Written by Dave Platter, Global PR Director
Renters, pay attention. You’re still getting a discount, but the window may be closing.
That’s one of the insights from Juwai IQI Co-Founder and Group CEO Kashif Ansari, who was quoted on the topic in the New Straits Times. His comments bring some hard numbers to the rent vs. buy debate in Malaysia.
According to Ansari, rent is still cheaper than it was before COVID, by about RM442 a month.
Meanwhile, home prices are steady, up just 0.8 points on the Malaysian House Price Index in 2024. Prices have been kept down in part by a 30% jump in new home launches.
The government is helping to keep housing affordable with real support: RM10 billion in housing credit guarantees and tax breaks.
Right now, renting still edges out on cost. But that edge is shrinking fast. What’s more, over the long-term, ownership builds wealth.
“Renters are still getting a discount nearly half a decade after the pandemic started,” Ansari told the New Straits Times. “But with rent trending upward and home prices stabilising, we expect the rent vs. buy equation to increasingly favour ownership in the coming years.”
What First-Time Buyers Should Know
Affordability is quietly improving. Financing is easier thanks to government-backed schemes and stable interest rates.
Meanwhile, 75,784 new homes were launched in 2024, a big jump up from just 56,526 the year before.
Construction costs are helping keep sales prices down. Building a mid-range high-rise in Kuala Lumpur is 63% cheaper than in Bangkok, and 260% cheaper than in Singapore.
That opens the door for more people to own instead of rent.
What’s Hot? Johor
One region stands out: Johor. It’s drawing more demand thanks to better transport and the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone.
If you’re looking for future value, Ansari says this is a key location to watch. But be careful about overpaying and select your investment carefully.
The Market Outlook
Overall, Ansari calls Malaysia’s current property market “healthy” and “stable.” No boom, no bust. He forecasts prices will grow 2%–3% in 2025, thanks to support from the strong economy.
“By far, more people own their homes than rent,” he said. “More than three quarters of Malaysians are homeowners.”
In 2024, 260,516 people bought homes—up 4% from the year before.
