booking.
Yes. WhatsApp Lewis to request current layout types, size options, facing, floor level, available unit stack and floor plan images where available.
Ask for the latest nett price, rebate, car park allocation, legal package, booking terms and availability before paying any booking fee.
Yes. Share your budget, income range, commitments and preferred loan margin so the monthly instalment and cash needed can be estimated before viewing.
Get price list, floor plans — or book a viewing
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